AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing Firestone Indy Lights Race Results Race #1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. April 4, 2009: J.R. Hildebrand and Sebastian Saavedra drove to third-and 26th-place finishes, respectively, in Saturday's running of the St. Pete 100 Firestone Indy Lights race at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Hildebrand started from the pole for the first of the doubleheader event. Hildebrand led 22 of the race's 40 laps. Saavedra, who started from the third position, experienced electrical issues within the first few laps. Saavedra only completed a total of six laps.

Hildebrand sits third and Saavedra 26th in the Firestone Indy Lights standings as the series prepares for the second race tomorrow, April 5. Coverage of both races can be seen on Versus on Monday, April 6, 2009, starting at 6 p.m. (EDT).

J.R. Hildebrand #26 AFS/AGR driver: "I am not sure what happened after the restart but I came out of the last corner, I don't know if it was a short gear or what but the car started bogging down a bit. From that point, the car was doing it even when I came onto the front straight. All-in-all, the guys did a great job and the car was handling very well. I would like to thank ARPRO, Mockett.com, and the AFS/AGR crew for doing such a great job."

Sebastian Saavedra #27 AFS/AGR driver: "It was a great morning and I was hoping we were going to have a strong finish for the first race. J.R (Hildebrand) and I were one-two at one point, which was a great success to AFS/ AGR. I couldn't have ask for a more perfect qualifying run this morning for the tomorrow's second race. I've learn a lot from today and hopefully I will have a better luck tomorrow."