FIL Freedom 100

After a lack-luster start to the 2010 Indy Lights season, Pippa Mann had to feel that things were finally going her way on Thursday when she qualified on the pole for the FIL Freedom 100, held Friday at IMS. Unfortunately, her change of luck didn't last.

Getting off to a poor start, Mann found herself a couple of positions back from the lead and in the middle of a pack of cars heading into Turn One on the third lap when Jeff Simmons spun, taking her out. "It was an accident that didn't need to happen, but it's actually not the No. 17 car's fault, in my opinion. He got pushed down really, really hard (by the car of Martin Plowman). I saw it unfolding, but there was nothing I could do about it."

After the clean-up, the 40 lap race resumed with long-time FIL veteran Wade Cunningham fighting off Charlie Kimball and James Hincliffe. The three drivers diced amongst themselves for nearly thirty laps, with Cunningham eventually comming out the winner: This was the Kiwi's third victory in this race.

Also making a strong impression was JK Veray, current points leader and winner of the first two races of the season. Despite being several laps down (he had to pit for minor repairs after collecting debrise from the Mann/Simmons crash), the Frenchman refused to simply cruise around and keep out of everybody else's way. Instead, he stormed around the track, passing everyone except Cunningham (and not for a lack of trying!), as if to prove that he SHOULD have been contending for the win. 

Vernay did ease off and get out of the leaders' way for the last five laps, but I suspect that he still had a few 'visits' from his fellow drivers afterwords!