My first laps in the Courage were really satisfying, throughout the three free practice sessions, I bettered my lap times by 2 seconds per session. By doing so, I wasn't too far away from the regular prototype drivers in qualifying.

There were still two laps to go and it should have been my last lap. Then I thought just one more lap. I was just trying to stay on my feet.

I just forgot to let off the gas one lap. I ran 74 good laps and one bad one. I went all the way into turn one wide open. I let off the gas and stomped on the brakes. When I saw Russ's wheel, I knew I had lost the Classic. I knew we were going to finish second. I knew I had let my friends and family and fans and everybody down.

When you get caught in lap traffic and you lose 20 car lengths and there are five laps to go, it's not realistic after you've already reeled him in once.

Then the sessions will get a little more challenging. Until then, it wouldn't be fair for us to explore what visions they would have in leading Mercer as president. They don't know Mercer very well. This first session is more of a getting-acquainted session.

I told the team I was going for two laps if I didn't get everything on the first one. I ran it again and she felt pretty good. It was pretty darn close to a perfect lap. If anybody can beat it, they can have it.