Kyle Kirkwood, driving for Andretti Global, is determined to overcome a significant points deficit to Alex Palou and claim the 2025 IndyCar championship. Currently second in the standings with 317 points, Kirkwood is trailing Palou by 113 points but remains optimistic about his chances as the season progresses.
Kirkwood Acknowledges the Challenge Ahead in the Championship Race
The Florida-born driver pilots the #27 Honda-powered Andretti Global car and has consistently shown speed and skill throughout the season. Despite the sizable points gap, Kirkwood believes closing in to within 85 points would keep the championship firmly within reach. Speaking to Fox Motorsports insider Bob Pockrass, he highlighted upcoming tracks where he expects to perform well, saying:
“I would, yeah I think if we can get to inside 85 points, I think we’ll still have a shot, right? I think that’s a legitimate number, that we know we got some good races coming up. We got Toronto, we got Nashville, we were good at Laguna last year, even though he won. We were really good at that track in Milwaukee is also a track that he didn’t have much fortune in last year, so we got some good races coming up. But we also need to get within a realm that it is still attainable.”
—Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver
Kirkwood’s confidence stems from strong performances on tracks where Palou has struggled recently. He emphasized the importance of capitalizing on these opportunities to narrow the points gap and remain a serious threat to Palou’s dominance.
Recent Performances Build Momentum for Kirkwood Despite Pressure
So far in 2025, Kirkwood has demonstrated notable competitiveness, including securing pole position and winning the 50th anniversary Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13. More recently, he showed consistency by qualifying third and finishing fourth at the XPEL Road America race.
Kirkwood has now won three of the ten races this season, reinforcing his credentials as the main challenger to Palou. Despite being the only driver realistically closing in on the championship leader, Kirkwood has addressed the psychological toll of this pressure during an interview with IndyCar.
During a Fox Sports Q&A with Bob Pockrass, Kirkwood was asked about managing expectations and the pressure surrounding his championship pursuit. He responded candidly:
“I don’t mind it, if I’m being honest. We’re going to do everything in our power. We’ve had pace, we’ve had everything to get it done here in the middle part of the season. And if anything, it just gives me confidence in my team, in my car and our ability to go out and do cool things. So I don’t see it as a negative in the sense of there’s too much pressure on me.”
—Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver
This mindset reflects Kirkwood’s focused approach to the remainder of the season, trusting his team and equipment to maintain their strong form and keep pressure on Palou.
What Lies Ahead in the Battle for the 2025 IndyCar Title
With several key races still to come, including events in Toronto, Nashville, Laguna Seca, and Milwaukee, Kirkwood aims to leverage tracks where he has demonstrated strength to chip away at Palou’s lead. The ability to reduce the difference to under 85 points could set the stage for a tightly contested closing stretch of the championship.
How Kirkwood performs in these upcoming events will be critical to reshaping the title fight. His proven pace and recent victories signal that he cannot be counted out, but overcoming a 113-point deficit will require nearly flawless execution from both driver and team.
The battle between Kirkwood and Palou highlights the intense competition within IndyCar this season, and fans will watch closely as these top contenders vie to reach the pinnacle of the sport in 2025.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did McLaren sue Alex Palou over $47.5 million contract dispute?
A. The McLaren F1 team is involved in a $47 million legal battle due to a contract conflict. Alex Palou, a three-time IndyCar champion, needs to go to London for mediation with McLaren. This follows his scheduled participation in the Daytona 24-hour race. McLaren is pursuing a lawsuit against him for at least $47.5 million for breaking their contract agreement.
