Kyle Kirkwood’s triumph Sunday at the Detroit Grand Prix not only marked his first win in the Motor City but also solidified his standing in the IndyCar Championship race.
‘Driving the No. 27 Siemens AWS Honda for Andretti Global, Kirkwood led an impressive 48 laps, showcasing the car’s speed and his craft on a challenging street course. “This is a massive day for us, a true exclamation point on everything we’ve done lately,” said Kirkwood, reflecting on a rollercoaster recent fortnight filled with highs and lows
So far in 2025, Kirkwood is just one of two drivers with a victory on the Indycar circuit. Even with two wins so far, Kirkwood still trails Indy 500 winner Alex Palou, who nad a misfortunate run into the wall on Lap 73 of the course. He wound up finishing 25th, but still holds a major lead in the championship standings.
“It’s unfortunate for him, but it helps us in the points race,” Kirkwood noted. The crash created an opportunity for Kirkwood to narrow the gap slightly in the championship standings significantly, placing him 102 points behind Palou. “I know how tough these days can be, but we have to keep pushing,” he said. “We’re still a mile away, but it puts you back in a position where you feel like you might be able to get that back. “But I’m sure we’re going to go to road courses, Palou will go back to doing what he’s been doing.”
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Kirkwood Admits His Teammate was ‘Robbed’
While showing excitement for his victory, Kirkwood praised Andretti teammate, Colton Herta, who led for 12 laps early in the race before being involved pushed wide. He finished third while Santino Ferrucci was runner up. “Colton did everything right this weekend. He was fast and he had the pole; if it weren’t for that incident, he probably would have won,” Kirkwood said.
As he heads into a much-needed off-week, Kirkwood plans to rejuvenate in Florida before heading to Illinois for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on June 15 (televised on Fox). “It’s been a long month, and I’m looking forward to a break,” he said. With renewed determination, he aims to carry this momentum forward into the season, eyeing future races to continue closing in on the championship.