Three Kv Racing Technology Drivers Just Missed Second Qualifying Round

E.J. Viso led the three-driver KV Racing Technology contingent in qualifications Saturday for Sunday's Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at the Infineon Raceway.

Viso, who led nine laps in his Infineon Raceway debut in 2008, just missed the second round of time trials on the 2.30-mile, 12-turn road circuit in the Napa wine country with a speed of 106.727 miles per hour. Driving the No. 8 PDVSA—KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, Viso had posted a speed fast enough to advance to the second qualifying round but lost out in the final minute of action.

Viso will start 15th in Sunday's 75-lap main event that is televised on Versus at 5 p.m. (EDT). IZOD IndyCar Series point leader Will Power won the pole position with a 108.337 m.p.h.

Takuma Sato, the rookie racer with three Firestone Fast Six qualifying appearances this year, recorded a speed of 106.687 m.p.h. in the No. 5 Lotus - KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry. Sato leaped to fourth in the qualifying session but, like Viso, was bumped from a top-six position and failed to advance to the next round. Sato will start 17th in the 25-driver field Sunday.

Mario Moraes, driving the No. 32 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, clocked a speed of 106.630 m.p.h. Saturday and will start 20th when the green flag drops at 5:45 p.m. (EDT).

DRIVER QUOTES:

EJ VISO – No. 8 PDVSA – KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE: "It was a very disappointing qualifying, not only for me but for everyone on the team. It's frustrating that no one from KV Racing Technology made it into the top-12. We worked last week on improving the car and its seems the changes we made didn't help us this weekend. Today, the track is totally different and that's why we have found it hard to get the right balance with the car. We'll have to make adjustments and be ready for the race."

TAKUMA SATO — No. 5 LOTUS – KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE:

"I am very disappointed. We seemed to be missing something fundamental. We couldn't find the right balance and grip out there. When I changed to the alternate (red) tire, I was able to get better grip but that was irrelevant because the rest of the field also improved. We will go over all the data tonight and prepare for warm-up and the race tomorrow."

MARIO MORAES – No. 32 KV RACING TECHNOLOGY HONDA/DALLARA/FIRESTONE: "We knew we would be in a tough qualifying session today. We jumped into the top-six early in the run. But we didn't have the speed to advance to the next round. We'll have to utilize a fuel strategy for the race. Last year we came from 14th to fourth. We will work on the plan tonight and be ready for the race on Sunday."