Long Beach's modern master Kirkwood vaults to another crown jewel victory

04/13/2025 06:50 PM

The 50th running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach saw polesitter Kyle Kirkwood lead the field of 27 drivers and 11 teams with ease to score his third career IndyCar Series victory and second at the home track for Honda Racing Corporation U.S.

Andretti Global’s driver put in an epic lap to take pole and was flawless throughout the race as he sustained constant pressure from championship leader Alex Palou. Kirkwood wheeled the No. 27 Honda home to a 2.686s triumph over Palou in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and was well clear of Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard and Meyer Shank Racing's Felix Rosenqvist, who sealed up three of the top four for Honda and HRC.

The overcast-turned-blue-skies and relatively cool event set in 68-degree weather was absolutely packed with fans throughout the 1.9-mile, 11-turn road course situated in Southern California.

Biggest mover among the lead group was Arrow McLaren's Christian Lundgaard who went against the strategy grain by starting on primary Firestone tires—one of only six drivers to do so—and was rewarded by vaulting from 12th to third. Team Penske's Will Power was fifth, with teammate Scott McLaughlin in sixth, the same spot he started, to give Chevrolet some of the spoils at Long Beach. In seventh, Kirkwood's front-row teammate Colton Herta persevered at his home race, but wasn't delighted to go rearwards by five positions.

The greatest forward motion was delivered by AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci who went from last to 11th. Arrow McLaren's Nolan Siegel, who awoke with suspected food poisoning, received fluids prior to the race and fought while ill to take the finish in 20th.

It was the second consecutive race to go caution-free.

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