"On some of these short weekends, where we've only got maybe an hour, hour-and-a-half to do qualifying and race set-up and get the car fast and comfortable, it can be hard. And trying to get running in traffic, you can run out of time really quickly. It's extremely difficult by ourselves.
"But we've had a long weekend right here at Watkins Glen, three days to sit down and talk about it - myself, the engineer and the chief mechanic. We've worked out what we need to go faster."
Manning started eighth at Watkins Glen, but had to overcame a first lap 'shuffle' which left black tyre marks down his left sidepod following a clash with fellow Briton Dan Wheldon as the cars entered the backstretch three-abreast at the initial start.
Manning was caught in the middle of the pack as front row starter - and another Briton - Justin Wilson dropped to back with a gearbox problem. Attempting to jink to the left to avoid hitting Marco Andretti, who had checked up behind the slowing Wilson, the ABC Supply car clipped Wheldon - who had started in the row behind Manning and was challenging on the outside - damaging his right rear suspension.
"I have to apologise, although I don't think it was anything other than a bit of a racing incident," Manning commented, "We were kind of three-wide between Marco, myself and Dan, and I think Justin had a problem. He had come back right away from the lead group and was bottle-necking us up. Marco had to get off the gas, and I kind of went to the left of him. It's just a shame for Dan, but I had nowhere to go."
Manning received only cosmetic damage and continued racing until Helio Castroneves brought out the race's first yellow. However, when the back half of the field pitted, Manning, who was running eighth, stayed out with the leaders. He pitted on lap 19, but lost his radio earplug and a couple seconds - the equivalent of three positions - by hesitating as he rejoined.
