For Immediate Release
Contact: Ryann Rigsby
(317) 872-2700 x 275
ryann.rigsby@andrettiautosport.com
IZOD IndyCar Series
Race Report: Sao Paulo Indy 300
James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 GoDaddy Chevrolet
The last Canadian to win in Brazil was Greg Moore in Rio on May 10, 1998. Hinchcliffe becomes the reigning Canadian winner with today's win in Sao Paulo, Brazil after a last-lap pass placed him in the lead. The Toronto native sits fourth in the championship points standings after his second win of the season, as well as his career.
"There's no cooler way to win a race than the last corner of the last lap. Heluva job that Takuma (Sato) did to be up there, and man, he was making his car really wide. We both had one push-to-pass left coming to that last corner. He'd been defending the inside pretty well - almost too well a couple of times. He just out-broke himself a little bit. I know he was going to go deep, and we did the high-low and got the win. Awesome job for GoDaddy, Andretti (Autosport) and everybody."
Blake Irving, GoDaddy CEO
"Congrats to James Hinchcliffe and the whole GoDaddy team for capturing an incredible win today in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hinch never gave up - taking the win on the last turn of the last lap! His passion and grit really came through today. It's great to see such drive and determination even when the odds are against you. It's one reason why Hinch represents GoDaddy and our customers so well."
Marco Andretti, No. 25 RC Cola Chevrolet
Coming into the Sao Paulo Indy 300 fourth in the championship points standings, Andretti moves up to second after capturing his second podium of the season. The third-generation driver brought the RC Cola Chevy to the twin checkers in third.
"It was a lot of fun. It was dicey at some points. Really it was just about conserving the push-to-passes for when it counts. At the end, I was kind of using it when people weren't expecting me to use it so I could kind of snooker them. Looking from practice one, I'm quite pleased with where we ended up today. Congratulations to the GoDaddy crew. The RC Cola car is looking good in points now."
E.J. Viso, No. 5 Team Venezuela PDVSA CITGO Chevrolet
Making his best IZOD IndyCar Series career start on the 2.536-mile temporary street course in second, Viso ran a strong race before being caught out during a pit stop when a full course caution occurred. The Venezuelan n ative pushed to the end of the 75-lap race to recover in sixth place and is now in a three-way tie for 10th in the championship points standings.
"Finishing sixth is not really what we expected. It was a race full of surprises, and unfortunately that last stop was not for us. Luck was not on our side; we pitted right before the yellow came out and it didn't play in our favor. Going from ninth after that to come to sixth after passing some cars, we knew we had the pace, and we are here to win races. I'm very happy for James' second win and Marco's podium. It's something that only gives us confidence as a team to keep working hard for the next races."
Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 1 DHL Chevrolet
Hunter-Reay began today's race on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil from the pole position, his second of the season. After a strong showing in the DHL Chevy and leading a large portion of the race, Hunter-Reay suffered from a flat tire and was forced to make an unscheduled pit stop costing him valuable track position. T he reigning champion came to the twin checkers in 11th and currently sits sixth in the championship points standings.
"Extremely disappointing today. Absolutely had the car to win. Guys gave me a great, great car...the pit stops were awesome. Definitely needed to capitalize on this opportunity, but we got a flat tire about halfway through the race which pretty much sidelined us. We pit super early on the last stop, had to save fuel the remainder of the race. I was lifting halfway down the straightaway so... we were wounded and stayed that way. Happy for the teammates - James on the win and Marco on the third."
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