Conway Leads Honda Charge Friday at Long Beach

Making his first appearance of the season for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Mike Conway led the Honda effort Friday in IZOD IndyCar Series practice for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Long Beach.  Thequickest car for most of both practice sessions, the veteran British driver was edged out of the top spot in the final moments of the quicker afternoon session by a last-lap effort from defending series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Conway was second-quickest in each of the two practice sessions and on the day, while IndyCar rookie Tristan Vautier continued to impress, fourth quickest for Honda and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.  James Jakes, Alext Tagliani and Dario Franchitti finished sixth through eighth, respectively, while Takuma Sato made it six Honda-powered cars in the top 10. 

Action at the Grand Prix of Long Beach continues Saturday with a final practice, followed by “Fast Six” knockout qualifying.  Sunday’s 80-lap race, the third round in the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series, starts at 4p.m. EDT, with live television coverage on the NBC Sports Network.

Mike Conway(#17 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda Dallara) second-fastest in practice Friday for the Grand Prix of Long Beach:  “The car was great.  From the outset, we had a good balance and we ended up top-two in both sessions, so that was nice and encouraging for the rest of the weekend.  It was a good start – a good job from all the guys.  I am looking forward to [qualifying] tomorrow. We have a few areas to work on to be quicker.  If we can improve those areas, we’ll be good.”