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 Indy 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 SportsCar Championship with Ganassi.
Kirkwood has signed with a team that has scored just one podium finish in the last six years, but the 23-year-old says it is in fact an ideal environment for a rookie.
“Being around AJ Foyt Racing has been phenomenal,” he said. “They’ve been super-open, brought me in as their family, been…
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