PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
RACE REPORT
Phoenix International Raceway saw the return of the Verizon IndyCar Series with Saturday’s setting sun. The 250-lap race saw series veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay lead the way for Andretti Autosport in the field of 22. The American’s brave start, and even braver restarts, were the talk of the night. Unfortunately, podium success wasn’t in the cards for Hunter-Reay as the DHL Honda came to the twin checkers in 10th, the highest finishing result for the Andretti four.

Andretti Autosport and the Verizon IndyCar Series will continue their stint in the West with Round Three of competition on the Streets of Long Beach on April 17. Until then, get your racing fix at AndrettiAutosport.com and via Twitter with @FollowAndretti.
Ryan Hunter-Reay
No. 28 DHL Honda

• Started tonight’s race from the 12th position; charging hard on the green flag, gained five positions on the start, running a brave outside line
• Wheeled the DHL machine to as high as thrid place but lost track position to untimly yellow flags
• Brushed the wall late in the racing, forcing further lost position and a 10th-place finish

“We had two cautions – TWO of them – that put us laps down. Just had a heck of a time out there. Some of the best starts I’ve ever had, some of the best restarts I’ve ever had, and to come away from it with 10th is a pretty dejecting result. We should have finished second tonight. You have to move on and keep a good attitude about it. I wanted a better result for DHL and Honda, but racing is like that sometimes.”
Marco Andretti
No. 27 United Fiber & Data / Snapple Honda

• The top-qualifing Honda, started from the 11th grid position
• Battled for pace and track position throughout the 250-lap race and fell victim to yellow flag timing
• Recorded a 13th-place result in his 169th career IndyCar start

“The result tonight wasn’t what we were looking for. The yellows weren’t in our favor and we didn’t have what we needed. We’ll move on to the (Indy oval) test this week and work on a better result for the next one.”

Alexander Rossi
No. 98 Castrol Edge/Curb Honda

• Made his first career oval start from the 14th position
• Kept pace with series veterans all night, running as high as seventh
• Low fuel forced the American to pit lane under closed pit conditions, resulting in a penalty taking him to the back of the field for the restart; recorded a 14th-place result

“I think that the finishing position is really upsetting. Before we had to fall to the back, we were P7, I think. We’ll have to look at how we maybe could have done that better. I think the car was good for most of the race and the crew did a great job. I’m glad we got the first oval race under our belt… But I think there’s more to come next time.”

Carlos Muñoz
No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda

• After contact with the wall in qualifying, started from the 21st position
• Advanced to mid-field with steady pace before suffering a mechanical issue that forced the No. 26 machine into the wall in Turn 4
• Recorded a 22nd-place result

“It’s a shame how we finished. I got in a crash. Something mechanical broke on the car, you know. When I was turning, nothing happened and I hit the wall. It’s a shame. We were recovering a lot of positions from where we started. It’s a weekend to forget. I just have to say thank you for the guys that worked so hard yesterday to get the car back together. This is racing. We lose and we win together. So, I’m focused now on the upcoming Indy test.”