Just a week after achieving a career-defining milestone, Kyffin Simpson experienced the harsh reality of motorsport’s unpredictable nature at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey.
The 20-year-old Caymanian-Barbadian driver, who celebrated his first NTT IndyCar Series podium finish at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, faced a starkly contrasting outcome in California, highlighting the fine line between glory and setback in elite racing.
On 20 July at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, Simpson, driving the No. 8 Journie Rewards Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, delivered a stellar performance that saw him climb an incredible 10 positions from his 13th-place starting grid to secure third place.
This monumental achievement marked his best result in 30 career starts and earned him the coveted award for most positions gained in the race.
After the Toronto race, Simpson told Motorsport, “It was a crazy race. So many ups and downs. 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 today … Just incredible.”
Speaking to the Compass, Simpson expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m very excited about getting my first podium in the books and it’s great to get it done at my sponsor Journie Rewards’ home race.”
He added that this result significantly boosted his confidence after previous races where he felt he “messed up [his] chances”, and that the team’s biggest takeaway was a newfound understanding of their speed.
However, the momentum from Toronto was abruptly halted at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday.
The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey saw Simpson’s race end prematurely due to an opening lap incident.
Contact between Simpson and Felix Rosenqvist sparked an early crash, causing Simpson’s No. 8 Honda to take a hard impact to the outside wall, while Rosenqvist’s No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing entry went nose first into the barriers.
Both drivers were unharmed in the incident.
Simpson’s next race on the calendar is the Grand Prix of Portland, set for 10 Aug. at Portland International Raceway.
