Kirkwood signs Andretti contract extension

One of the biggest players in the next IndyCar silly season has been taken off the board as Kyle Kirkwood and Andretti Global have come to terms on another contract extension.

With the Floridian’s contract set to expire at the end of 2026, Andretti’s top performer from last season was facing a wide array of options on the free agent market with potential seats at Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing, and other teams who could be on the hunt for race-winning talent.

But he chose to stay with the TWG Motorsports-owned team and continue piloting the No. 27 Honda in a multi-year extension and lead the three-car IndyCar program with new teammate Will Power and the returning Marcus Ericsson, who enters the last year of his contract with the organization owned by Mark Walter and led by Dan Towriss and Jill Gregory.

“These are very exciting times for myself, Andretti Global and TWG Motorsports,” Kirkwood said. “I’d first like to thank the entire team and especially Dan Towriss and Jill Gregory for putting their trust in me. We’ve had an amazing three years together and our future together is very bright. We have proven to be true contenders, and most recently, championship contenders. Our trajectory has only been up, and I am confident that we will be fighting again for championships. Between the new shop, leadership, teammates and the many evolving factors within the organization, I believe this team is an absolute powerhouse, and we’re so excited for the journey ahead.”

Kirkwood won the 2021 Indy Lights championship with Andretti and moved to IndyCar with AJ Foyt Racing in 2022. Upon upon his shift to Andretti in 2023, he captured two wins and signaled his intent to become a factor with the team. A winless 2024 was offset by great consistency as 13 finishes inside the top 10 propelled Kirkwood to seventh in the championship, and in 2025, he was among the strongest and most consistent challengers to eventual champion Alex Palou during the first half of the season where he took three victories in the No. 27 Honda and captured a career best of fourth in the drivers' standings.