The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season kicked off with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, marking an eventful start on the scenic Florida street circuit. After an intense 100 laps, Kyle Kirkwood emerged as the standout performer for the Andretti team, finishing fifth, while teammates Marcus Ericsson and Colton Herta faced their own unique challenges throughout the race.
"It was a good day for us on the No. 27 Chili’s Honda. A top-five result from ninth is always good, but of course, we want more," said Kirkwood, referencing his performance. "We want to win and we want podiums, but under the circumstances, we were happy with a top five and leaving here with some points. We’re starting the season on the right foot."
Kirkwood’s journey to a fifth-place finish was marked by determination. After starting from the ninth position, he capitalized on an early caution during the opening lap, which allowed him to execute his strategy effectively throughout the race. This result also marked his eighth INDYCAR top-five finish and his best performance on the streets of St. Petersburg.
Joining him in the top ranks was Marcus Ericsson, who finished in sixth place after starting from seventh. "It was a really good first weekend of the season. This is exactly what we’ve talked about in the offseason with getting off to a solid start," commented Ericsson.
Despite dropping back early due to an unfortunate pit stop, Ericsson maintained his focus and utilized his street course experience to climb back into contention. He noted, "We had strong pace, the car felt good and the rest of the pit stops were where we wanted them. Sixth isn’t fantastic, but it’s a really good start to the season and something we can build on."
"It was a pretty disappointing day. I think there was a spot on the podium for the Gainbridge Honda today, so to not make it up there is upsetting, but we’ll fight back. There’s a lot of fight in this team, so I can’t wait for the next race to get another go at it," Herta reflected on his performance, emphasizing his determination to improve in future races.
As the teams regroup after opening weekend, Rob Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, shared insights on the overall performance. "It was a decent day for the No. 27 and No. 28. Both cars were on a winning strategy, and they both worked their way up from where they started. At the same time, it was also a frustrating day for the No. 26. We cannot make mistakes like that and get the results that we want, so we will go back and tidy it up... Overall, it was a disappointing day on the No. 26 side of things, but we’re happy with the way the 27 and 28 executed."
Following the race, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take a brief hiatus before heading west for the next road course event at The Thermal Club from March 21-23. As the Andretti team reflects on their performance in St. Petersburg, they remain committed to building momentum and addressing the challenges faced, especially for Herta, as they prepare for the upcoming races.
