The Pit Window by Mike Silver

Kyle Kirkwood drove a masterful race, exerting complete control to win the Freedom 250 on Sunday. Kirkwood grabbed the lead the lead from pole sitter Alex Palou at the start of the race and only relinquished the top spot when he pitted. Kirkwood cut the deficit to Alex Palou to just 91 points with three races to go. It is still quite a mountain to climb, and Palou would have to have three more results like yesterday’s to lose the title.

Palou’s day unraveled on the first pit stop with trouble changing the right front tire and a penalty for hitting Mick Schumacher’s pit equipment. Palou finished 20th.

The race was better than I expected, with some battles behind Kirkwood and a lot less carnage than I anticipated. Scott McLaughlin created some late drama when got by Kirkwood briefly on a late restart only to hit the wail in the next turn. Kirkwood got a better jump on the final restart and pulled away to a three second margin at the checkered flag.

Some thoughts:

It was a great day for Andretti Global with Will Power finishing third and Marcus Ericsson fourth. Christian Lundgaard spoile the all Andretti podium.

Will Power continued his strong second nhalf of the season. He has consistently been in the top five since July and is now 10th innthe standings.

Three drivers had rarae appearances in the top 10. Kyffin Simpson finished fifth, Nolan Siegel sixth, and Caio Collet ended the day in ninth.

While Palou’s bda day was an aberration, McLaughlin’s misfortune was just another day in what has to be a frustrating season for the Ne Zeralander. I hope he can have a strong finish to his season and come back with a great 2027 campaign.

The Event

From the few television shots I saw, the venue looked great from the air. i’m sure the presentation was great, and I hope the ratings are excellent and the series gets a lot of momentum and good PR from this event.

However, I felt the fans in attendance, and there were many, could have been offered more. The only video boards were on the mall, so a choice had to be made- stand at trackside, where the sightline s were terrible and watch roll hoops zipping by, or got to the mall and do what could be done at home- watching on a television.

We arrived at the gate early. The published policies satted that each person could bring one clear plastic water bottle. There was no issue Saturday, but yesterday morning we were informed that no water bottles were allowed. Several people, including m friend, had to throw away very nice plastic water bottles. The guards’ expalantion- “They changed the rules.” Thanks for telling everyone.

I started the race with my friends between turns 5 and 7. We had no video bords or public address system. The only part of the opening ceremonies we heard was the last two thirds of the national anthem.

Relying on the unreliable IndyCar app was not a great option. After 20 laps the crowd started thinning out. We went to the Museum of the American Indian to have lunch in an air conditioned setting, then went to the mall to watch the secoind half of the race. Thgere we learned there was a PA system.

The few bleachers available were unreservd, and fans arrived very early to get a place. If they left to get refgreshments or a bathroom break, others were allowed in, and the ones who left had to wait on line to get back in. We passed a line of 40 people awaiting entry to one of the grandstands.

All in all, D. C. was the elast fan friendly race I have ever been to. As you know I have been to a couple of races.

I felt as if the fans were let in free to just be unpaid extras in a television production. Viewers got to see races cars whizzing by historic buildings with a multitude of fans in the back ground.

There are conflicting rumors about this event’s return next year. If it does come back, tickets will likely not be free. I would not pay to attend.

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