IndyCar Series: Indy Japan 300

Topics:  Indy Japan 300

Ryan Briscoe
Dario Franchitti
Mario Moraes
September 18, 2009

MOTEGI, JAPAN

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by second position starter Mario Moraes, and Dario Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe.
Mario, pretty dramatic finish there today. Talk about your run out there.
MARIO MORAES: Well, we've been working really hard all season long. First time here in Motegi, so I'm really pleased. Well, I'm happy it's my first front row. I think it's going to be a long race tomorrow. I think we still can have a good finish.
THE MODERATOR: Ryan, championship points leader, talk about today and tomorrow.
RYAN BRISCOE: Pretty good. Just a little bit loose on the first two laps. It wasn't really giving me of the confidence to get the throttle down out of turn four, so I left a bit on the table there.
The car has been pretty good in practice. We had good, long runs today. It's going to be a tough race, it always is here. Hopefully doesn't come down to a fuel event, which it usually does, but we'll be aiming for it if that's the case. Hopefully we can still come out of here leading the points going into Homestead.
THE MODERATOR: Dario, talk about your run out there today.
DARIO FRANCHITTI: We struggled this morning with the LifeLock car. We didn't have a good balance at all. The guys made some great changes on it from the first to second session. We were very happy with the car.
Qualifying, my out lap leading to my first lap, I wasn't quite quick enough on that. I was a little concerned. Took one, two, three, four coming to the green. Ultimately that cost me some lap time. Still wouldn't have been quick enough to challenge Scott. He did a fabulous job there. Really impressive qualifying run.
But we're starting close to the front. Yeah, it's going to be a long race. As Ryan says, hopefully it doesn't come down to a fuel race. But I think we're in good shape for that. I think our race car is better than our qualifying car right now.

Q. How much will you be aware of where the other two guys are that are in the championship chase?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: He's sitting next to me (laughter).
I think in the race you really got to do your own thing. Maybe more for Ryan because he's leading the thing right now. He's got to keep an eye on what we're doing. We've got to go out there and close the points gap. We'll be doing the best we possibly can.