Split fortunes for Cape Motorsports at Mid-Ohio
Top 10 for Ahmed but Jones knocked off track late in Sunday’s INDY NXT by Firestone race at Mid-Ohio
LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 3, 2023) – The roller coaster season continued for Cape Motorsports last weekend, as the rookie INDY NXT by Firestone team saw its pair of drivers experience very different results in Sunday’s race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
British Pakistani driver Enaam Ahmed and Scottsdale, Ariz. native Jagger Jones continued their series learning curve, adding ‘racing in damp conditions’ to the data banks as the series hit the midway point of the season. Both drivers were extremely competitive, making solid passes and in contention for dual top 10 ten finishes, with Ahmed bringing his No. 47 Dallara home in eighth while an overly optimistic move from a competitor in said damp conditions sent Jones off track, which meant a 14th place finish.
“Overall, a good weekend for everyone,” said Dominic and Nicholas Cape. “We got there in qualifying – when the red flag came out, we were sitting third and fourth. But when we went back to green with a few minutes left, Jagger only got one flying lap, putting him up to second, then had to pit because the checker had come out. Everyone one else had another lap which ultimately dropped him to ninth. Enaam got stuck in traffic putting him 11th. The race had changing conditions the entire time: rain to drying out to sprinkling again, which was very difficult for the drivers – everyone was sliding around. Ultimately in those kinds of conditions it becomes about adapting to what you have. Jagger drove a really good race to seventh place and was unfortunate to have contact into turn 11, causing him to spin. Enaam had a couple of incidents but worked hard to get to eighth place. Big thanks to the whole team for their efforts once more, I think we are starting to get everything figured out. Can't wait for the next race.”
Two practice sessions – one Friday afternoon, one Saturday morning – gave the team and the drivers the chance to work on setup and balance. Once again, drivers had only eight minutes in qualifying to set a quick lap for Sunday’s race grid, and an ill-timed red flag was the difference in starting positions for the Cape duo. With both drivers fighting traffic throughout the short session, Jones set the ninth quickest time, with Ahmed 11th.
Cloudy, cool and humid conditions greeted the drivers, with the track slightly damp as the field took the green flag. Jones stuck to the inside on lap one, looking for a way around Rasmus Lindh ahead, as Ahmed moved up a position and stuck to his teammate’s rear wing. Lindh tried to retake the position, pacing alongside Jones who held his line despite slight contact between the pair.
The caution flag flew on lap seven for a car into the gravel in turn two, with Jones eighth and Ahmed 10th. On the restart, Ahmed got around Lindh, who then tried to retake the position. Ahmed held him off through three corners before clearing ahead and putting his attention back on his teammate ahead. Jones made several feints on Reece Gold ahead, looking for a place to make a move as light rain began to fall – making for treacherous conditions on slick tires.
Ahmed and Lindh continued their battle, with a small mistake from Ahmed allowing Lindh to make the pass, putting Ahmed back into 10th. The trio continued to put down the laps nose-to-tail, until lap 30, when another car went off into the grass and brought out another yellow flag – and moved Jones and Ahmed up a position. The green flew again on lap 32 with Jones trying to make a move on Jacob Abel ahead – but with tires too cold to make it stick in the damp conditions. The following lap, Lindh tried to slide inside of Jones but couldn’t make the corner, hitting Jones’ left rear and sending him off track. Jones kept the engine running and rejoined the field, finishing the race in 14th, with Ahmed coming home in eighth.
Next up for Cape Motorsports will be the first of two oval races this season, the INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway. Practice and qualifying sessions will be broadcast on INDYCAR LIVE and INDYCAR Radio, with the race live on Peacock.
QUOTEBOARD
ENAAM AHMED – No. 47 Surgery Center Development Company Dallara
Start – 11th / Finish – 8th
Championship standing: 10th
“The team really improved the car a lot over the weekend, and we really figured it out for qualifying, but having only four minutes to try to set a quick time was quite difficult. During the race – bit on the slick side, that’s for sure. But it was good to be able to capitalize on other peoples’ mistakes. But it was good racing, good to be in the top 10 again. We lack some overall grip but we’re definitely moving in the right direction. The Capes know what they’re doing, it’s only a matter of time before it all clicks. We haven’t had that breakthrough yet but as soon as we do, I know we’re going to win.”
JAGGER JONES – No. 98 Total Sim/Mecum Auctions Dallara
Start – 9th / Finish – 14th
Championship standing: 13th
“Mid-Ohio track is 80% driver, 20% car so it puts more in my hands, which I like. We hit the setup well for qualifying so while the raw speed hasn’t come easily, I was still able to maximize my performance. The hardest thing was managing the conditions when the rain came in mid-race. I guess that’s what happened to Rasmus (Lindh) – I gave him room and he overshot the corner and hit me. It’s frustrating because we were looking at another top 10. But there are plenty of positives from the weekend – I had good pace and we made plenty of progress this weekend. I have a lot more confidence now than I had going out of Road America.”
Photo credit:
Jones - Penske Entertainment: Travis Hinkle
Ahmed – Penske Entertainment: James Black
