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AGR NOTES - PRE-RACE MID-OHIO


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Danica Patrick, #7 Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone "We had a great race last year at Mid-Ohio. Our goal this year is to get the car set-up comfortable on Friday, get some good, solid laps in and have a strong qualifying run. I am getting better and more confident on the road courses, so hopefully the Motorola car will be a front-runner this weekend."

Tony Kanaan, #11 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/Firestone "The Mid-Ohio weekend is going to be very busy and we know that we're going to have to work hard to make the Team 7-Eleven car competitive. If Watkins Glen was any indication, there will be a dozen or more cars capable of winning on race day. We're still in the championship chase so we have to keep putting pressure on Scott (Dixon), Helio (Castroneves) and Dan (Wheldon)."

Marco Andretti, #26 Blockbuster Dallara/Honda/Firestone "I love Mid-Ohio. I've raced there in several different formulas. It's a special place with a lot of family history. Last year was especially frustrating because we had a shot at winning, so to be taken out of the race in the first turn was definitely a low point. We are entering a stretch where we race on a lot of road and street courses so the Blockbuster boys are expecting to win some races."

Hideki Mutoh, #27 Formula Dream Dallara/Honda/Firestone "I think Mid-Ohio is an interesting road course. I enjoyed racing there last year in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, so I am looking forward to racing there again. Last year in the Firestone Indy Lights Series I finished fifth and I am hoping to finish in the top five for the Formula Dream team. Hopefully we can put on a good show for the fans."

Raphael Matos, #27 AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing Dallara/Firestone "I'm looking forward to getting back on a road course this weekend at Mid-Ohio. The AFS/AGR team had a successful test here about a month ago. It is going to be a challenge for me this weekend because I am racing in the ALMS race as well, but I know that I am very well prepared. This is really the time for us to concentrate on our Firestone Indy Lights championship effort since the points are so close now. I think we can have a good result in all three races this weekend."

Arie Luyendyk Jr., #26 Targus/AGR/AFS Dallara/Firestone "Mid-Ohio is a great track. I haven't raced there for years, but I'm looking forward to getting back on the road course. Our test there was really positive and we learned a lot about our road course setup at Watkins Glen as well. Two podium finishes is the goal for the Targus/AGR/AFS team."

Franck Montagny, #26 XM Satellite Radio Acura "The track at Mid-Ohio is a little different from what I'm used to. If you make a mistake, you can get stuck in a gravel trap or hit the barriers and then you're out quite quickly. But, I quite like the track. We were happy with the XM Acura car at Lime Rock, but not happy with our result. Rafa (Matos) has tested the XM Acura at Mid-Ohio, which I think will help us. We are looking for a strong result this weekend for Acura at their home course."

Raphael Matos, #26 XM Satellite Radio Acura "I'm very excited to be driving the XM Acura at Mid-Ohio in addition to my duties for the Firestone Indy Lights series. I got to test the XM Acura at Mid-Ohio earlier in the season, which I think will help me get up to speed much quicker. I am looking forward to driving with Franck as I know that we will be able to work well together to set up the car. Hopefully we can give Acura another win and give AGR their first win of the season."