Kirkwood arrives in IndyCar with a phenomenally strong reputation from Road to Indy’s junior open-wheel categories, the first driver to claim the championship in USF2000, Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights.
However, Andretti Autosport, with whom he raced in Lights, were unable to create a slot for him in IndyCar, after Michael Andretti’s Formula 1 plans with Alfa Romeo fell through. It meant Colton Herta, who scored three wins last year, didn’t depart the IndyCar team.
That left Kirkwood casting around for a drive just as Foyt needed a potential or established star to replace the legendary Sebastien Bourdais, whose main focus has become the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Ganassi. Kirkwood thus signed with a team that has scored just one podium finish in the last six years, but the 23-year-old from Jupiter, FL, says it is in fact an ideal environment for a rookie.
“Being around A.J. Foyt Racing has been phenomenal,” he said. “They’ve been super-open, brought me…
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