Dale Coyne Racing XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Race Report
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (Sunday, June 9, 2024) – Dale Coyne Racing saw its drivers Luca Ghiotto (#51 GAV Air Technology Honda) and Jack Harvey (#18 INVST Honda) take the checkered flag in 22nd and 25th place respectively in Sunday’s Grand Prix at Road America.
Luca Ghiotto, #51 GAV Air Technology, Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda
Started: 23rd
Finished: 20th
• Ghiotto made contact with Rahal on the first lap of the 55-lap race.
• Following the incident, he had to serve a drive through penalty for avoidable contact which sent him to the back of the field and into 26th place.
• Despite the setback, the Italian driver had decent pace throughout the race and was able to climb a few more positions as the race went on.
• He went on to cross the finish line in 22nd place.
Post Qualifying Quote
“I made a mistake at the beginning of the race when I touched Rahal and made him spin and they gave us a penalty for avoidable contact. I’m sorry to him, for messing up his race. After serving the penalty, we were far from our competitors so there was no one to fight with on track around us. Our pace wasn’t too bad, I think we could have been fighting for a spot in the top 15 had we not been penalized. There’s still some work to do for Laguna Seca in a couple of weeks, but I’m quite confident in the team and looking forward to the next race.”
Jack Harvey, #18 INVST, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Started: 20th
Finished: 25th
• Harvey had a great start to the 55-lap race, avoiding trouble ahead of him and picking up five positions on the first lap.
• He made his first pit stop from 15th on Lap 16.
• Unfortunately for Harvey, his race was hampered by an issue with the left front suspension on Lap 38.
• The driver of the #18 INVST car had to pit for repairs and lost four laps to the leaders in the process.
• He took the checkered flag in 25th position.
Post Qualifying Quote
“The positive in this race was turn 1, lap 1 when I managed to put myself in a pretty good position to capitalize on some of the other mistakes that were made. I was plus five from where I started as I finished lap 1 in 15th. That was the highlight of the day, unfortunately. We’re lacking straight line speed. We don’t really understand why, right now, but we’re looking into it. I think realistically we were battling for 19th or 20th today but then just before our penultimate stop we had an issue with the left front suspension and that put us down a few laps and to the back of the field. Onto Laguna!”
Next up: The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, June 21 – 23, 2024.
