Andretti INDYCAR Nashville Superspeedway Race Report

Race Notes

The season finale at Nashville Superspeedway was one to remember for both the Andretti INDY NXT and Andretti INDYCAR teams as both programs were dominant on the 1.33-mile oval this weekend. After a race weekend sweep from the 2024 INDY NXT Champion Louis Foster and a first-time oval pole position from Kyle Kirkwood, the celebrations continued as Colton Herta pulled out an impressive win to claim his first oval victory and ninth career win.

As the green flag waved for the final time this season, Herta quickly moved the Gainbridge Honda forward from his starting spot of ninth and was running in fourth by Lap 10. Herta ran consistently in the top five throughout the race before making a daring pass in traffic around the race leader to take the lead with just four laps to go. In addition to today’s result being his first oval win, Herta also finished second in the INDYCAR Championship Standings, his highest career finish in his six-season INDYCAR career.

Determined to translate yesterday’s strong qualifying run that saw Kirkwood take his first oval pole position, the AutoNation Honda remained at the top of the leaderboard for the first 55 laps of the 206-lap race before an untimely yellow put Kirkwood back to 10th. Despite the caution and a Track Limit penalty that forced the No. 27 to give up a position, Kirkwood fought his way back to come away with his seventh top-five INDYCAR finish, his best result on an oval and most laps led in the race.

Starting from the eighth row, Marcus Ericsson’s strategy and quick pit stops moved the Delaware Life Honda forward running as high as fourth. Unfortunately, Ericsson lost control of the Delaware Life Honda making contact with the Turn 4 wall and causing an 11-lap caution on Lap 135. The Delaware Life Honda was then issued a drive-through penalty for taking service in a closed pit.

The Andretti INDYCAR team wraps up the 2024 INDYCAR season with two wins, four poles and seven podiums.

Race Results

Colton Herta No. 26 Gainbridge Honda

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“Man, I’m so happy. The Group 1001 Gainbridge Honda has been so fast this whole weekend. We didn’t get to show it in qualifying, but we knew we were going to have a hot rod in the race. So, thanks to everybody involved this season. It’s been an amazing year. It’s awesome to wrap things up second in the Championship, and I’m hoping to do a little better in 2025. I couldn’t ask for a better ending to the year. These guys [No. 26 Gainbridge Honda crew] behind me have been rock stars all year, and today we showed it. Strategy was great and we just put everything together to have a good race.”

Kyle Kirkwood No. 27 AutoNation Honda

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“Overall, it was a really good day for Andretti Global. We went from first to fourth after we got caught out by a yellow. We were obviously leading the race and cycled pretty mid pack, so we had to race our way forward. I passed a lot of cars. The AutoNation Honda was incredible – best race car we’ve had all year. What a way to end the season with a victory for Colton and a fourth for us. I have a ton of confidence leaving this place.”

Marcus Ericsson No. 28 Delaware Life Honda

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“I think the today’s race sums up our season pretty well. A lot of potential, a lot of speed, but just no result to show for it. So, I’m super disappointed. The Delaware Life Honda was really good. The Delaware Life crew did a tremendous job on pit lane, so it’s a shame to go out like that.”

Rob Edwards Chief Operating Officer

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