Simmons asked to replace Dana

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Simmons asked to replace Dana at Rahal-Letterman Racing
April 1, 2006

By Bruce Martin SportsTicker Contributing Editor

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) Indy Pro Series driver Jeff Simmons confirmed Saturday that he has been approached by Rahal-Letterman Racing to replace Paul Dana, the IRL driver who was killed in a crash last Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Simmons, who won four races last year in the IRL developmental series, finished second to Raphael Matos in Saturday's Pro Series race at St. Petersburg.

"I was still at the track here on Friday night when I got a cell phone call from the team," Simmons said. "I would be honored to race for Rahal-Letterman and represent Ethanol in the program that meant so much to Paul Dana. We haven't discussed a contract or anything, and I don't know if they are looking at other people."

Simmons said he was approached by team owner Bobby Rahal last Monday.

"They asked for my contact info and were going to talk to the Ethanol people at that point," Simmons said. "Bobby has gone over to China with his son, Graham. I've talked to some people at the team since then."

Simmons said he would jump at the opportunity but admitted it was hard to get a ride under the present circumstances.

"We all know the business," Simmons said. "I've certainly thought a lot about if I do get the ride, how it came about. This isn't the way I would want to get a ride. Paul Dana and I both came up through the ranks and had the same dream. It wouldn't be lost on me if I got an opportunity with something he started and built up."

Rahal was not available for comment because he is in China for an A-1 Grand Prix race with his son.

A Hartford, Connecticut native, Simmons finished 16th for Mo Nunn Racing in the 2004 Indianapolis 500.

"I certainly think I'm one of the top qualified Americans in open-wheel racing and I hope I get the chance," he said. "I got a couple of shots before and I thought the Indy 500 was a really good run. We were pretty close to getting rookie of the year and had a pretty good run. We should have finished in the top 10.

"This time, I believe I will have better equipment than the last two times I ran. This is a really good car and a really good team. This will be a great shot for me if it happens."