Richmond International Raceway
SunTrust Indy Challenge

Richmond International Raceway

Race Report: Richmond


RICHMOND, Va. June 28, 2008—Darren Manning and A.J. Foyt’s ABC Supply crew made lemonade out of the lemons they were given this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.


The weekend didn't start off well as the initial practice times were disappointing. The team decided to change the car's wheelbase midway through the first session. The time-consuming change meant that they would forfeit the rest of the session.


Unfortunately, rain cut short the second practice sessions (originally scheduled for two groups with an hour each and modified to one 45-minute session for all cars). A mechanical problem in that session cut into the team's on-track time which dwindled to just 15 minutes before the rain came.


The rain showers were short, so qualifying for the SunTrust Indy Challenge went on as scheduled later that evening. Manning qualified 22nd.

In the 300-lap race, he was up to 12th position on lap 72 thanks to a savvy pit call to maximize track position. On the restart, however, there was a lot of checking up by the cars up front (many of whom were on an alternate fuel strategy), causing Manning’s No. 14 to become the cue ball. He was struck from behind by Ryan Briscoe which caused Manning to do a quarter-spin, and then he was hit again by Vitor Meira which set the No. 14 straight.


Manning made a couple laps during the ensuing caution and came in when the pits were opened. The crew inspected the car and saw that the left front lower wishbone was badly bent. They hustled the car back to the garage and replaced the suspension piece.


Rejoining the race in 20th position, brought a cheer from the 400 ABC Supply guests who were on hand for the race. Manning logged laps to improve his position to 12th.


“It was a real shame to be knocked out early after we made some good calls strategy-wise,” said Manning, explaining the contact from Ryan Briscoe by saying, “It was a concertina effect on that restart. The restarts were pathetic.


“My guys did a great job to get the ABC Supply car back out so we could pick up positions. I think the pace we had with the repaired car, even though we weren't pushing it, showed we had competitive lap times. By going back out we got some good info which is important for next year.”


In fact, Manning ran his fastest lap on lap 169. Team Director Larry Foyt was also pleased that the team was able to rejoin the race.


“We didn’t give up when that accident happened,” said Foyt. “We gained a few positions and a few points. It could have been a lot worse, it was an expensive night for a lot of teams.”


It was the first race that team owner A.J. Foyt missed since Twin Ring Motegi in Japan earlier this year. The senior Foyt watched it on TV at home in Houston (where he stayed to address some business issues).


The next race is the Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International which will be televised live this Sunday on ABC-TV starting at 3:30 pm eastern time.

Notes & Quotes: SunTrust Indy Challenge at Richmond Int’l Raceway

Darren Manning: No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda





· Darren Manning on Richmond: “The first time I ever saw Richmond it was definitely a bit of a shock. It was the first time I had run a track that small and with that much banking but I think it is one of the most enjoyable tracks that we run on. Even though it hasn’t been too lucky for me and it’s one of those tracks where it’s difficult to pass and even more difficult to hide, I like it, it’s fun to drive there. It takes driver input, it’s not one of those flat out tracks like the superspeedways where you never lift or a short-lining track like Iowa where if you run the bottom, no one can pass you. It’s a two-lane track and it has more of a racing line attitude. The bottom’s shorter but it’s also slower. There are opportunities to pass but you have to work hard at it.”



· 300 Laps vs. 250: This year the race has been lengthened to 300 laps from its original 250 laps.



· A.J. Foyt will not be at the race this weekend. Team director Larry Foyt will be calling the shots for the ABC Supply Racing team in his father’s absence. A.J. has been impressed with how his son has handled the family business since being named Team Director in 2006. “Larry has done a great job for me,” said Foyt. “I had a conflict come up this weekend and it’s nice to be able to hand over the reins to Larry where normally I would have had to make other arrangements on the Houston end.”



· Past performances at Richmond: The Foyt team’s best finish at Richmond is 6th with Airton Dare in 2002 and their best start is 7th with Eliseo Salazar in 2001. Manning’s best start is 10th in 2005 when he was credited with 15th after tangling with a lapped car with ten laps to go. He was running seventh at the time. He started 13th last year (grid set according to points when qualifying was rained out) and finished 14th after a miscommunication from the pits cost him two spots at the end of the race.



· Hardesty Roofing of Midlothian, Va. is this weekend’s winner of the ABC Supply Your Name Here Promotion for its customers. The company name will be put on the top of the sidepods of the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda. Monica Hardesty and a guest will receive selected merchandise, race tickets, hospitality and garage passes, plus a Meet and Greet with Darren Manning. The “Your Name Here” promotion selected winners by random drawing from a pool of entries sent in by ABC Supply customers earlier this year.



The SunTrust Indy Challenge will be shown live at 8:30 p.m. eastern time Saturday night, June 28 on ESPN-TV.