Race Notes
The Andretti INDYCAR team was back in action at Portland International Raceway this afternoon as they took on the last road circuit of the season and the only race in the Pacific Northwest. After yesterday’s qualifying session saw all Andretti drivers score starting spots in the top 11, today’s results would go one better as all three cars secured top-10 finishes in the 110-lap event.
Starting from the fourth row, Colton Herta took the green flag as the highest starter for the Andretti INDYCAR team. The Gainbridge Honda ran consistently in the top five throughout the race and even led four laps on the Portland road course. During Herta’s final pit cycle, the No. 26 stalled in the pits and was later issued a penalty for an unapproved hybrid engine start on Lap 91. Despite yielding one track position, Herta went on to secure his 16th top-five road course finish.
Starting directly behind teammate Herta, Marcus Ericsson took on Portland International Raceway for the fourth time this afternoon. Ericsson used his experience on the circuit to navigate the Delaware Life Honda up the field, running as high as third. The Swede’s sixth-place result marks his best finish in Portland and his seventh top-10 finish of the season.
After an unapproved engine change that forced the No. 27 AutoNation Honda to take a six-position grid penalty in today’s race, Kyle Kirkwood took on the Portland road circuit eager to work his way up the field from his P11 starting position. Within the first lap of the race, Kirkwood gained three positions and ran as high as third on the leaderboard. During Lap 55 of the race, Kirkwood was issued a blocking penalty pushing the AutoNation Honda back to his original starting position of 11th. Over the closing laps of the race, Kirkwood was able to make up one spot, ultimately taking the checkered in 10th marking his 11th top-10 finish of the season.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will now transition back to oval racing for the final three races on the 2024 calendar. Fans can tune in next weekend as drivers tackle the famed Milwaukee Mile for an action-packed doubleheader event.
Race Results
Colton Herta No. 26 Gainbridge Honda
P4
Started: P8
Standings: P3 (417pts)
“It was a pretty straightforward day. The Gainbridge Honda was fast and we moved up positions, mostly through strategy and overcutting. Our car was really fast, so we were able to go longer and make the most out of that. It was an interesting race. I can’t remember the last time that we’ve had guys run two sets of used reds other than the Indy GP in the last few years. So, it’s a little bit different for everyone today, but it was a lot of fun. We had a little bit of a moment in pit lane where I must’ve just slipped the clutch a little too quick and the car just died right there. Then, I wasn’t aware that you couldn’t start the car on pit lane, so we picked up a little bit of a time penalty and had to drop back. Besides that, it was still a pretty great day.”