Newman/Haas Racing
Honda Indy Toronto
PRACTICE NOTES/QUOTES – Friday, July 16, 2010

QUICK TRIM DRIVER RAHAL 15TH FASTEST IN PRACTICE FOR THE HONDA INDY TORONTO; FORMULA DREAM/PANASONIC DRIVER MUTOH 17TH AFTER CONTACT

1st: Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:02.1433 / 101.668 mph
15th: Graham Rahal 1:03.2973 / 99.815 mph
17th: Hideki Mutoh 1:03.3807 / 99.683 mph

Graham Rahal, No. 02 Quick Trim Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "It's nice to be back in and Indy car. It was a bit of a struggle this afternoon. We can't seem to figure out what it is the car wants and I'm a little bit lost to be honest. I don't really know too much of what we're looking for. But this is similar to our Friday here last year and we qualified third so hopefully it will play out that way again this year. But it is nice to be back in the car. Every time I get back in car it feels so good, especially here in Toronto, a place I really do enjoy. I'm looking forward to tomorrow; I think we have a lot to gain. I'm hoping to put the Quick Trim car up front in qualifying."

FAST FACTS: Will be his FOURTH race here. Started from pole in the 2006 Atlantic race but was hit by Raphael Matos on the first lap. Repaired the damaged suspension and returned to the track a few laps down, set the fastest race lap but later retired in 15th place. Started 15th in the 2007 Champ Car race as a rookie for NHR but an evasive move to avoid a pile up on Lap 1 led to him hitting the wall and a subsequent stop for a new front wing. Had to pit again for another front wing later in the race after running as high as second. Retired in 11th place after he made contact for the third time due to a broken steering rack. Last year, he 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. He 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 after 57/85 laps…Is making his SIXTH start of the season here in Round 10.

Hideki Mutoh, No. 06 Formula Dream/Panasonic Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The track is very slippery, which is the same as last year. I think we made good progress today. Each session, I went fastest and I understand the reason why I went faster which helps us know the direction to continue in. Now I have a teammate in Graham and fresh data to compare to which is helpful. Our position doesn't look too good but I think we have potential. Today is only the first day and I have one more practice session before qualifying so I think we will be ready. I lost the back end of the car in Turn 1 and couldn't stop before hitting the wall. I'm sorry to create extra work for the guys."

FAST FACTS: Will be his second IICS event here. He drove to an 11th place finish after qualifying 22nd with AGR in 2009…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).

NEWMAN/HAAS RACING'S 23 PREVIOUS TORONTO EVENTS: 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).