Sato’s First Oval Attempt Leads Kv Racing Technology Drivers In Kansas

Rookie Sato Turns In One of the Most Consistent Runs Of The Day

KANSAS CITY, KS (April 30, 2010) — IZOD IndyCar Series rookie Takuma Sato made his oval racing debut Friday at Kansas Speedway with a solid performance during qualifications in the No. 5 Lotus-KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone car in a rain-delayed session.

Sato, the Formula One veteran making his first oval start Saturday in the Road Runner Turbo Indy 300, turned in one of the most consistent four-lap showings on the fast 1.5-mile tri-oval west of Kansas City. Sato drove his machine to the 11th starting position in the 27-car lineup that takes the green flag at 2 p.m. [EDT].

Sato tested his car Wednesday at Kansas Speedway under the guidance of co-team owner and former open-wheel champion Jimmy Vasser and recorded 115 laps in very windy conditions. He came back Friday and had to wait for rain and hail to pass through the Speedway before getting a chance to practice in the mid-afternoon.

Sato's four-lap average of 210.335 miles per hour led the KV Racing Technology three-driver lineup with Mario Moraes, in the No. 32 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, in 12th at 210.186 m.p.h. and E.J. Viso, in the No. 8 PDVSA – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine, in 16th at 209.700 m.ph.

In the earlier practice, Moraes was fourth fastest at 211.646 m.p.h. However, the added heat to the track and minor changes with his No. 32 affected the car's performance in qualifying. Saturday's race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. [EDT] and will be televised live on ABC-TV starting at 1:30 p.m.

DRIVER QUOTES:

TAKUMA SATO, #5 LOTUS - KVRT HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE, Qualified 11th in his first oval attempt: "This has been a great day for the #5 Lotus – KV Racing Technology team. I am happy to have made it to qualifying after the bad weather delayed practice this morning. The team provided me with a great car in order for me to learn this oval and gain confidence with how the car reacts in traffic. Qualifying was a new experience for me and I am really looking forward to the race tomorrow."

MARIO MORAES, No. 32 KVRT HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE, Qualified 12th: "Qualifying for the #32 KV Racing Technology car didn't go the way we wanted. We changed some things on the car after practice that didn't as well in qualifying. But I know we have a good race car for tomorrow and will focus on that for the race."