Detroit Grand Prix: Kyle Kirkwood Secures Victory Amid Tough Competition
Kyle Kirkwood rebounded from a disappointing qualifying session to secure his second victory of the season at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, marking the seventh consecutive win for Honda in 2025. The driver of the No. 27 Andretti Global entry demonstrated masterful control on the street course, taking the lead late after a red flag disrupted the race.
Kirkwood’s win, his fourth career victory and all on street circuits, was significant as it bolstered his position in the standings. Meanwhile, championship contender Alex Palou faced a challenging race, finishing 25th after being involved in a collision with David Malukas.
“We had to pass our way back through a handful of times. It was definitely not a walk in the park," Kirkwood remarked, acknowledging the challenges posed by minor front wing damage from a previous incident during the race. He credited his team for their exceptional strategy and execution: “Hats off to the Andretti boys – the epic pit stops, epic strategy, the car was flawless.”
In a remarkable performance, Santino Ferrucci of AJ Foyt Racing achieved a career-best finish of second after starting from 21st. Colton Herta rounded out the podium in third, showcasing impressive speed towards the end of the race.
Kyffin Simpson and Marcus Armstrong also delivered standout performances, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Simpson recorded the fastest lap, his second of the season, solidifying his growing reputation.
The 100-lap event was markedly cleaner than the previous year’s race, which was marred by frequent cautions. This year, there were only five cautions across 19 laps, highlighting a more disciplined competition. However, several incidents still plagued the field, with significant issues affecting the Rahal Letterman Lanigan team, including a crash involving Felix Rosenqvist, which led to a red flag.
With a weekend off ahead, teams will regroup before heading to the World Wide Technology Raceway on June 14-15 for the next round of the season.
Race Results
- Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global)
- Santino Ferrucci (AJ Foyt Racing)
- Colton Herta (Honda)
- Will Power (Team Penske)
- Kyffin Simpson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing)
