INDYCAR: Firestone 600 Race Report
The Verizon IndyCar Series returned to Texas Motor Speedway today to complete unfinished business that Mother Nature left behind. With 177 laps remaining when inclement weather forced a red flag on the Firestone 600 in June, DHL driver Ryan Hunter-Reay was in second-place with Carlos Munoz in ninth, Alexander Rossi in 13th and Marco Andretti in 18th. Today’s “Restart Your Engines” event picked up where Lap 71 left off.
When the race went green 11 weeks ago, it was Munoz on the pole for the first time in his Verizon IndyCar Series career and after tonight’s checkered flag, Munoz finished on top for Andretti with a seventh-place result. Rossi, who started from ninth in June ended his first Texas Motor Speedway event in 11th. Andretti placed the Snapple machine in the 12th position, gaining six positions in Ft. Worth tonight. Dallas-born Hunter-Reay had high hopes for his run after being a front runner for much of Round 9a, however tonight’s Round 9b brought issues for the 28 car and a 13th-place finish for Hunter-Reay.
The championship now heads cross-country to Upstate New York’s Watkins Glen for Round 15 in just one weeks time. Between rounds, keep up to date on all things Andretti on Twitter with @FollowAndretti.
Carlos Muñoz
No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda
“I was a little disappointed, if I am honest. The positive side, I think, is we got better position than what our speed showed. The balance wasn’t there in the car. After the first stint it wasn’t the balance we expected to have. But, you know, its just racing. Still (finished) seventh, it’s alright with points. Honda did a great job – I’m really happy Honda went P1 and P2. We will have to keep working hard.”
Alexander Rossi
No. 98 Castrol EDGE / Curb Honda
No. 27 United Fiber & Data / Snapple Honda
“I guess we can’t be too unhappy, coming from 18th… But we were really just lacking overall grip. I’m not sure where to start with the car; we’re just a step down on grip than my competitors. There was one stint when I was actually running flat out, and three cars passed me. It’s frustrating. We need more speed and are hoping to find it at The Glen next weekend.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay
No. 28 DHL Honda
“I’m happy to get the car back in one piece tonight. I found out after the race that we had oil leaking over the right rear (tire) every stint but the first. I was just wicked loose the whole day and did everything I could to just keep (the car) off the wall. Really glad we came out okay, but it seems our luck continues. I’m really looking forward to returning to The Glen next week and hoping to get the DHL car up front where it belongs.”
