J.R. and Newman Wachs Racing Wrap up Houston Testing in Top Ten

02.26.2007

While the ending ranking was not as impressive as at Sebring, J.R. Hildebrand and Newman Wachs Racing completed another successful two day test session at MSR Houston last week.

After finishing the first session on Saturday in seventh, just a tenth out of 3rd, the team was confident of a better showing in the second session. But that was not to be, as due to a brief off-track excursion and a few other niggling problems, J.R. only completed 18 laps.

"Missing most of the second session really put us behind the eight-ball for the weekend," said J.R. "While I don't think we had figured the track out as well as one or two other teams, I think a full second session would have boosted us up the charts. As it was, we never did quite catch up."

Coming back strong on Sunday morning, J.R. laid down his fast time of the weekend, coming in eighth that session. The track slowed in the afternoon, and the Sunday morning times stood for most of the drivers, leaving J.R. ninth for the weekend.

"While we didn't end up where we wanted to be, it was a good experience for the team to be pushed by the circumstances and work together to overcome the early adversity and still post competitive times. I know as a rookie I can't always expect to be at the top of the charts, but that is still my goal every time I get in the car" said J.R.

The next test will be at Laguna Seca on March 7 and 8.