Sonoma: Newman/Haas Racing qualifying report

FORMULA DREAM/PANASONIC DRIVER MUTOH TO START 14TH IN THE INDY GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA; QUICK TRIM DRIVER RAHAL QUALIFIED 16TH

Graham Rahal, No. 02 Quick Trim Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The times are really close but the session was frustrating because I really thought we had what it took to progress to the next round. We made some changes for qualifying and the car wasn't quite as good for me but I thought we would still be able to sneak through (to Round 2) but unfortunately I came out of the pits too close to Hideki and I don't think I got one clear lap. When he went out of the pits right away I lifted way off and still caught up to him. Its frustrating because I think we could have gotten to Round 2."

Hideki Mutoh, No. 06 Formula Dream/Panasonic Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "I think we improved the car since the morning practice but the times are so close that we missed progressing to the top-six and Round 2 by hundredths of a second. The difference between progressing to Round 2 and having a shot at a top starting position and starting 14th is very slim. Still I thought the car was quite good. The team did a good job on the car. A good thing is that we have two new sets of red Firestone tires for the race and I think that is an advantage."

-source: nhr