Unsung Herta wins PIR pole
Mark Armijo
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 19, 2005 12:00 AM
Bryan Herta, the forgotten driver in Andretti Green Racing's four-horsemen lineup, collared the pole position Friday during XM Satellite Radio Indy 200 qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway.
It was Herta's first pole (176.612 mph) and first time to start from the front row since joining the Andretti Green bunch two years ago, and also his first pole since 1999.
Teammate Tony Kanaan is the reigning Indy Racing League series champion and a three-time winner in 2004. Dan Wheldon, another teammate, also won three races last season and the season opener two weeks ago.
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Dario Franchitti, the third team member, won twice last season.
Herta? He went winless in 2004, but did win at Kansas Speedway in 2003.
"Bryan has been priceless," team owner Michael Andretti said. "He's a total team player. He does a lot of (development) work behind the scenes that nobody knows and he's given up a lot in terms of results. Out of the four cars, his car is the most challenging to win."
Maybe. But he appears to have a rocket for today's race.
"I'm comfortable with my position on this team," said Herta, who won a Championship Auto Racing Teams pole at PIR 10 years ago. "I don't have to be in the limelight . . .
"There are times when I am at a disadvantage, but I never allow myself to go into a race feeling that way.
"If I allowed myself to do that, I couldn't do this at all. I take great satisfaction in the success we had as a team last season."
Kanaan, the winner at PIR the past two years, had a forgettable first day. A balky motor in the first practice led to an engine change, which meant he couldn't qualify. He'll start in the last row.
Wheldon starts next to Herta. Franchitti is in the third row.
AI
