IZOD IndyCar Series: Firestone 550

Topics:  Firestone 550

Ryan Briscoe
June 9, 2012

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

THE MODERATOR:  We're now joined by tonight's third place finisher of the Firestone 550, Ryan Briscoe, driver of the No.2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevy.  This is the fifth top three finish for Ryan at Texas Motor Speedway.  Ryan, talk about your evening. 
RYAN BRISCOE:  Thanks.  Yeah, tough night.  Certainly reiterate what Will was saying there about good racing.  It was tough out there tonight, and it was exactly what we asked for, so no complaints.  Frustrating.  I mean, any other year with the track position I was given at the end, we would have won this thing, and unfortunately I just didn't have enough car in that final stint to hold off Graham and Wilson.  They did a great job. 
Bad luck to Graham for that tire going down, I guess.  But they were both deserving.  A bit disappointing, but we got away with a big one tonight.  I had a huge moment off of turn 2 about mid‑race, and I was lucky to save it.  It's a shame we don't have an on‑car camera tonight.  It would have been a good one to watch. 
But it was great.  It was just really hard work out there tonight, unbelievably hard racing, and you need to look after the tires, work on the setup all night.  Yeah, it was‑‑ I wouldn't say fun, but it was certainly good racing. 

Q.  Based upon what you said, are you in favor of returning here? 
RYAN BRISCOE:  Yeah, I mean, I think if we‑‑ I've never been opposed to one‑and‑a‑half mile racing.  I just think we need to get the formula right, and pack racing is wrong in these cars.  I would definitely come back here with this package.  It's tough.  Cars hit the walls, and I don't know about other safety issues that could be improved, but the big thing is getting away from pack racing.  I thought the racing was awesome. 

Q.  On the one battle where it was you and Will and TK, it looked like you drifted up high.  Did you see any of the stuff going on with Will and TK at that moment? 
RYAN BRISCOE:  Yeah, I mean, I got a run on the outside there.  I was going way high to give room because I was expecting Will to be right up there next to me.  Next thing in the mirror I saw TK way down on the bottom and Will was in my blind spot and I didn't know where he was.  I knew something was going on, but I didn't know exactly what.  It's sort of hard to see what's going on when it's right beside you, but I saw the replay.  It looked like a bit of a tough deal.