The Dreyer & Reinbold Racing crews made major changes on the cars of Buddy Rice and Townsend Bell for Saturday’s festitivites in the Rexall Edmonton Indy, and the reward was nearly there for Rice as he and the team were positioned for a solid top-ten finish but had to settle for 11th.

As far back as the cars were starting, and with the difficulties of passing on the circuit, the team gambled on pit strategy and fuel mileage all day with Rice’s car.  Depending on the cycle of the race, Rice was either in the top-five or cycled back in the teens.

Meanwhile, Bell and the William Rast team never did get the car comfortable on the new race track, and his day ended early in the tire barricade.

When the race started panning out, the team had put Rice in a position to finish the race with plenty of fuel while many in front of him would still need to pit, cycling him to the front.  If things went according to plan, he was set to challenge for a top-five spot.

Late in the event though, things did not go according to plan, and the Indy Racing League enforced the time limit rule, where the race had to end within one hour and 50 minutes.  That cut the race short a few laps, and those up front, who would have been short on fuel, were able to complete the race without pitting again.  Oriol Servia ran out right as he was taking the checkered in fifth, and those around him weren’t far behind from running out.

In hindsight, the team feels like the correct decision was made, and given where the team had practiced all weekend, the result was a satisfying one.

This race completed a six-week summer stretch of having races on consecutive weekends.  The IndyCar Series will enjoy a well-deserved weekend off before heading down to the Kentucky Speedway for the next race, the Meijer Indy 300 on August 9th.  The event can be seen live and in HD on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. EST.

Earlier today, the Indy Racing League announced the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule.  It included a series of 18 races including the addition of a race in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as well as Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s first visit to Long Beach for its historic Grand Prix.

The Nashville Superspeedway, a track that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has raced on since its inception, was dropped off the schedule.

Just four seasons ago, the team contested an all-oval schedule.  In 2009, 10 races will be contested on ovals with the remaining being on city streets and natural terrain road circuits — a challenge that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing embraces with excitement.

QUOTES

#15 DREYER & REINBOLD RACING Honda Dallara Driver Buddy Rice

On Edmonton: “For showing up and not having a very good weekend, as a general rule, I think we made a lot of progress throughout the whole event. When all was said and done, we had the right strategy. It's just a bit of a bummer that the race became a timed event. I think we would have picked up a few spots and definitely been inside the top-ten and maybe even in the top-five. Even still, to get to 11th from where we started, it was a huge gain. I think it was great for Valspar, Roll Coater, Honda, and Dreyer and Reinbold. I think it was a good way to finish the weekend. We got some good, solid points when it looked like we weren't going to score much of any. We stayed out of trouble. We've got some races left, and I think we can finish out the season pretty strong. It was a good weekend, and we had a good recovery from the start."

On 2009 Schedule: “It’s great that we’re adding road races and getting back to some of the places that open-wheel racing has been a part of with Long Beach and Toronto.  It’s also great to have an extra Canadian round since the fans there are always fun and knowledgeable.  It’s definitely interesting to see Homestead and Japan so late in the schedule.  It’ll be weird not going to Japan before Indy.  Hopefully the weather is nicer there in September.  Having four weeks be the longest stretch is a great move.  Going six straight is a bit hard on everybody.  It’s very challenging in terms of personnel, even if you don’t have any issues.  That’s very good to see.  I’m looking forward to it.”

#23 WILLIAM RAST/DREYER & REINBOLD RACING Honda Dallara Driver Townsend Bell

On Edmonton: “We scuffed up the ‘Scud’ a bit (on Saturday).  I’d been fighting over-steer with the car in the race.  I had a huge moment, caught it, but by then, I was in the marbles and couldn’t keep the car out of the tire barrier.  The hit was soft but enough to put us out.  It was a disappointing weekend for the William Rast crew, but we learned a lot, and I’m looking forward to getting back into the car in Sonoma.”

On 2009 Schedule: “First off, I applaud the Indy Racing League for getting the schedule announced so early.  It goes a long way towards working on our programs for 2009.  I’m excited about the schedule.  We’ve got a lot of great marquee events on there, and I’m looking forward to seeing packed houses at all venues next year.”

Team Co-Owner, Dennis Reinbold

On 2009 Schedule: “I think the balance of next year's schedule shows continued growth for our unified series and puts us in exciting venues.  Our series has a great deal of momentum right now and the schedule will help that continue."

Team Co-Owner, Robbie Buhl

On 2009 Schedule:  “The Indy Racing League has done a great job in putting together a solid schedule for 2009, and it’s great that we’ve seen this so early.  Having six races on consecutive weekends was tough on all the teams in 2008, and I’m glad to see the league has  given the teams small breaks here and there to allow for time to catch our breath.  We’re excited about finishing up our 2008 program and looking forward to 2009.”

The complete 2009 IndyCar Series schedule:
Date Location Venue

Sunday, April 5 Streets of St. Petersburg 1.8-mile street course
Sunday, April 19 Streets of Long Beach 1.968-mile street course
Sunday, April 26 Kansas Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, May 24 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval
Sunday, May 31 The Milwaukee Mile 1.0-mile oval
Saturday, June 6* Texas Motor Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, June 21 Iowa Speedway .875-mile oval
Saturday, June 27* Richmond International Raceway .75-mile oval
Sunday, July 5 Watkins Glen International 3.4-mile road course
Sunday, July 12 Streets of Toronto 1.721-mile street course
Sunday, July 26 Edmonton City Centre Airport 1.973-mile airport course
Saturday, August 1* Kentucky Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, August 9 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2.258-mile road course
Sunday, August 23 Infineon Raceway 2.245-mile road course
Saturday, August 29* Chicagoland Speedway 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, September 6 The Raceway at Belle Isle Park 2.906-mile street course
Saturday, September 19 Twin Ring Motegi 1.5-mile oval
Sunday, October 11 Homestead-Miami Speedway 1.5-mile oval