Home Featured Ganassi junior Kyffin Simpson picks team for second Indy Lights season

Ganassi junior Kyffin Simpson picks team for second Indy Lights season

by Ida Wood

Photo: Joe Skiblinski

Kyffin Simpson will stay at HMD Motorsports for his second year in Indy Lights, after joining the team halfway through this season.

The 17-year-old, who is from the Cayman Islands, arrived at HMD after his relationship with TJ Speed worsened. Simpson got two top-five finishes from eight races with TJ Speed, and finished no higher than eighth in the six races that followed with HMD which resulted in him coming ninth in the standings in his rookie season.

Simpson had starred with TJ Speed in Formula Regional Americas the year before, winning the title with seven race victories and two pole positions. At the same he joined Honda Performance Development’s GT3 academy programme, then this may he became a development driver at Chip Ganassi Racing. HMD has a partnership with rival IndyCar team Dale Coyne Racing.

“I’m excited to continue working with a team that understands how to win. I feel I’ve progressed as a driver since joining HMD earlier this year, and I am confident we can build on that momentum to have a much stronger season,” said Simpson.

“HPD and Chip Ganassi Racing have been very supportive in the off-season, culminating in a crazy win at Petit Le Mans. It felt good to get back on the top step.”

Simpson’s Honda affiliation has meant he has also competed in IMSA’s Endurance Cup this year in the GTD class, driving a Gradient Racing-run Acura NSX GT3 Evo22. Earlier this month he won his class and finished 18th overall in Petit Le Mans.

“In 2023 we have the tools and the people around me to deliver a step forward in performance. Race wins and podiums are the goal.”

HMD’s general manager Mike Maurini added: “We welcome Kyffin to the team for his first full season with HMD Motorsports. Understanding what is needed to win for Kyffin and his management programme has put the right people in the right places for success in 2023 and beyond.”