Ferreira Nets Podium Finish for BHA at New Hampshire

Topics:  Duarte Ferreira, New Hampshire 100

Andrew Herta
Bryan Herta Autosport
August 14, 2011

LOUDON, New Hampshire – Duarte Ferreira claimed a career-best result in Firestone Indy Lights competition this afternoon with a third-place drive in the New Hampshire 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is the second top-five finish of the season for the 18-year-old rookie from Luanda, Angola, and his eighth top-10 result aboard the #28 LS Sports/Sonangol/BHA entry.

Ferreira qualified sixth for his fourth-career oval start and moved into fifth position at the start of the 100-lap race following a spin by the #77 car of Bryan Clauson. While Ferreira benefited from an incident involving Esteban Guerrieri to move into fourth on Lap 71, he proved he is quickly learning the nuances of oval racing by passing and holding off Gustavo Yacaman on Lap 85 to ensure his first podium finish.

“It was a very good race,” said Ferreira. “The team did great work and I am very happy to have my first podium. I was able to pass [Gustavo] Yacaman and keep the position. I was hoping for an opportunity for second, but that didn’t happen. I want to thank the team and my sponsors for their support.”

Ferreira, who finished third in the South American F3 Light Championship last year with five wins, is currently seventh in the championship standings. He lies one point shy of Anders Krohn in sixth and 31 points in arrears of Jorge Goncalvez in fifth.

“Duarte did an excellent job,” said Steve Newey, team co-owner. “This is the best race I have seen him drive yet. He did extremely well toward the end of the race and was aggressive when he needed to be and took advantage of opportunities on the restarts. He did a great job holding off Gustavo Yacaman at the end and I am just really proud of him. He has come a long way on the ovals, and I think there are more good things to come for him as well.”

Bryan Herta Autosport will return to competition in three week’s time with the inaugural race on the streets of Baltimore, Md., on September 4.

Race Results:

1. Josef Newgarden – Sam Schmidt Motorsports
2. Jorge Goncalvez – Belardi Auto Racing
3. Duarte Ferreira – Bryan Herta Autosport