Arrow McLaren driver Nolan Siegel recently discussed working alongside Kyle Moyer, who joined the team as his race strategist starting from the Iowa Speedway event. This partnership marks a significant development for Siegel as he navigates the 2025 IndyCar season with fresh support aimed at improving performance.
Kyle Moyer’s move to Arrow McLaren came after his departure from Team Penske in May, following a technical rules violation controversy during the Indianapolis 500, where two of Team Penske’s cars were found in breach of regulations. On June 22, Arrow McLaren announced Moyer’s appointment as director of competition and race strategist for Siegel’s #6 crew, working alongside Scott Harner, the team’s director of race operations.
An Optimistic Start to a New Team Dynamic
Speaking to Forbes after the Road America race, Nolan Siegel expressed enthusiasm about teaming up with Moyer. Although Siegel hadn’t met Moyer prior to their collaboration, he viewed it as an excellent learning opportunity and a source of valuable experience for himself and the crew.
“I’ve never met Kyle (Moyer). I’ve heard of him, and I’ve known of him, and I’m very, very excited to get to work with him. I think that’s a huge pleasure and a huge learning opportunity for me. I couldn’t be more excited. So, we’re going to have a really strong group of people on the stand with Scott Harner going to kind of an advisory role. We’re going to have a lot more experience on the stand. And I think it’s going to be great.”
—Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver
This new structure aims to combine Moyer’s racing expertise with Harner’s operational oversight, strengthening the team’s strategic approach in upcoming races.
Kyle Moyer’s Extensive Racing Background and Influence
Kyle Moyer’s arrival brings a wealth of knowledge, partly because of his long tenure in IndyCar and previous roles, including Team Penske’s general manager. Additionally, Moyer previously worked with Tony Kanaan during Kanaan’s 2004 IndyCar Championship run at Andretti Green Racing, a partnership that added weight to Arrow McLaren’s confidence in hiring him.
The connection between Moyer and Kanaan demonstrates a history of high-level racing strategy, which Arrow McLaren hopes will translate into competitive advantages. Siegel acknowledged Moyer’s reputation within the paddock as one of the top strategists in the sport.
“Kyle is one of the best strategists in the paddock, so talking about his qualities, not just about him as a human being, he knows a lot about racing. Kyle probably is one of the top guys of knowledge of IndyCar. He’s been around it his entire life.”
—Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver (via Forbes)
Challenging Start to the Season for Nolan Siegel
Despite the promising team changes, Siegel has faced difficulties in the early part of the 2025 season. At the Thermal Club Grand Prix on March 23, he qualified 16th but ended the race in 19th place. Later, during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 1, Siegel started 27th and improved to 19th by the finish. These results have raised questions about how the new strategic input could impact his performance moving forward.
Handling Pressure and Maintaining Composure on the Radio
Siegel also addressed a recent incident highlighting the intense pressure he experiences during races. At the June 16 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, the young driver’s radio outburst drew attention after he received a drive-through penalty for aggressive defense against Scott McLaughlin, a Team Penske competitor. His reaction included profanity that was picked up on broadcast, grabbing the spotlight beyond the track.
When interviewed about the radio incident, Siegel acknowledged the challenge of maintaining composure and the unique pressures faced by professional race car drivers.
Look, the reality is what we’re doing is extremely high pressure. And there are moments that are extremely frustrating. And I think ultimately a big part of being a good race car driver is staying calm in those moments and so I think for me. You know, it’s probably a mix of both but at the same time I think if you look at any professional athlete. They have their moments like that in moments of frustration and unfortunately, for me, it was caught on the broadcast,” he said (0:08 onwards).
—Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver (via Bob Pockrass on X)
“But yes, it’s done something, and I cannot happen again. And I will continue in the future to stay more calm and not press the radio button but yeah, it was a combination of a lot of frustrating things. You know, really frustrating, kind of a couple months. So yeah, I need to not let that get to me,” he added.
—Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver (via Bob Pockrass on X)
Following the event, Siegel apologized to fans, sponsors, and his team via social media, recognizing the need to control his emotions despite the pressures of professional racing.
Looking Ahead: Potential Impact of the New Strategy Partnership
With Kyle Moyer now a key part of Arrow McLaren’s leadership and race-day team, Siegel and the crew anticipate a shift toward more consistent and improved results. Moyer’s deep experience combined with Scott Harner’s guidance is expected to solidify the team’s preparations and execution during races. For Siegel, this new dynamic could become a turning point for his 2025 season as he seeks to overcome a rocky start and capitalize on guidance from a veteran strategist.
