IndyCar: Nashville polesitter called his shot six months ago

As a dedicated IndyCar fan with years of racing experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Kyle Kirkwood’s performance at the 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is nothing short of remarkable! From his historic pole position on the Nashville Superspeedway oval to his impressive speed and determination, he truly has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with.

In 2021, IndyCar introduced a street race in Nashville, Tennessee. After three consecutive years on the same track, the layout was revised in 2024. For the first time, this race was scheduled as the season-ending event.

Because of ongoing construction at the new Tennessee Titans stadium, IndyCar was forced to relocate the race once more, and this time it was shifted to Nashville Superspeedway – a four-turn, 1.333-mile (2.145-kilometer) oval in Lebanon, Tennessee that hasn’t seen any racing activity since 2008. The upcoming 2024 season will mark the first time an oval race finale has been held since 2014.

Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti Global claimed victory on the urban tracks of Nashville back in August, but the team has been less dominant on oval circuits recently. Interestingly, Kirkwood excels in races that take place on roads and city streets, having clinched two street race victories last year and finishing fourth in the non-oval standings this season while sitting at 11th in oval points.

In an interview with “Beyond the Flag” prior to the 2024 season, Kirkwood expressed a level of calmness about transitioning to the oval track, which might seem unusual given the circumstance. This was because IndyCar wouldn’t be utilizing the same Nashville street course that he had won on the previous year.

Kirkwood stated, “It was bound to change, and I knew it wouldn’t be the identical course where I triumphed. So, in a way, it was both pleasing and sad.

Kirkwood calls his shot, takes Nashville pole

After his victory, he confessed that leaving the streets of Nashville, in essence, was a tiny bit disheartening. However, six months prior, he had already made his prediction: he proved to be incredibly robust when he arrived at the racetrack.

Perhaps it was a slight letdown that it relocated from downtown, but on the other hand, one can never tell? It could potentially turn out to be a hidden advantage for us, and we might excel exceptionally well at the oval location.

They sure were.

On a Saturday afternoon, Kirkwood claimed the front spot for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix’s 206 laps with an average speed of 201.520 miles per hour while driving the No. 27 Honda. This is his first oval pole position during his three-year career in IndyCar, and it could potentially move him up to fifth place in the oval rankings.

Initially in March, Kirkwood expressed his anticipation for going back to the city streets. However, six months down the line, it might be worth reconsidering that eagerness.

I eagerly anticipate its return. It seems that IndyCar shares this aspiration, though the delays appear to stem from construction issues, which have impeded races in the downtown area. On one hand, I’m disappointed by the delay, but on the other, I understand the constraints.

“I’ll let you know more when we show to the track how we’re doing there.”

On Saturday, it seemed clear that he made sure everyone was aware, but whether he’ll achieve success on Sunday is still uncertain.

A full starting lineup can be found here.

Tune in to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix live on NBC, airing from Nashville Superspeedway starting at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 15. Sign up for a free FuboTV trial now and ensure you won’t miss this exciting event!

2024-09-14 22:32

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