Kyle Kirkwood Does Not Hold Back on Will Power’s ‘Absurd’ Move at Detroit Street Circuit

As the intense month of the Indy 500 and its festivities wrapped up, the 27-driver grid took to the Detroit Street Circuit for practice sessions ahead of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix scheduled for June 1. However, an unusual and controversial incident between Team Penske’s Will Power and Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood caught the attention of fans and commentators alike.

The Incident: Power’s Aggressive Move on Kirkwood

During a practice session on the narrow and challenging Detroit Street Circuit, Will Power made an aggressive move at Turn 5 that left many shocked. Power locked onto the rear of Kirkwood’s car and forcefully pushed him through Turns 5 and 6, right in front of the iconic Renaissance Center. This maneuver caused significant damage to Kirkwood’s car, specifically to the floor and gearbox casing.

Commentators watching the incident described Power’s action as a “Chrome Horn” — a term used when a car’s front bumper bumps another vehicle to signal the intention to pass. However, in this case, Power’s move was much more forceful and damaging than a simple nudge, sparking controversy.

Kyle Kirkwood’s Reaction

Kyle Kirkwood did not hold back in expressing his feelings about the incident. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kirkwood called the move “without a doubt the most absurd thing I’ve had happen to me at a racetrack.” Despite the frustration, Kirkwood remained calm and later offered some insight into the situation. He explained that the narrowness of the Detroit Street Circuit leaves very little room for maneuvering, which likely contributed to Will Power’s frustration.

Perspectives from Other Drivers

Other IndyCar drivers also weighed in on the incident and the challenges posed by the Detroit Street Circuit.

• Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren): Lundgaard highlighted the difficulty of fitting 27 cars on the very short 1.6-mile Detroit track, the shortest on the IndyCar calendar. He acknowledged the frustration but noted that the tight conditions affect all drivers equally. Lundgaard said, “What makes it difficult here is it’s such a short track. We have 27 cars going on a 1.6-mile track. It doesn’t really add up. It’s frustrating, but at the end of the day, it’s the same for everyone.”

• David Malukas (A. J. Foyt Racing): Malukas was ahead of the incident during the practice session and initially mistook the trailing car being pushed for Marcus Ericsson rather than Kyle Kirkwood. He described the scene as something out of a movie, comparing it to the animated film Cars. Malukas said, “I couldn’t believe it. I was very confused at the start. I thought, like, something was wrong with Ericsson, and Power was towing him across, like the ‘Cars’ movie.”

Malukas also commented on the circuit’s layout, noting that certain sections appear inviting but quickly become tight, which could lead to caution periods during the race. He remarked, “I’ll be surprised if there’s not going to be a yellow (flag) for this race. Turn 1, it’s very wide on entry, and it looks inviting. And then all of a sudden, it gets very, very tight on exit. And it happens a lot around this track.”

Looking Ahead to the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

The 27-driver IndyCar grid will compete at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 1. Given the narrowness and complexity of the street circuit, drivers and teams will need to be cautious and strategic to avoid incidents like the one between Power and Kirkwood.

About the Author

Anmol is a motorsports journalist at Sportskeeda with a law degree from one of India’s top law schools. With two years of experience covering Formula 1, along with work as an international commentator and national motorsports athlete, she brings passion and authenticity to her writing. Anmol’s interest in motorsports was sparked by Lewis Hamilton’s interview with David Letterman, and she has been an avid follower ever since. Outside of racing, she is a spiritual person who values self-improvement through spirituality and enjoys reading and relaxing in peaceful environments.