IndyCar - Andretti Autosports Edmonton Preview And Comments

EDMONTON, July 20, 2011: Momentum is on the side of Andretti Autosport as the four-car contingent heads to the new 2.25-mile, 13-turn road circuit at the City Centre City near downtown Edmonton this weekend for the 10th stop in the 17-race IZOD IndyCar Series. The Edmonton Indy will serve as Andretti Autosport's next target to the top of the victory podium after Marco Andretti's win at Iowa and Ryan Hunter-Reay's strong third place finish in the streets of Toronto in the past two IZOD IndyCar Series events. Andretti, at the controls of the No. 26 Team Dr Pepper Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry, also made a sensational drive from 20th to fourth at Toronto and currently ranks seventh in the 2011 standings, just five points out of the top-five. Hunter-Reay, the most experienced of the Andretti Autosport drivers at Edmonton, placed fifth in last year's Edmonton Indy and has another top-ten finish to his credit at the Canadian airport track. Hunter-Reay figures to be a leading contender Sunday with his No. 28 Team DHL/Circle K/Sun Drop Citrus Soda Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine. Long Beach winner Mike Conway returns to Edmonton in 2011 after missing last year's event due to his Indy 500 injuries, but the personable Brit has been strong on the street circuits for Andretti Autosport in the No. 27 Team @FollowAndretti Honda/Dallara/Firestone car. Popular Danica Patrick looks to improve her top-ten series point standing at Edmonton with the No. 7 Team GoDaddy.com Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry on the all-new Edmonton course. Patrick has finished every IZOD IndyCar Series race in the last 43 starts, dating back to 2009 at Long Beach. Danica has the longest consecutive finishing record in IZOD IndyCar Series history. The 100-lap Edmonton Indy will start Sunday at 12:45 p.m. (MDT) and will be telecast live on the VERSUS network beginning at 2 p.m. (EDT).

MARCO ANDRETTI, #26 TEAM DR PEPPER CAR

"After Iowa and Toronto, I have some good momentum going with the Dr Pepper car. I'm looking forward to keeping it going on the new track layout at Edmonton. It will be new for everyone, and I think with more chances for passing, we'll put on a good show for the fans."

MIKE CONWAY, #27 TEAM @FOLLOWANDRETTI CAR

"I'm looking forward to getting back to Edmonton. It's a different layout this year but it should be as fun as the original. Our pace was good at Toronto so hopefully we can continue to build on that at this weekend in Edmonton."

RYAN HUNTER-REAY, #28 TEAM DHL/ CIRCLE K/SUN DROP CITRUS SODA CAR

"Coming off our podium finish in Toronto, we're looking to keep that momentum going at Edmonton this weekend. After years of using the original layout we will have a completely new track this year only using a few of the corners from the old track. This presents a unique challenge for the Andretti Autosport drivers and engineers to get up to speed and take advantage of the situation as quick as possible. It's been said the new layout will make for more passing, which makes for more exciting racing for both the fans and drivers. We're focused on getting that first win of the season for the #28 DHL/Circle K/Sun Drop car, so hopefully this track plays to our strengths."

DANICA PATRICK, #7 TEAM GoDaddy.com CAR

"I've never had much luck at Edmonton, but with the new track configuration, it will hopefully give us a clean slate. The layout is supposed to allow for better passing opportunities and will hopefully give us a chance to perform a lot better than we have in the past with the GoDaddy.com car."