INDYCARNATION

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Jeff Simmons was getting reacquainted with racing associates, friends and Indianapolis Motor Speedway personnel before a Firestone Indy Lights Open Test. Oh, he also was reacquainted with a Firestone Indy Lights car.

Simmons, who has competed in the Firestone Freedom 100 four times, participated in the five hours of track time in the No. 17 Team E car. It was his first time in a Firestone Indy Lights car since competing at Kentucky Speedway in August 2007.

It appears he hasn’t lost a step. Simmons, a Connecticut native who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., was fourth on the combined (two sessions) speed chart with a quick lap of 47.3506 seconds (190.072 mph) on the 2.5-mile oval. Gustavo Yacaman, driving the No. 10 Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing car, topped the session with a lap of 47.2413 seconds (190.511).

“I wanted to build up gradually, and I think it was a testament to everybody at Team E that we were so quick right off the bat,” said Simmons, whose best finish in the Firestone Freedom 100 is second in the 2004 race. “We had a good starting setup and we kept the car in a good window. I got the chance to slowly work my way into traffic and feeling that out, because I haven’t had that for almost two years.

“So be able to have a car that I could be confident in was great. We were quick all day – basically in the top three all day – and if we wanted to play the super-drafting game at the end we probably could have gone a little quicker. But when we come back the track is going to be different from having the IndyCars run on it.”

Simmons, who also has competed four times in the Indianapolis 500 (2004 with Mo Nunn Racing, 2006 and ‘07 with Rahal Letterman Racing, 2008 with A.J. Foyt Racing), was stopped multiple times on his walk to the garage following the test session.

“I’m just excited to be back and have something to do at the racetrack rather than walk around,” he said.