IZOD Indy 500: Bobby & Graham Rahal Unite For Historic Effort

Graham Rahal driving for Sarah Fisher Racing at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2010)

IZOD Indy 500: Bobby & Graham Rahal Unite For Historic Effort

It was announced today that Graham Rahal will drive the No. 30 Dallara/Honda fielded by his father, Bobby Rahal, in a one-race deal for the 94th edition of the Indianapolis 500 with Rahal Letterman Racing. The sponsor is expected to be announced sometime before the first practice session on May 16, 2010.

There have been generations from famous racing families before, but most felt that this came as a surprise given that Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame honoree, Bobby Rahal was on record saying that he wanted his son to be able to make a name for himself out from under his, Bobby's, shadow.

Graham has won in the IRL (St. Pete, 2008, as the youngest ever driver to win a IZOD IndyCar Series race) and had some good history with Newman Haas in ChampCar so it was felt the time was right for the Rahal generations to mount an effort of their own.

Given that Graham has been mostly caught out in the shuffle this season, Rahal drove in three of the first four IndyCar Series races for Sarah Fisher Racing, but does not have a full-time ride with any team for the season. So he now has a one-race opportunity to start and hopefully finish his first Indy 500 - Rahal has failed to finish in two previous Indy 500 starts.

Graham Rahal shares a moment of ChampCar camaraderie with IZOD IndyCar Series points leader and, Will Power - Penske Racing, and fellow CCWS transition driver Alex Tagliani - FAZZT Racing at Barber Motorsports Park. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2010)

This excerpted and edited from USA Today -

Graham Rahal reaches deal for father-son effort in Indy 500
By Gary Graves, USA TODAY

After previously saying he wanted his son to drive for another team to establish his own identity, Bobby Rahal said Tuesday that the timing was right for the generational merger at the Brickyard.

"I think he has proven he belongs and I'm thrilled to have him," said the three-time CART champion, referring to his son's historic 2008 St. Petersburg victory that made him open-wheel racing's youngest winner at 19 years, 93 days.

"It's flattering when your child wants to do what you do, even better when he wants to do it for you."

"I've made my mistakes there [INDY]," Graham Rahal said. "The main thing is to get to the checkered flag."
Reference Here>>

Knowing the competitive nature of Bobby Rahal ... he will bring the best equipment and engineers for this first time effort put forth by the Rahal family. Graham could come in as a dark horse winner given that Bobby, as a team owner (2004) and a driver (1986), has captured wins at the Brickyard and drank (worn) the quart bottle of milk!

The 94th Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, May 30th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ET - broadcast on ABC

... notes from The EDJE