Chaves Leads 31 Laps at ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway

So close, yet so far... Gabby Chaves had the breakout performance he and the Bowers & Wilkins team have been expecting by leading a large part of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. The race didn't start off easily for the #98 team. The first two stints Chaves fought massive understeer in traffic. The team made adjustments on each stop dialing the car's performance up. Bryan Herta told Chaves on the radio: "in clean air, you're the fastest car on the track. We just have to get you to the front." Near the halfway point, the call was made from Herta: "Do you feel like gambling today?" Chaves replied to the affirmative, and the BHA team stayed out under a yellow to take the lead. A well timed yellow later allowed the #98 car to pit, be on the leader's strategy, and run in the top five. Once in the lead group of cars, Chaves drove aggressively with the vets as he was in and out of the lead for the remainder of the race. On the last restart, Chaves dropped to third, but was still very much in contention for the win with four laps to go when the engine started losing power, finally failing a lap later. The #98 was credited with 11th place, but the day was still a great success as team and driver were able to demonstrate the potential they believed was there. Chaves continues to have a commanding lead in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year battle with only one race remaining next weekend in Sonoma, CA. Sadly, the day was overshadowed by an accident late in the race in which fellow driver Justin Wilson suffered a serious head injury. Early reports have indicated Justin remains in a coma in critical condition. The entire BHA team's thoughts and prayers are with Justin, his family, and Andretti Autosport in this difficult moment. Gabby Chaves on the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway: “Well I mean, what can I say? Obviously after having a shot to win the race, with three laps to go we lost power. It is disappointing to some extent I guess, but you know that’s racing. Racing has its ups and downs and you know today we had both." "We led a lot of laps. We showed what we can do when we are in the front, and we just didn’t get to finish it out with a result. But you know, all in all, I am very proud of this group of guys we have working at Bryan Herta Autosport on our #98 Bowers & Wilkins- Castrol EDGE- Deltro Electric car. This team is a great family and we know good things are coming." "Right now though it's hard to focus on our race, we are thinking of Justin and hoping for some better news. In IndyCar we are a family, it’s always hard to see your competitiors and your friends have accidents. My prayers, along with everyone else’s at Bryan Herta Autosport, are with Justin Wilson and his family.”

Contact:

mburrell@bryanhertaautosport.com

#IndyCar