The Crittenden Automotive Library

Mechanical Problem Sidelines Ferreira at Long Beach

Topics: Duarte Ferreira, Long Beach 100

Mechanical Problem Sidelines Ferreira at Long Beach

Andrew Herta
Bryan Herta Autosport
April 17, 2011

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 17) – A gearbox problem on the #28 LS Sports/Sonangol/BHA entry brought an early end to a promising run by rookie Duarte Ferreira this afternoon in Firestone Indy Lights competition. Ferreira, who started 15th, was running in 11th place after completing two textbook passes and benefiting from the misfortune of others. He retired on Lap 17 of the 45-lap race.

“The team did a good job and gave me a good car,” said Ferreira. “I lost the gearbox. It is disappointing. I wanted to finish the race to learn as much as possible. Now it is time to work for the next one. I want to thank the team and my sponsors LS Sports and Sonangol for their support.”

Ferreira has been impressive on his learning curve in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder series, claiming an eighth and seventh-place finish in the two opening rounds.

“It’s a disappointment obviously to suffer a mechanical failure on the #28 car today,” said team owner Bryan Herta. “Duarte was doing another solid job. He made a couple of nice passes and was moving up. He certainly would have finished well into the top 10 had it not been for the problem. We’ll go back and look at what happened with the car and get ready for Indianapolis.”

Race Results:
1. Conor Daly – Sam Schmidt Motorsports
2. Esteban Guerrieri – Sam Schmidt Motorsports
3. Stefan Wilson – Andretti Autosport
14. Duarte Ferreira – Bryan Herta Autosport

Ferreira will prepare for his oval racing debut when Bryan Herta Autosport returns to racing action in the Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27.