A1GP news

Not much luck for Team USA in Indy 500

A1 Team USA had to cope with disappointment following Sunday's Indianapolis 500, after the team's driver, Buddy Rice, crashed out of the event.

The team was the co-entrant of Buddy Rice's Dreyer and Reinbold Racing entry, who were attempting to win the 91st running of the prestigious American oval racing IndyCar event.

Rice was impressive in the car, which was liveried with A1 Team USA logos, moving up from 16th on the grid and into the top five at one stage. But after a two and a half hour-stoppage for rain, a crash involving Marco Andretti and Dan Wheldon resulted in Rice being taken out from behind.

While the track workers were clearing up the wreckage, the race was permanently stopped as more rain hit the track. Rice was eventually classified 25th. "I saw Marco Andretti get up in the air and I had to slow way down and avoid the crash," Rice said. "But then someone just punted me from behind. I just couldn't do anything about it. I guess some of the guys behind me didn't see the crash. It is a shame because after the last pit stop the car really felt good.

"I was moving well and looking to make some passes. I feel we had a top-ten finish possible. The crew had some great stops today and we had a little bit of bad luck before the rain came. We learned more about the car and the crew today. It's too bad we had to finish this way."

Several other A1GP drivers took part in the race in their own entries. A1 Team Australia's Ryan Briscoe finished fifth, with A1 Team Brazil's Vitor Meira finishing tenth. A1 Team Great Britain's Darren Manning was 20th. Phil Gielbler, who drove for A1 Team USA in six meetings this season, crashed out after 104 laps.

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