AJ Foyt Racing Baltimore qualifying report

Vitor Meira, A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Photo by: IndyCar Series

BALTIMORE Sept. 3, 2011—Lucky number 14? Driving the ABC Supply No. 14, Vitor Meira will start 14th in the 14th race of the IZOD IndyCar Series Sunday afternoon as the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix gets underway on the streets of the city’s picturesque Inner Harbor. However, Meira will be aiming to finish higher than 14th in what promises to be an action-filled event from start to finish.

Despite some delays on the first day of activity yesterday as track problems were sorted out, the Baltimore Grand Prix picked up speed today as the grounds were swarming with race fans and the track was filled with race cars from four different series including the headliner IndyCar Series.

IndyCar qualifying took place just after noon. Meira, who was in the second group of the first round of qualifying, clocked a lap of 1:21.9707 around the 2 mile, 12-turn street circuit for a speed of 89.593 mph.

“It’s better than Sonoma last week [where he started 28th] but it’s tough to be so close to transferring [into round 2] and missing it again,” Meira said. “But we are back to where we were with a good solid car on the street courses so at least we’re back in the game. There was a lot of frustration in Sonoma but that’s fading now. We still need a good run in the race then everyone will be pumped up.”