Iowa Speedway Daytona Prototype Thursday Practice Day Quotes

Date: Thursday, July 12, 2007

Who:  Mark Martin, Randy Ruhlman, and Shane Lewis in the No. 3 Preformed Line Products Lexus Riley

Where:  Iowa Speedway  Newton, Iowa, 30 miles east of Des Moines

When: 8 p.m.   Friday, July 13th   Grand-Am Daytona Prototype Race

Post Practice Quotes:

Quotes fromMark Martin:

Question:  What is it about the speedway that makes it so special? Everyone seems to like it?

MM:  "Well, I think it's just designed really well.  Rusty Wallace and the guys did a really good job with it.  I wanted to come here and see the fans and check the place out."

Question:  Tell us about these Daytona Prototypes if you would?

MM:  "They are very sophisticated compared to what I'm used to driving.  They do a lot more for you than our big heavy cars do.  It's a lot of fun.  I'm here for my first time in one, and we're just playing with it.  It's still all about driving a car as fast as it will go, no matter what car it is or what track.  That's basically what I'm doing: is going as fast I as I can with it here and keep it up on the pavement."

Quotes from Randy Ruhlman

"This is a great place.  It is totally unique and really fast with a tight infield section.  The practice day went well today.  Each one of us got some time in the car and Mark is really getting the hang of this car.  We'll be able to put our heads together and see what we can come up with setup-wise.  With such quick laps around 42-43 seconds a lap, keeping up and trying to stay out of trouble will be the key to success in the race.  I think the three of us are going to have a good run tomorrow. 

Quotes from Shane Lewis

"One of the great things about having Mark on board with us is that it allows Randy and I to set up for all of the infield road course sections.  We also get to utilize Mark's expertise on the fast oval section here at Iowa.  Because Iowa isn't like any other road course we run, I think that is what is going to bring the car together for us for the race.   It's being able to put both of our experiences together to make one really, really good car here at Iowa.  And I think it is going to be a phenomenal race."

Other Info:

Series: Grand-Am Sports Car Series for Crown Royal Special Reserve  

Qualifying:  Friday, July 13th qualifying session5 p.m.

Race Specifics: The 400-K race at the newly built, Rusty Wallace designed Iowa Speedway starts at 8 p.m. CDT 192-laps or 2 1/2 hours

TV Broadcast:  Friday, July 13th   Same day Tape Delay, SPEED Channel   10 p.m. EDT