IPS - Jeff Simmons wins Gateway 100

[Down F0rce]

Jeff Simmons scored his first career Infiniti Pro Series victory today at Gateway International Raceway. Simmons led only two laps, but he led the ones that counted -- the last two.

Mark Taylor led the first 78 laps of the event, but crashed in Turn 2 on the second to last lap while battling with second-place Brandon Erwin. Neither driver was injured.


Good result for Jeff, but by the looks of it Mark Taylor was the man to beat again. He's just been running away with it this year, a full time Indycar ride is surly not long away

[marcus]

it would seem that way , I havent seen alot of the IPS this year but what I have seen Taylor certainly has been the quickest.

good result for Simmons though , congrats to him on a fine effort.

[B/Mark]

Taylor was quickest in all sessions except qualifying where he went first and wound up 4th on the grid.
It didn't slow his progress in the race though. He drove round Wood and Simmons in turn 1, got under Erwin on the exit and beat him into 2 to take the lead. He pulled out about 3 seconds in 20 laps before a yellow for debris closed up the field. On the restart Taylor created another commanding lead until getting stuck behind an uncooperative Fike who didn't want to be lapped. With 2 laps to go Taylor understeered up in 1 while trying to pass Fike. Erwin closed and as Taylor recovered Erwin went high to pass, got in the grey, started to spin, hit the wall and took Taylor out. Erwin jumped from his car and with adrenaline pumping started pushing Taylor while shouting at him.
Taylor publicly apologised for causing the accident but should have waited for the official verdict.
The IRL officials had both drivers in for a debrief and determined that Taylor was blameless for the accident and Erwin had to accept it was his fault. The pushing by Erwin did not go down too well either. IRL officially later publicly praised Taylor for his profesionalism and restraint under extreme provocation.
The spotters club also came down on Taylors side.
So Taylor sets another record - the most laps led - 77 by someone other than the winner.
Well done to Simmonds who has been close all season, but without the accident it was definitely a 3rd - but thats racing.