CART: Frustrations continue for Herta in Japan

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 19, 2001

The frustrations continued for Herta and the Zakspeed/Forsythe Racing team today. Herta started the day off well, immediately registering some of the fastest times of the session in morning warm-up. Satisfied with the car for the race, Herta and the crew sat out the second half of the warm-up session, still earning the ninth fastest time of the morning. Herta started the race in 22nd position, but didn’t stay there long as Cristiano da Matta and Bruno Junquiera made contact. Avoiding all debris, Herta passed Dixon, Servia and Vasser and took the green flag on the eighth lap in 17th position. With Tagliani and Andretti retiring, Herta approached his first stop of the day in 15th position. Just one lap away from entering the pits, Herta suffered an exhaust system problem and his day ended in the pits on lap 50.

Herta on the Race:

"We had a good start, if nothing else I was going to pass some people on the start. We struggled all weekend, and finally things were turning around this morning. My car was good right away in warm-up and it felt good during the race. My drink bottle broke toward the start and water was going everywhere, I was pretty soaked when I got out. Had I been able to finish the race, I really think we had a good chance to score some points. I am pretty disappointed, we need to start finishing these things again, we'll see if we can turn things around in Milwaukee."

Text provided by Katie Welch

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