IndyCar driver Colton Herta’s professional separation from his father and race strategist, Bryan Herta, at Andretti Global unfolded early in the 2023 season, marking a significant shift in the racing team’s dynamics. The decision, driven by the team’s desire to reduce distractions and reshape focus, came just after more than two years of the father-son duo working together under the Andretti banner.
Background of Colton Herta’s Move and Team Partnership
Colton Herta joined Andretti Global ahead of the 2021 IndyCar season after previously competing for Harding Steinbrenner Racing, which had close ties to Andretti. Along with Colton’s transition, Bryan Herta, a former IndyCar driver himself, took on the role of his son’s race strategist. The two had a shared history of navigating the complexities of American open-wheel racing, but their partnership at Andretti was especially spotlighted, given the family connection and Colton’s rising status as a title contender.
Despite their combined experience, the team sought to create clearer distinctions on the pit wall. Early into the 2023 season, Andretti Global decided to separate Colton and Bryan professionally, initiating a swap in strategists. Bryan Herta was reassigned to work with rookie Kyle Kirkwood, while Scott Harner took over as Colton Herta’s strategist. This unexpected switch surprised many, considering both driver-strategist pairings had shown promising results previously.
Insights from Bryan Herta on the Reason Behind the Split
In an episode of Racer’s Unchained hosted by Paul Tracy, Bryan Herta discussed the nature of the change. When questioned about the split from Colton’s radio communications, Bryan explained the team’s rationale and his own emotions about the situation.
“Ultimately, why I moved off of Colton’s radio was the Andretti guys thought it was going to be a better move. They thought it would be better to not have that distraction and not have that be part of the story. It wasn’t something that Colton and I wanted, but we also understood that it was almost a weekly thing at that point, clips of Colton and I on the radio, and it wasn’t where we wanted to focus people’s attention either.” (24:50 onwards)
Bryan acknowledged feeling somewhat saddened yet accepting of the decision, emphasizing the importance of Colton establishing his own identity separate from his father’s legacy.
“The team said, ‘this would be better’ and we said okay and went with it. That’s why it ultimately ended. I was a little sad about that, but I was also fine because I never want to be in a position where people are crediting Colton’s success to me or vice versa. It’s important for him to have his own identity separate from me,” added Herta
Reactions from Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta on Strategist Changes
Kyle Kirkwood, who debuted in IndyCar in 2022 with AJ Foyt Racing alongside strategist Scott Harner, moved to Andretti Global in 2023. However, the strategist swap early in the season saw Bryan Herta join Kirkwood, replacing Harner. Kirkwood commented on the adjustment, reflecting on the team’s reasoning behind separating the family duo.
“I don’t know what it is with the family deal, I don’t know if they want to separate that, but they just said this was best for the team and they think it’s going to be really good for me, and they feel Colton is ready for Scott.”
Colton Herta accepted the change without expressing disagreement publicly but suggested the alteration was unnecessary for their performance.
“I don’t know why they changed it, but do I think a needed change would have changed the result of the race? No, It was a team decision, that’s all I’m going to say.”
Additional Strategy Changes Later in 2023 Season
Colton Herta’s partnership with Scott Harner was short-lived, as Andretti Global implemented another strategic change midway through the 2023 season. Rob Edwards replaced Harner as Colton’s strategist ahead of the race at Mid-Ohio. This sequence of decisions highlighted Andretti’s ongoing efforts to refine team roles and optimize performance throughout the season.
Implications of the Split and Future Outlook
The separation of Colton Herta and Bryan Herta at Andretti Global underscores the balance teams strive for between personal relationships and professional performance in motorsports. By distancing the family connection from race strategy, Andretti aims to minimize distractions and focus broader attention on the drivers and team results. For Colton, forging his own identity apart from his father’s influence allows him to advance his career on his own merits.
Meanwhile, Bryan Herta’s reassignment to Kyle Kirkwood’s team reflects the importance teams place on strategic partnerships and the constant adjustments made during a competitive racing season. The changes remain a reminder of how IndyCar teams adapt in real-time to optimize outcomes in a high-stakes environment.
As the 2024 season approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how these strategist alignments influence driver performances and team dynamics. The Colton Herta Andretti split symbolizes not just a family’s changing professional path, but also the evolving strategies that shape modern motorsports.
