Andretti Autosport – What They’re Saying. Practice. Watkins Glen.
The Verizon IndyCar Series returns to New York’s Watkins Glen International for the 10th Indy car race held at the scenic 3.37-mile road course, and the first since 2010. Today’s track action included two practice sessions each for both the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship. Both series will take to the track tomorrow for qualifying sessions, as well as Race 1 for the Indy Lights squad. Keep up to date with all on-track activity via racecontrol.indycar.com.
VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
INDYCAR Grand Prix at The Glen
What They’re Saying – Practice
Alexander Rossi
No. 98 Castrol EDGE / Curb Honda
“We weren’t as strong as I think we expected to be, which is a little disappointing based on how we felt after the two tests we had here earlier this year. The lap time increase from the test is pretty extreme – I mean, it’s over two seconds and people are just improving more than we did – we need to understand why that is, for sure. We need to find the grip we need overall, at the moment.”
Carlos Muñoz
No. 26 hhgregg Honda
“Really tough day if I am honest, really hard. We just missed the balance of the car generally today. We will have to work hard. I know our team is working really hard. We have to do a lot of changes over night. I still have to work; we have one more practice and then qualifying. So I think we have to do big changes overnight to see it in the times. Right now we are really off of P1 and we’re going to have to work hard to be in the top ten.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay
No. 28 DHL Honda
“We don’t really have the grip that we need right now… so we’re a bit up a creek and are going to spend some time tonight looking for a paddle. It’s a shame to not have been faster today – this is a track I really enjoy and I have some great memories here. Celebrating my 200th start in victory lane at The Glen is pretty high on my list of goals, so we’ll keep working hard.”
Marco Andretti
No. 27 United Fiber & Data / Snapple Honda
“Glad to be back at The Glen but it’s been a frustrating first day. We’re not getting what we need out of the car. We have to take a look at things and do what we can before qualifying tomorrow. We don’t want to be sitting where we are now come tomorrow night.”
INDY LIGHTS PRESENTED BY COOPER TIRES
Mazda Indy Lights Grand Prix of Watkins Glen Presented by Cooper Tires
What They’re Saying – Practice
Dean Stoneman
No. 27 Stellrecht Mazda
“We spent Practice 2 on race development and how we manage the tires. It’s not really that clear where we are, but hopefully we aren’t far off the pace in real terms – compared with others trying the same. We will see what happens in qualifying tomorrow.”
Dalton Kellett
No. 28 K-LINE Insulators USA, Inc. Mazda
“Had a good first day of practice here at Watkins Glen. It’s great to get back on track; The Glen is probably one of my favorite road courses. It’s only my second time on track here, but I absolutely love it. Maybe I’m bias because my first time driving here was in the Indy car a couple weeks ago. Going back to the [Indy] Lights car was a little bit of an adjustment getting back to the specifics of the Cooper Tire and the other elements of the IL-15 that differ from the Indy car. We’ve been putting a plan in to effect today and in our second practice we got some good running in for the K-LINE car. We were one of the only teams that didn’t run new tires and our pace was pretty good considering, so I’m looking forward to what we are going to have in qualifying tomorrow.”
Shelby Blackstock
No. 51 Starstruck Mazda
“Today was ‘okay’ for the Starstruck crew. Practice 1 was really good – we had the pace. The car was definitely on par with speed, but we had excessive tire wear. During the afternoon session we did a longer tire stint and we made it a little bit better. I think during Practice 2 we were the only team that didn’t go out on stickers. So, the times definitely don’t show what is capable in the car. Hopefully tomorrow in qualifying we can go out and see where we stack up against everyone else.”