Kyle Kirkwood is entering the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix this weekend with the mindset of a championship contender after his impressive victory at the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 13. The Andretti Global driver won the historic 50th edition of the Long Beach race, marking the third IndyCar career win for Kirkwood, but he remains focused and cautious, refusing to get swept up by the recent success.
At Long Beach, Kirkwood secured pole position and maintained composure in the closing laps to fend off Alex Palou, who was aiming for a third consecutive victory this season. Now, as the IndyCar series moves to the challenging 2.38-mile Barber Motorsports Park circuit, Kirkwood aims to build on that momentum. Known for its undulations and elevation changes across 16 turns, the Barber track presents a unique test, where strategy and adaptability will be crucial.
Currently second in the championship standings and 34 points behind leader and reigning champion Palou, Kirkwood is demonstrating leadership and consistency within the Andretti Global team, which appears stronger this season. When asked about the upcoming race, Kirkwood highlighted that caution periods—rather than the new hybrid car systems—are likely to become the race’s defining factor. These cautions could significantly alter strategy and race outcomes at Barber.
During the first practice session on Friday, Kirkwood recorded 21 laps and posted a best time of 1:08.1510, placing him 11th out of 27 drivers. This performance hints at a competitive showing and underscores his careful preparation for Sunday’s event.
The outcome of the Alabama GP could have a major impact on the championship standings and momentum, making Kirkwood’s championship contender mentality all the more vital. As the season progresses, maintaining focus and adapting to the unpredictable nature of the race will be essential for Kirkwood to keep pace with Palou and stay in contention for the title.
