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Kyle Kirkwood To Showcase Special Honda Livery At Mid-Ohio IndyCar Race This Weekend
Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood is set to showcase a new Honda livery at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. This event marks a significant moment for Honda, as it takes place near their key facilities in Ohio. The race also celebrates one year of hybrid power in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, with Kirkwood aiming for his fourth win this season.
The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is just over 60 miles from Honda's Marysville and East Liberty Auto Plants. These plants, along with Honda Research & Development, play a crucial role in producing over 400,000 Honda and Acura vehicles annually. They also contribute to the development of various components for products ranging from lawnmowers to the HondaJet.
Honda and Andretti Global have shared a successful partnership since 1997. Together, they have secured three NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships and five Indianapolis 500 victories. This collaboration highlights their long-standing relationship and mutual achievements in motorsports.
Kyle Kirkwood enters the weekend second in the championship standings with three wins this season. He is one of only two drivers to secure a victory so far. His impressive record at Mid-Ohio includes nine consecutive wins in junior formula racing between 2017 and 2021.
The introduction of hybrid power units marks a milestone for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. First used at Mid-Ohio in 2024, these units are a joint effort by Honda Racing Corporation USA, Ilmor, and INDYCAR. They provide drivers with extra horsepower at the push of a button.
Chuck Schifsky, Manager of Honda & Acura Motorsports, expressed excitement about having Honda represented on Kirkwood's car. "We are thrilled to have Honda represented on the #27 Andretti Global machine of Kyle Kirkwood this weekend," he said.
Honda's Manufacturing Impact
Honda has been manufacturing vehicles in Ohio for over four decades. Starting with motorcycle production in Marysville in 1979, they began automobile production there in 1982. Today, more than 12,000 associates support operations across five plants with a total investment exceeding $13 billion.
The company's facilities include three auto plants: Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant, and Performance Manufacturing Center. Additionally, there are engine and transmission plants located in Anna and Russells Point respectively.
Future Developments
Honda is investing heavily in electric vehicle (EV) production within the U.S., including plans for an EV Hub in Ohio. This involves re-tooling existing auto and powertrain plants with over $1 billion investment alongside $3.5 billion joint venture with LG Energy Solution for an EV battery plant.
The North American Auto Development Center (ADC) plays a pivotal role within Honda Development & Manufacturing of America (HDMA). It oversees complete product development including engineering and testing of various models such as Pilot, Passport Odyssey Ridgeline TLX RDX MDX among others.
Advanced Testing Facilities
The Automotive Safety Research Facility within ADC houses advanced safety research labs including high-resolution crash test barriers wind tunnels among other features ensuring top-notch safety standards across all models produced by Honda globally.
Honda Automotive Labs of Ohio (HALO) boasts state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities offering aerodynamics aeroacoustics racing testing capabilities under one roof enhancing performance efficiency across all vehicle lines produced by both brands worldwide since its opening back March last year at TRC Central Ohio location costing approximately $124 million dollars overall investment made possible through independent partnerships established throughout region over time period involved here today now moving forward into future endeavors yet come ahead soon enough indeed!
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