Race report
Indy NXT St. Pete
Jones dominates in St Pete
Ed Jones led from start to finish to take victory by over nine seconds from second placed man Jack Harvey.
Published: Mar 29, 2015, 9:20 PM
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Carlin took a second victory in the team's debut in the Indy Lights Series presented by Cooper Tires today, in race two of the weekend in St Petersburg, Florida. In a repeat of yesterday, Ed Jones led from start to finish to take victory by over nine seconds from second placed man Jack Harvey. Team mate Max Chilton lost out on the outside at the rolling start, dropping to fourth and despite race long pressure was unable to improve around the tight street circuit.
The Carlin drivers of Jones and Chilton once again started first and second for today's Indy Lights race. Taking place under sunny skies and warmer temperatures than yesterday, Jones made a strong start to hold the lead into the first corner. Chilton found himself again losing out on the outside as the cars filed round the tight turn one and dropped to fourth behind Harvey and Spencer Pigot.
Chilton was immediately back on the attack though, pushing Pigot hard as Jones pushed on with Harvey close behind. With the gap under a second in the early stages, Jones withstood the pressure well to gradually build up a comfortable gap from Harvey - Carlin's 2012 British F3 Champion.
I'm delighted with out first weekend in Indy Lights - it's been more than I could have imagined.
Trevor Carlin
Chilton was also on a charge - setting the fastest lap so far on lap four as he filled the mirrors of Pigot's car. A full course yellow temporarily halted the racing action, but once again Jones controlled from the front to maintain his position ahead of Harvey.
With the race now running without incident, Jones continued to build up a gap, from one second on lap 18 to 5.2 seconds by lap 38. Chilton still hadn't given up, the Carlin man passed Pigot at turn one on lap 41 but ran wide as Pigot managed to take the position back. Chilton tried next time round, almost making the move stick before slotting back into fourth.
Chilton stayed right on the rear wing of Pigot for the last few laps, as Jones continued to pull out a gap on Harvey. As Jones crossed the line to take his second victory of the weekend, the gap was over nine seconds as Chilton completed a stunning debut weekend for the Carlin team in fourth place.
Speaking about his race, Jones said "I keep saying it but the team have done a fantastic job to come here and be so consistent with such a strong car; we've topped every session which is such a great feeling. I've loved my first weekend in Indy Lights and can't wait to come back for more in Long Beach."
Trevor Carlin added "I'm delighted with out first weekend in Indy Lights - it's been more than I could have imagined. The team and drivers have done a fantastic job and I'm so proud of everyone and the way we have approached this new era at Carlin. Ed has done the perfect job in every session this weekend and I can't wait to see what Ed and Max can deliver in Long Beach which will be yet another new experience for us."
Carlin
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