Sensational Firestone Indy Lights debut for Krohn

Watkins Glen, New York - Norwegian race car driver Anders Krohn looked set to take a fantastic top-5 finish in his first ever Firestone Indy Lights race, before he was hampered by gearbox issues. The 22-year old finally brought the car home in 10th place, after spending the second half of the race battling a non co-operative gearbox. "This has been such a great experience. We got up to 4th and kept the same pace as the top-3, and then we started having the gearbox problem about half way through the race. After that it was all about surviving the last 15 laps and staying out of trouble. It was a great shame to not finish the race in the same way we started, but to be able to run with the top guys after just a day in the car feels great!" Commented the Houston-resident shortly after finishing the 30-lap race around the Watkins Glen road course.

Anders Krohn Credit: Anders Krohn

The weekend had very limited testing opportunities for the rookie driver and his experienced team, Andersen Racing. This was further limited when the Logi Trans-sponsored car caught on fire during the second practice. The team did an excellent job in getting the car back on track for qualifying, where Krohn initially placed the car 10th. Later, he was moved up to 8th because two of his competitors elected to change their engines prior to the race, thereby losing their fastest lap times.

From 8th on the grid, Krohn grabbed two spots through turn one after a late braking maneuver. Later on the opening lap, he forced British Martin Plowman into a mistake and stole fifth spot. After a brief safety-car period, Krohn was able to pass Stefan Wilson for 4th and quickly built a gap to the fifth place car while maintaining the pace of the top 3. Around the halfway point of the race, the Norwegian who is also called "The Viking" started slowing down with gearbox issues. The car would not downshift properly, and Krohn started losing track position, eventually finishing a somewhat disappointing 10th. JK Vernay from France won the race in front of Canadian James Hinchcliffe and Colombian Sebastian Saavedra placing third.

"For sure it would have been great to finish inside the top five, but as we all know, things happen in racing. I'm just so thankful for getting this opportunity from Logi Trans/Offshore Express and Andersen Racing. Every single lap I was getting more comfortable with the car, and the team did a fabulous job in improving my driving rapidly throughout the weekend. We've only had one day in the car together, and to have this pace already just shows the potential we have for the future. In addition to Logi Trans and Andersen Racing, I'd also like to thank my main sponsors who have been with me for such a long time; Trallfa, Norse Cutting & Abandonment and Colosseum. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I will return to the Star Mazda Championship full of confidence and with new experiences gained." Ended an enthusiastic Anders Krohn.

Anders' next two Star Mazda races will be held at Autobahn Country Club, just outside Chicago, on July 31st and August 1st. Both races will be aired live on HDNET, and program information can be found on StarMazda.com

Print This Page	Go back to the previous page