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HVM Racing Watkins Glen International Qualifying Report: Venue: Watkins Glen International, 3.4-mile road course, Watkins Glen, New York. HVM Racing will start 15th in Sunday’s Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen. Teams qualified Sunday afternoon after a final practice session in the morning. Driver E.J. Viso piloted the No. 33 PDVSA HVM Honda Dallara to the 16th best time in the final practice before the afternoon qualifying session. Teams were split into two groups for qualifying with the top six fastest teams from each session advancing to a second round. The field was then trimmed again to the six fastest drivers from that group who continued in one final session for the top six spots. The rest of the field was set by their best lap time after each qualifying session. HVM Racing qualified in the second group amongst 13 other drivers. Viso turned in the ninth fastest time of the group, a group considerably faster than the first, but missed the cut of six to advance to the second round. Viso’s time, however, would have advanced him if he were in the first group. Viso will start on the inside of row eight in Sunday’s 60-lap event. Ryan Briscoe won the pole for the event. Comments from team owner Keith Wiggins after qualifying at Watkins Glen International: “It’s disappointing that we didn’t break into the top six in our group. We improved from where we were yesterday, but there is more to get done. The performance of the car was better after the morning session. It translated to qualifying, but we needed more. “I know Michael (Lead Engineer Michael Cannon), E.J. (Viso) and the rest of the guys are going to talk everything over. The focus now is to get ready for tomorrow. It’s going to be a little more difficult from where we are starting. At the same time, I’m confident that we will have a plan to get up front.” Comments from E.J. Viso after qualifying at Watkins Glen International: “It’s almost like a puzzle. We’ve got it all together, but we’re just missing that last piece. I’m not sure what it is. The car feels really good. You’re never going to have a perfectly balanced car, but I feel fine with it. “We are still studying everything that we learned yesterday and this morning. I know the team is working hard to figure it all out. We’re all looking for that final piece of the puzzle, but we’re pretty close. Hopefully everything will come together tomorrow when it counts.” Contact: For more information on HVM Racing visit www.hvm-racing.com HVM is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. In its 7 years of competition in the Champ Car World Series, the team has earned 6 wins, 2 pole positions, and an additional 16 podiums since 2001 when Keith Wiggins took over Bettenhausen Motorsports. They finished 4th and 3rd, respectively, in Championship standings in 2006 and 2007 and drivers Mario Dominguez and Robert Doornbos were named Rookie of the Year in 2002 and 2007, respectively. |