Dumas to Start Third at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Frenchman Secures Third Starting Position for Grand-Am Series Finale
October 9, 2009
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (October 9, 2009) - Romain Dumas will start the Penske Racing No. 12 Verizon Wireless Porsche Riley from the third position in Saturday’s Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Dumas posted a fast lap of 113.057 miles per hour to secure his grid position in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season finale.
Dumas along with his Penske Racing co-driver Timo Bernhard battled steamy conditions with temperatures over 100 degrees inside the Verizon Wireless Porsche Riley to make steady gains during practice sessions Thursday and Friday. They worked their way up the speed chart and look to continue their efforts through the two-and-a-half hour race.
“So far we were P9 then we were P6 [in practice] and now P3 for qualifying so maybe for the race… Who knows?” said Dumas.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90’s at Homestead-Miami Speedway tomorrow. The temperature along with high-humidity will definitely have an effect on the outcome of the race.
“Tomorrow it will be very important to have a good balanced [race] car,” said Dumas. “The tires will fade because of the hotter temperatures. Timo and I will have to be patient and run consistent lap times. The most consistent car will win the race.”
The Grand Prix of Miami will air live on SPEED with coverage beginning at 1 P.M. ET.