JAY Howard turned in a solid drive to secure his first finish of the season in the IndyCar Series in America.

The Basildon-born driver retired with handling problems in the face race at Homestead-Miami Speedway a week ago.

But on the St Petersburg street circuit on Sunday he finished 14th in his Roth Racing car.

Howard qualified in 20th place on the grid for the 83-lap race and took the chequered flag a lap behind winner Graham Rahal.

The 16 points Howard picked up left the Englishman in 21st spot in the driver rankings, 44 behind early season leader Helio Castroneves.

But Howard, in his debut year in the IndyCar Series is now eighth in the rookie standings, trailing race winner Rahal by 25 points.

Howard's team-mate Marty Roth failed to start the race.