AlUnser III and Playa Del Racing scored this season’s highest finish in theFirestone Indy Lights Series on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
“Ihad to get on the brakes to avoid the crash on lap one, and that set us backfrom the start,” says Al Unser III, who started 12th in the secondof the two race weekend. “I really love this track, and I have to give creditto the city of St. Petersburg for putting on a great event. This is truly oneof the great street courses out there.”
Thesixth place finish today is PDR’s highest finish since Sean Guthrie drove to asixth place finish at the Chicagoland Speedway in the 2007 season finale. AlUnser III spent several of the final laps putting on a show for the fans, whilebattling Guthrie’s entry to the finish.
“Thatwas a fabulous race today,” says Susan Schafer, co-owner of PDR. “Al (UnserIII) made us really proud going out there and avoiding the melee in front ofhim. He gave everybody a show in the end, and we’re putting that green car ontothe trailer with no damage. That’s really all you can ask for from yourdriver.”
PDRhas improved in finishing position each of the three 2008 Firestone Indy Lightsraces. The next Firestone Indy Lights event will be in Kansas City, Kan. at theKansas Speedway on April 27.
“Westill have a long way to go, but we couldn’t be happier with our 2008 resultsthus far,” says Gary Sallee, co-owner of PDR. “Every aspect of our organizationis getting better with time, and we are going to use the time between now andthe Kansas race at the end of the month to keep making positive steps forward.”
TheHonda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg featured some of the best racing of the yearon the 1.8-mile 14 turn street circuit.
“Peoplewere a little more eager to get the job done today,” says Al Unser III. “I’vereally got to thank my sponsor Ethos For Earth, and Playa Del Racing for givingme a chance to go racing. Wedidn’t practice real high in the time sheets, but yesterday’s race went welland today’s was even better.”
