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Podium Finish for Hawksworth in Houston

Topics: Jack Hawksworth, Shell & Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston

Podium Finish for Hawksworth in Houston

Monica Hilton
Bryan Herta Autosport
June 29, 2014

Houston, TX - Jack Hawksworth topped Saturday’s season-best sixth place finish with a third-place spot on the podium Sunday for race two of the Shell & Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston.

For the second day in a row, the 23-year-old rookie earned the “biggest mover of the day” title, this time starting from last place and advancing 20 positions to the podium.

The 90-lap competition presented plenty of obstacles, from temperatures over 100 degrees to a plethora of caution flags, but Hawksworth kept his cool and skillfully advanced through the field.

With less than 10 laps to go, the British driver impressively defended his position against veteran drivers as his black Firestone tires gradually achieved optimum operating temperature. He crossed the finish line with a 1.5-second gap between the No. 98 car and the fourth-place finisher.

“I’m really happy for the whole team,” said Hawksworth. “It’s our first podium for the Integrity Energee Drink team this year. We’ve come so close to a result like this so many times with great qualifying runs but it just hasn’t happened so today, I’m really proud of everyone here at Bryan Herta Autosport. They did a fantastic job and thoroughly deserved it. This one goes to them and I’m just really happy.”

Team co-owner Bryan Herta echoed Hawksworth’s excitement, stating, “This is a great day for the whole team, really. Jack executed really well on the track. There were some difficult times at the end of the race when he had pick-up on the tires and he was having to defend. He was able to hold position and that was the key. Then when [Will] Power had his problem, he took advantage and put us on the podium.”

“It’s a great day. Everything worked today. Teamwork, strategy, the guys were great in the pits and Jack on the track. This is the kind of execution we need to try to achieve every weekend.”

Next weekend, the Verizon IndyCar Series heads to Long Pond, Pennsylvania for the Pocono INDYCAR 500 at Pocono Raceway. The 200-lap competition on the “Tricky Triangle” will take place on Sunday, July 6 at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action live on the NBC Sports Network broadcast, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.