Andretti Green Racing drivers Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh completed the first race of the 2009 season at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Driver: Danica Patrick
Car: #7 Motorola Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Danica Patrick: Started 15th, finished 19th
“We were having a good day so it was unfortunate that we couldn’t finish. We started the day on red tires and the car needed tender loving care but I felt good. It was unfortunate that the race didn’t play out the way we hoped and we weren’t able to show what the Motorola car was capable of doing. It is just the first race so we will move on.”
Driver: Tony Kanaan
Car: #11 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Tony Kanaan: Started 3rd, finished 5th
“It is always good to be back in St. Petersburg. I felt sorry for Graham since he got chopped at the start and had to stop in the middle of the corner. I didn’t expect him to be there. It was a very tough race but that is the beauty. I was flat out from lap one and it was very competitive but that is great racing. I enjoyed racing against good drivers and it is so nice to be on the track again with my friend Dario.”
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Driver: Marco Andretti
Car: #26 oso*fresh Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Marco Andretti: Started 18th, finished 13th
“Coming into the race I was worried about the marbles and they ended up getting me in a bad position. I couldn’t come off the last corner and had no hope for the restart. Tony got by me; all I needed to do is follow him but I got pushed back. The oso*fresh boys did a good job fixing the steering arm and our hope was to just hang in there for points. It’s been a tough weekend for the #26 car. We are looking forward to a better race in Long Beach.”
Driver: Hideki Mutoh
Car: #27 Formula Dream Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Hideki Mutoh: Started 19th, finished 15th
“Unfortunately, I made a few contacts during the race so the car had some damage, but it was still running pretty good. I think if I was able to finish the race, the Formula Dream car would’ve been in a good position. I couldn’t avoid the #4 car and we were having a good day until then. It was tough to drive with the red tires, so I hope we will be able to come up with a good strategy and do better in Long Beach.”

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