Simmons buoyed by testing mileage
Rahal Letterman Racing's Jeff Simmons believes that he can show his true ability in this year's IndyCar Series after benefiting from a proper pre-season build-up for the first time
The former Indy Pro Series frontrunner has had an episodic IndyCar career so far. He contested the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with Mo Nunn Racing, then joined the cash-strapped Patrick Racing team at short notice when Al Unser Jr suddenly retired from the sport, only to be dropped after a single race.
Simmons then received another short notice call-up last season following Rahal driver Paul Dana's fatal accident at Homestead. Although he began with four crashes in his first five RLR appearances, and also had to cope with the team's mid-season switch from Panoz to Dallara chassis, Simmons eventually settled into a run of top ten finishes.
"It has been a blessing to have a full off-season of testing to get ready for the IndyCar Series season," Simmons said.
"I have never had the opportunity to spend as much time testing as what I have had this off-season.
"When I first raced in the IndyCar Series in 2004 at Indy, I was literally in the car one day and qualifying the next. Last year of course everything happened so suddenly that I really didn't get much of an opportunity to prepare before we were racing.
"We had a difficult season last year with the chassis change, but I think everyone has worked really hard in the off-season. I think the pay-off will be evident at the first race."
Team boss Bobby Rahal also believes that Simmons can shine in 2007.
"Jeff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances last season and I see a bright future ahead for Jeff," he said.
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