Motegi: Panther Racing Thursday notes

Meira Completes First Day of Practice at Twin Ring Motegi
Panther Prepares for Friday Qualification

Motegi, Japan -- Panther Racing and driver Vitor Meira worked their way through the first full day of practice Thursday in preparation for this weekend's Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi. After a successful morning session, the final practice of the day was twice interrupted by rain, with even more weather concerns pressing for Friday's qualifications.

Vitor's top lap speed of the day was 196.495 mph, 27.8480 seconds, good enough for 15th position on the final speed chart.

Vitor Meira:

"We've still got some work to do tomorrow in the Delphi National Guard car, but we made a lot of progress late in the practice session. The car is pretty good through (turns) one and two, but we're just not quite solid in three and four. The thing is, I know the guys are doing to do the work we need to do to get back up to speed. We still have time, and the race is always a different situation for us."

-credit: pr