Andretti Global Racing has revealed a fresh livery design for Kyle Kirkwood’s #27 car as the IndyCar season approaches its finale at Nashville Superspeedway. The update, announced on July 31, features the new primary sponsorship from Sam’s Club, a prominent US-based warehouse retail chain owned by Walmart, marking a significant partnership for the team.
The team shared images on social media showcasing the striking new look, which integrates the blue and white colors of the Sam’s Club brand. The advertisement extends beyond the main sponsor logo to include the Sam’s Club Member Access Platform (MAP) prominently displayed on the side pods of the car, merging branding with race-ready aesthetics.
The new livery will be officially first seen on the track during the season finale event scheduled for August 30-31 at Nashville Superspeedway. Kirkwood’s previous performances at this venue include a pole position and a top-five finish, setting high expectations for the upcoming race with the new design.
Kyle Kirkwood Expresses Enthusiasm for New Sponsorship with Sam’s Club
Kyle Kirkwood expressed strong excitement about Sam’s Club joining as the primary sponsor for the season’s final race. He appreciates the collaboration with a nationally recognized brand and sees it as an opportunity to elevate both his performance and the sponsor’s visibility, particularly in the Nashville market.
“I’m extremely excited to have Sam’s Club on board for the INDYCAR season finale in Nashville. It’s amazing to have such a well-known, national brand join the team, and we’re excited to show them what the Andretti INDYCAR program is all about. We hope that we can continue to elevate their success in the Nashville market with a strong performance on track in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda.”
— Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Driver
Insights from Kyle Kirkwood on IndyCar’s Race Dynamics and Allowed Moves
Earlier in the season, Kyle Kirkwood discussed his experiences during the Detroit race and commented on certain race control decisions that affect driving strategies. On the podcast SpeedStreet, hosted by Conor Daly and Chase Holden, Kirkwood reflected on the challenges of overtaking and navigating tight corners at various circuits, emphasizing his viewpoint on “clearly allowed” moves that he personally disagrees with.
“It gets enticing to just like I’ll break this guy, and it’s easy to do. Cause everyone’s going so slow, and it’s just too inviting compared to all the other races that we go to, and that’s what’s creating trash, right, like all the places that would be great. Exactly like and then when somebody actually does get alongside somebody, a lot of the corners like narrow up on you…..Yes, what is actually available on entry is not available on exit. So running two cars side by side is nearly impossible, like the exit of one,”
— Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Driver
“The exit of one, the exit of four, the exit of five. There’s not enough room to run side by side. You do a risky move, you take yourself out with another guy, or you take the other guy out with you. Which, in the eyes of race control, we’ve seen in the past, is clearly allowed, so people end up doing it, which I don’t agree with,”
— Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Driver
Kirkwood’s reflections underscore the complexities drivers face on narrow tracks where overtaking maneuvers carry high risks and race control decisions influence driving behavior significantly.
Current Championship Standing and Season Outlook for Kyle Kirkwood
Kyle Kirkwood currently holds fourth place in the IndyCar drivers’ championship with a total of 377 points, maintaining competitive momentum as the season nears its conclusion. His recent performances, including two wins this season and strong showings at various tracks, add to the anticipation surrounding his potential impact in Nashville with the updated Sam’s Club livery on his Andretti Global car.
The introduction of the new livery and sponsorship marks a key moment in Andretti Global’s marketing and competitive strategy, with the season finale serving as a crucial stage for both showcasing the team’s capabilities and solidifying sponsor partnerships moving forward.
