Shelby Blackstock, No. 28 Starstruck
Capturing the pole position during qualifying marks Blackstock's first career Pro Mazda Championship pole. He finished today's Race One from the third position, his second podium of the 2013 season.
"Today went really well for qualifying. We sat on the pole for the first round of the St. Petersburg weekend. I'm very happy and I want to thank the Andretti team for making sure the car was running well and for helping me get a really good position in the qualifying session. Race One went pretty good. Unfortunately we were quite a bit loose throughout the runs ever since the start of the green flag and let Diego and Matthew by but we'll settle for P3 today. It's good for points we'll hopefully go to Race Two and go for the win."
Matthew Brabham, No. 83
Brabham experienced problems in this morning's qualifying, but made up seven positions to come away with the win on the Streets of St. Petersburg.
"This morning was pretty disappointing. We definitely had the pace for the pole position but, you know, things happen. We only got about four or five laps on old tires before we had some problems while everyone else were running on new tires, so that was kind of frustrating. I knew we have some seriously quick speed and with my teammate Shelby on pole. The race was fantastic! It was awesome. The guys did a great job all weekend and it was just a shame to have that happen in qualifying - it didn't really stop us in Race One. The car was fantastic the whole way through and just managed to get through the first corner when it was pretty hairy there at the start - I had to avoid a crash. That was the goal, to get through the first corner and push from there. It was a great race! I managed to get good runs and passes on people because the car was really good through the corners. I was pushing the whole way, move my way up the grid. It was really, really tough - it was a long race and it's really hot so I was definitely sweating at the end there. But it was fantastic - I'm so pleased at how it all ended up."