Practice Reports: Iowa Speedway

Verizon IndyCar Series, Iowa Corn Indy 300

The green flag dropped at Iowa Speedway today with Mazda Road to Indy and Verizon IndyCar Series drivers getting in two sessions of practice on the 0.894-mile oval. Andretti Autosport’s senior team ended the day overall in P12 – Ryan Hunter-Reay, P13 – Justin Wilson, P14 – Marco Andretti and P17 – Carlos Munoz.

Live TV coverage of the Iowa Corn 300 qualifying session can be found on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday, with the live race broadcast immediately following at 8 p.m. ET for a race under the lights. For radio coverage, Verizon IndyCar Series qualifying and races are broadcast live on network affiliates, Sirius 212, XM 209, IndyCar.com, indycarradio.com and on the INDYCAR 15 app. Stay up to date on all things Andretti via AndrettiAutosport.com and @FollowAndretti.

RYAN HUNTER-REAY
NO. 28 DHL HONDA

“We had a pretty good day in the No. 28 DHL. P3 in the first session which was a highlight of the day, and we felt pretty race-y that session. In the second session we got kind of behind on timing, but ended up as top Honda. We feel decent, it’s just going to be tough… right now we just feel like we’re overcoming a deficit even on a perfect lap.”

JUSTIN WILSON
NO. 25 ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT HONDA

“I’m really pleased with the way the car feels – it’s driving well, can change lanes and run all over the track. We have to find a little bit more speed, but it’s definitely in the ballpark to be a challenger. Now it’s just a case of putting it all together and get ready for first car out for qualifying and go see what happens.”

MARCO ANDRETTI
NO. 27 SNAPPLE HONDA

“We ended our day pretty good actually. I thought we got the front working well and the rear is good and solid, so I’m pretty pleased with the race car. We haven’t really been focusing on qualifying, which has been a trend for us; I think it’s boded well for us in the races. In my opinion, you have to start mid-pack or forward to not risk going a lap down, but if you have a good car, you should be able to march forward pretty quickly.”

CARLOS MUNOZ
NO. 26 ANDRETTITV / CINSAY HONDA

“For sure another hard day. We just seem off the pace. I think we ended up better than where we started today… we have to do our best tomorrow. Qualifying is what it is, but in the race, you have to have a good car, so we’ll see what we have tomorrow and get past these two tough tracks (Milwaukee and Iowa).”

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Mazda Road to Indy Practice Report: Iowa Speedway

SHELBY BLACKSTOCK
NO. 51 STARSTRUCK MAZDA

25-year-old clocked 113 laps on the 0.894-mile oval during today’s two practice sessions

Series rookie’s best lap recorded was a time of 00:20:7163

“It’s a bit of a frustrating start for the weekend here at Iowa Speedway. We’re trying everything we have and just need to find more for tomorrow’s qualifying and race. We’ll work hard tonight to hopefully bring home a good result tomorrow.”
DALTON KELLETT
NO. 28 K-LINE INSULATORS USA, INC.
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

Pro Mazda Championship sophomore led most of today’s afternoon practice and came away fourth quickest over both sessions

Canadian racer recorded a best time of 00:22.7948

“I’m really pleased with our progress today in both of the practice sessions. We’ve had good pace; finished second fastest in the first and third fastest in the afternoon session. We’ll be working on just getting our car set up and ready for qualifying and the race tomorrow. It was very hot today, so we’ll have to wait and see what the weather has for us tomorrow. It’s definitely a challenging aspect for the weekend just coping with the heat and getting the car to be happy for the length of the race.”

WEIRON TAN
NO. 22 WEIRON TAN
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA

Malaysian racer completed 92 laps on the Newton, IA track today

Series rookie made contact during the first practice session but was able to come away fifth fastest at the end of the day with a best time of 00:22.8215

“Our second practice of the day was a lot better. I think the Andretti Autosport team and I did a good job getting back up to speed, especially during the last run with the other sets of tires; we made pretty good time. Especially after what happened during the first practice, I have to thank the team so much for getting the car back together after an unfortunate incident. I’m looking forward to qualifying – I think we should have a really good car, and just hopefully we can make it an Andretti Autosport front row.”