Kyle Kirkwood Tops Opening Practice at Belle Isle | IndyCar

Fresh off the long month of May at Indianapolis, the IndyCar Series is back at it again this weekend in the Motor City. Round 7 of the 2022 campaign begins as teams and drivers now focus on the season championship. At the top of those standings sits the reigning Indy 500 winner, Marcus Ericsson. The Chip Ganassi driver holds a 13-point lead over Pato O’Ward, and a 14-point edge on his teammate, Alex Palou.

The Indy 500 winner typically doesn’t fare so well the following weekend, due to media obligations, lack of sleep, etc. In the past, the next race was actually a doubleheader, but that is not the case this year. The event in Detroit this weekend is just one race, the 30th and final one on the streets of Belle Isle. Beginning in 2023, the race will take place in downtown Detroit.

While Ericsson may not have lady luck on his side due to an Indy 500 hangover, he has performed well on the 2.35-mile, 14-turn temporary street course. The Swedish driver won the first race of the doubleheader here last year, and finished runner-up in the second race back in 2019. His 6.3 average finishing position at the track is the best among active drivers.

Rookie Kyle Kirkwood has had a busy week after running in his first Indy 500 five days ago. On Wednesday, it was announced that Kirkwood would be returning the Andretti Autosport next season to drive the No. 27 Honda. With his future solidified, the talented young driver put his No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing at the top of the Belle Isle speed chart on Friday.