QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES---- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
July 7, 2012
Fast Facts:
Oriol Servia
- Servia was in Group 2 for today's qualifying session.
Unfortunately he did not advance to the Fast 12. He just barely got
knocked out as he clocked the 16th fastest time today with a time
of 1:00.0004 (105.299 mph).
- Servia was 8th quickest in today's morning practice session
with a time of 1:00.8372 (103.851 mph).
- This weekend will mark Servia's 11th start in Toronto (eight of
those starts were in CART/Champ Car from 2000-2007). Last year he
started 6th and finished 12th. Servia has finished in the top-5
twice (2003-finished 5th and 2005- finished 2nd) and the top-10
twice (2004-finished 9th and 2007-finished 10th). His best
start was third in 2007 when he was driving for Forsythe
Racing.
- After the Milwaukee IndyFest, Servia joked that he should chill
during the race weekend and just show up for the race. In seven
races, Servia has gained a total of 89 positions (7 positions in
St. Pete to finish 16th, 13 positions in Barber to finish 13th, 7
positions in Long Beach to finish 16th, 12 positions in Brazil to
finish 11th, 23 positions in Indianapolis to finish 4th, 11
positions in Detroit to finish 5th, and 16 positions in Milwaukee
to finish 4th).
- Since making the switch to Chevy power, Panther DRR and Oriol
Servia have earned three top-five results in five races, tying with
a season best of fourth place (was 4th in the Indy 500).
- Valspar is the primary on the No. 22 machine this weekend. The
Valspar Corporation is one of the largest global coatings
manufacturers in the world, providing coatings and coating
intermediates to a wide variety of customers and applications.
Since 1806, Valspar has been dedicated to bringing customers the
latest innovations, the finest quality, and the best customer
service in the coatings industry.
- 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.
- In 12 seasons of competing in open wheel racing, Servia has 173
starts, 19 podium finishes, a win in Montreal (2005), a pole
position at Surfer's Paradise (2005), 45 top-five finishes
(including podiums), 85 top-10 finishes (inclues top-five) and has
led a total of 130 laps in his career.
Panther DRR
- Panther DRR will be competing for the fourth time at the
1.75-mile temporary street course. They have had one car qualify in
the top six in the first two races at the track. Last year, Justin
Wilson started 11th and finished 15th and Ana Beatriz started 26th
and finished 11th. In 2010, the team set a track record and earned
their first pole at the circuit with Justin Wilson, who led for
32-laps. Unfortunately, a late race spin caused Wilson to fall back
positions, but he finished with a 7th place result. In 2009, Mike
Conway started sixth and finished 22nd and Tomas Scheckter led for
six laps before being eliminated from the race.
- It was announced in May that the Indianapolis-based squad has
united with two-time IndyCar Series champion Panther Racing to form
a strategic alliance on Oriol Servia's entry for the remainder of
the 2012 season. The No. 22 Panther/DRR team will utilize Panther's
second Chevrolet engine lease and work in conjunction with the No.
4 National Guard team and driver JR Hildebrand.
Oriol Servia, No. 22 Panther DRR, on qualifying for
the Honda Indy Toronto:"I'm disappointed
because I think that we made the right calls with the Valspar car
and the car was good. It was just a question of putting a lap
together and I wasn't able to. I'm just disappointed because I know
that we have a good car and I know that we'll do good tomorrow, but
I wanted to start more up front than what we have been. I think
that we had a car to do that today and it's just so tight and you
need to put the lap there and I wasn't able to do it. I'm a little
disappointed with myself today, but we'll keep our trend of the
year and gain all of the positions tomorrow."
Back on Track: Panther DRR will
hit the track tomorrow at 8:30 am ET for warm-up for the Honda Indy
Toronto. The race will be at 1:00 pm ET. Live coverage will be on
ABC and the IMS Radio Network. Please visit
www.dreyerreinboldracing.com for more updates.