Duno causes problems at WGI

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -Another race, another tirade directed at Milka Duno.

After spinning out on his own and losing two fast laps in the first round of qualifying Saturday at Watkins Glen International, Ryan Hunter-Reay was trying to rally and make the second round when he overtook Duno as time was running out in the 15-minute session.

Hunter-Reay, who won at Watkins Glen two years ago, missed the cut and will start 16th in the 25-car field for Sunday's Camping World Grand Prix. Afterward, he vented his frustration at Duno, who was more than 7 seconds off the pace and hindered his chances on his final passes.

“If she's going to drive in this series, she's going to have to drive with her mirrors,” Hunter-Reay said. “There are 15 turns on this course and she's the 16th.”

Duno, who brings sponsorship dollars to her team at Dale Coyne Racing, was defended by her boss.

“She's been within the rule every session,” Dale Coyne said. “Something happened. She's closer to the field to the pole than she's been on any road course this year. Ryan can say what he wants, but she didn't cause (his spinout).”

Duno also was mentioned at the post-qualifying press conference, and the drivers were reluctant to criticize.

“Maybe the best scenario is if we have enough cars you have to qualify for each race,” said Justin Wilson, who won last year's race at WGI. “Then you get the best 25 or 26 cars starting. I don't know what the right answer is. You obviously don't want to turn people away that are keeping some of these teams afloat, but at the same time there's a balance there.”

“There is a balance,” defending series champion Dario Franchitti added. “You don't want to see that car and sponsor go away. Then a lot of guys are out of work. But there's a certain level of competency that's not there, unfortunately.”

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MARIO'S PRIZE: Fans have selected Mario Andretti as the honoree for the road championship trophy the IndyCar Series will give out to the driver who scores the most points at the nine road/street courses on the 17-race schedule.

“It's the ultimate compliment years after I retired, to have the fans remember me this way,” said Andretti, who had 52 IndyCar wins, second to A.J. Foyt, and a record 67 poles.

The IndyCar Series announced in April that it would institute oval and road title contests, with a champion crowned for each discipline. Foyt is the honoree for the ovals.

As for the current drivers, they're not paying too much attention despite the fact that a bonus will be awarded to each winner.

“Honestly, it does not matter,” Penske star Helio Castroneves said. “I'm not even aware of where I'm at. You want to win the big one, the title.”

Ditto.

“I think the main thing you fight for is the overall championship,” said Dreyer&Reinbold Racing's Justin Wilson. “That doesn't change anything. It's kind of like an added bonus, but it's not something I'm focusing on.”

“There's one champion at the end of the year, and that's the way it should be,” defending IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti said. “The series is a 50-50 split between ovals and road and street courses. You're going to have to be successful at both to win the championship. That's the way I look at it.”

For the record, through four of seven races on ovals, Scott Dixon leads with 151 points, just four ahead of Target Chip Ganassi teammate Franchitti. Penske's Will Power, who won the first two races of the season on street circuits, leads with 172 points to 130 for second-place Castroneves after four of nine races.

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VISO'S BAD VIEW: E.J. Viso lost control of his No. 8 in morning practice in the IndyCar Series and crashed, did not take part in qualifying, and will start last on Sunday at Watkins Glen.

Viso's troubles began entering turn 1, a 90-degree right-hander at the end of the front straight where the cars reach speeds of nearly 160 mph. He tried to correct after driving onto the runoff area and began to move back onto the track, but the car caromed hard into the Armco barrier lining the right side of the course. The right front tire flew off and Viso careened back across the track and slammed into the barrier on that side.

Viso said he hit a bump when he tried to get back on course and the skid pad beneath the car bent, causing the front tires to lift.

“I was pushing hard and went wide,” Viso said. “I lost steering control. At that point, I was basically a passenger. I just couldn't do anything. It's a shame because the car was fast. However, it's a long race, and anything can happen.”

The accident brought out a full-course caution. The KV Racing Technology Honda was demolished and towed away, but Viso walked away unscathed. Before the crash, he was seventh-fastest.

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CARROLL'S COMING: Adam Carroll will make his IndyCar Series debut at Watkins Glen on Sunday, and he's starting an impressive 10th.

The up-and-coming driver from Northern Ireland will drive the No. 27 car co-run by Andretti Autosport and AFS Racing.

“I was happy with that run,” he said. “You always want to come and do the best you can. This is my first race in 14 months. If I get the most out of it, we'll be somewhere near the top 10.”

Carroll, 27, who signed on for a limited schedule to drive a fifth car for Andretti Autosport in April, has won at every level he's raced, earning 41 wins in Formula Renault Campus, Formula Ford, Formula 3, GP2 and A1GP. He won last year's A1GP season championship.