RACE REPORT: Synk 275
Race Notes
- After severe weather cancelled all on-track activity yesterday, the Sukup INDYCAR race weekend finally got underway for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES today at Iowa Speedway for the season’s only doubleheader event.
- After a 90-minute morning practice session, the 27-car field headed into qualifying in the afternoon. Each driver qualified one at a time in reverse championship order, completing two laps – the first flying lap set the grid for Race 1, and the second determined the starting order for Race 2.
- Once all drivers had completed their two-lap qualifying runs, Marcus Ericsson emerged as the top qualifier for Andretti INDYCAR for Race 1, securing 15th on the grid, while teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta locked in 18th and 23rd, respectively.
- At the conclusion of the 275-lap event, Herta took the checkered in 13th while Ericsson crossed the line in 15th. Kirkwood’s race was unfortunately cut short after a crash on Lap 152 forced the No. 27 to retire early from the race.
- Today’s race saw five caution periods lasting a total of 47 laps.
- It will be a quick turnaround for the INDYCAR paddock with the second race of the doubleheader weekend set for tomorrow afternoon. The Farm to Finish 275 will air live Sunday at 1 PM ET on FOX.
Race Results
Colton Herta
No. 26 Gainbridge Honda
P13
| Started | P23 |
| Standings | 8th (234 points) |
- Following this morning’s practice session that saw Colton Herta run just outside of the top 10, the California native struggled to find that same speed in the afternoon’s qualifying session. Herta took the start for today’s race in 23rd.
- Making his 39th career oval start from the 12th row this afternoon, Herta attempted to run low at the green flag but unfortunately spun his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda in Turn 4, bringing out the race’s first yellow flag.
- Despite falling to the back of the field in the opening laps of the race, Herta remained determined to make up ground on the field. With the help of a successful strategy and efficient pit stops, the Gainbridge Honda was able to make up positions in both the pit lane and on track to take the checkered just outside the top 10.
“We had a good battle back from last for the Gainbridge Honda. It was obviously a difficult race and was tough to pass, but I thought that we made the most of our opportunities where we could. I was happy with how the strategy and everything went, so I learned a little bit today. Hopefully, we can turn it into an even better result tomorrow.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 Sukup Honda
P26
| Started | P18 |
| Standings | 3rd (322 points) |
- Following a crash in this morning’s practice session, the No. 27 Sukup Honda team worked quickly to get Kyle Kirkwood ready for qualifying. With no additional track time before qualifying, Kirkwood started today’s race from the ninth row.
- Despite the setback this morning, Kirkwood came into Race 1 determined to capitalize on his oval skills after getting his first oval win in St. Louis last month.
- The Florida native remained mid-pack for most of the race, working to navigate the No. 27 Sukup Honda through the field and climbing as high as 17th. Unfortunately, by Lap 152, a right-front suspension issue led to contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2.
- Although Kirkwood’s day ended early, he’ll have another chance to take on the Iowa tri-oval tomorrow where he has recorded two top-10 finishes.
“The front right broke with no warning, it was very abrupt. We went from everything is good, fine and dandy, to being in the wall. It was very unfortunate. I mean, two crashes in one day on a compact day like this is detrimental, and we can’t do anything about it. It’s so unlucky. I’ve never had this kind of luck on a race day. This race was one I was really looking forward to after St. Louis, but it just really hasn’t played out in our favor whatsoever. Just so unfortunate. We’ll just have to come back swinging tomorrow.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
P15
| Started | P15 |
| Standings | 20th (156 points) |
- After struggling to find speed in qualifying this afternoon, Marcus Ericsson took on Iowa Speedway for the 10th time today from the eighth row.
- Ericsson worked his way up one position early in the race before a fast pit stop on Lap 79 helped him navigate the Delaware Life Honda up to 12th.
- Although he gained some positions in pit lane, Ericsson struggled to find the pace he needed to keep up with the field, and slowly began to fall back.
- As the race continued and it became more difficult to overtake near the end, Ericsson could not regain the lost positions and took the checkered where he started in P15.
“It was an average day. A bit strange, we had a really good test here a couple of weeks ago, and we were thinking as a team that we were in a good spot for this weekend. Practice this morning was also pretty promising, but then in qualifying, all three of us were just lacking speed, and that sort of followed us into the race. I still think we did a decent job. We just lacked a bit of speed compared to the best guys, and with it being really hard to overtake, it just made it a tough day for us. Disappointing result, but luckily we get a new chance tomorrow.”
Rob Edwards
Chief Operating Officer
“First of all, I’m happy that Kyle is okay. Obviously, I don’t like to hit the wall on an oval, but that’s how things played out today. It was a tough race for all three cars. We just didn’t seem to have the pace. The No. 26 moved forward, which, when you start 23rd and finish 13th, is a step in the right direction, but still disappointing. That’s obviously not what we came here for. And the No. 28 was back and forth throughout the race, and by the end, I think it just got tough to pass, and they couldn’t quite make the progress that they were hoping to make with their strategy. So, we get to do it all again tomorrow, and we’ll see what we can learn from 275 laps today and try and apply it for tomorrow’s race.”
