After a winless 2015 campaign in the Verizon IndyCar Series, his first season with the dominant Team Penske squad, France’s Simon Pagenaud enters the month of May for 2016 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as perhaps the hottest driver on the North American open wheel circuit. He currently leads the race for the series championship trophy by 43 points and has placed no worse than second in any of the first four races, including victories in the two most recent IndyCar events, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
“It’s been a great start of the season,” admitted Pagenaud during an IndyCar Series conference call on Wednesday. “I’m obviously feeling great. Most importantly I feel like I’m driving really well. The whole team is in a very good dynamic on the 22 side. It’s exciting.”
Of course, most of the damage done so far by the driver of the No. 22 Menards Chevrolet has been on street circuits, where the veteran has greatly excelled, however with a road course race and of course the Indy 500 on the famous oval to take place this month, the Frenchmen appears confident of challenging for wins in both events. Although not known as a strong driver on ovals, the second year Penske pilot does not feel he is under any disadvantage.
“Indy is a track that suits (Team Penske) really well.” explained Pagenaud. “I won the inaugural Grand Prix (of Indianapolis) in 2014. I feel this is actually probably the track that suits my driving style the best. Also great memories. I’ve lived in Indianapolis for nine years. I’m always excited to go back to Indianapolis.”
In addition to the 2016 edition of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil being the 100th running on the famed two and a half mile oval, this year is the 50th for Team Penske as a car entrant, a squad that has won the Indianapolis 500 a record 16 times, including teammate Juan Pablo Montoya’s victory last year.
This month’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing will be Pagenaud’s fifth appearance in the Indianapolis 500, since his debut at the Speedway in 2012. He has finished twelfth or better in each of his last three starts, including a personal best of eighth in 2014 when he drove for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. After dealing with a learning curve in his first three tries at Indianapolis, Pagenaud seemed to look more like a seasoned veteran last year, qualifying for the outside of the front row and running among the top five for the first three quarters of the race. A chance to possibly win the race however, was dashed when on course contact damaged his front wing. Although he finished 10th at the checkered flag, the Frenchmen remains optimistic of possibly adding his own visage to the famed Borg Warner Trophy.
“I’ve been in Indianapolis for a few years now. Okay, it’s not as much experience (as others in the field), but it’s enough. It’s what I have for now.” explained Pagenaud. “I feel like last year (I) was so strong (at Indy), I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t reproduce. I’m lucky to drive for Team Penske. They provide us the best equipment in the Verizon IndyCar Series.”
After going from learner to contender last year at the Indy 500, Simon Pagenaud appears ready to potentially jump from contender to possible winner of the Indianapolis 500 in just three weeks time.