RACE REPORT: Good Ranchers 250
Race Notes
- After a full day yesterday to kick off the race weekend, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was back this afternoon at Phoenix Raceway for 250 laps of on-track action around the one-mile oval.
- Kyle Kirkwood led the Andretti Global lineup with a runner-up finish, earning his second career oval podium and 15th career top-five result, while teammates Will Power and Marcus Ericsson finished 16th and 17th, respectively.
- Kirkwood’s result marks Andretti Global’s seventh podium at Phoenix Raceway and ninth top-five finish at the track.
- Today’s race saw four caution periods lasting a total of 41 laps.
- INDYCAR continues its busy stretch next weekend with the third race in a row as the series gets back to street course action at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.
Race Results
Will Power
No. 26 TWG AI Honda
P16
| Started | P25 |
| Standings | 22nd (23 points) |
- Despite starting at the back of the field, Power utilized his experience at Phoenix Raceway to gain 10 positions within the first six laps in his second start with the Andretti team.
- After running through the middle of the pack, Power made his first stop on Lap 74 and moved the TWG AI Honda into the top 10 by Lap 100.
- Continuing to show strong pace, Power charged on the lead on Lap 197. While battling for the lead on Lap 206, the No. 26 TWG AI Honda made contact with the wall and the No. 21, resulting in a cut tire that forced Power to pit.
- The No. 26 TWG AI Honda was later issued a penalty for taking service in a closed pit, sending Power to the back of the field.
- Despite a tough race, the Australian led a total of 10 laps and recorded the fastest lap of the race on Lap 191.
“A positive from today is that we had one of the best cars out there and were fighting for the win. It obviously disappointing with how it finished, but it’s a huge step and a big improvement for us on short ovals here. The strategy was great and the pit stops were great. There were a lot of good things today, even if the result wasn’t what we wanted. I believe we’ll definitely be contending in a lot of races this year.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 JM Bullion / Gold.com Honda
P2
| Started | P11 |
| Standings | 2nd (73 points) |
- Taking the green from 11th as the highest Andretti starter, Kirkwood worked his way into the top 10 by Lap 6.
- Kirkwood came to pit lane for tires and fuel on Lap 72 and returned to the top 10 by Lap 89 before advancing the JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda into the top five by Lap 99.
- Kirkwood stayed out when pit lane opened following a yellow on Lap 142, that would cycle the No. 27 into to the race lead.
- Kirkwood made his final stop of the day on Lap 192 for tires and fuel, cycling the JM Bullion / Gold.com Honda to second behind teammate Power. After another Lap 206 yellow shuffled the field, Kirkwood returned to the lead on Lap 242 before the No. 2 passed him two laps later.
- In addition to today’s podium finish, the Florida driver now sits second in the INDYCAR Championship Standings.
“I’m really happy with this JM Bullion / Gold.com Honda and the whole Andretti Global team. We didn’t qualify where we wanted, but we had the pace to fight our way up to second and had a really good shot at the win. I’m extremely happy with the result and I definitely think this momentum can carry us into the championship fight.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
P17
| Started | P14 |
| Standings | 9th (43 points) |
- Starting from Row 7, Ericsson gained positions early and worked the Delaware Life Honda into the top 10 by Lap 33.
- Ericsson remained steadily inside the top 10, climbing as high as eighth before making his first pit stop on Lap 72.
- The Swede later led two laps during the race but ultimately struggled with balance, taking the checkered flag in 17th.
“It was a tough race for the Delaware Life crew. I think the guys did a really good job on pit lane, so that was good. I struggled with the balance of the car, so it was a long afternoon and a disappointing result.”
Ron Ruzewski
INDYCAR Team Principal
“Good day today for Andretti. Getting Kyle on the podium on a short oval and moving into second in the points is a solid step forward. We also saw a really good drive from Will, coming from the back and fighting his way to the front. Unfortunately, the contact with Rasmussen late in the race messed our day up a little bit, but it showed that the No. 26 and Andretti as a whole are a force to be reckoned with. We’re bringing competitive cars to the track and we’ll keep improving from here. The No. 28 had some high points and some low points in the race, and we’ll build from that as we move forward to the next short oval. For now, we’ll regroup and turn our focus to Arlington.”
