7-15-2006
Howard Leads 1-2-3 Sweep At Nashville
LEBANON, Tenn. (July 15) – Jay Howard led a 1-2-3 sweep by Sam Schmidt Motorsports Saturday at Nashville Superspeedway, with the Indy Pro Series rookie posting his first IPS race victory and leading teammates Jamie Camara and Jonathan Klein across the finish line.
Today’s win was the third consecutive for the Schmidt team at Nashville, coming on the heels of Camara’s victory here last year and Thiago Medeiros in 2004. It also was the first 1-2-3 sweep for the team in IPS competition.
Howard started on the outside of the front row, passed pole qualifier and early leader Wade Cunningham on a Lap 49 restart and went on to a 2.3705-second victory over teammate Camara. It was the second of two caution periods in the race, and the restart was decisive in Howard’s victory.
Howard ran second to Cunningham in the opening laps, and, on the first restart on Lap 17, had to back out of the throttle, losing ground to the leader and briefly losing second place to Camara. But five laps later, Howard was back in second place and he made no mistakes on the second and final re-start, diving low and around Cunningham on the run to the first turn and never looking back.
For Camara, finishing second for new sponsor Neo Quimica was his best result of 2006 and moved him up two places in the IPS points standings to fifth, after seven of 12 rounds. The native Brazilian, who won here and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last year, finished fifth in the championship as a series rookie in 2005.
Rookie Klein posted his second consecutive third-place IPS finish, after also finishing third on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 1.
Starting on the outside of the third row in sixth, Klein had a strong start, moving up two positions in just the opening lap. He continued to run fourth, battling with Tom Wood until the second of two caution flags waved on Lap 42. On the Lap 49 restart, he joined Howard and Camara in moving past early race leader Wade Cunningham to grab third, holding that position until the checkered flag on Lap 76.
Today’s finish moves solidifies Klein’s hold on third place in the IPS championship standings after seven of 12 rounds. He now has 203 points, 18 more than fourth place Nick Bussell and only four points out of second place, currently held by Bobby Wilson. Teammate Howard leads the championship with 243 points, while Camara lies fifth with 176 points.
Jay Howard, #7 Lucas Oils/Isilon Dallara/Firestone
Started 2nd, finished 1st, first IPS race victory, increases series points lead
“Words can’t really describe the feeling I have today! I’ve won a lot of races, and a lot of championships, in other series but this tops them all. Congratulations to my team, the car was perfect today. On the first restart, I led myself get too close to Wade [Cunningham] on the run to the green flag and had to back off. That was my fault, but I learned from it and on the last restart I timed [the acceleration] perfectly and was even able to pull my teammate [Camara] along as well. After that, I tried to put as much distance between myself and Cunningham as possible, and never looked back. At last I have my first IPS win, and that’s a big weight off my shoulders, to say the least!”
Jamie Camara, #11 Neo Quimica Dallara/Firestone
Started 3rd, finished 2nd, best result of 2006
"We had a good day. Until the last lap of the race, I was fighting hard because I was having some issues with the front of the car. I couldn't stay 'flat,' which kept me from Jay all day long. I think we had a consistent car and without that problem, I think we could have been really fast. But, I'll take second place."
Jonathan Klein, #27 Klein Tools/Turn-Key Forging & Design Dallara/Firestone
Started 6th, finished 3rd, second consecutive third-place finish
"I was just happy to finish the race. I almost spun on the first lap. I really battled a loose car the whole race. But, I made a few cockpit adjustments - basically adjusted everything I could to take away the oversteer. I basically had to idle it around the racetrack the whole race. But, I stayed patient, took care of my tires and it paid off. It's a good
one-two-three for the whole team. The Klein Tools/Turn-Key Forging & Design guys gave me a great car and did a fantastic job yet again."
Sam Schmidt, owner, Sam Schmidt Motorsports
On Today’s first 1-2-3 finish for the team, and third consecutive Nashville victory
“This is definitely the right way to start the second half of our season! Our first 1-2-3 Pro Series finish and third consecutive IPS race win here in Nashville is a testament to the team and all the effort they put into preparing and fielding our cars. Two of our three drivers are series rookies, and yet they run up front week-in and week-out. Today is a fantastic accomplishment for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, and gives us great momentum for the final five races.”
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