IndyCar in Nashville recap: Kyle Kirkwood wins Music City Grand Prix

The IndyCar Series is racing on the streets of Nashville for the third year. Scott McLaughlin earned the pole position for Sunday's 80-lap race on the 11-turn, 2.17-mile layout.

Scott Dixon is tying Tony Kanaan's series-record 318-consecutive start streak. Alex Palou enters with an 80-point lead in the championship race over hometown favorite Josef Newgarden. Linus Lundqvist is making his first career IndyCar Series start in place of the injured Simon Pagenaud.

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Kyle Kirkwood wins IndyCar Music City Grand Prix

Kyle Kirkwood earns his second IndyCar Series victory of this season, dominating the second half of the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.

Kirkwood, who started eighth, finishes one-half second ahead of pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin on a three-lap dash following a red flag. Kirkwood also won at Long Beach, his only top-5 finishes of the season.

McLaughlin also finished second here in 2022.

Series points lead Alex Palou stretched his fuel to finish third, with his closest pursuer, Josef Newgarden, in fourth. Palou has an 84-point edge over Newgarden with four races remaining.

Scott Dixon finished fifth, followed by Romain Grosjean, Marcus Ericsson, Pato O'Ward, Christian Lundgaard and Will Power.

Lap 74: Multiple cars crash on restart

RED FLAG. Felix Rosenqvist, Agustin Canapino and Benjamin Pedersen get together at the rear of the restart. Also, Colton Herta taps the wall. Five laps will remain. Kyle Kirkwood leads, followed by Scott McLaughlin, Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon.

Lap 70: Linus Lindqvist brings out caution

The IndyCar Series rookie hits the wall. That may allow Alex Palou enough fuel savings to finish without pitting. Also, Jack Harvey has front wing damage.

Lap 65: Kyle Kirkwood maintains IndyCar lead

He's 2+ seconds ahead of Scott McLaughlin. Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon are about 15 seconds back.

Lap 55: Kyle Kirkwood leads IndyCar in Nashville

Most of the field has recently taken pit stops. Kyle Kirkwood leads Scott McLaughlin, followed by Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon. Palou's most recent pit stop was several laps earlier. He may need a caution to be able to get to the finish.

Lap 49: Scott McLaughlin passes Romain Grosjean for second place

Grosjean loses grip coming off the bridge, allowing McLaughlin a chance to take the spot. Also, Rinus VeeKay can't make a turn while battling Alexander Rossi (they make contact), and Will Power passes both of them for 5th place.

Lap 45: Alex Palou pits out of the lead

Kyle Kirkwood inherits the lead, and Romain Grosjean and pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin are very close. McLaughlin has more push-to-pass available than the others.

Lap 30: Marcus Ericsson leads IndyCar in Nashville

Following Ericsson are Alexander Rossi and Alex Palou, who is on an alternate pit strategy.

Lap 24: Romain Grosjean passes Pato O'Ward for second

O'Ward's tire degredation costs him several spots before he pits. Scott McLaughlin, who has not pitted, remains out front.

Lap 18: Colton Herta loses a lot of ground on restart

From third place, six drivers pass him and he makes a green-flag pit stop. Scott McLaughlin leads, with Pato O'Ward and Romain Grosjean behind.

Lap 12: David Malukas brings out first caution

Malukas loses his rear wing. Race leader Scott McLaughlin stays out, while series leader Alex Palou pits, and returns to the field in 21st.

Lap 5: Clean start to IndyCar in Nashville

Christian Lundgaard moves up to 9th from 13th in the early laps, and Sting Ray Robb improves from 24th to 16th. Scott McLaughlin maintains a 1+ second lead on Pato O'Ward.

Ric Flair is at the the IndyCar race

The pro wrestling legend's likeness and signature "Whooooo!" are on the side of Devlin DeFrancesco's car today.

IndyCar starting lineup in Nashville

1. Scott McLaughlin

2. Pato O’Ward

3. Colton Herta

4. Alex Palou

5. David Malukas

6. Romain Grosjean

7. Will Power

8. Kyle Kirkwood

9. Josef Newgarden

10. Alexander Rossi

11. Linus Lundqvist

12. Scott Dixon

13. Christian Lundgaard

14. Felix Rosenqvist

15. Graham Rahal

16. Marcus Armstrong

17. Helio Castroneves

18. Callum Ilott

19. Rinus VeeKay

20. Marcus Ericsson

21. Santino Ferrucci

22. Jack Harvey

23. Agustin Canapino

24. Sting Ray Robb

25. Benjamin Pedersen

26. Devlin DeFrancesco

27. Ryan Hunter-Reay

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar in Nashville: Highlights, crashes from Music City Grand Prix