Ana Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo
just wanted to finish the race that Saturday evening at Iowa Speedway.
But with 7 laps to go, "Bia" pushed her way to first place and won the Firestone Indy Lights - Miller Lites 100 in dramatic fashion. Her June 20th victory was Bia's second Indy Lights career win, her first was in Nashville last year.
Driving the No. 20 Healthy Choice for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, the 24 yeard old Bia from Sao Paulo was ecstatic in the Winner's Circle:
"I was thinking and wanting to finish the race today. We qualified sixth, but it was great at the start of the race and it was very competitive. I was fortunate to find the right time to pass Wade (Cunningham). There were a lot of lapped cars out there when that happened. It was all about momentum. Wow, I can't believe I got first and Sam Schmidt got a 1-2-3. It is unbelievable. At the finish, I was thinking it was just unbelievable. I nearly crashed there at the end right there around the flipped car. This team deserves it. I really want to celebrate with them tonight. The last couple of weeks have been tough missing out on sponsorship and then finding a way to come back."
Owner, Sam Schmidt was equally pleased with the sweeping finish for Sam Schmidt Motorsports:
"I think that is our first 1-2-3. It is a great effort for the team. It was a brand
new car they had to build up the last few weeks. This made up for all those hours."
Bia’s first place finish positions her 11th in points in the series. Firestone Indy
Lights is a developmental automobile racing series sanctioned by the Indy Racing League and a way to introduce new talent to the IRL. Winner of the 2008 Rising Star Award, there is no doubt we will be seeing more podium finishes for the talented Brazilian ... and hopefully, Bia’s transfer to the Indy Racing League for 2010. Stay tuned!
Follow Bia’s career:
http://www.biafigueiredo.com
http://www.torcidabiafigueiredo.com.br
http://www.samschmidtmotorsports.com
Special thanks to Jim Haines and
Sam Schmidt Motosports for these images.
