By Tony Solorzano
(Long Beach) – Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver Esteban Guerrieri became the third different driver to win in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights series as he held off Sebastian Saavedra to win on the streets of Long Beach, earning the team its second consecutive victory at Long Beach in the developmental series.
_Guerrieri, driving the #11 Pistas Argentinas Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara, went wire to wire in his victory, which improved on his finish last year when he started on the pole but finished in second behind Connor Daly.
“It definitely feels very good we understood, well, probably how the tires would work, and we just went for low down force setup to gain position in the start from Sebastian (Saavedra),” said Guerrieri after the race. “I knew Sebastian was pushing me, so I was putting times consistent and I predicted that the tires would go away a little bit in the end, which they did, they were a little bit fighting.”
The third place finisher, Gustavo Yacaman was assessed a 30-second penalty for losing part of his equipment during the race, one of the mirrors used by the drivers.
Saavedra didn’t last too long after earning the pole position in Saturday’s qualifying. Guerrieri took over the lead on the first lap, literally on the first turn of the race, passing Saavedra on the outside.
During the third lap, rookie driver Darryl Wills suffered a mechanical issue in his gearbox and pulled out of the race, ending his day early.
On lap 21, driver Alex Jones brought out the only full course caution of the race as he lost control and slid into the tire barriers along turn 9 ending his day.
Saavedra didn’t last too long after earning the pole position in Saturday’s qualifying. Guerrieri took over the lead on the first lap, literally on the first turn of the race, passing Saavedra on the outside.
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