Rookie Jeff Simmons in the #17 Team Ethanol car for Rahal Letterman Racing started the Watkins Glen Indy Grand Prix 13th – his best Indy pole position yet, ahead of teammate Danica Patrick who was 15th. But, even though Jeff was in the lead on lap 9, Team Ethanol was one of at least seven cars that spun out on the slick track and he collided with another car on lap 19. Meanwhile, RLR teammate Buddy Rice finished fourth and Danica finished 8th.