“It’s quite fitting for me that the last race for the Champ Car will be at Long Beach because that was where I ran my first ever race in the series back in 2004. It brings back a lot of good memories. It is a great circuit with a great atmosphere and I think it ought to be another good event. It would be great to go out with a win but, at the same time, we need to think about the points and the championship. I’m hoping to make the most out of this opportunity to get as many points as possible at a track and in equipment we are familiar with.”
Dale Coyne Racing will have a decidedly South American flavour to its line-up, sticking with Brazilian veteran Bruno Junqueira and rookie Mario Moraes after the pair contested the opening rounds of the IndyCar season. Junqueira will be seeking his ninth career Champ Car win at Long Beach, a circuit he loves.
"I'm very excited about competing in Long Beach for many reasons - including a great chance to earn points,” he said, “The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of my favourite street tracks, with great crowds and weather. It will be very competitive."
After its strong start to the IndyCar season, highlighted by Enrique Bernoldi's fifth place in St Pete, Conquest Racing carries plenty of momentum to Long Beach, but both the Brazilian and French team-mate Franck Perera have limited experience in the DP01 under their belt. However, Perera topped the final day at Sebring in February, and is looking forward to racing the turbo-charged car in California.
"It will be a little weird getting into the cockpit of the Panoz after getting used to the Dallara these past weeks, but I am looking forward to it," the Atlantic Series graduate admitted, "We were quick in the car in the Sebring test in February and I think we can aim for a podium finish in Long Beach. This race gives us a really good chance of scoring some important IndyCar points but I think, overall, this weekend will be a great show for the fans - a last chance for them to see the Champ Cars in action.”
