Kyle Kirkwood delivered a powerful performance, moving up from 15th to finish fourth in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda for Andretti Global at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. His strong result positions him fourth in the drivers’ standings, trailing race winner Alex Palou by 22 points as the season gains momentum.
Despite finishing fourth in the championship last year, Kirkwood reduced the gap to Palou considerably, closing in by 256 points compared to the prior season’s 278-point deficit. His sustained progress highlights a promising trajectory in the burgeoning INDYCAR campaign.
Key Moments in Kirkwood’s Battle for Second Place
Following his final pit stop on Lap 65, Kirkwood found himself running second behind Palou, showcasing competitive pace during the latter half of the race. He engaged in a fierce duel with Scott McLaughlin to defend that position throughout the race’s final laps, even attempting a daring pass on the outside entering Turn 4.
“Once I destroyed my tires, I think we raced very admirably,”
Kirkwood reflected.
“Good day overall for the 27 car.”
The two drivers’ intense contest was marked by mutual respect and careful racing. Kirkwood noted,
“I went around the outside of him down into Turn 4. I figured he probably had some flashbacks of a few years ago. He was not more hesitant, but kudos to him. We barely touched, caused no damage between us. It was just good, hard racing.”
He applauded McLaughlin’s clean and intelligent driving, saying,
“He plays clean, and races smart. You can trust him on a pass like that, on a street course around the outside.”
Kirkwood maintained second until Lap 93, when his tire wear allowed McLaughlin and Christian Lundgaard to overtake him, securing a career-best Iracing finish for Kirkwood at St. Petersburg, improving year after year from 18th in his debut to fourth now.
Credit for strategic success was given to Bryan Herta, who executed a key undercut strategy. Kirkwood said,
“Hats off to (strategist) Bryan Herta for recognizing the pace and the undercut availability, because that’s where we really made the big bucks today.”
Barry Wanser Adjusts to New Role While Maintaining Focus on Alex Palou’s Strategy
Barry Wanser, who retired from his full-time position as senior manager of racing operations at Chip Ganassi Racing after last season, continues to serve as strategist for Alex Palou. Wanser and his wife, Laurie, relocated from Indiana to Florida during the offseason, with this weekend’s race marking his return to the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing pit box.
Wanser described his offseason as less demanding than in previous years, allowing him more personal time.
“It’s been my first offseason where I spent just maybe a few days in the (Indianapolis) shop,”
he said.
“Nothing’s changed when we get to the racetrack.”
He enjoys the balance between stepping back and staying engaged, highlighting a 29-year tenure with the team. Wanser explained,
“It’s nice to step back, ease off the throttle just a little bit. I’ve been with the team 29 years in May. So, for my wife and I, it’s been nice to spend a little time in the warm weather.”
Transition planning started five years ago, with mentorship and promoting team members part of Wanser’s strategy to ensure longevity. He noted,
“We spent some time mentoring some guys and promoting people from within. It’s been fun doing that. We came out the other side even stronger. We have some great people on the team, and a lot more people are doing a lot of different things now, which is great.”
Josef Newgarden’s Steady Climb Earns a Strong Seventh-Place Finish
Josef Newgarden surged from 23rd on the grid to finish seventh in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, earning the Jostens Hard Charger of the Race Award. Despite calling the day “simple” and “boring,” Newgarden praised the team’s quick pit stops and pace.
“Our car was certainly better than where we started. We had a tough weekend all the way through. Race day was the best part,”
Newgarden explained.
“It’s a pretty standard day, not a lot of cautions, so you’re having to climb on natural pace. But our car was fast. Our pit stops were tremendous, and the No. 2 team was excellent.”
As a two-time series champion and 32-time race winner, Newgarden recognizes the importance of consistency.
“We’ve got to earn our place,”
he said.
“We’ve got to get wins. We’ve got to climb each and every weekend. That’s going to be our goal.”
