Kyle Kirkwood isn’t excited about factors going into the a hundred and tenth Operating of the Indianapolis 500.
“Fairly actually, it is the largest race on the planet,” mentioned Kirkwood, 27. “We’re right here to win. That is precisely what we wish to do. We’re solely, what, six races in now? We’ll fear in regards to the factors afterwards. Hopefully the win will catapult us again in the direction of the entrance. That is form of the main target.”
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The Florida native presently sits second within the IndyCar championship standings, 27 factors behind four-time and reigning collection titlist Alex Palou (237-210).
Whereas a win subsequent Sunday in “Biggest Spectacle in Racing” would elevate Kirkwood’s legacy and assist in the title race, he already took a small hit after qualifying. He was unable to make the Quick 12 and earn any useful factors from qualifying, which pays 12 factors to pole-winner, Palou, and descends down the operating order to eleventh (Observe: after rookie Caio Collet’s time was thrown out, he gained’t gather any qualifying factors regardless of making the Quick 12).
Kirkwood must battle from twenty fifth on the grid within the #27 Andretti International Honda.
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“In fact I watched qualifying yesterday,” he mentioned. “There are some factors which might be paid out for qualifying, if I am not mistaken, in order that one damage just a little bit.
“Fairly actually, I am not centered on the championship factors, however I see it within the aftermath. However we’re right here to win. That is the main target.”
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti International Honda
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti International Honda
Though Kirkwood has solely 4 earlier begins on the Brickyard, he’s endured charging from the again to the entrance, going the wrong way up, and being within the thick of the battle close to the entrance solely to fall quick. He has a greatest end of seventh within the Indy 500 (2024). And that is additionally not the primary time he’s are available with momentum and being on the sharp finish of the championship standings.
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When requested if there are any classes from prior he can apply this time round, Kirkwood known as upon that have but additionally pointed to teammates Will Energy and Marcus Ericsson, who’ve every triumphed on the Indy 500.
“Each time you come again right here, one thing’s completely different, one thing’s new,” he mentioned. “There’s all the time one thing you could be taught.
“I am ingesting from a hearth hose from these two [pointing to Power and Ericsson] that do it so effectively round a spot like this and have many extra years of information than I do. So we even have a terrific camaraderie between all three of us drivers. I believe we’re a powerhouse group in case you have a look at the lineup.”
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Kirkwood additionally continues to be taught off the previous classes whereas additionally gauging the long run.
“Yearly I come again right here, I really feel extra assured,” he mentioned. “I do know what a very good race automotive appears like. It appears like nearly yearly I’ve pushed from the again to the entrance in some unspecified time in the future, whether or not we have certified on the entrance and ended up on the again after which gone again ahead or we have certified on the again and gone again ahead. But it surely provides me numerous confidence coming right here. Regardless of the place I believe we will begin, you may see our Sam’s Membership Honda close to the entrance in some unspecified time in the future subsequent week.
“It is thrilling occasions, and there is all the time one thing to be taught off of, for positive.”
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