AJ Foyt Racing Loudon qualifying report

Vitor Meira Qualifies 19th for MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225

Vitor Meira, A.J. Foyt Enterprises

Photo by: IndyCar Series

LOUDON, N.H. August 13, 2011—Vitor Meira qualified the no. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda in 19th position Saturday afternoon as the IZOD IndyCar Series returned to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time since 1998.

“I tried a little harder on the final lap but the car didn’t take it,” Meira said after his run. “It was worth it on the first lap but I had to get out of it on the second lap. But that is our philosophy now, we’re going for it. We’ve been conservative up to now but now is the time to risk more.”

Meira ‘s second lap had been a tenth quicker in turns 1 and 2 compared to his previous lap but as he entered turns 3 and 4, the car began to push so he had to lift. In fact, he got all the way out of the throttle in turns 3 and 4 and had to downshift, costing him 3 or 4 tenths according to engineer Jeff Britton.

Meira turned his first lap in 22.12 seconds and his second lap in 22.26 seconds which averaged out to a speed of 166.253mph.

Meira will have a final half-hour practice session tomorrow morning when the team will run full tanks to check the fuel mileage and see how the balance shifts throughout the fuel stint. Meira said, “As for the race, I know we’ve improved the tire wear on the car but we’ll know more after final practice tomorrow.”