Photo Credit: Chris Jones/IndyCar
When James Jakes went around on lap 20, a lot of people threw the towel immediately for the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver to get a good finish. However, that was something that his No. 7 team did not do as they played the right strategy to finish third.
Jakes started off the race strong, moving into the top 15 after starting the race back in 22nd. Then, the spin came in the last corner on the lap 20 restart. Jakes would get loose, making contact with Jack Hawksworth before going around. For Hawksworth, he wouldn’t get as lucky as he’d make heavy contact with the tire barrier.
Jakes commented post-race that the incident was caused simply by the slippery conditions on track. Rain had fallen before the race, causing the drivers to start the race on rain tires. Though under an early set of pit stops around the lap 15 mark, everybody switched to slick tires. The combination of the slick tires and the river that flowed through the final corner didn’t prove to be a good combination.
“It was a nightmare. It was very difficult,” Jakes commented. “But, yeah, I spun there, and I think he went over to my right‑hand side, and I believe he ended up in the wall. But that painted concrete is so slippery in those conditions.”
The track position that he gained was all lost – but it opened the door for strategy. When the leaders didn’t pit under a caution just past lap 26, Jakes made his way down pit road. In exchange, he was able to take advantage of track position when the leaders pitted at lap 31. He then was able to hold on to that position at the front of the field despite a strong car from Simona de Silvestro late in the going.
For Jakes, this marks his second career podium finish as he returns to the driver’s seat this season after missing 2014.
“It’s nice. Nice to be back after a year out, second weekend and second podium,” he commented. “Thanks to the team. Great strategy. It was very difficult out there. We’ve not had the season start we kind of wanted. We struggled a little bit pace‑wise. I think not entirely all our fault. But everybody is working their butts off, and we look forward to the next rounds. A great credit to the whole IndyCar, Verizon IndyCar Series for getting us out there today. I think all 24 drivers at noon were looking at the clouds and thinking there is no way we’re going to get this in. It was great to see.”
Meanwhile, his teammate James Hinchcliffe went on to win the race, leaving the small Schmidt Peterson Motorsports organization in good spirits leaving NOLA Motorsports Park.
“He’s a great guy,” Jakes commented of his teammate. “I think we can work well together to really propel the team forward and do great things for Sam, like you said. So we look forward to the year. When they put us together, we were both excited about the feedback and information that we can bring to the team.”
While Sam Schmidt says the success is a result of the drivers making him look good, Jakes calls his team owner an inspiration.
“He’s there first thing in the morning and leaves late at night, and he loves it,” Jakes said. “When you see him in the position he is, he inspires everybody around him, and it’s great to be part of that. I think the credit just goes all to him because he’s put this great group of guys together. When times are hard, everybody knits together. And when we have great days, like today, it just all works out. But he knows what he’s doing, and hopefully as we said earlier, this will be the start of many for the team.”
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