“I think we had a good start and were moving up on the track. We overtook three cars so it was looking really positive at the start. I felt the car was strong and the strategy looked good. Graham and I were on the same strategy but we both were looking really good so I was positive but unfortunately we had a mechanical failure so we had to stop. It’s a pity to finish the season like this especially for the boys who worked so hard the entire season. Of course we had a good highlight two weeks ago but we wanted to carry good momentum into 2019. Having said that it was a good day for myself and the team as we announced we were together again next year. The last race in Sonoma is disappointing but there is a great feeling for next year. We will work hard on development over the winter and come back strong for 2019. Thank you very much to the entire team. I enjoyed the year.”

•FAST FACTS: After starting 12th, he moved to 10th after passing Veach and championship-contender Rossi who hit his teammate Andretti and dropped back. By Lap 7, he was in ninth place after he passed Pagenaud. He passed O’Ward and Bourdais on Lap 11 for seventh place before making his first stop on Lap 14. On his out lap, an electrical issue surfaced and he had to pit and subsequently retire from the race in 25th place… Was his 9th race at Sonoma Raceway. His best start here of fifth place came last year with Andretti Autosport and his best finish came in 2014 of fourth place with A.J. Foyt Racing. He has a total of two top-10 finishes with eighth place in 2015, also with A.J. Foyt Racing. Has THREE IndyCar Series wins (2013 – Long Beach street course, 2017 – Indy 500 oval, 2018 – Portland road course) and SEVEN poles (2011 Iowa oval, Edmonton street; 2013 Houston Race 1 street; 2014 St. Pete street, Detroit Race 2 street; 2017 Detroit Race 2, Pocono oval)... He ended the season with a 12th place rank in series point standings with 351.

“Qualifying provided a mixture of feelings. In Round 1 the car reacted how we expected but when we put the red tires on, the car was not quite there. In Round 2 we struggled with the balance. It was very close but I just didn’t get good grip out of the tire. I wish we had a higher starting position but I think tomorrow we will be strong for the race and hope we can gain back some positions.”

•FAST FACTS: Will be his 9th race at Sonoma Raceway. His best start here of fifth place came last year with Andretti Autosport and his best finish came in 2014 of fourth place with A.J. Foyt Racing. He has a total of two top-10 finishes with eighth place in 2015, also with A.J. Foyt Racing. Has THREE IndyCar Series wins (2013 – Long Beach street course, 2017 – Indy 500 oval, 2018 – Portland road course) and SEVEN poles (2011 Iowa oval, Edmonton street; 2013 Houston Race 1 street; 2014 St. Pete street, Detroit Race 2 street; 2017 Detroit Race 2, Pocono oval). He is ranked 11th in series point standings with 341.

“I think we made some progress today. The first practice ended with mixed feelings. It was supposed to be better but the car didn’t really feel happy and the lap time also was not great. For the afternoon session, we made some changes which was a definite improvement. We had a relatively good performance on the black (primary) tires but on the reds (alternate) we need to work hard to find a better balance. But at least we found some direction which is quite encouraging.”

•FAST FACTS: Will be his 9th race at Sonoma Raceway. His best start here of fifth place came last year with Andretti Autosport and his best finish came in 2014 of fourth place with A.J. Foyt Racing. He has a total of two top-10 finishes with eighth place in 2015, also with A.J. Foyt Racing. Has THREE IndyCar Series wins (2013 – Long Beach street course, 2017 – Indy 500 oval, 2018 – Portland road course) and SEVEN poles (2011 Iowa oval, Edmonton street; 2013 Houston Race 1 street; 2014 St. Pete street, Detroit Race 2 street; 2017 Detroit Race 2, Pocono oval). He is ranked 11th in series point standings with 341.