All Bruno Junqueira's Z-Line Designs car needed was an extra couple of gallons of fuel and second place was his for the taking in Sunday's Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
That was the view of the Brazilian's Dale Coyne Racing crew, which ran the gauntlet in the closing stages of the 85-lap race in an effort to reprise the surprise results that Junqueira achieved towards the end of last season's Champ Car campaign. Unfortunately, without a full course caution, the team had to bow to the inevitable, calling its driver in with nine laps remaining and consigning the #19 entry to a 13th place finish.
"Three more laps of caution and I'm pretty sure that we would have been able to make it to the end," Junqueira sighed, "The car performed great today and the crew did a good job."
The 31-year old, who started ninth, was running in second place on lap 77 when he pitted for the final time. The twelve cars ahead of him had pitted under the previous yellow and had enough fuel to make it to the end but, without that final pit-stop, Junqueira had a podium finish locked up.
Rookie team-mate Mario Moraes had also enjoyed a heady time running at the front of the field between pit-stops but, just when it appeared that he was headed for his third straight top ten finish, the 19-year old spun into the turn four gravel trap.
"I was trying to push too hard and just locked the rear tyres," a contrite Brazilian admitted, "I don't know if we would have been able to get a top three finish today but, for sure, we would have finished in the top five."
