Kyle Kirkwood Dominates Mid-Ohio Practice Ahead of Honda Indy 200

Kyle Kirkwood, a prominent contender in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, led the opening practice session for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, showcasing his competitive edge with a top lap time of 1 minute, 5.8272 seconds. The practice took place on Friday, July 5, 2025, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. This performance comes as Kirkwood, driving the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, aims to close the gap behind championship leader Alex Palou, who is currently 93 points ahead in the standings.

Kirkwood's success this season, which includes three race victories, positions him as a serious rival for Palou, who has also been dominant in the series with six wins. "We’re really fast right now," Kirkwood stated, expressing confidence in his team's new approach to vehicle setup. He emphasized the importance of maintaining their competitive pace throughout the weekend.

The opening practice session was notable not only for Kirkwood's performance but also for the competitive nature of the field. Reigning Mid-Ohio champion Pato O’Ward finished second in the session with a lap time of 1:06.0160 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, while Palou, driving the No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, placed third with a time of 1:06.0409. The session highlighted the strategic advantage of returning to setup notes from the previous season, marking the first anniversary of the INDYCAR hybrid system being utilized on road and street circuits.

The practice session was not without incidents, as several drivers encountered difficulties on the tricky Mid-Ohio course. Notably, David Malukas crashed into the tire wall in Turn 9, while Colton Herta backed into a barrier in Turn 6. Fortunately, both drivers emerged unscathed, and Herta's team managed to repair his vehicle, allowing him to return to the track. Other notable performances included two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden, who finished fourth, and Marcus Ericsson, who rounded out the top five.

As the series heads into the race weekend, the anticipation builds not only for the Honda Indy 200 but also for the potential shifts in the championship standings. The race is set to take place on Sunday, July 7, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast live on FOX and the FOX Sports app. Kirkwood's performance in practice sets a promising tone for his continued pursuit of the championship, while Palou's consistency remains a formidable challenge as the season progresses.

As the INDYCAR SERIES enters the second half of the season, all eyes will be on the Mid-Ohio track, where the combination of driver skill and strategic innovation could significantly alter the championship landscape. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Kirkwood can maintain his momentum and challenge Palou's lead in the upcoming race.