Kyle Kirkwood to Pilot Andretti Autosport No. 27 AutoNation Honda INDYCAR Starting in 2023

6.1.22

Andretti
Autosport has today announced that NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie and 2021 Indy
Lights presented by Cooper Tire Champion Kyle Kirkwood will pilot the No. 27 AutoNation
Honda starting in the 2023 season.

 

“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.”

 

Kirkwood
continued, “I have worked extremely hard this season and will continue to work
harder every day for the A.J. Foyt team. I want to thank the entire team at
A.J. Foyt Racing for giving me the opportunity to compete in the NTT INDYCAR
SERIES. The group on the No. 14 car have been incredible and I am beyond
grateful to them for all the amazing experiences we have been able to share
together so far this season.”

 

AutoNation, America’s largest and
most admired automotive retailer, will serve as the primary sponsor for the
full 2023 racing calendar as they drive towards $35 million donated in the
fight against cancer. As a long-time partner with the championship-winning organization,
AutoNation and DRVPNK have appeared on race cars across the Andretti Autosport
INDYCAR team since 2014.

 

“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.

 

“AutoNation
first joined the team eight years ago and we’ve been thrilled to see how their
support has continued to grow over the years. We’ve seen a lot of successes
both on and off the track and are excited to see what Kyle and AutoNation can
do together for the DRVPNK campaign.”

 

“We are excited to welcome Kyle
to the team and for the passion and commitment he will bring to our mission to
drive out cancer, through DRVPNK,” said Marc Cannon, AutoNation CXO and EVP.
“We would also like to wish Alexander all the best and thank him for his
endless efforts to support AutoNation’s mission to drive out cancer over the
years.”

 

With this
move, it is confirmed that Alexander Rossi will depart the team at the
conclusion of the 2022 season after seven years. Together, Rossi and Andretti
have captured seven wins, including the 100th Running of the
Indianapolis 500 in Rossi’s rookie 2016 INDYCAR campaign.

 

“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.”