8-13-2006
Howard, Klein Finish 1-2 in Kentucky
Third Consecutive Schmidt Indy Pro Series Victory
After 100 miles of passing and re-passing, Jay Howard and Jonathan Klein finished 1-2 Sunday in the WAMZ 100 Indy Pro Series event at Kentucky Speedway. It was the second win of the season for IPS points leader Howard and the third consecutive IPS victory for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
Howard, who also won earlier this season at Nashville Superspeedway, started on the inside of the second row, and quickly moved to the front at the start of today’s 67-lap run. But pole qualifier Klein, teammates Jaime Camara and Travis Gregg, and defending series champion Wade Cunningham wouldn’t let Howard get away. They made up the lead pack for the majority of the contest, and were joined late in the race by Sean Guthrie.
Howard and Cunningham combined to lead every lap, but the others were never more than a car length or two behind, often running two and three-wide in the corners. But on Lap 61 Guthrie’s front wing made contact with the rear tire of third-place Camara, sending Camara into a spin in Turn 3 and ending the day for the Milwaukee race winner.
On the Lap 65 restart, Klein made a bold move for the lead, moving down low into the first turn with Howard in the middle and Cunningham on the high side. Howard and Cunningham also made contact, but both continued as Howard edged into the lead and held on for the final two laps. Klein also pulled around Cunningham to finish second, just 0.190 seconds behind Howard, the second-closest finish in IPS history,
Gregg, who won this event last year for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, finished fourth in his first race this season for the team with Guthrie rounding out the top five, all within three-tenths of a second of the winner.
Howard now has a 40 point lead over Klein with three races remaining. Despite his problems today, Camara is still fifth in the points standings, 77 points back. The next two rounds in the 12-race championship take place August 27-28 on the road course at Infineon Raceway in northern California.
Jay Howard, #7 Lucas Oils/Isilon Dallara/Firestone
Started 3rd, finished 1st, second IPS win of 2006
Continues to lead the IPS championship with 319 points
“It was a mega race, the closest race I’ve ever had. I’m so happy. I’ve had a ‘gut’ feeling about this race for two weeks now, and it came true today. Thanks to all the boys on the team who worked so hard this weekend, and all year long. The car was absolutely perfect – and I think I drove a pretty good race as well! I had to be patient early in the race, even when Wade [Cunningham] had the lead, I knew I could get by him, and I was just where I wanted to be. At the last restart, when Jono [Jonathan Klein] came down the inside, it was fine because I wanted the middle line, anyway. That was good. Win number two this year, and three more to get!”
Jonathan Klein, #27 Klein Tools/Turn-Key Forging & Design Dallara/Firestone
Started 1st, finished 2nd, best race finish this season
Moves up to 2nd in IPS points with 279 points
"My plan on the last restart was to go all out as soon as the flag dropped and that’s what I did. I stuck my nose inside of [Sean] Guthrie, which is kind of a risky thing to do, but it turned out okay. I felt pretty good with the lead on the backstretch on the last lap, but I really needed to be a little higher in [Turns] 3 and 4 that what I was able to do will all three of us [Klein, Howard and Cunningham] three-wide like we were. All in all, I feel quite fortunate to finish second because I had more than my share of close calls out there today. I just wanted to stay patient, calm and bring it home to the finish and that’s what we did. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and see what happens in Sonoma and Chicago.”
Travis Gregg, #77 Lucas Oil/Argosy Casino Dallara/Firestone
Started 4th, finished 4th, first race this season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports
20th in IPS points
"The race was okay for us. Early on, the car was tight [understeering], so I had to make some adjustments with the cockpit controls. Then the car started coming back to us, and we started to pass some of the others. Fourth place is where we started, so it’s not so bad for my first race back with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. I’m happy.”
Jamie Camara, #11 Neo Quimica Dallara/Firestone
Started 5th, finished 14th (not running, contact)
Now 5th in the IPS Points Standings
"[Sean] Guthrie hit me with his front wing [endplate] and it cut down my left rear tire. I could have been a very bad crash, but [teammate] Jonathan [Klein] missed me by inches. I was very fortunate. It’s very, very disappointing. I was saving the car for the end of the race and I thought I was in very good shape for a top-three finish, which would’ve helped us a lot in the [championship] points. You’ve got to be able to give each other a little bit of room our there, but he [Guthrie] wasn’t willing to do that today.”
Sam Schmidt, owner, Sam Schmidt Motorsports
On today’s 1-2 finish for Jay Howard and Jonathan Klein in Kentucky
“I frankly don’t know how much more of this my heart can take! It was great racing out there today, but watching them go three-wide into the first turn at the start of the last lap was almost TOO exciting. It was another excellent race for both Jay and Jonathan, and it was great to have Travis had an excellent run in his return to the team. It was great to have him back with us this weekend. I feel sorry for Jaime. He drove a great race and to be taken out like that so close to the end was unfortunate. We could have placed at four cars in the top five. We’re 1-2 in the points now and we’re looking forward to the ‘doubleheader’ weekend at Infineon Raceway, as well as a strong finish to the season.” |
