Kv Racing Technology Suffers Tough Qualifying Session Saturday In Long

Young Moraes Tops The Team's Effort In 15th Spot

LONG BEACH, Calif. — For the first time in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series, KV Racing Technology failed to advance the second round of qualifications Saturday in the streets of Long Beach.

The trio of Mario Moraes, E.J. Viso and Takuma Sato looked primed to move to the second level in qualifying when late session heroics by Alex Tagliani, Ryan Briscoe and Marco Andretti bumped the KVRT drivers from the top 12 in preparation for the 36th running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Moraes drove his No. 32 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone car into the top six early in qualifying, but the young Brazilian had to settle in 15th for Sunday's 85-lap feature on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn circuit south of Los Angeles. Moraes' best speed was 100.480 miles per hour.

Viso, at the controls of the No. 8 PDVSA – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine, recorded the 17th fastest speed at 100.353 m.p.h. with Sato, in the No. 5 Lotus - KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, finishing 19th with a 100.209 m.p.h.

Team owner Jimmy Vasser returned to competition Saturday in the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Challenge, and the 1996 Long Beach champion was victorious once again in defeating pro Tanner Foust and actor Brian Austin Green.

In addition, KV Racing Technology announced Saturday that former open-wheel champion Paul Tracy will compete for the Indianapolis-based team in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 next month. Tracy, the 2002 Indy 500 runner-up, will pilot the No. 15 GEICO—HVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry in the May 30 classic. Tracy has started six Indy 500 races and finished ninth in last year's event.

Sato also announced a new personal agreement with IRacing and Interush for the Motegi race.

Sunday's Long Beach event is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) and will be televised live on VERSUS.

DRIVER QUOTES:

MARIO MORAES, No. 32 KVRT HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE, Qualified 15th: "Qualifying for the KV Racing Technology team was definitely not what we were looking for. We were hoping to get into the top 12. I was working hard with my engineer and we had a problem with the car which we shall fix tonight. We proved in morning practice that we have a good setup for the race so I am looking forward to that tomorrow."

E.J. VISO, #8 PDVSA – KVRT HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE, Qualified 17th: "It has definitely been a very difficult weekend for the PDVSA – KV Racing Technology team. We have been working on some things and managed to find some more speed for qualifying. But we are still lacking grip.That is what we are working on tonight with our engineers. I am sure we will have a better car for the tomorrow."

TAKUMA SATO, #5 LOTUS - KVRT HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE, Qualified 19th: ""It was a very tough and disappointing day. We tried many different things since yesterday, but unfortunately, the car just isn't working well. We changed the car quite a bit for qualifying but we still need to find more grip. We will review and analyze everything overnight for tomorrow."