IndyCar - Simona de Silvestro Wants To Keep Momentum Going In Barber

Birmingham, April 10, 2011 - After a career-best, fourth-place finish two weeks ago in St. Petersburg, FL, Simona de Silvestro has her sights set on the podium for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

Despite the first practice session being shortened by rain, de Silvestro and her crew completed two other solid sessions.

"We only did five laps in the first session, so that wasn't great," said de Silvestro. "But in the second session, I think we improved the car throughout the run."

The same went for Saturday morning's practice session. De Silvestro was optimistic about qualifying, despite being in a tough group. After narrowly missing the top six in her group, she will start Sunday's race in P13.

"Qualifying was a little bit disappointing because our group was pretty tough, but I think we were really good," she said. "It was definitely close, but we got caught a little bit in traffic on our good laps. That seems to be the case almost every time. But I think we'll be alright starting 13th, and I'm sure that we're going to have a consistent race car and a good race tomorrow."

De Silvestro will drive the #78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy car for Sunday's Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, a 2.3-mile permanent road course, airing on Versus at 3:30 p.m. ET.