This was Kirkwood’s third IndyCar victory, all of them coming on street courses; he won in Nashville in 2023. Before heading to the winner’s circle, Kirkwood, who drives for Andretti Global, expressed his delight in a trackside interview.

Kirkwood, who won at Long Beach two years ago after qualifying first, started on the pole again Sunday, lining up next to teammate Colton Herta of Santa Clarita. But that’s not the perk it would seem since Kirkwood is the only driver to win from the pole at Long Beach since 2019.

Kyle Kirkwood started the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in pole position -- and finished where he started. Here's why this win was such a big deal.