Mutoh preps for run to third podium finish at Iowa Corn 250

CEDAR RAPIDS - Hideki Mutoh is likely more comfortable behind the wheel than behind a teppanyaki grill, but the energetic and out-going IndyCar driver didn't mind wearing a red chef's hat at Osaka Japenese Steakhouse.

The 27-year-old driver cut a little chicken, cracked some eggs, heated some shrimp and even drew a few laughs from attending media members, but Sunday is when Mutoh hopes to do his real cooking.

Mutoh will look to make a third straight top-three finish at the IZOD IndyCar Series Iowa Corn Indy 250 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. The fourth annual race is set for 1:30 p.m. on VERSUS.

He said he has some excitement for the race given his success the last three years, needing a championship to top off a trifecta of placings in the Iowa Corn 250. Mutoh said he believes his team can contend for a title.

"We tested last week and we found very good stuff for this weekend," said Mutoh, who is recovering from some leg bruises suffered in a crsh during that testing. "I think we'll be very strong."

The Tokyo, Japan, native has shown his strength in Iowa previously, placing second in 2008 and third in 2009. Mutoh, who joked about having some luck the last two Iowa Corn races, has handled the small 7/8-mile race track, which is the smallest in IndyCar's 17-race schedule. Expect a lot of tight racing with a very small margin of error.

"It's a very high bank, short oval, so you get a lot of G-Force. Very physical (demand) so you have to be fit to finish the race," Mutoh said. "Set-up wise it's very different than the 1.5-mile oval race track. It's a totally different approach you need."

The Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team member, who debuted in the IndyCar Series in 2007, has a different approach off the track. Mutoh exhibited his humorous and pleasant demeanor while having fun and entertaining media at a luncheon in SE Cedar Rapids.

"It's natural," said Mutoh, admitting it took a couple years to relax in public until his English improved. "You have to enjoy life first, then racing."

The winner will have to beat 23 other drivers in the 24-car field. That includes two-time Iowa Corn champ Dario Franchitti, who won the event in 2007 and 2009 and didn't race in 2008 while focusing on NASCAR competition. Winning will be a tough task for anyone.

"All guys are very competitive," said Mutoh, who has a top-5 this season. "It's hard to beat them. When you do it's going to be a great feeling."

The final piece is a title for the driver, who gravitated to racing as a young child with an affection for speed.  His father wasn't a racing fan, but bought magazines go-karts. Mutoh started racing go-karts and was into IndyCar racing as a teenager. Now, he finds himself lining up among IndyCar's best.

"My dream came true," Mutoh said. "When you achieve your dream you're looking for next step. I think next is victory."

His dream has taken him all around the world. He currently resides in Chicago, but returns to Tokyo regularly to see his family. Mutoh plans to return to Tokyo for good when his racing career concludes to help run the family's fish market that's been in business for about 114 years.

"It's very traditional running fish market," Mutoh said. "We're doing it over 100 years now. I have to do it when I retire from racing."