KV Racing by numbers: 6-7-8-9 finish

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Sato speaks with a crew member.

Before the green flag for the Honda Indy Edmonton, it was announced that Honda Canada and IZOD IndyCar Series driver Paul Tracy had raised more than $112,578 for Make-A-Wish Canada through a program in which fans in Toronto and Edmonton had the opportunity to sign the race suits worn by Tracy for a donation.

Tracy gave something back to fans – leading a four-driver top-10 performance for KV Racing Technology with a sixth-place finish in the demanding 95-lap race on the City Centre Airport circuit.

Mario Moraes advanced seven positions to finish seventh (his fourth top 10 in 11 races). E.J. Viso, who started a season-high sixth in the No. 8 PDVSA Jet Aviation KVRT car, followed in eighth and Takuma Sato earned the first top 10 of his initial IZOD IndyCar Series season with a ninth place in the No. 5 Lotus KVRT car.

Tracy, who finished 14th at Watkins Glen International on July 4 and 13th at Toronto on July 18, overtook five cars on the first two laps and was running as high as fifth. He finished sixth last year on the 1.973-mile, 14-turn circuit and fourth in 2008.

“It was a good finish for the Honda Canada/Make-A-Wish/Motegi Wheels KV Racing team,” said Tracy, an Ontario native. “Our goal was to make money for Make-A-Wish these last two weeks and they raised over $112,000 for the two races. It feels great to help the kids and the families. My second goal was to have a good time.

“Then we wanted a good finish and we pulled it off. It feels so good to race in front of the Canadian fans. They really enjoy their racing. Both Toronto and Edmonton support these events so well. It is tough to come in as a spot driver and perform well. This place is so hard and physical on a driver. So coming from 15th and finish sixth feels very good.

“I just wish we could get the car figured out earlier in the weekend to get a better starting spot. I think we can race with the leaders if can do that.”

Another rookie posts season best

Bertrand Baguette, competing at Edmonton for the first time, advanced six positions in the No. 36 Conquest Racing RACB car to finish a season-best 14th.

“At the beginning of my first stint I was able to gain some positions but then I got stuck in some traffic so I worked on saving fuel,” he said. “I had a good run later on with the black Firestone tires, I had a good balance on my car and I was able to keep up with Tony Kanaan when I ended up behind him in the second part of the race. I think that was a good reference for us but unfortunately I couldn't improve my track position.

"Overall, I'm happy with my race in Edmonton. It was a good weekend and now I'm looking forward to our next one in Mid-Ohio."

Streaks continue

Tony Kanaan, who moved up 12 positions to finish 12th, competed in his 126th consecutive race. The series record is 138 by Scott Sharp.

Andretti Autosport teammate Danica Patrick extended her record to 27 races running at the finish with a 15th-place finish. The series record is 28 by Scott Dixon. Dario Franchitti has been running at the finish in 25 in a row.