Motorsport picture
Beginning on pole has confirmed to be a superb omen for on the streets of Lengthy Seaside.
Kirkwood led a race-high 46 laps and stored defending champion in his rearview mirror to win for the second time within the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside. It’s the Floridian’s third-career victory and second from pole within the iconic road race.
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The outcome ended a 23-race winless streak for Kirkwood, who gained twice within the 2023 season with Andretti International after debuting with AJ Foyt Racing in 2022, however failed to succeed in victory lane in 2024. It elevated the 26-year-old to second within the standings.
“What an important day,” Kirkwood mentioned. “We managed the race. Even from follow we felt we had been in management. Actually good qualifying. Wonderful race. Wonderful technique.
“It was simply execution all throughout the board. (That)’s what gained us that race right here as we speak. As a result of if Palou was in entrance, he would have beat us for certain. This was a monitor place race right here as we speak, with none cautions.
How the Lengthy Seaside GP unfolded…Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi RacingPenske Leisure
Penske Leisure
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Palou entered Sunday’s race undefeated on the 12 months and did every little thing in his energy to maintain the streak alive. The Spaniard snuck by from third within the opening pit sequence and closed as much as Kirkwood’s rear wing on lap 65 after pitting one lap earlier on an undercut technique. However Kirkwood averted any points on chilly tires and pulled away by 2.6859 seconds over the ultimate stint, forcing Palou to accept second at race’s finish.
“He didn’t make it simple on us,” Kirkwood joked.
With passing a problem and monitor place at a premium on the tight California road circuit, the majority of Sunday’s working order got here right down to tire technique and timing of pit stops. Nearly all of the sector began on the softer alternate tire, hoping to pit shortly after passing the obligatory two laps for a stint on every compound. Solely six drivers elected to begin on main tires, stopping for alternates in a brief center stint.
Key amongst these on the alternate technique was Arrow McLaren’s , who rallied from twelfth after crashing in qualifying to snag the ultimate spot on the rostrum. The Dane stayed out till the top of lap 27 on his opening stint, made it to the top of lap 39 on his softs and received on technique with the opposite contenders with a remaining cease on lap 60. He chased down over the ultimate stint and used a deep lunge to sneak previous the Swede for the ultimate podium place with 5 laps remaining.
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Rosenqvist held on for fourth, with rising from thirteenth to salvage a top-five in fifth. , , , and capped off the top-10.
There have been no cautions on the day and all automobiles reached the checkered flag. The one main situation got here for , who suffered the identical seat belt situation — thrice — that finally relegated him to final in twenty seventh.
on Might 4, with the Month of Might at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to observe.
