LEEDS, Alabama – It was shortly after Graham Rahal had one of the best races of his career but the 26-year-old son of the legendary Bobby Rahal couldn’t help but be disappointed. He had the fastest car at the end of last Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and with a full load of fuel after his final pit stop he could go full-throttle in an attempt to get to the front. One-by-one he picked them off, passing Scott Dixon for second place on the final lap.
But race-leader Josef Newgarden, who had used a combination of fuel-strategy and all-out power, was simply too far ahead to be caught and won the race. Rahal’s second-place finish was a spectacular drive and proved that with the Honda Aero Kit if the car is properly set up it can blow by the Chevrolet drivers and teams.
“I thought the Aero Kit was good and the tires were consistent and fell off just enough to keep the race entertaining,” Rahal said. “The car felt good and I was able to attack. That was a lot of fun. That’s as good as it gets.
“I haven’t been in a race that was that good in a long time.”
Rahal’s race was the latest impressive performance in his season of resurgence but he continues to chase that elusive second career victory and the disappointment was obvious immediately after climbing out of the cockpit.
“I’m going to win another race one of these decades,” the driver said, his comment slightly sarcastic. “Today, I drove that race 110 percent every single lap. We knew when we made the strategy call to stay out we were going to have to go fast to make up the lap. The Honda did a really good job today. We passed a lot of guys and great racing with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Scott Dixon and Will Power. Scott Dixon gave me room in those last couple of turns and not a lot of guys would have done that, so I have to thank him for that.
“I got Scott Dixon in Turn 9 before the back stretch and he pushed hard the last lap. I got underneath him on the exit and got him.”
Earlier in the race Rahal was stuck behind Jack Hawksworth for about five laps and estimated he lost a second each lap. But even with the deficit he was able to race hard and his team gave him a car capable of winning.
“I’m really proud of this team,” Rahal said. “The Steak & Shake guys have done a tremendous job this year putting us in this position. I felt all year the team had so much potential. We had to take advantage of the opportunities and that was no fault of our own. NOLA was a luck thing and we got a penalty at St. Pete. I think we are breaking through here. I feel really good about it.
“I wish we could have won today. We definitely had the car to do it.”
When Rahal climbed into an IndyCar for his very first race in 2008, he drove to victory in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg becoming the youngest driver in history to win a race, just a month or so past his 19th birthday.
Seven years later, times have changed. Firestone now sponsors that race but Rahal’s career win total is stuck on one.
That nearly changed last Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park.
“It was a good one – I have to say that,” Rahal said. “I passed a lot of guys and I drove my heart out. I’m going to really sleep well, tonight.
“At the end of the day it felt pretty good. I’m sure my Dad is pretty proud.”
Bobby Rahal is more than just “Dad” – he’s also the team owner along with television’s David Letterman and Chicago industrialist Michael Lanigan.
“I’m very proud,” Bobby Rahal said. “He’s had some strong races like at Detroit last year only to have bad luck in other races. He drove hard the whole day, didn’t make mistakes and passed a lot of people. He probably passed more cars than anyone else today and put on a show.
“The Honda Aero Kit isn’t as bad as everybody seems to think it is. Clearly, he could run in traffic and run close in the high-speed stuff – closer than most.”
And now, it’s off to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the May 9 Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the 99th Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
“We have a really good car and we’ll have to fight in the GP and we’ll see on the 500,” Graham Rahal said. “All in all, I feel pretty good.”