“Things just didn’t go our way this weekend and that continued in Race Two. Our strategy was the right one, however, when the race was shortened at the end it saved most the cars running in front of us. The biggest mistake was taking primary black tires instead of the softer red option tire. We were surrounded by cars on reds in low-grip conditions and just didn’t have enough grip at the end. We’re bound to break through soon. Looking forward to getting the No. 28 DHL Honda back up front where it belongs.”
It was a cold and soggy day in the Motor City for Race Two of the doubleheader weekend. Todays second half of the Dual in Detroit saw a starting grid determined by entrant points due to the morning’s qualifying session being canceled for inclement weather which lined up Ryan Hunter-Reay in 14th.
Action kicked off as scheduled on the 2.35-mile circuit with Muñoz gaining six positions in just three laps, to move into fifth place before suffering a mechanical issue forcing the Dual One race winner’s early retirement.
Light rain continued early in the race setting a sequence of strategies in motion across the 23-car field. Andretti was among the first cars to pit for racing slicks but fell back in the field due to an untimely caution flag. Making his way back to the lead lap, the third-generation racer was on his way to a potential podium finish, just needing green flag conditions for the final stint. A series of yellow flags brought Andretti home with a top-five finish.
Taking a slightly different strategy, teammate Hunter-Reay held on to his racing wet tires longer than a majority of the field, leaving him running as high as second place. A string of yellow flags and shuffling strategies pushed the American back to P13. Making his way back up, Hunter-Reay came away with an eighth-place finish.
From here the team will head west for Round Nine of competition at Texas Motor Speedway on June 6.
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