Andretti Autosport head into this weekend’s Children’s Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, the first permanent road course of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, with momentum behind them following Kyle Kirkwood’s maiden win last time out in Long Beach, while Romain Grosjean gave the team a 1-2. As Andretti Chief Operating Officer Rob Edwards says, however, Long Beach is in the rear-view mirror as they focus on Barber.
“Long Beach is in the rearview mirror and it’s time to focus on Barber. It’s the first permanent road course of the season, so it will be an important weekend to make sure that the work we have done over the winter translates. We were happy with our work at the Thermal Open Test, but Barber has some unique features. The weather looks like it could be an additional challenge this weekend, so there’s plenty to look forward to! A shout out to the crews, especially the truck drivers, who have worked through Long Beach to the Indy Open Test to Barber over the past ten days.”
Kyle Kirkwood in the No.27 AutoNation Honda goes into the race full of confidence brought on by his maiden series race win, and speaking ahead of the race this weekend, he says:
“I’m feeling prepared to take on the first road course of the season. High elevation variance tracks are physically challenging, but I tend to perform very well at courses like Barber. Coming off a win at Long Beach has created some momentum and confidence for the team.”
Romain Grosjean, sporting new colors this weekend thanks to a new partnership with Deleware Life, is looking forward to the race this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, where he hopes to continue his solid run of form off the back of Long Beach. The French-Swiss driver commented saying:
“The Andretti Autosport team has had a solid start of the season on street courses and ovals. The No. 28 Delaware Life/DHL Honda is a very strong car and I am looking forward to seeing what we will be able to produce on a road course.”
Devlin DeFrancesco in the No.29 Damon Honda is looking forward to the unique set of challenges that Barber Motorsports Park poses and looking ahead to the race this weekend he says:
“I am looking forward to returning to Barber Motorsports Park this week to take on the first road course of the season. This track offers a lot of unique challenges and I have performed well on this track in the past. I feel confident that our team and the No. 29 Damon Honda will be strong here.”
Colton Herta in the No.26 Gainbridge Honda is looking forward to this weekend’s race saying:
“It’s great to be able to come back to Barber Motorsports Park. This track is extremely technical and requires a certain strategy that is different from other tracks on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. After a strong result in Long Beach, I’m excited to return to the track this weekend.”