Richmond 'Happy Hour' not so happy
Happy hour didn't live up to its name Friday for several prominent starters in Saturday's SunTrust Indy Challenge. Three of the top four on the grid crashed during the late-night session, including the two Chevy-powered cars that made waves earlier in the evening by briefly holding the pole position. Sarah Fisher and Sam Hornish Jr. crashed, as did Tora Takagi and Robbie Buhl
Takagi's Mo Nunn Racing team informed IRL officials that they would go to a backup car for the race. Under IRL rules, Takagi - who had qualified third-fastest - will start at the back of the 22-car field.
"We damaged the car too badly," Takagi said. "It will be a big challenge. It will be very important to improve positions right away to we can stay on the lead lap."
The damage to Buhl's and Hornish's cars also was extensive, but it was not clear late Friday whether the teams planned to go to backups. Fisher's car swiped the wall on the backstretch but it was not seriously damaged. None of the drivers was seriously injured, although Takagi reported a bruised elbow.
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