Kyffin Simpson Thrives in Sophomore IndyCar Season with Chip Ganassi Racing
Kyffin Simpson, the 20-year-old driver from the Cayman Islands, is making significant strides in his sophomore IndyCar season with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR). Following a career-best qualifying result of third at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, Simpson has demonstrated his growing expertise, securing his third appearance in the Firestone Fast 12 this year.
Despite his impressive raw talent, Simpson entered CGR facing a substantial challenge: a lack of racing mileage. Recognizing this gap, Ganassi’s management, including driver coach Dario Franchitti, developed an intensive driving program aimed at accelerating Simpson’s growth. The approach included not only participation in the IndyCar series but also IMSA endurance racing in a GT car and international competition in LMP2.
Simpson’s unorthodox path included accumulating substantial track time through diverse racing experiences. According to Taylor Kiel, CGR’s race strategist, "The biggest thing for Kyffin has always been his willingness to work and learn," emphasizing the necessity of increased seat time to facilitate his development.
Transitioning to IndyCar last year at age 19, Simpson’s inaugural season yielded only modest results, including a 21st-place finish in the standings. However, Ganassi’s leaders noted potential in his racecraft and were keen to enhance his qualifying performance.
The team implemented a tailored offseason testing regimen, exposing Simpson to various vehicle types, from Formula 2 to Japanese Super Formula, to improve his single-lap speed. According to Kiel, “You’ve got to have a better understanding of tires and tire management to extract the most out of one-lap pace,” highlighting the strategic focus on maximizing Simpson’s performance potential.
As Simpson progresses through his second year, improvements in circuit knowledge, feedback quality, and overall execution are becoming apparent. Kiel noted, “We’re starting to find ourselves with more and more weekends of truly competitive pace and execution.” Simpson’s dedication and adaptability are proving effective as he continues to carve out his place in the highly competitive IndyCar landscape.
