Newman/Haas Racing
Honda Indy Edmonton
RACE NOTES/QUOTES – Sunday, July 25, 2010

FORMULA DREAM/PANASONIC DRIVER MUTOH FINISHED 17TH AFTER STARTING 11TH IN THE HONDA INDY EDMONTON

Hideki Mutoh, No. 06 Formula Dream/Panasonic Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “The race wasn’t good for us. We started on the red alternate Firestone tires and the balance was good but we just couldn’t find any grip. On the next set somehow the pressure in the rear tires didn’t come up for maybe 15 laps. After that the car was very good at one point but I spun and lost some positions. On the final stint we put primary tires on and the car balance was loose again so it was very hard to stay on the track. I couldn’t fight.”

FAST FACTS: Was his third IICS event here. He started 11th, dropped to 14th, moved back into 11th but spun in Turn 1 on Lap 66 of 95 and dropped to 18th. Ultimately finished 17th…Matched his best road/street course start of the season of 11th at Long Beach here this year as well as earned his best starting position here to date…In 2009, he started 12th and finished 14th after an off-course excursion and started 21st and finished 27th in 2008 – both with Andretti Green Racing…His highest IZOD IndyCar Series start on a road/street course is FIFTH at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma in 2009 and best series road/street course finish is FIFTH at Mid-Ohio and Infineon…His highest overall series start is THIRD at Nashville Speedway (oval) and best overall series finish is SECOND (Iowa 2008).

Next Up… The IZOD IndyCar Series will take next weekend off before returning to the track at Mid-Ohio sports Car Course on August 8 for the Honda Indy 200 Presented by Westfield Insurance. It will be the 24th race for the team there. In total the team has earned THREE wins (Mi. Andretti 1991, 1990; Ma. Andretti 1984), SIX poles (Mansell 1993; Mi. Andretti 1992, 1991, 1990; Ma. Andretti 1986, 1984), and ELEVEN podium finishes (2nd - Fittipaldi 2002, Tracy 1995, Ma. Andretti 1990, 1988, 1983; 3rd- Fittipaldi 2000, Mi. Andretti 1996, 1989). In 2009, Graham Rahal started fourth with NHR but an off-track excursion limited his finish to eighth place. It will be both Rahal and Mutoh’s third Indy car race at the track. Mutoh finished fifth at Mid-Ohio last year.