Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
The big day in D.C has come and gone and Kyle Kirkwood came to D.C and dominated the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. After a bit of a slow start to this race. Kirkwood continued to show why he has become that guy when it comes to these road tracks on the NTT Indy Car Series.
Kirkwood, who races for Andretti Global, started second but took the lead on the opening lap with a daring maneuver around the outside of pole-sitter and championship leader Alex Palou in front of the National Archives.
“You can’t even put it in words. This is incredible,” Kirkwood said in a postrace interview. “Man, that was a hard race. One hundred forty-seven laps. I’m out of breath right now.
Kirkwood as also asked about the track conditions and if some of the other drivers had trouble managing the track as we got into later in the race.
“I don’t think any of us knew taking that green that this was going to be a race that was dominated by one driver for most of the race, but I am glad I was that guy. It just seems like I am good a road races this season,” said Kirkwood.
Kirkwood also commented on the possibility of having another race and while he did hesitate a bit before he answered, he did say, well I would have a chance to defend my race win since we won’t have it again.
While officials have previewed the potential for it to become an annual spectacle, IndyCar has no plans to return to Washington for another race.
Prior to the race, many folks in D.C had complained that it was very tough getting around the city as it led up to race day, but the number of fans that came out along the trace for a “free” ticketed lottery race was still pretty impressive. The final numbers looked a bit light for Saturday, but the difference in weather today made for quite a few differences in what people saw as a successful race.
Most of the drivers after the race said they had fun with this, but they are focusing on the next three races, which starts in Milwaukee next weekend.
Palou still leads championship standings and remains favored to capture his fifth trophy. Kirkwood, who took a big chunk out of Palou’s lead in D.C., is still a distant second in the standings.
So, will Indy Car and Roger Penske look into another $30 million dollar investment with President Trump backing their efforts? Most people say most likely no, due to the high cost and logistics it could be a lot like the UFC event on the White House lawn, where UFC President Dana White admitted how much he lost on that event and it’s just not logical to keep that in the business model. Most think that Penske has some of the same feelings, but still said they will take a look at it. That is most likely where it will end.
