Firestone Tire Performance Recap: Firestone Racing brought a new tire specification to Iowa, coupling the same right-side tire spec used earlier this season at Texas with the same left-side spec used at Indianapolis. The hybrid spec proved to be just the right formula for the Iowa short oval that races like a superspeedway, not to mention the decreased aerodynamic downforce with the new Dallara DW12 compared to last year's Dallara.
While tire management again was key in the race, several drivers demonstrated they could keep their tires with them for a full stint. For example, Scott Dixon ran put 74 hard-charging laps (66.2 miles) on a single set of Firehawks as he battled up front.
Top-5 Finishers: 1. Ryan Hunter-Reay; 2. Marco Andretti; 3. Tony Kanaan; 4. Scott Dixon; 5. Simon Pagenaud.
From race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda/Andretti Autosport Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone: "Firestone has done another great job with the tires. It's difficult because sometimes I'm like, ‘Man, I wish I could come in for some new Firestones,' but you've got to stay out on them (to complete the stint) and that's what I think won us the race, is being really good on old tires."
From second-place Marco Andretti, No. 26 Team RC Cola/Andretti Autosport Dallara/Chevrolet/ Firestone: "A great team effort tonight, definitely a statement from Andretti Autosport. I think they did a good job taking the aero off (all the cars), it really made us work to find the mechanical grip. The Firestones were really good and it kind of made up for that."
From third-place Tony Kanaan, No. 11 Geico/Mouser Electronics/KV Racing Technology Dallara/ Chevrolet/Firestone: "This was the last layout of track that we had to prove that this car really works, and it does. It's an awesome package. When you take this much downforce off the car and the Firestone tires still hold up, it's pretty good."
From Joe Barbieri, Manager, Firestone Racing: "A huge tip of the hat to the Iowa Speedway staff for working hard to dry the track so we could get both the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races in tonight. And second, big thanks from Firestone Racing to all the fans who stayed for the races. Their patience was rewarded. The IndyCar Series race featured the overtaking and charges through the field we've come to so enjoy from the new car and aero package. The cars slide around more, making the Firestone tires work harder, but the Firehawks showed again that they could take the punishment when properly managed. Best of all, the race outcome once more was in doubt until the very end. Congratulations to Andretti Autosport and Ryan Hunter-Reay for another stellar effort."
