KV Racing Technology finishes 14th and 24th in Toronto Race 2

TORONTO, ON - Sunday, July 14, 2013 - KV Racing Technology drivers Simona De Silvestro and Tony Kanaan finished 14th and 24th respectively in today's Honda Indy Toronto Race No. 2 on the 1.7-mile, 11 turn temporary street circuit in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

De Silvestro, who pilots the No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy - KV Racing Technology machine, qualified 10th, but started ninth after a penalty was accessed to the No. 4 car for a driver change following an injury to Ryan Briscoe in yesterday's race.

Simona De Silvestro, KV Racing Technology Chevrolet

Photo by: Rebecca McKay

She remained in the top-10 through the first stint but with her tires going away she had to pit on lap 24 while other competitors were able to stay out longer. She rejoined the race in 17th and battled throughout the remainder of the contest regaining a few positions, but simply did not have the pace to content.

"It was a pretty painful race," De Silvestro said. "We were struggling from the beginning. We didn't quite have the pace and couldn't really get the grip we needed to get out onto the straightaways smoothly, so it was a big struggle. Not super happy, but hopefully we can turn it around for the next one."

This was just not Kanaan's day behind the wheel of the No.11 Hydroxycut - KV Racing Technology - SH Racing car. After a strong fifth place finish yesterday in Race No. 1, he damaged the left side of the car in this morning's warm-up, but his Hydroxycut - KVRT - SH crew, in a heroic effort, repaired the car and got to track on time for the race.

Kanaan lined up sixth and was running in seventh place when he had to pit for new tires. With an extra stop now assured, the team pitted Kanaan again for fuel on lap 34 in a strategy move to get him back in sequence with the leaders. However, one lap after the stop he brushed the wall damaging the right rear and ending his day.

"I want to thank my crew for getting the car ready for the race after what happened this morning," Kanaan said. "I was pushing hard during the race, got a little loose and tapped the wall ending our day, I feel bad for the guys and my sponsor Hydroxycut. This is a home race for them and a lot of the employees came out to cheer me on. I just wish we could have put on a better show for them and the fans."

De Silvestro has now finished in the top-10 four times this season: sixth at St. Petersburg, ninth at Long Beach, eighth at Sao Paulo, along with the 10th in yesterday's Toronto Race No. 1. She has three top-10 finishes in five starts at Toronto including yesterday's 10th place showing.

In 10 races at Toronto, Kanaan has finished in the top-10 four times with a best showing of fourth in 2012 and 2010. This is just the second time in 12 events this season that the 38-year-old Brazilian has not finished the race. He has placed in the top-10 six times this year including five top-five finishes, three podiums and a victory at the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Kanaan earned six points today and is currently sixth in the championship race with 307 points.

Next up for KVRT is the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio which will be contested August 2-4, on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The race will be broadcast live on NBC starting at 3:00 p.m. ET.

KV Racing Technology