On Wednesday, Andretti Autosport announced that IndyCar rookie driver Kyle Kirkwood will reunite with the team by taking over the No.27 AutoNation Honda for the 2023 season, ending Alexander Rossi’s seven-year stint with Andretti Autosport.
Kyle Kirkwood (23-years-old) is in his rookie year with A.J. Foyt Enterprises. He has one top-ten finish at Long Beach and finished in 17th place in the 106th Indianapolis 500.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to Andretti Autosport next year and represent AutoNation and Honda,” said Kirkwood. “Andretti Autosport is a place I’ve called home for years past, and I have truly felt like family. I have a ton of loyalty to the team, and it means a lot to have Michael and the Andretti team offer me this opportunity. AutoNation has been doing great work in raising awareness and funding for cancer research. I’m honored to Drive Pink (DRVPNK) next season.”
The Jupiter, Florida, native is the only driver to win championships in all three divisions of the Road to Indy. In 2018, he won the USF2000 championship after leading 254 laps, winning 12 races, six poles, 14 top-five, and 14 top-ten finishes in 14 races.
Then in 2019, Kirkwood won the Indy Pro 2000 championship, leading 217 laps, with nine wins, five poles, 12 top-five, and 13 top-ten finishes in 16 races. Finally, in 2021, Kirkwood won the Indy Lights championship for Andretti Autosport, leading 336 laps, with ten wins, seven poles, 18 top-five, and 19 top-ten finishes.
“We really enjoyed having Kyle as part of our Indy Lights team, and he’s off to a strong start in INDYCAR,” said Andretti Autosport Chairman and CEO Michael Andretti. “I think he’ll bring a fresh perspective and will be competitive. We are looking forward to helping him continue his career growth.”
Alexander Rossi will end his seven-year stint at Andretti Autosport after the 2022 season with seven wins, including the 100th Indianapolis 500, six poles, 37 top-five, 63 top-ten finishes in 103 starts.
“Alexander has been a great contender for us, and we’ve enjoyed having him as part of the team for seven seasons,” added Andretti. “He’s won races and become a leader in the team, but all careers and all teams evolve, and we’ve mutually decided it’s time for each of us to move on. I have no doubt he’ll have a continued, successful INDYCAR career, and we wish him the best. In the meantime, we are all working hard to finish the 2022 season strong.”
