IndyCar
Motegi: Firestone Race report
Firestone Tire Performance Recap: History was made today as Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a major open-wheel racing event. All of the front-running drivers had the confidence in their Firehawk tires to run their last set for 57 laps ...
Edited: Apr 22, 2008, 7:03 AM
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Firestone Tire Performance Recap: History was made today as Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a major open-wheel racing event. All of the front-running drivers had the confidence in their Firehawk tires to run their last set for 57 laps (85.5 miles) or more. Firestone will use the same tire specification for the month of May and the Indianapolis 500.
From Danica Patrick, #7 Motorola Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The Firestone tires were pretty consistent all day. The conditions with the lack of rubber out there always make it harder on the tires, but after the first stop, my crew told me that the right rear wasn't even showing cord - which it had in practice. That really shows how strong the Firestone tires are and I finally got it across the finish line first."
From T.J. Tennent, Project Manager, Firestone Racing: "What a historic and great day for IndyCar Series racing. We knew it was only a matter of time before Danica recorded that first victory. We're proud she was able to accomplish it in the event sponsored by our parent company because this memorable date will forever be linked with the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300. Danica's strategist, Kyle Moyer, made a tremendous call to top off with fuel near the end of the final caution period, then she did a magnificent job turning competitive laps while saving ethanol and outlasting everyone else. From a tire perspective, we couldn't be prouder. Despite a very green racetrack from all of the recent rain, every driver that finished in the top 10 relied on their Firehawks to run an extended stint on their last set of tires - all without issue. That's a tribute to the tires and to the trusting relationship built between Firestone and the IndyCar Series teams."
Firestone "Tire-ific" Move of the Race: This $10,000 prize will be awarded after each IndyCar Series race to the driver who best utilizes his or her Firestone tires to make a bold, dramatic move during the event. This week's nominees are: Danica Patrick, for going the final 57 laps on a set of Firehawks on her way to victory; Ryan Hunter-Reay, for putting 61 laps on his last set of Firehawks and finishing seventh; and Scott Dixon, for setting a blazing pace and leading the most laps before finishing third. Fans can vote this Monday-Wednesday on www.indycar.com to determine the recipient, and the "Tire-ific" award winner will be named at the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 on April 27 at Kansas Speedway.
Race Temperatures: Ranged from 64°-66° F (18°-19° C) track and from 60-61°F (16° C) ambient.
-credit: firestone
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