It is interesting to note that both Perry Ellis and rookie driver Mike Conway are new to IndyCar! It is the first season for both of us … but that does not seem to be hindering either one of us!From the UK, Mike has spent the first few races making some pretty big adjustments … a new country, a new style of track (the track is shaped differently in Europe), a new car, new people, being away from home … LOTS of firsts for Mike Conway.
But he got his land legs on Sunday in Sonoma CA when he placed third for the race and stood tall on the podium to receive his first placement prize on U.S. soil!
Dennis Reinbold recently told me (Colleen Adams!) that Mike was one of the most natural and intuitive drivers he had ever seen, and I witnessed his ‘nerves of steel’ approach when I interviewed him at our recent event in Louisville.
We are proud of this great achievement for Mike … but I think it is safe to assume that ‘we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!’
The press release on the event is below:
PODIUM FINISH FOR DREYER & REINBOLD RACING AT INFINEON RACEWAY Sonoma, California (August 23, 2009) - Dreyer & Reinbold Racing completed the last road course of the year at Infineon Raceway with a bang. Mike Conway, driver of the No. 24 TranSystems machine, finished on the podium for the first time this season in Sonoma, California today with a third place result, while his teammate Milka Duno came home in 17th position.
The 2.303 mile circuit has been good to DRR this year. They had the opportunity to test at Infineon Raceway last week with Mike Conway and Milka Duno. Conway recorded the fastest time on both days and topped the charts with a time of 1:19.25 seconds on the first day and on the second day he clocked a time of 1:17.48 seconds.
As the green flag dropped, both drivers had a flawless start. Conway showed that he was a true road-racing pro. The Brit kept his nose clean as he stayed out of the trouble that happened in front of him. He started in ninth position and went to 14th on the first lap.
Fortunately that didn’t hinder him for long. The rookie was able to climb as the race progressed. With near perfect pit stops, Conway drove a good, consistent race, running in the top-ten for a majority of the race. It all came together on his last pit stop when he went from seventh to fifth and continued to pass. On lap 73 Conway made an incredible maneuver on the No.27 of Hideki Mutoh for third position in Turn 7.
Firestone nominated the performance for the Firestone “Tire-ific” Move of the Race. As a result he crossed the finish line with his best result of the season, third place.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing heads to Chicago for the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300. The race will take place on August 29th.
What they had to say… Mike Conway, #24 TranSystems:
“Yeah, it was good. In the beginning we got hit from behind and I got a puncture in my rear tire and I thought my race was finished. I just kept pushing all the way and just kept moving forward and I kept setting quick times. Towards the end I knew I might be able to get past the guys in front. The Tran Systems car was really good today. If we had a few more laps, it would have been interesting to see if I could get past those guys.”