The season’s next races include Phoenix Raceway, the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, and the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park on March 29.
Newgarden concluded with optimism,
“I think this team could use some jelling time. Once we find our cadence, we’re going to be in a good spot.”
Dale Coyne Racing Achieves Double Top-10 Finish at St. Petersburg
Dale Coyne Racing marked a notable milestone with both its cars qualifying in the Firestone Fast Six for the first time since 2022. Dennis Hauger earned third place on the grid, while Romain Grosjean started sixth. Grosjean capitalized with an eighth-place race finish, and Hauger placed tenth.
This marked DCR’s first double top-10 on a road course since 2021 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Grosjean acknowledged the team’s strong performance, saying,
“Both cars in the top 10, I think that’s outstanding. There’s more to come.”
Grosjean attributed much of the success to veteran engineer Bill Pappas, who recently rejoined the team after time with the INDYCAR SERIES competition department. Pappas was key to the team’s first INDYCAR victory and first oval win with Justin Wilson.
Grosjean praised Pappas:
“He’s awesome. He’s straight to the point. He’s a racer. I think we’re going to have a great time.”
Rinus VeeKay Matches Last Year’s Opening Result Despite Starting Deep in the Field
Rinus VeeKay finished ninth in the No. 76 Chevrolet for Juncos Hollinger Racing after starting from 19th spot, replicating his season-opening result from the previous year. VeeKay was the top finisher among those running a three-stop strategy and demonstrated the team’s competitiveness.
“It shows the pit crew is quick and that we can contend with the big teams,”
VeeKay stated.
While VeeKay believes the team’s qualifying effort was hampered by a strategic choice to use Firestone Firehawk alternate tires, he remains confident about future events, particularly the upcoming Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
“I think a top 10 to start the season is very important,”
he shared.
“I think if we get our qualifying a little bit better, we can contend for top fives and podiums.”
Notable Contributions From Special Guests at St. Petersburg
Adding excitement to the weekend, New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston served as honorary starter and offered a motivational pep talk to Dennis Hauger before his first INDYCAR Series start. Winston, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015-19, brought NFL star power to the event.
Former Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden assumed grand marshal duties, delivering the command to start engines, while actor Rudy Pankow led the field to the green flag riding in the Fastest Seat in Sports.
Additional Race Insights and Anecdotes From the Weekend
Rookie Caio Collet, driving the No. 4 Combitrans Amazona Chevrolet for J. Foyt Enterprises, described his 17th-place finish as a learning process, particularly following his first series pit stops, which he said cost him four positions.
Following the race, Collet headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, to spend time in the Chevrolet simulator, preparing for upcoming challenges.
VeeKay shared a lighter moment, revealing plans to fly home immediately after the race to pick up his dog, which helps him relax after race weekends.
A large group of Swedish and Norwegian fans attended the event with enthusiasm, proudly displaying their national colors and flags. Supporters of Swedish drivers Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist, as well as Norwegian Dennis Hauger, contributed to a lively atmosphere.
Norwegian fans also celebrated during the race morning warmup when video boards replayed Hauger’s dominant flag-to-flag victory in last year’s INDY NXT by Firestone race.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Season
Kyle Kirkwood’s determined climb to a fourth-place finish signals his growing threat in the INDYCAR series, setting the tone for a competitive chase toward the championship. With strategic moves and solid teamwork evident, especially the execution by Bryan Herta and Kirkwood’s composure, the season promises heightened battles on all fronts.
Meanwhile, established contenders like Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, and emerging teams such as Dale Coyne Racing continue to strengthen their positions. The early momentum gathered in the races at St. Petersburg and Phoenix, along with upcoming events at Arlington and Barber Motorsports Park, will be critical as drivers and teams settle into their rhythms.
With rising crowd enthusiasm, star involvement, and evolving team dynamics, the series carries an air of intensity and hope, providing a compelling narrative as the 2024 INDYCAR season unfolds.
