Inaugural RIO 400 IndyCar Press Notes
Sunday, March 17
Stefan Pict#16 Alumax
Reynard Mercedes

STEFAN JOHANSSON

Some debris penetrated the radiator, and the engine heated up quickly. When I stopped for yellow, we had no choice but to shut the engine down.

Hiro Pict#19 Panasonic
Ford Cosworth

HIRO MATSUSHITA

"I gradually lost horsepower over 15 to 20 laps, before a strong burning smell came from the engine. I know we lost fuel pressure, so I pitted before it was too late. The header started to affect the water line, causing the engine to get very hot.''

Gordon Pict#5 Valvoline/Cummins/Craftsman Special
Reynard Ford

ROBBY GORDON

"I was going (into Turn One) really, really deep under braking to keep up. Christian (Fittipaldi) passed me, and I didn't know if that was for position because we didn't have radio communication. Every corner for the whole race, we went until I saw God; then I hit the brakes. We made good calls. The team did some fantastic stops. We got through traffic decent, but just didn't get the finish we were looking for today. We tried. We just didn't get there.''
Pruett Pict#20 Firestone
Lola Ford
Patrick Racing

SCOTT PRUETT

"This has been an exciting weekend for all of us. Firestone helped us all day long. The Ford-Cosworth was very consistent all day long which really helps. And the Firestone-Patrick team did a superb job to help me work my way up into the field. This was perhaps the toughest oval race that I've run - ever. This is the most competitive race I've ever been in. Even on the last lap, we were going at it.''

Pruett assumes the PPG Cup drivers' points lead by virtue of today's third place finish, combined with a fourth-place effort at Homestead. He now has 26 points, one ahead of Homestead winner Jimmy Vasser.

This concludes the press notes for the inaugural Rio 400. The IndyCars return to action on March 31 in the IndyCar Australia at Surfers Paradise.

Source: IndyCar Website

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