IZOD IndyCar Series - James Jakes

Tristan Vautier Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
21st
23rd
Ed Carpenter Ed Carpenter Racing
Driver Info
James Jakes
  • Birthday: Aug 4, 1987
  • Hometown: Leeds, England
  • Residence: Orlando, FL
  • Website: JamesJakes.com
  • Team Website:rahal.com
All-Time Career Statistics - IZOD IndyCar Series
  • Championship
    0
  • Indy 500 Wins
    0
  • Total Poles
    0
  • Race Wins
    0
16
Biography of James Jakes

After racing in the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2007 and 2008, James Jakes made his GP2 debut in the 2008-09 Asia Series, racing for Super Nova. 

He sat out most of the 2009 season, returning to the Super Nova team for the opening round of the 2009-10 Asia Series. He raced for Manor in the 2010 GP3 Series, finishing eighth in the standings, despite missing four races because of injury.

Made IZOD IndyCar Series debut in 2011 with Dale Coyne Racing and is competing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2013.

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

First start: March 27, 2011 (St. Petersburg)

2012
• Finished 22nd in IZOD IndyCar Series standings for Dale Coyne Racing.
• Recorded two top-10 finishes, with best of eighth at Toronto after starting 24th.

2011
• Competed in 16 races for Dale Coyne Racing, with a best finish of 13th at Motegi.
• Started season-high eighth at Motegi.
• Placed 15th four times in his initial seven races.

ROAD TO THE IZOD INDYCAR SERIES

2011
• Competed in two rounds of GP2 Asia Series.

2010
• Finished eighth in GP3 Series, scoring three podium finishes.
• Competed in two rounds of GP2 Series.

2009
• Competed in two races in GP2 Asia Series in 2009-10 season, with a best finish of third.

2008
• Finished 13th in the Formula 3 Euro Series, with one victory and one pole.
• Competed in GP2 Asia Series in 2008-09 season, with best finish of third.

2007
• Finished fifth in the Formula 3 Euro Series, with one victory and one pole.

2006
• Finished eighth in British Formula 3 Championship, with one podium finish.
• Competed in four Formula 3 Euro Series races.

2005
• Finished third in the British Formula Renault Championship, with seven podium finishes and two poles.
• Competed in four races of Netherlands Formula Renault Championship.
• Competed in two races of British Formula 3 Championship.
• Named BRDC Ring Star and was nominated for Autosport BRDC award.

2004
• Finished 12th in British Formula Renault Championship.
• Finished 13th in Formula Renault Eurocup.

Early career
• Started racing career in 2002 by competing in five rounds of the T-Car Championship.

Year Series Starts Wins Poles** Top 5 Top 10 Laps Led RAF
2013 IZOD IndyCar Series 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
2012 IZOD IndyCar Series 15 0 0 0 2 11 10
2011 IZOD IndyCar Series 16 0 0 0 0 0 12
Total 35 0 0 0 2 11 26
Year Series Starts Wins Poles** Top 5 Top 10 Laps Led RAF
* Under INDYCAR sanction RAF = Running at Finish
** Includes all poles, including those awarded based on entrant points
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is owned by retired driver Bobby Rahal, racing aficionado David Letterman and businessman Mike Lanigan.

The team traces its origin to the formation of Rahal/Hogan Racing in 1992, when Rahal realized a lifelong dream by forming his own race team. A three-time CART champion (1986, 1987 and 1992) as a driver, Rahal became the first rookie owner-driver in series history to capture a championship when he led his team to four victories and the season title in the its inaugural season.

Rahal, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion, concluded his Hall of Fame driving career in 1998 with 24 victories and 18 pole positions. He started 265 races and produced 177 top-10 finishes and 119 top-five finishes. Rahal, who was inducted into the International and U.S. Motorsports Halls of Fame in 2004, also captured the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

Letterman, an Indianapolis native who has become a television icon, was a regular visitor to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a child. The host of the CBS-TV “Late Show with David Letterman” had casual discussions with Rahal since they met in 1986 about his interest in getting involved in racing as a participant. In early 1996, the talk transformed into an agreement as Letterman became a minority-interest owner in Team Rahal.

The team won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with Buddy Rice behind the wheel.

In 2010, Lanigan joined the team. He's been involved in racing since 1992, when Mi-Jack (one of his companies) sponsored a young Belgian driver by the name of Eric Bachelart in CART. From 2001-06, Lanigan co-owned Mi-Jack Conquest Racing with Bachelart. He also was a partner in Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.