IndyCar

Kyle Kirkwood holds off champ Palou to win inaugural Java House Grand Prix at Arlington

Motorsport Technology
7 months ago
2 min read

Kyle Kirkwood held off reigning champion Alex Palou to win the inaugural Java House Grand Prix at Arlington.


On what has been described as the fastest street circuit on the IndyCar calendar, Kirkwood took his first victory of the season and with it the lead of the championship from second placed Palou.

Will Power made it three drivers in the top four for Andretti Global with pole sitter Marcus Ericsson finishing in fourth.

Credit Joe Skibinski

“That was so incredible,” Kirkwood is quoted on the official IndyCar website. “Man, did we have some pace. This JM Bullion Honda, Andretti, all these guys right here, they gave me the tools today.

“It’s because of this race car we won today, because of teamwork. One-three-four (finish) for Andretti; we’re just so stacked here. I’m so stoked.”

It was a fascinating race and an intense battle for the win, Kirkwood finally getting past leader Palou into Turn 13 on lap 55.

To pull off a move like that against such a champion certainly left its mark on Palou.

“He did an awesome pass; hats off to him,” said Palou. “It was super clean, and it was pretty impressive. We’ll get them in a couple weeks.

“I was pushing really hard on the first and second stint, and I could see that the 27 (Kirkwood) and the 12 (Power) were a little bit faster than us. I was like, ‘Oh, man, it’s going to be quite hard.’”

Alex Palou in action – Credit James Black

It all means that Kirkwood leads Palou by 26 points with Pato O’ Ward a further seven points behind Palou.

“It’s only race number three, so I’m not looking at the championship,” added Kirkwood. “But it is nice to say it’s the first time I’ve ever led the championship in the INDYCAR SERIES.”

The series resumes with the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on March 27-29.

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