In an interrupted Q2 segment of qualifying for the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, Kirkwood didn’t take contemporary tyres for the ultimate run, having been securely within the prime six when the purple flag fell with a minute to go.
That left him with a contemporary set of Firestones for the Quick Six showdown, and he delivered a lap zero.04 seconds quicker than closest challenger Marcus Ericsson’s Chip Ganassi Racing entry.
Afterward, Andretti declared: “He is the actual deal. Joyful for him. He is been a pleasure on the workforce. We’re actually excited, actually completely satisfied for the outcomes.
“Romain [Grosjean, who will roll off third tomorrow] did an amazing job. Clearly he was on used tyres, Kyle was on new tyres. He put in a extremely good lap. Actually, actually completely satisfied.”
Kirkwood, who was sensational on the previous Street to Indy – Lights, Indy Professional and USF2000 – scoring 31 wins and 18 poles, defined that he wanted two flyers within the Quick Six to get his tyres as much as temperature.
“One factor about our automobile is we wanted that second lap,” he stated. “If we did not have that second lap, it could have been extra of a wrestle. I really feel like there have been lots of different vehicles that have been capable of do it on the primary lap. Us not a lot. Our automobile was extraordinarily quick.
“I am ecstatic, proper? Beginning within the entrance of a discipline in a road course is all the time tremendous useful. That first pole is extraordinarily significant to somebody. To have it right here at Lengthy Seaside with such an enormous crowd is such a cool factor.”
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Autosport Honda
Picture by: Motorsport Images
Kirkwood was requested whether or not he anticipated his first pole so quickly after switching from AJ Foyt Racing in his rookie season to Andretti, with whom he gained the Indy Lights title in 2021.
“I used to be hopeful it could occur this shortly,” he stated. “I used to be hopeful it could occur at St. Pete. We have been extraordinarily quick there.
“In the end it is a testomony to the workforce. Andretti Autosport does an outstanding job…we’re in a extremely good course. I really feel just like the automobile is in a extremely great spot. For example, in that entyre qualifying session, I did not contact a factor – brakes, bars. That is adequate, we are able to go for the pole like this. That was the case.
“I imply, it simply reveals how good the workforce is flowing. It is essential weekends like this whenever you roll out of the trailer properly, and I really feel like we did… It creates a calmness all through the workforce. To have that calmness is tremendous useful.”
