Newman/Haas Racing
Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen – Watkins Glen International
RACE NOTES /QUOTES – Sunday, July 4, 2010

FORMULA DREAM/PANASONIC DRIVER MUTOH FINISHED 12TH IN THE CAMPING WORLD GRAND PRIX AT THE GLEN; MATCHED HIS BEST FINISH OF THE SEASON AT TEXAS

Hideki Mutoh, No. 06 Formula Dream/Panasonic Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “I’m pleased with the finishing position for the Formula Dream/Panasonic team but on the last stint I lost three positions to Dixon, Castroneves and Wilson. The positive thing is that I learned some things following them. I think I improved my driving during the race and we found our weak points. In some corners we were very slow and in others we were fast. It will be good for next year. I’m looking forward to racing with Newman/Haas Racing in the Honda Indy Toronto race. Last year the team was good there and looked like they had a strong car. I have one week off and time to discuss the plan with the team. I’m looking forward to going back to Toronto. I love street courses.”

FAST FACTS: Was his third IICS event here. In his rookie season he started 20th and finished ninth in 2008. In 2009 he started 12th, ran as high as second and finished 18th after contact on L52 of 60 in Turn 5. He competed in two Indy Lights events here in 2007. In the first of the Twin 100’s he started fourth and finished second. In the second race the following day, he started fifth and finished sixth…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).

NHR AT WATKINS GLEN: Was the THIRD race here for the team…In 2008 Justin Wilson lost pole by four-hundredths of-a-second and started second. Gear box oil was found to be leaking on his first stop on Lap 7 under caution and he later retired from the race in 25th place on Lap 22 with gearbox failure. Graham Rahal crashed in the Saturday morning practice which contributed to an 18th place qualifying position but he rebounded to finish eighth. In 2009, Rahal qualified fifth but failed the post qualifying tech inspection for being a few pounds underweight. He was penalized 10 positions and started 15th, ran as high as second on an alternate pit strategy but finished 13th. Robert Doornbos started 17th in the two-day event at Watkins Glen after mechanical problems on Saturday and matched his top finish of ninth place…The Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen will mark the team’s 453rd event since being formed (chart available upon request). Including this race, the team will have entered a total of 801 cars in these 453 events.

NEXT UP…Round 10 of 17 in the IZOD IndyCar Series will be the Honda Indy Toronto on July 18. NHR competed at this event from 1986-2007 and returned in 2009. NHR has won SEVEN races at this track (Bourdais 2004; da Matta 2002; Michael Andretti 2000, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1989) and FIVE poles (Bourdais 2004, 2005, 2007; da Matta 2002; Mi. Andretti 1991). They have earned a total of 16 podium finishes (2nd – Servia 2005, Mi. Andretti 1998, Ma. Andretti 1991, Mi. Andretti 1990; 3rd – Bourdais 2006, Junqueira 2003, Fittipaldi 2002 & 1999, Ma. Andretti 1986). Last year Graham Rahal started third but was hit by second place starter Will Power who squeezed him to the wall on the opening lap before T1. A forced stop to replace his front wing dropped him to the back but he charged through the field into seventh place but held his position behind Patrick but flat-spotted his tires which led to losing three positions before his next stop. He tried to pass the lapped car of Ed Carpenter on the inside on a right-handed turn but the contact ended his race in 20th place. Robert Doornbos started seventh and moved to third on L1 but an electrical failure in the gear shift system forced him to retire in 23rd place after 26 laps.