Yasukawa returns to compete in Motegi

Red Bridgestone and white Honda banners will be waved in unison every time the No. 77 Interush car circles the Twin Ring Motegi oval. Roger Yasukawa's 700-strong cheering section will see to it.

Yasukawa returns to compete in the Indy Japan 300 after a two-year absence and he couldn't be happier — unless, of course, the sponsorship package and Beck Motorsports deal is extended to the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

"I wasn't able to race here the last two years so I am delighted to come back to race," said Yasukawa, who has made 37 IndyCar Series starts since 2003. "I tried the last two years but just couldn't make it happen. This year, thankfully, Interush came on board and we were able to strike a deal with Greg Beck.

"They are expanding and they thought this would be the best place to have more exposure. I think we're close to putting something together for the Month of May, so I hope to do a good job here and see how it goes. We have an associate sponsor for the Month of May signed up already. We have something that we could put on the plate, and we're just trying to finalize everything and make sure that we can have the right program."

Interush is a U.S.-based Internet technology and marketing company with a large customer base in Japan and Taiwan. It provides affiliates and customers integrated Internet programs to enhance personal and business online communications, targeted consumer Web sites, a business-to-consumer directory, and PHYTTER mobile VOIP service.

Yasukawa said about 300 Interush members, family members and his fan club members will constitute the cheering section. Yasukawa will be making his first start since last year's Indianapolis 500 for a team that had a partial-season program.

"I think it's very tough," he said. "Yes, it's the same car and the same track. But every team that is running the full season has been working hard every day to make the car go faster. Since we're a one-car team, we have to focus on having a good car in the race.

"This is not a place where you're going to be flat out all the time so the driver understanding of the car's handling is very important as well as the communication with the team. I would be a lot more worried if I was at a place like Texas, Homestead or Chicago where you can't do anything. Here, the driver plays more of a role." IndyCar.com