Dale Coyne Racing Loudon qualifying report

LONG WEEKEND AT LOUDON BRINGS BEST OVAL STARTS FOR JAKES AND LLOYD

James Jakes, Dale Coyne Racing

Photo by: IndyCar Series

Loudon, New Hampshire (August 13, 2011)--- After nearly seven weeks away from an oval track, both Dale Coyne Racing drivers posted their best oval qualifying positions of the season. As a rookie, James Jakes, driver of the #18 Acorn Stairlifts car, will start Sunday’s MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225 in 20th position. Alex Lloyd, driver of the #19 Boy Scouts of America car, will start in season-best 14th for the second time this season.

“It’s nice to finally get back in a car,” said Lloyd. “Because I’m only driving ovals, I’ve been off track for quite a while, but everyone else is just getting back on the ovals as well so we’re right on track with the rest of them. We’ve had a great weekend so far. Today we ran the set-up that we tested with on Thursday and I think we’re in a great spot for a top-ten in tomorrow’s race.”

During the second practice today, Jakes’ was able to showcase how much he has learned about ovals since the start of the season as he was running as high as 3rd at points of the session. Halfway through the session, Lloyd and Jakes were running 4th and 5th respectively.

“We’ve been very competitive all weekend,” Jakes said. “ We’re very close to a top-ten, I just didn’t get it all pulled together for qualifying. I know we’ve got a great racecar and you’ll see me making progress and the #18 Acorn Stairlifts car is going to be very competitive tomorrow—just you wait and see.”