Cayman driver Kyffin Simpson hit the track at St. Petersburg for the 2024 INDYCAR season opener, in what was his INDYCAR debut.
Simpson, 19, exceeded expectations for his team – Chip Ganassi Racing – on Sunday, 10 March, delivering a solid, error-free drive, while racing veterans fell away around him.
“It was definitely tight at times with some side-by-side racing, but we were able to push through and keep things clean,” Simpson said in a post on X.
“We were able to really push it on the greens at the end with great pace. I’m very happy with the entire day for the Journie Rewards team.”
Incredible race! P23 ➡️ 14 and top rookie.
I’m stoked with how the #4 Journie Rewards team executed today. Great result to start 2024 with! #INDYCAR #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/PPjMP3sfmo
— Kyffin Simpson (@kyffin_simpson) March 10, 2024
Simpson started at 23rd and rocketed up nine positions in a congested midfield – a performance that earned him a 14th-place finish out of 27 cars – for the highest-placed rookie driver.
He also set the second-fastest lap at the NTT INDYCAR Series, behind Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who won the race.
Simpson will now turn his attention to the NTT IndyCar Series Open Test with qualifications taking place 22-23 March at Thermal Club, in Southern California. If successful, Simpson will compete at the main race, scheduled for 24 March and offering a $1 million prize for first place.
Report 📝 14th, highest-placed rookie at @gpstpete.
“It was definitely tight at times with some side-by-side racing, but we were able to push through and keep things clean. We were able to really push it on the greens at the end with great pace. I’m very happy with the entire… pic.twitter.com/aWNlNWYUud
— Kyffin Simpson (@kyffin_simpson) March 11, 2024
Live coverage for the race begins at 12:30pm Cayman time on NBC, Sunday, 24 March.
Related Videos
