Wilson Finishes Sixth at Chicago, Saavedra Endures Tough Day

Topics:  Sebastian Saavedra, Stefan Wilson, Chicagoland 100

Andrew Herta
Bryan Herta Autosport
August 28, 2010

Bryan Herta Autosport drivers Stefan Wilson and Sebastian Saavedra finished sixth and 11th respectively in the Chicagoland 100 this afternoon at Chicagoland Speedway. The 67-lap race offered its share of excitement with the hallmark side-by-side racing produced at the 1.5-mile oval as well as numerous caution periods and the third-closest finish in Firestone Indy Lights history.

It was an eventful run for Wilson as he went on to claim his career-best result on an oval in only his third start and set the second-fastest lap of the race in the process. Wilson qualified 10th but twice had to rebound from lost positions after dropping to 13th at the start and spinning during a caution period just past the halfway mark.

Saavedra did not fare as well. He qualified third and held off the advances of Philip Major to maintain his position through the first third of the race. Saavedra dropped to sixth position by Lap 23 and eighth by Lap 29 battling a loose car, and a fuel pump problem on the #28 William Rast machine resulted in a pit stop while the race was under caution [Lap 35]. Saavedra did take the checkered flag, but finished three laps down.

Saavedra and Wilson remain fifth and seventh in the championship with Saavedra picking up a few points to third place despite the result and Wilson making gains towards the top five in the standings.

Bryan Herta Autosport will head to Kentucky Speedway next weekend for the Drive Smart, Buckle-Up Kentucky 100 on Saturday, September 4.

Race Results:
1. James Hinchcliffe
2. Pippa Mann
3. Philip Major
6. Stefan Wilson
11. Sebastian Saavedra

Stefan Wilson, #28 Dallara/Firestone: “It was a good race for us. We improved our position which is encouraging and I improved my race craft. I feel like I learned a lot being able to run every lap and keeping my nose clean. It was a big learning curve and I did what I had to do this weekend and kept the car in one piece. This gives us a lot of momentum going into Kentucky next weekend.”

Sebastian Saavedra, #29 William Rast Dallara/Firestone: “We came to the track very positive about what we could do this weekend. It was an amazing qualifying session for us and I had a really good car for traffic in the race. Unfortunately, things didn’t go our way. I don’t know if it was the [hot] weather or what happened but the car became a bit too loose to drive. Unfortunately, we then had a mechanical failure that caused us to lose a few laps and that was the end of our day. I think it was something with the fuel pump. I am very frustrated but we have to take the positives from the good work that Stefan did at the end. Now we will go and try our best for Kentucky.”