Team Moore's Jeff Simmons Eager for Glen Return

Connecticut Racer Gladly Embraces New York Track's Charms

by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com

Team Moore’s Jeff Simmons. Photo: DanaGarrettIRL

Team Moore’s Jeff Simmons returns to his local roots in the American northeast this weekend, situated seventh in the Firestone Indy Lights Series standings. Simmons hails from nearby Connecticut and figures to bring his northeastern-states fans to venerable Watkins Glen International for Saturday’s (July 5th) first-of-its-kind same-day Indy Lights doubleheader.

Jeff has a solid five top-tens in six starts in 2008 with the team of Mark Moore and Tom Wood, and over his Indy Lights career has recorded seven wins, including one at The Glen in 2005.

The anticipation of the homecoming has Jeff and his teammates at Team Moore looking for their first victory along the shores of cold, steely-blue Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

“Mark and Tom have done a great job of putting together a first-class team,” said Simmons as they mutually prepare to take on a track he proclaims one of his personal favorites.

“We only did a few laps during the open test (Wednesday, June 25th) but I’ve been there many times,” he continued of the wooded venue set atop the hills overlooking tiny Watkins Glen, New York three miles northeast. “It brings a big smile to my face every time I drive through the gates, as I absolutely love the area.”

Simmons emphasized the importance of caution and pace for both car and driver to achieve Glen success with two races spaced only a few hours apart.

“We have very little time between races,” on Saturday, he said. “It will be physically and mentally taxing,” he continued. “You just hope your fitness is good enough to do two races back-to-back.”

Unique Blend of Old World and New Makes Glen Special on Independence Day

The uniqueness of the Glen is that it successfully combines its historic, old-world feel with an old-fashioned Yankee-Doodle atmosphere on Independence Day weekend. That feel of “Old Nurburgring” melded onto red-blooded American spirit under the stars and stripes, with charcoal smoke wafting into the blue sky, creates an irresistible charm that race fans can’t resist.

"The Glen is one of the best, fastest road courses in the world," says Simmons

Similarly the track evokes both respect and a racer’s love for its qualities at speed from the drivers in both the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights.

“The Glen is one of the best and fastest road courses in the world," said Jeff in assessment of the circuit that hosted the United States Grand Prix in the 1970’s.

“It has these great sweeping corners that encourage you to set the car up for high speed, maybe by adding just a little bit of downforce; but you can’t get too much downforce going because of the long straights and esses on the back of the circuit. It's a double-edged sword.”

“Also, most of the corners are right-handers,” he continued. “I believe there are only three left-hand turns on the course; so it’s also tempting to set up the car to be strong in right turns.”

“We’ll try to get good balance and the least downforce possible,” and race for a good result, he finished.