The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has seen non-stop action in August. Portland started a busy end to the 2026 season, with six races being run over five weeks. With August coming to a close, the series has one final outing at Laguna Seca. However, looking back to all the action we saw over the month, Andretti Global stands out. After winning the debut race in Arlington earlier this year, the team followed it up by winning the remaining new races in Markham and Washington, D.C.

Ericsson Took a Late Win in Markham

Throughout the Markham weekend, Andretti looked solid. Whilst practice saw a promise of pace, qualifying was challenging for the team. Will Power crash in the Group stage, and the consequent red flag prevented Kyle Kirkwood from advancing. As a result, Marcus Ericsson was the highest driver from the team, starting fourth.

The race itself was defined by cautions and strategy. Although Ericsson was near the front, the two remaining Andretti drivers were facing a recovery drive. For Power, it was another race showing his talent wheel-to-wheel and under pressure as he climbed through the grid. Unfortunately, Kirkwood couldn’t say the same, crashing at Turn 3 on Lap 53. This saw him DNF, finishing 21st and allowing Álex Palou to stretch his championship lead.

Whilst Kirkwood was out, Power and Ericsson used an alternate strategy to capitalise late in the race. The pair went conservative with their tyres and fuel, saving them for a late charge. It paid off. With five laps remaining, Ericsson overtook Romain Grosjean to take the win. This ended a 63-race long wait for a win, his last coming at St. Petersburg in 2023. Power also made moves near the end, to go last to third and take another podium.

Kirkwood Dominates in Washington, D.C.

Just like Markham, Andretti showed a promising start in Washington, D.C. Kirkwood and Ericsson were quick to be on pace, whilst Power was once again making mistakes. Despite the strengths shown in practice, only Kirkwood could replicate that come qualifying. The title rival qualified second, whereas his teammates narrowly missed advancing to the Fast 12.

The green flag fell and Kirkwood wasted no time, immediately overtaking the championship leader. Now in first, he was untouchable. Leading 128 out of the 147 laps, the American was dominant as he celebrated the 250th birthday of his country.

Power and Ericsson also impressed, though. After starting in the lower half of the grid, the pair carefully managed their race through the cautions and avoided being caught up in the surrounding chaos. This patience and calm racing saw them work their way through the field. As the race developed, so did their pace and soon, they were closing in on the podium.

The closing stages saw the Australian bring the fight to Christian Lundgaard. Whilst he ran out of laps to overtake, he was right behind when the chequered flag flew and once again, Power completed another recovery drive to finish on the podium. This marked his fifth podium with the team, and third in a row.

Ericsson finished fourth but, unlike Power, he lost momentum towards the end. Finishing eight seconds adrift of his teammate, he defended his position from Kyffin Simpson in the closing laps. This battle showed his cool nature under pressure and gave Andretti all three cars in the top four.

Why Street Tracks?

Over the years, Andretti Global have been the team to watch on street tracks. These temporary venues often catch drivers and teams out, but Andretti have found a way to consistently perform. With over 20 wins and 22 pole positions on these tracks, why does this team adapt better?

Typically, street tracks feature slower, tighter corners. Consequently, grip is more important than aerodynamic downforce. Andretti Global are able to find set-ups that maximise the low-speed mechanical grip required on these circuits, giving them an advantage.

As seen in Washington, D.C., bumpy, uneven surfaces can be a factor on street tracks, that often lead to lock-ups or crashes. For Andretti, their suspension dampers excel at high-frequency absorption over bumps, drain covers and uneven surfaces. This allows them to drive over these features without any bouncing or skipping.

By managing their braking and traction, Andretti often excel at the slower-speed corners too. Balancing the anti-roll bars, hybrid usage, and brake bias gives them a more predictable and stable car, allowing their drivers to push consistently even in the more technical areas of the tracks.

Whilst Álex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing have been the team to beat in recent years, 2026 has seen Andretti Global close that gap slightly. The 2026 INDYCAR season marked the debut of three new street tracks that all featured unique layouts and differences. Although all three differed, Andretti Global took the win at each one, solidifying them as a team to watch.

Andretti Global Dominate the New Tracks

Out of the trio, Kirkwood stands out the most. His win in Arlington saw him take the lead of the championship for the first time. Whilst Palou eventually reclaimed that, his recent win in Washington, D.C. brought the title fight alive again. His crash in Markham was a rare mistake for the Floridian, but he bounced back immediately, showing how well he can compartmentalise and look forward. With five of his seven wins coming on street tracks, 2026 has seen him solidify his moniker “King of the Streets”.

Despite Power struggling throughout practice and qualifying in all three new races, he showed his experience each time. This allowed him to be the only driver to make the podium at each track. Capitalising on strategy and patience gave Power the edge to complete this feat.

The new tracks also saw Ericsson return to his winning ways. It appears that the Swede has regained his momentum in 2026, allowing him to fight more. Arlington saw his maiden INDYCAR pole and months later, Markham saw him become a winner again.

For Andretti Global, the new tracks have proved that they are the team to beat on the streets. Undefeated at these new outings despite issues shows how they can adapt throughout a race weekend to maximise the outcome. In all three races, the team secured two drivers on the podium, sending a clear message that they have a winning trio of drivers.