Sevenoaks driver Mike Conway recorded a strong points finish at Barber, Alabama, despite suffering from understeer throughout the 90 lap race.

Conway had given the AJ Foyt team their best qualifying position in five years – setting the fourth fastest lap time on Saturday afternoon – and was hopeful for a good race result at a track that is notoriously difficult to pass on.

The British driver made a good start to the race but the track was put under full caution before a single lap had been completed. At the restart Conway was forced to take evasive action as Dixon pushed him wide, and as a result dropped back to P7.

Suffering from understeer, Conway pitted on lap twenty and the team adjusted the front wing in an attempt to rectify the issue. He rejoined in P11 and by lap 30 was back up to P7 but still suffering badly from understeer.

On lap 43 Conway pitted for a second time from P7 with the team making more front wing adjustment plus some pressure adjustment. Rejoining the track in P8 Conway then set about catching Kanaan for P7. By lap 54 he was up to P7 with 26 seconds between himself and sixth placed Pagenaud.

Lap 66 saw the Brit pit for the final time and, still trying to rectify the understeer, the team made more front wing adjustment. Conway rejoined in P7, having closed the gap to Pagenaud to six seconds.

Two laps later another full course caution was brought out and with 16 laps of the race to go the track went green. Conway was bumped back at the restart to P8 but continued to fight hard and with six laps to go was back up to P7. Conway crossed the finish line in seventh place; securing 26 championship points.

‘I’m fairly pleased that we finished in the top ten but disappointed not to havefinished higher after such a strong qualifying. We’re really getting there in qualifying but we just need to work on long tyre runs as we’re still struggling with certain levels of grip out there;” commented Mike Conway.

“I was struggling with understeer throughout the race so couldn’t really ever fight for position so it was a tough day in the office. But now we look ahead to Long Beach – which was where I won last year – and hopefully we can have a good race there;” continued Conway.

Mike Conway heads to Long Beach for the next round of the IZOD Indycar Championship on the 15th April.