QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES---- Birmingham, Alabama, March 31,
2012
Fast Facts:
Oriol Servia
- With very limited track time this weekend, Lotus DRR used the
qualifying session as a test. Servia was able to complete 8 laps
and saved a set of Firestone Firehawk alternate (red-sidewall)
tires for tomorrow's race. He clocked a time of 1:13.3349 during
today's qualifying and will start 26th on the grid for the
race.
- Servia only ran 7 laps in yesterday's first practice session.
There was an electrical problem and the Lotus DRR crew had to fix
the issue, and as a result Servia was unable to get back out. He
clocked the 23rd quickest time of the day with a time of 1:13.4960.
During the second practice session, Oriol ran two laps and had to
bring the car back into pit lane. There was a problem with the
motor and the team had to change it. Due to the unapproved engine
change, Servia was penalized 10 grid positions for the race.
- This weekend will mark Servia's second start at Barber
Motorsports Park. In 2011, he qualified 6th and finished 5th.
- Servia is piloting the No. 22 Charter primary livery for the
first time this season. Charter is a leading broadband
communications company, and the nation's fourth-largest cable
operator providing broadband entertainment and communications
services that includes advanced Charter TVTM, Charter InternetTM
access, and Charter PhoneTM to homes and businesses across 25
states.
- Last year Oriol Finished fourth in IZOD IndyCar Series
standings....Recorded 11 top-10 finishes, with a best of second at
New Hampshire and Baltimore....Among three drivers to be running at
the finish in all 17 races..... Led all drivers in laps completed
(2,103 of 2,011)....Oriol was the only driver to finish in the top
10 in first five races of the season.
Lotus DRR
- This year will be Lotus DRR's 13th season of IndyCar
competition, making them one of the longest tenured teams in the
series.
- This weekend will mark the team's 3rd time to compete at Barber
Motorsports Park.
- In 2010, the team started 2nd with Mike Conway and 11th with
Justin Wilson at Barber and finished 7th with Wilson and 9th with
Conway in the race. Last year Wilson started 5th and finished 19th
and Simon Pagenaud started 23rd and finished 8th in the race.
- During the off-season Lotus DRR (formerly known as Dreyer &
Reinbold Racing) underwent a huge rebranding effort and was able to
display their new logo and livery at Spring Training in Sebring,
Florida.
Oriol Servia, No. 22 Lotus DRR, on qualifying:
"Things are not going easy for us this weekend. Yesterday we
needed laps and with this morning's cancelled session, we were only
able to get an install lap in. We went out in qualifying and used
it as a test session. We didn't even put on the Firestone Firehawk
alternate (red-sidewall) tires. We were just trying to learn the
car and save a better set for tomorrow's race and use them when it
counts. We are going look at the data from this session, learn as
much as we can and come up with the best car for tomorrow.
Back on Track:
Lotus DRR will be back on track tomorrow for the Honda Indy
Grand Prix of Alabama at 2:00 pm ET. The race will be telecast live
on NBC Sports. Please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com
for more updates.