Kyle Kirkwood demonstrated impressive skill by advancing from 15th to fourth place in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda for Andretti Global during the recent Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This ascent marks a significant achievement in his season, as he currently holds fourth place in the championship standings, trailing leader Alex Palou by only 22 points.
Kirkwood’s recent finish highlights his progress compared to last year when he placed fourth in the points standings but was 278 points behind Palou. Now, he has closed the gap to just 256 points. After the final pit stop on Lap 65, Kirkwood ran second behind Palou, showing strong pace and strategic acumen throughout the race.
Reflecting on his experience, Kirkwood said,
“Once I destroyed my tires, I think we raced very admirably.”
He added,
“Good day overall for the 27 car.”
His race included an intense duel with Scott McLaughlin to maintain second place during the final laps, including a daring outside pass attempt entering Turn 4 late in the race. Kirkwood described the move:
“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.”
This particular corner held significance, as McLaughlin had previously crashed there in 2023 while battling for the win. Kirkwood managed to stay in front of McLaughlin until Lap 93 of the 100-lap event, before tire degradation allowed McLaughlin and Christian Lundgaard to pass him. This solid finish was Kirkwood’s best at St. Petersburg, improving year over year from 18th to 15th, then 10th, fifth, and now fourth. Kirkwood emphasized the satisfaction that came from relying on pure speed, crediting strategist Bryan Herta for a key undercut that contributed significantly to the result:
“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 Embraces Shifted Role While Continuing Strategy Work
Barry Wanser, longtime senior manager of racing operations at Chip Ganassi Racing, has stepped back from his full-time duties following last season but remains as strategist for Alex Palou. Wanser and his wife Laurie relocated from Indiana to Florida during the offseason, marking a change in lifestyle but maintaining involvement with the team at a strategic level.
Wanser commented on his experience:
“It’s been my first offseason where I spent just maybe a few days in the (Indianapolis) shop.”
He appreciated the lighter communication demands, saying,
“Nothing’s changed when we get to the racetrack.”
This transition has allowed him and his wife to enjoy more personal time, joking about friends in Indianapolis reacting to their beach pictures.
Reflecting on his career plan, Wanser explained that the decision to reduce his responsibilities was made five years ago and shared with owner Chip Ganassi and managing director Mike Hull. Younger team members such as Blair Julian and Mike LeGallic have taken on greater roles, contributing to a smooth transition. Wanser said,
“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 Advances to Seventh, Reflecting on Progress
Josef Newgarden showed his strength and determination by climbing from 23rd to seventh in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet during the race. This climb earned him the Jostens Hard Charger of the Race Award, signaling an encouraging performance after a challenging weekend.
Newgarden described his race day, saying,
“Simple, boring day, to be honest,”
before noting,
“Our car was certainly better than where we started. We had a tough weekend all the way through. Race day was the best part.”
He praised the team’s execution:
“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.”
The two-time series champion emphasized the need to keep improving, saying,
“We’ve got to earn our place. We’ve got to get wins. We’ve got to climb each and every weekend. That’s going to be our goal.”
He also noted the series schedule demanding quick adaptation, with three races taking place in the first four weeks of March at Phoenix Raceway, Arlington, and Barber Motorsports Park. Newgarden added,
“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 Celebrates Double Top-Ten Finishes
Dale Coyne Racing accomplished a notable feat by placing both cars in the Firestone Fast Six qualifying group for the first time since 2022, with Dennis Hauger qualifying third and Romain Grosjean sixth. Grosjean finished eighth, and Hauger completed the race in tenth place, marking the team’s first double top-10 finish since 2022 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
This result was especially significant, as it was their best road course outcome since 2021 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Grosjean praised the teamwork, particularly the return of engineer Bill Pappas, saying,
“He’s awesome. He’s straight to the point. He’s a racer. I think we’re going to have a great time.”
Pappas had previously contributed to the team’s first overall and first oval wins, helping cement Dale Coyne Racing as a strong competitor.
Grosjean expressed confidence about the team’s trajectory, stating,
“Both cars in the top 10, I think that’s outstanding. There’s more to come.”
Rinus VeeKay Matches Last Season’s Opening Result with Ninth Place
Rinus VeeKay delivered a solid performance for Juncos Hollinger Racing, moving up from 19th to finish ninth in the No. 76 Chevrolet, tying his season-opening result from the previous year. VeeKay was the highest finisher among drivers employing the three-stop pit strategy, with Felix Rosenqvist finishing 12th for Meyer Shank Racing.
VeeKay reflected on the race, stating,
“It shows the pit crew is quick and that we can contend with the big teams.”
He acknowledged a strategic shortfall in qualifying, believing that choosing the Firestone Firehawk alternate tires on Saturday contributed to his low starting position. However, he views the experience as valuable learning, forecasting stronger prospects at the next street race, the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington:
“I think a top 10 to start the season is very important. I think if we get our qualifying a little bit better, we can contend for top fives and podiums.”
Influential Guests Enhance Race Atmosphere
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg included notable appearances that added excitement to the event. New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston participated as honorary starter and gave a pre-race pep talk to Dennis Hauger ahead of his INDYCAR debut. Winston, known for his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, complemented the event’s energy.
Alongside Winston, Jon Gruden, former Buccaneers head coach and Super Bowl XXXVII champion, served as grand marshal, officially signaling the start of engines. Actor Rudy Pankow also contributed by riding in the Fastest Seat in Sports to lead the field to the green flag.
Additional Highlights and Fan Engagement
Rookie Caio Collet finished 17th in the No. 4 Combitrans Amazona Chevrolet for J. Foyt Enterprises, describing the race as a learning experience. He acknowledged difficulties during his first INDYCAR pit stops that cost him several positions and immediately traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to work on the Chevrolet simulator.
VeeKay shared a personal note about balancing racing with life, mentioning his plan to pick up his dog right after the race and noting that having his dog at home helps him relax following intense race weekends.
The event attracted a large fan base from Sweden and Norway, with supporters waving national flags and wearing their colors proudly. Swedish drivers Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist, together with Norwegian driver Dennis Hauger, expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic backing. Norwegian fans erupted in cheers after the race warmup when video boards showed highlights from Hauger’s dominant INDY NXT race from the previous year, which he led from start to finish.
Implications and What Lies Ahead
Kyle Kirkwood’s fourth-place finish in St. Petersburg marks an important advancement in his championship pursuit, closing the gap to rival Alex Palou and building momentum early in the season. His measured driving and tactical execution, along with improved team strategy, position him as a serious contender as the series heads to Phoenix Raceway and beyond.
The ongoing transitions within teams, such as Barry Wanser’s adjusted responsibilities and the contributions of emerging crew members in Dale Coyne Racing, reflect a broader reshaping of the field that could influence race outcomes in the months ahead. Drivers like Josef Newgarden and Rinus VeeKay face growing expectations to capitalize on their potential through consistent performances.
As the INDYCAR SERIES moves into a busy March schedule with races at Phoenix, Arlington, and Barber Motorsports Park, the competition is expected to intensify. Teams will focus on refining pit strategies, qualifying positions, and on-track speed to secure critical points early in the campaign. Continued fan support from international contingents adds energy and passion that fuel the sport’s growth.
