Simpson battles to career oval best at Nashville

Kyffin Simpson was hugged, punched, and high-fived by his pit crew and the leadership team at Chip Ganassi Racing after waging an epic duel with Scott McLaughlin to close the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Speedway.

The sophomore IndyCar driver held third entering the last lap and lost out to Team Penske’s McLaughlin, but even with the run to fourth, “That was fun,” the young Caymanian told RACER.

“I've never been a big fan of ovals, but man, that was great. It’s starting to grow on me a little bit more now. It was a tough one, but it's something that I've wanted to improve at all year. I feel like this track more suits what I prefer in ovals. It's a great start for sure, and a great way to end our season.

“Then me and Scott had a great battle there at the end. I think we were probably side by side for like five laps there straight. It was pretty crazy. He just barely came back on me at the end. I ran out of front tires, but I'm super happy with it.”

Simpson also earned the respect of McLaughlin after the close running without incident.

“I haven't raced Kyffin a ton, at least on an oval,” the Penske driver said. “I put a lot of trust in what Kyffin was doing. I raced him how I would race Alex Palou or Josef (Newgarden) or anyone like that. He raced me like them. That's a huge credit to him and his development. I know he's put a lot of work in to be better, be stronger.

"Obviously he's in a Ganassi car, which is strong – we all know that. Still got to pedal the thing. He ran a really good race. I couldn't believe how long we were side by side for, especially in P3, P4. I thought it would have run out, he would have washed it up. Honestly thought I was in the fence probably four or five laps to go. I thought he was going to wash up. I was sort of prepared for it.

“Stellar job by him. I'm no oval veteran. Like, I got a little bit more experience. It was nice to race a dude that genuinely respected the outside lane. Honestly, man, it felt like I was Helio and Sam Hornish. It was sick. It was really cool. We had a good time. Good kid.”