Herta happy to have scored home points.

Californian Bryan Herta was pleased to have come away with a top-twelve finish at Long Beach yesterday [Sunday], as the new Zakspeed team continues to find its feet in CART competition.

The former Champcar race-winner was starting just his second event for the US-German team and, having missed out on the points on debut in Mexico four weeks ago, was aiming to get on the scoreboard at what he openly admits is his home - and favourite - race.

"It's good to have earned a few points today," Herta said later, "I am not necessarily happy with the result but, most importantly, we are finishing the races. We had a little understeer throughout the race, and that is something we will need to work on, but the guys have done a great job giving me a reliable car."

An unusually wet day on Saturday prevented Herta from qualifying as high up the grid as either his talent of the car's potential has suggested, but he pleased the team with his drive to the points.

"The Zakspeed-Forsythe Team did a good job preparing the car, and Bryan ran all day flawlessly," commented general manager Tony Brunetti, "With the rain yesterday in qualifying, we weren't able to start in the front, and if you don't start in the front here, you're going to have a tough time getting there in the race. Bryan did a great job today, and we are happy to have achieved our first points for the season."