[MotorSports News]

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing rookie Mike Conway can gather some momentum from a successful test at Infineon Raceway in advance of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Conway paced the 13 drivers testing on the 2.303-mile circuit Aug. 13 with a quick lap of 1 minute, 17.48 seconds. He was followed by Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe, the pole sitter for the race last year, at 1:17.76 and HVM Racing's E.J. Viso at 1:17.94.
"(Aug. 12) was more of a shakedown for us to make sure we don't have any problems," Conway said. "On these test days it's really crucial that you can really back-to-back things because on a race weekend you don't get enough time. I think we should be looking OK for next weekend, and I'm looking forward to coming back."♫
Drivers return to the Sonoma Valley road course next week for practice and qualifications on Aug. 22 and the 75-lap race on Aug. 23. The event has featured four different winners (Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves).
Panther Racing's Dan Wheldon (1:17.98) and IndyCar Series championship points leader Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing (1:18.09) rounded out the top five. Defending race champion Castroneves clocked in at 1:18.25 for Team Penske.
All times were reported by Honda.
"It's a special track and the car needs a lot of fine-tuning for it," said Robert Doornbos, who was driving on the course for the first time.♫"It was nice to work in the peace and quiet with my new team and try some different things.♫ I'm fairly pleased with what we did.
"My engineer, Neil (Fife), and I are both very competitive, so we're never going to be completely happy.♫ We're always going to keep pushing.♫ But we're fairly happy with how the day went and we're looking forward to the race."
Doornbos, who competed in the No. 33 HVM Racing entry for the first time at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Aug. 9, had a best lap of 1:18.26.
Other times posted during the test included: Justin Wilson (Dale Coyne Racing, 1:18.25); Raphael Matos (Luczo Dragon Racing, 1:18.34); Ryan Hunter-Reay (A.J. Foyt Racing, 1:18.37); Franck Montagny (Andretti Green Racing, 1:18.91); Nelson Philippe (Conquest Racing, 1:19.32); and Milka Duno (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, 1:23.3).♫
Spectators attending the test were able to purchase tickets to the race weekend, including the $99 Indy Total Access package that includes:
• Q&A session with Dario Franchitti and legendary drivers Rick Mears and Johnny Rutherford on Aug. 23.
• Sunday reserved ticket.
• Garage pass.
• Pre-race pit & track pass.
That package is still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.ticketmaster.com.


8/13 :: Infineon prep work: Day 2