IRL Report: Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

[Honda News Feed]

After the unique qualifying process dubbed the “Firestone Fast Six”, Tony Kanaan took the pole ahead of Will Power’s No. 8 Aussie Vineyards-Team Australia car, even though Power turned the fast lap of all the qualifying sessions. In addition to getting the check for fast time Kanaan had to be pleased with his run after being penalized 30 minutes of practice time for staying out with his mangled right front suspension in last week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 180 mile Saint Petersburg race started under yellow because they didn’t want to keep the fans waiting and rain water was everywhere. The first green session began at lap 10 and lasted only ‘til lap 14. When Kanaan and the leaders stopped for fuel Wilson inherited the lead on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. The track was slowly drying so at lap 41 #26 Andretti, #9 Dixon, #17 Hunter-Reay and #7 Patrick all jumped into the pits to change to slicks. A few laps later #11 Kanaan, #20 Carpenter, #2 Foyt IV and #02 Wilson also switched to the stickier tires. #33 Viso assumed the lead and pulled out 4.5218 seconds on #36 Bernoldi until #6 Briscoe lost it into the outside wall, destroying his car.
Hunter-Reay, #06 Rahal, #33 Viso, #3 Castroneves and #10 Wheldon stayed out when the leaders took pit lane under yellow. When racing resumed, Graham Rahal passed Hunter-Reay and stayed in the lead through the next yellow. Castroneves got around Hunter-Reay to take over second. At 75 laps the officials announced the race would be ended in ten minutes. Kanaan made the most of those few minutes, passing both Viso and Hunter-Reay in the next four laps to take third. At the checkered flag on lap 83 young mister Rahal held a 3.5192 second advantage over Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan took the last podium position at St Pete’s.
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