Richmond: AGR race report

It was a tough race for all of the Andretti Green Racing drivers, including race winner Tony Kanaan. With so many caution periods and crashes the AGR crew was lucky not to get caught up in it. Even though Hideki Mutoh's race ended early due to a broken drive shaft, all four drivers finished in the top 13.

All of the drivers qualified in the first half of the grid; Kanaan and Marco Andretti qualified 1-2. Kanaan and Andretti battled for the lead throughout the race. Kanaan led for a total of 166 laps while Andretti led 90. It looked like it was going to be a fight to the end, but Andretti had the wrong pit strategy and dropped down in the running order to ninth. He was unable to make up his lap and had to settle for a disappointing ninth-place finish.

"I am incredibly disapointed," said Andretti. "The Blockbuster car was the best car on the track today."

However, Andretti's misfortune was Kanaan's gain. Kanaan led the final 95 laps and was virtually unchallenged at the very end.

"It was tough race at first but once we got going, I knew we could do it with the car" said Kanaan. "The problem was we had a lot of yellows and people making mistakes. Traffic was really good; everybody did a good job trying to keep away from the leaders. It was a great race apart from all of the yellows."

Danica Patrick drove a clean race to finish sixth. She started 14th and managed to avoid all of the race carnage.

"It was a carnage fest out there tonight with all the wrecks and cautions. I am happy with my finish," said Patrick. "Obviously I wish we could have finished in the top five. The Motorola crew did a great job. I am also very happy that Tony got his win. He totally deserved it."

Mutoh, like Andretti, was plagued with some bad luck. After starting 7th it looked as if he could have a good race. Unfortunately he was unable to find the speed and during his final pit stop his drive shaft broke which caused his race to end there.

"It was a tough race for the Formula Dream team. I was trying to move up to the front, but I couldn't find the speed," said Mutoh. "Then my drive shaft broken when I stopped for the fourth pit stop. I wish I was able to finish the race, but things like this happen. I am looking forward to the next race in Watkins Glen."

Andretti Green Racing and the rest of the IndyCar Series races this weekend at the road course in Watkins Glen, NY.

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