IndyCar: Jeff Simmons Racing Double

AutoRacingDaily.com, May 28, 2001

Jeff Simmons is planning to race in the Freedom 100 in the IRL’s developmental Indy Lights Series on Friday and the big race two days later. Simmons isn’t attempting the Indianapolis 500 and a quick flight to Charlotte, N.C., for NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, the more familiar racing double.

He and Phil Giebler, last year’s Indy 500 rookie of the year, are the only drivers to compete in both events at Indianapolis the same year. Giebler did not qualify for Sunday’s race, however-a crash in practice last week prevented that - leaving the 31-year-old Simmons the busiest driver at the track this week.

“Coming into the month, I didn’t have a ride at all, and now I’m in the Indy 500 and I also have the Freedom 100 ride, so I’m doing the double,” said Simmons, who was hired by team owner A.J. Foyt last week to take the spot intended for Foyt’s son, Larry, the team director. “The more track time, the better, and the more racing, the better in the month of May, so it’s fantastic.”
“We’re going to try to have strong runs in both of them,” Simmons said of his two races at Indy. “I love that fact that I’m racing here with A.J. Foyt Racing. He’s been engineering me ... and it’s been a privilege. I’m really looking forward to working more with him and Darren.”

Practice and qualifications for the Freedom 100 are scheduled Thursday.

Indy Lights has been a steppingstone into the IndyCar Series in recent years, including last year’s Freedom 100 and series champion Alex Lloyd and series runner-up Hideki Mutoh.

The 40-lap race - 100 miles - is scheduled to start Friday.