Kyle Kirkwood isn’t occupied with factors going into the one hundred and tenth Operating of the Indianapolis 500.
“Fairly truthfully, it is the most important 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 concerning the factors afterwards. Hopefully the win will catapult us again in the direction of the entrance. That is sort of the main target.”
The Florida native at the moment 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 precious factors from qualifying, which pays 12 factors to pole-winner, Palou, and descends down the working 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 should combat from twenty fifth on the grid within the #27 Andretti World Honda.
“After all I watched qualifying yesterday,” he mentioned. “There are some factors which can be paid out for qualifying, if I am not mistaken, in order that one harm slightly bit.
“Fairly truthfully, I am not targeted 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 World Honda
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
Though Kirkwood has solely 4 earlier begins on the Brickyard, he’s endured charging from the again to the entrance, going the other way up, and being within the thick of the battle close to the entrance solely to fall brief. He has a greatest end of seventh within the Indy 500 (2024). And that is additionally not the primary time he’s are available in with momentum and being on the sharp finish of the championship standings.
When requested if there are any classes from prior he can apply this time round, Kirkwood known as upon that have but in addition 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 totally different, one thing’s new,” he mentioned. “There’s all the time one thing you can be taught.
“I am consuming from a hearth hose from these two [pointing to Power and Ericsson] that do it so nicely round a spot like this and have many extra years of data than I do. So we even have an important camaraderie between all three of us drivers. I feel we’re a powerhouse group if you happen to have a look at the lineup.”
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 virtually yearly I’ve pushed from the again to the entrance sooner or later, 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. Nevertheless it offers me a whole lot of confidence coming right here. Irrespective of the place I feel we’ll begin, you will see our Sam’s Membership Honda close to the entrance sooner or later subsequent week.
“It is thrilling instances, and there is all the time one thing to be taught off of, for certain.”
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