Kyle Kirkwood earned his first career NTT IndyCar series victory on Sunday, winning from the pole to capture the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Andretti Autosport No. 27 team utilized one of its best pit stops of the year to cycle into the lead, holding off teammate Romain Grosjean and points leader Marcus Ericsson to get the victory.
“This is amazing, man,” Kirkwood said on the NBC broadcast. “Oh my gosh. What a day. (That was) the calmest day I’ve had in two years and it was a win. We got a little unlucky with some traffic there, but we got it back.”
Kirkwood, who raced his rookie year in 2022 with the team, said he felt relief after the race.
He finally checked that first win box.
“I just had a moment of relaxation to be honest. I felt like I needed this win, and we got it today. A moment of relief, no doubt.”
The NTT IndyCar Series will return to the track for the Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park (2:00 p.m. NBC) on April 30.
NTT IndyCar Series results
1. Kyle Kirkwood
2. Romain Grosjean
3. Marcus Ericsson
4. Colton Herta
5. Alex Palou
6. Will Power
7. Felix Rosenqvist
8. Marcus Armstrong
9. Josef Newgarden
10. Scott McLaughlin
11. Santino Ferrucci
12. Graham Rahal
13. Jack Harvey
14. Christian Lundgaard
15. Simon Pagenaud
16. Devlin DeFrancesco
17. Pato O’Ward
18. Sting Ray Robb
19. Callum Ilott
20. David Malukas
21. Helio Castroneves
22. Alexander Rossi
23. Conor Daly
24. Benjamin Pedersen
25. Agustin Canapino
26. Rinus VeeKay
27. Scott Dixon
NTT IndyCar Series points standings
Following Long Beach
1. Marcus Ericsson 110
2. Pato O’Ward -15
3. Alex Palou -19
4. Josef Newgarden -21
5. Kyle Kirkwood -36
6. Scott Dixon -38
7. Romain Grosjean -39
8. Colton Herta -41
9. Will Power -42
9. Scott McLaughlin -42
11. David Malukas -47
11. Callum Ilott -47
13. Graham Rahal -58
14. Christian Lundgaard -61
15. Alexander Rossi -62
