Return to Firestone Indy Lights sweet for Winslow

After more than two months out of the car, Winslow had his best finish in Firestone Indy Lights despite starting from the back of the field due to an engine change after his car's original engine was damaged when he ran over a curb in qualifying.

Indy Lights action in Watkins Glen Credit: Ron McQueeny/Indy Lights

"We totally transformed the car for the race," said Winslow, who last raced at Long Beach in April. "The car was fantastic. Full credit to the team for finding the setup. I found the car more comfortable, and I was able to push. "

Despite showing the ability to race with the frontrunners in his three previous starts in the No. 77 Focal Point/Sam Schmidt Motosports car, Winslow didn't have the finishes to match the potential of the car. His best finish prior to The Glen was seventh in the season-opening round at St. Petersburg.

At Watkins Glen, he was able to avoid the problems that plagued him early in the season and was able to put together a complete race, racing from 14th to fifth in the 30-lap event, which was won by his SSM teammate and series points leader J.K. Vernay.

"Towards the end of the race, I was catching (Martin) Plowman for fourth, and I thought there was a potential for a top-four finish, but Charlie Kimball got around me even though he was a few lap down and slowed me up and kept me from passing his teammate," Winslow said. "It's really frustrating, but that's racing, and I'm very happy with fifth place."

Winslow was quick to credit his crew, which went to Victory Lane at the Firestone Freedom 100 with Wade Cunningham earlier this year. He appreciated their ability to fix the issues he had with the car and improve it for the race and hopes to reward the crew with more top finishes.

"To come from being really slow to being top-four, top-three pace in the race gives me massive confidence for the next races," he said. "Now we have a confident team and a confident driver. Hopefully we can build on this and be on the podium the next race."

Print This Page	Go back to the previous page