Kyffin Simpson Claims First Podium Finish in Toronto IndyCar Race
Toronto, Canada – Kyffin Simpson, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, showcased his strategic prowess in a chaotic race at the Toronto IndyCar event on Sunday, securing a third-place finish and his first career podium.
Starting from 13th position, Simpson’s opportunity arose from a series of early cautions that made it possible for his team to execute a creative pit strategy. Utilizing the alternate tire, he extended his stint an impressive 16 laps, while most competitors pitted early, quickly transitioning to a two-stop strategy. This decision proved advantageous, given the race’s numerous yellow flags.
"It was a crazy race," Simpson noted post-race. “At one point we thought we were in the worst position, then very quickly it turned to one of the best positions. All the glory to God. My crew did an incredible job on pit road.”
His strategy allowed him to move up to second place in the latter stages of the race. He could not catch leader Pato O’Ward, who executed his own successful strategy, but Simpson managed to secure the final podium position, finishing right behind Rinus VeeKay, who shared his two-stop approach.
This podium is particularly significant for the 20-year-old driver, as he recently experienced frustration after a promising performance at Mid-Ohio ended prematurely due to a pit lane incident. "At Mid-Ohio, I was really bummed, because realistically we could have even won that race," Simpson reflected. "To not even be on the podium there… Coming back here and getting it done is incredible."
Simpson’s performance in Toronto adds to a string of solid finishes this summer, with four top-10 results in the last seven races. He has improved his position in the championship standings, moving from 21st to 14th.
Next up for Simpson and the IndyCar series is the awaited race at IOWA, where the young driver aims to build on his momentum and further cement his growing reputation in motorsports.
