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Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood added his name to IndyCar history in spectacular fashion on Sunday, the American driver fittingly conquering the first-ever Freedom 250 Grand Prix around Washington D.C.’s National Mall.
The high-profile event, attended by President Donal Trump, delivered both a landmark victory and a potentially dramatic twist in the championship battle.
Right from the green flag, Kirkwood signaled his intent. He dueled with NTT IndyCar Series points leader Alex Palou through Turn 1 before seizing the lead in Turn 2, opening up gaps as massive as 16 seconds.
Not even late caution periods or a frantic restart could derail his march to history.
“You can’t even put it into words – this is incredible,” an emotional Kirkwood reflected after taking the checkered flag. “What an incredible place to do it. If you can’t win the 500, this is definitely the place to win. What a dream come true.”
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While Kirkwood celebrated, it was a contrasting tale of frustration for in the Chip Ganassi Racing camp for Palou.
The Spaniard endured a nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue, plagued by an uncommon string of errors: striking a rival’s tyre in pit lane, serving a drive-through penalty, facing a delayed pit stop for a loose wheel, and ultimately crashing out on Lap 123 due to a broken toe link.
"It hurts, man," admitted the four-time champ, whose day ended in a 20th-place finish.
The chaos behind the leader paved the way for Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard to bring his No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet home in second place, surviving the late restarts to secure the runner-up spot.
“I feel that it’s fitting that an American won, right?” the Dane noted afterward. “We gave it our best shot.”
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Completing the podium in third was Will Power in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda, leading a strong 3-4 showing for Andretti Global alongside team-mate Marcus Ericsson.
Kirkwood’s triumph trimmed Palou’s championship lead from 133 points down to 91 with three races remaining.
As the paddock heads to the upcoming doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile, Kirkwood has turned what seemed like a runaway title race into a genuine showdown.
