Jeff Simmons will return to the IndyCar Series for his annual assault on the Indianapolis 500, having agreed a deal to join AJ Foyt Racing as team-mate to Darren Manning.
Simmons began the season by returning to the Firestone Indy Lights series with Team Moore Racing, producing two top ten finishes in three starts - and is scheduled to compete in the Firestone Freedom 100 on 23 May - but fits the bill for Foyt, who was always expected to add a second entry alongside Manning's regular car. Champ Car veteran Paul Tracy had been mentioned in connection with the vacancy - as he has with almost any possible opening for the 500 - but looks increasingly likely to sit out the race.
“I'm glad to be working with Jeff again,” Foyt said. “I like the way he drives and the way he hustles the car pretty hard which is what I look for in young drivers.”
The first additional entry for this year's race, Simmons will drive the #41 ABC Supply Dallara-Honda, and will get his first outing in the car when practice resumes on Wednesday [14 May], before attempting to qualify for the 33-car field May 17. His last outing in the IndyCar Series came with Rahal Letterman's Ethanol-backed entry in 2007, before he was replaced by current incumbent Ryan Hunter-Reay in July.
“AJ is taking it on himself to put me in this car, so I just want to do the best job I can for his team,” said Simmons, who will be seeking to qualify for his fourth 500.
The 31-year old drove for Foyt in the Indy Pro Series in May 2004, finishing second in the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis before jumping straight behind the wheel of the #21 Mo Nunn Racing Indycar. Running Tora Takagi's back-up machine, his initial practice laps provided enough of a taster for Simmons to qualify 29th on Bump Day, and he went on to finish 16th on debut.
![Jeff Simmons, Rahal-Letterman Racing, Watkins Glen 2006. [Pic Credit IMS Media/Dana Garrett]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/228435.jpg)
