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Top Ten Finish for Tagliani at Belle Isle

Topics:  Alex Tagliani, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

Top Ten Finish for Tagliani at Belle Isle

Monica Hilton
Bryan Herta Autosport
June 3, 2012

Detroit, MI - Team Barracuda – BHA’s perseverance paid off on Sunday when Alex Tagliani earned a tenth place finish at Belle Isle Raceway.

A variety of unusual circumstances made the sixth race of the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule a challenge, but Team Barracuda – BHA stayed focused. An electronics issue at the start of the race set the team back initially, but Tagliani quickly worked his way back up through the field, running in fifth by lap 35 before an ill-timed caution.

Only a few laps later, the race was red flagged because of issues with the track’s concrete. After a two-hour delay, the Series chose to add 15 laps to close the race. Tagliani managed to gain nine spots during the additional laps to finish the day in P10. Overall, the Canadian driver was pleased with his team’s performance.

“This was our first street course with Honda and I think we did awesome,” said Tagliani. “I’m very proud of Team Barracuda – BHA. The guys did a really good job. The car was fantastic to drive and very competitive. We qualified well and even did the fastest lap of the race.

“We never gave up all race long, even after the start in the pits. It frustrating and unfortunate but those unlucky situations are there to make us stronger. Coming back to score a top ten after being nailed on the last pit stop when the pits were closed was really unfortunate for us. It was a very strange race after the track came apart. Without that we were on target to finish in the top five.

“All these things are going to make us stronger. We’re going to regroup, focus on Texas and try to win the race there.”

The IZOD IndyCar Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway to race under the lights next Saturday night, continuing a string of five consecutive race weekends that started with the Indianapolis 500. The Firestone 550 will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network and Sirius XM Channel 94 on Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET.