The championship slipped away from Kyle Kirkwood at Milwaukee, but that shouldn’t overshadow what was an outstanding 2026 season for the American driver.
Alex Palou was simply too far ahead for too long.
Kirkwood entered the final stretch of the season 133 points behind Palou before his stunning Freedom 250 victory in Washington, D.C., cut the deficit to 91. He did everything he could to keep the championship fight alive, but by Milwaukee, the mountain was simply too big.
And that’s OK.
Kirkwood’s season deserves to be celebrated.
The 27-year-old American has established himself as one of IndyCar’s legitimate stars, and his D.C. performance was exactly the kind of statement drive that makes you believe a championship is coming. He dominated the historic race, leading 128 of 147 laps and delivering one of the biggest wins of his career.
The oval results at Milwaukee weren’t enough to close the deal, but the bigger picture is encouraging.
Kirkwood now knows what it takes to fight for a championship. More importantly, he knows where he needs to improve.
Palou had too much of a head start this year.
Next season could be different.
For American racing fans, Kirkwood is becoming exactly the kind of driver IndyCar needs to rally around: young, fast, talented and homegrown.
The title didn’t come this year.
But don’t be surprised if Kirkwood is knocking on the door again — and this time, he might be ready to kick it down.