Lundgaard ‘happy to not see Palou win for once’ en route to runner-up in Freedom 250 GP

Christian Lundgaard's second-place finish at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix at the National Mall in Washington D.C. showcased his impressive form in the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series. The 25-year-old Dane, who started ninth on the grid, demonstrated a standout drive behind the wheel of his Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. This result marks Lundgaard's sixth podium of the year, contributing to an impressive stat line that includes two wins, 11 top-10 finishes, and one pole position.

With this victory, Lundgaard climbed to third place in the overall championship standings with 443 points, just 19 points behind race winner Kyle Kirkwood. As only three races remain on the schedule, the title race has become highly competitive. Reflecting on the weekend, Lundgaard expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, "I'm definitely pushing for that second. Kyle made that a little tougher for me today."

Driving against the backdrop of the nation's capital left a lasting impression on the young driver. Lundgaard praised the experience, saying, "What an experience all weekend. The best background I've ever had on a racetrack." He also noted that both Kyle Palou and David Malukas faced difficult performances on the Washington street course, leaving the championship open for grabs heading into the final stretch of the season.