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Practice report

AJ Foyt Racing's Sato ended fifth in Friday practice on the streets of St. Pete

Sato continues to show speed in ABC Supply Honda as IZOD IndyCar Series kicks off in St. Petersburg

Takuma Sato, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Honda

Takuma Sato, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Honda

Eric Gilbert

ST PETERSBURG, FL March 24—Takuma Sato continued to show the speed the ABC Supply Honda had in winter testing as the IZOD IndyCar Series opened their season in the streets of St. Petersburg today.

Takuma Sato, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Honda
Takuma Sato, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Honda

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Sato was fifth quickest of 25 drivers who practiced on the 1.8 mile street circuit and he was the fastest of the Honda-powered cars. He logged 29 laps between the morning and afternoon sessions, and set his quickest lap of 104.9mph just four laps into the afternoon session.

"It was a very productive day for us,” Sato said afterwards. “The first session the ABC Supply car was a little bit outside of the balance that we wanted but we made a good improvement over the lunch break and the car felt much better in the afternoon. We tested a couple things and got some good information so hopefully tomorrow we can make another step forward."

Will Power set the pace in his Chevrolet-powered car with a speed of 105.4mph. He was followed by defending champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, Simona deSilvestro and Oriol Servia.

The teams have one more practice session in the morning before qualifying for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg takes place Saturday afternoon.

In Sato’s first test with AJ Foyt Racing at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway in February, he was quickest of the 13 drivers who participated in the private test. In the Series’ Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park earlier this month, Sato was fifth quickest of the 25 drivers who tested there.

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be televised live Sunday on NBC Sports Network with coverage starting at 12 noon ET.

AJ Foyt Racing

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