Simpson Shows Recent Growth With First IndyCar Podium

Kyffin Simpson celebrates after a third-place finish on the streets of Toronto. (Travis Hinkle/Penske Entertainment photo)

TORONTO – Growth and development is something that takes time and can be a process. At the Grand Prix of Toronto, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyffin Simpson took a step forward in his young NTT IndyCar Series career.

Simpson came home third Sunday, capturing his second top five of the season to go along with his four top 10s. On the streets of Toronto, the 20-year-old finally found the podium for the first time.

“It was definitely a kind of race that came to us. At no point did I think we were one of the quickest cars. I thought we had pace, but we definitely weren’t one of the best cars,” said Simpson. “Early on, it was looking like it wasn't going to be a very good race for us. But we got that turned around really quickly.

“We ended up in a really good spot after that.”

Simpson qualified 13th in qualifying on Saturday. To begin the race, he worked himself inside the top 10 and stuck there until falling back due to struggles with his car’s handling. But with the right adjustments, his pace picked up and he was able to rebound and climb his way well inside the top five.

“It was incredible. At Mid-Ohio, I felt like we very realistically had a chance to win there. Not even coming away with a podium there, I was really upset,” Simpson said. “But the team worked so hard. Chip Ganassi Racing has helped me out and played a huge part in teaching me how to race Indy cars.

“I've learned so much from Scott Dixon and Alex Palou as well. They’ve helped me develop so much over the last two years. I owe a lot of thanks to them,” he continued.

The Bridgetown, Barbados native has progressed weekly in his second season with Chip Ganassi. After six races to begin the season without a top 10, Simpson found stride with a top five during the street race in Detroit.

Three weeks ago at Wisconsin’s Road America, he was sixth, and then he found another top 10 at Mid-Ohio.

Kyffin Simpson in action on the streets of Toronto Sunday. (Travis Hinkle/Penske Entertainment photo)

Simpson now has five top 10s since March, and his last four have come since June at Detroit. He also sits 14th overall in the point standings, seven spots better than his rookie season, where he was outside the top 20.

“My confidence is very high right now. As a stand from me to [strategist] Taylor keil to Luke Goldenstein, my engineer, to all the pit guys, we've all been making big strides all year. Pit stops have gotten better and better with each race,” Simpson said. “Strategy has been on point all season. I feel like I've learnt a lot this year, just gotten more and more comfortable. Qualifying has also been a big step up this year.”

While he acknowledged the good run on road and street courses, Simpson said he must improve on the ovals. The next oval the IndyCar Series will compete at is the Milwaukee (Wis.) Mile on Aug. 24.

A week later the series hits the concrete of Tennessee’s Nashville Superspeedway for the season finale.

The 20-year-old Simpson does not have a top 10 at an oval this season. However, with summer improvement, he will look to change that come August.

“It's been a crazy year. I think we started off a little bit slower than we wanted to. We had that top 10 at Long Beach, which was great,” he said. “That was more strategy than anything else. Then at the Indy GP, I felt super fast there. Ever since then, it's like something’s just kind of clicked and I’ve kind of figured it out.

“Since then, I’ve felt super comfortable with the car everywhere we've been really. It’s been a big thanks to Luke (Goldenstein, engineer),” Simpson added. “Luke has been doing a great job on giving me the car I want every single race. We've been working really well together recently.”

With Simpson still being new to the IndyCar Series, he said a resource he has used this season is film study. Reviewing his races and seeing where he can improve is something he doesn’t overlook when preparing for each weekend and the challenges each could pose.

“I'm still fairly new to the series and I’m still learning every weekend. Just extra laps are always helpful for me. So getting lots of laps close together is super helpful with four more races to go now,” he said.

Next the NTT IndyCar Series will head to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Series point leader Alex Palou is the defending race winner on the Northern California circuit.

In his rookie season, Simpson did not finish the race at Laguna Seca due to an incident. But, a year wiser and with his recent good stretch, the Caymanian hopes to change that this time around.

“We have two more road courses, and hopefully we can get two more solid results,” Simpson noted. “On the ovals we're going to have to do some work because that's definitely a point where I feel weaker. But I’m sure we can figure it out.”

Coverage from Monterey begins Sunday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, the IndyCar Radio Network, and SiriusXM IndyCar Nation, channel 218.