E. J. Viso, #8 PDVSA – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone, who was making his third appearance on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg temporary street circuit, qualified a team-high ninth and drove an incredibly smart and strong race. He was in-line for a top-five finish when a fortuitous yellow flag vaulted him into the lead on lap 72 of the 100 lap contest with enough fuel to go to the end. However, one lap later the shift mechanism failed, which all but brought his day to an end. Viso, who returned to the track, ended up with the races fastest lap, but finished 17th.
“What a shame for the PDVSA – KV Racing Technology team because we ran well all weekend,” Viso said. “We definitely had the speed, pace and a good strategy in today’s race. I was leading the race until a shift mechanism failed. This is the tough part of racing, one second you have everything and the next it is taken away from you. We just need to keep our spirits up and work hard for a better race at Barber.”
Moraes, #32 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone, also competing in his third race in St. Petersburg, started 20th. Driving a patient, but determined race, Moraes benefitted from a solid strategy and was running in seventh place when he was hit from behind resulting in a flat tire. After pitting for new tires Moraes was back on the move fighting to pick up positions when, for the second time, he was hit from behind when Dan Wheldon’s suspension collapsed and he was unable to stop. Moraes finished the race 21st.
“The race was going well until I got hit from behind by first Dixon and then by Wheldon,” Moraes said. “It’s a shame for the KV Racing Technology team because the crew worked really hard all weekend and the car was handling well. To end it like this is not a great feeling.”
Sato, #5 Lotus – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone, contested his second IndyCar race and first in the green and yellow Lotus livery today. Starting 11th, Sato used all of his Formula 1 experience to overcome challenging track conditions and move into eighth place by lap 21. However, at that point he was fighting to get into the fuel window when he ran into the tire wall while defending his position. Sato placed 22nd.
“I was disappointed not to finish today,” Taku said. “I enjoyed the start of race. The conditions were very tricky, but I was able to improve a few positions, which was a great feeling. During the early part of the race I was able to battle and make some more positions. Then, I was struggling with the balance and wanted to pit, but we were trying to stretch to the fuel window. Unfortunately, while I was struggling I was trying to defend my position when I hit the wall. I have learned a lot about the car these first two races, but I still have some things to learn about this series. I am confident it will come soon.”
Next up for KVRT is the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by Legacy Credit Union, April 9-11, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The race will be broadcast live on Versus beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST.
For more information about KV Racing Technology visit: www.kvracingtechnology.com
- KV Racing Technology Press Release
