Indy ORP: David Ostella preview

If there were a spot on the 2010 Star Mazda Championship schedule where David Ostella could mandate just six days between starts, this week would surely be it after the disappointment he suffered over the weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. After gaining momentum and working toward the front in practice and qualifying, race day for the young Canadian ended in a matter of moments.

"Half shaft broke right on the starting line," Ostella reported during a brief stopover in Toronto before heading out to Indianapolis for the Night before 500 this Saturday. "I was mad. I was furious, because I didn't even get to race on one of the race tracks I love so much."

Beginning the race week on Thursday with two practice sessions, Ostella worked his way inside the top ten before posting P4 in final practice on Friday. The 18-year-old then cut to a 1:21.5 in qualifying to take sixth. It was his best time of the weekend by a substantial margin, yet he was less than satisfied with the result.

"It wasn't my greatest session," Ostella said Saturday night from Laguna. "I wasn't as consistent as I would have liked and the car was a little off, but we knew what we needed to do for the race and were feeling confident. Then I was just a stand-still; massive letdown. I wasn't too worried until a car from the back row just missed me, then I just felt a sense of relief."

The short break prior to round four is also a relief, as Ostella and the rest of the Star Mazda Championship drivers will be a part of America's Greatest Spectacle In Racing, Indianapolis 500 Weekend. Drivers will have three practice sessions on Friday at O'Reilly Raceway Park before running two more Saturday morning, afternoon qualifying, and racing the Night Before 500 beginning just after 8pm.

"I'm very happy Indy is coming so quickly," Ostella said. "I can't wait to get back on an oval. I adapted quickly last year at Milwaukee and scored a podium at Iowa so I'm really looking forward to Saturday night." As he was in California, Ostella will be racing with support from Global Precast Intercontinental, Alpinestars, Masters Insurance, Pro Green Demolition and RAW Integrated Ltd. For more information, please visit www.davidostella.com

-source: davisostella.com