IRL: Phoenix: Bryan Herta preview

Bryan Herta on the Toyota Indy 300

"Phoenix is going to be a tough race. With the downforce restrictions it will be a really hard race and we'll have to work hard to make sure we have a good car in the race. The XM Satellite Radio team had a good test here last month but we still have more we need to accomplish. We still have some things we want to try before the race. Phoenix is an important race for us; we need to build momentum for the races coming up at Motegi and Indianapolis. Those are both important races for us and a strong finish at Phoenix will help us going into them."

Bryan Herta Facts

Phoenix marks Herta's 13th IndyCar Series start

In his only other major open wheel start at Phoenix, Herta started from the pole in 1995

Herta has one IndyCar Series victory which came at Kansas Speedway in 2003

Herta has six IndyCar Series top-five finishes

Herta's best start in the IndyCar Series is fifth at Nazareth

Herta has three career major open-wheel racing wins and seven poles

Herta's first major open-wheel start came at the 1994 Indianapolis 500

George Klotz, Team Manager, on the Toyota Indy 300

"We are looking forward to the getting to Phoenix with the XM Satellite Radio car. Our finish at Homestead wasn't what we wanted but that's because we just didn't have luck on our side. We've put Homestead behind us and now we are working on getting the best setup for Phoenix. It is going to be a tough race, but I'm confident that Bryan and the crew can deliver a good finish and built momentum for the race at Motegi."

-AGR-