Indianapolis 500 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
IZOD IndyCar Series
RACE DAY NOTES/QUOTES — Sunday, May 26, 2013
JAKES LED FIVE LAPS BUT A PIT PENALTY DROPPED HIM ONE LAP DOWN AND HE FINISHED 20TH IN THE INDY 500; RAHAL WAS NINTH WHEN A PIT PROBLEM AND CONTACT LATER LIMITED HIS FINISH TO 25TH
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 Midas / Big O Tires Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We had a pretty good day. Unfortunately there was one pit stop that was absolutely terrible. After fighting from 26th up to ninth, or wherever we were at that point, I think we probably lost another six or seven positions on that stop so we put ourselves in a bad spot and tried to gamble a little bit on the last stint and pit early in the hope that maybe we would catch a yellow or there would be something like that. To be totally honest with you, the car all day was a bit neutral, a bit nervous. I tried to keep adjusting it and had several massive snaps so I’m surprised we made it that far. The guys worked awfully hard so I’m obviously pretty bummed for the team and for Midas. I told dad the lap before ‘This thing is getting really loose.’ I tried to hold on to it but I was fully off the throttle and that was it. I was probably pushing too hard to make up some spots and it snapped sideways in Turn 2. I tried to save it and it didn’t come back unfortunately. I thought it was a great race. We geared too short so I don’t think there was any way we could win today anyway. I couldn’t pass anybody. I would get in a big tow and I would pull up and just stop. We didn’t have enough sixth gear in the thing. But that’s the way it is, sometimes you miss it. We’ll come back next year and do a better job.”
JAMES JAKES, No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “The Acorn Stairlifts team led some laps early on and set some of the quickest race laps. It was just frustrating; I made a mistake and forgot to reset the weight-jacker coming into the pits and just cleared out my crew. From then on it was playing on mind whether they were alright or not. And believe it or not we did not get a caution from then on until the end. I couldn’t believe it. We have to take the positives from this though. The car is good, we’re happy with the balance we have so we just have to move on to the other tracks and get some better results. We’re capable of it. They guys were great in the pits stops today. I just have to make sure I don’t make the same mistake again.”
NEXT UP: The Chevrolet Indy Duel in Detroit at The Raceway at Belle Isle Park will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2. The 2013 race will mark the 14th year for the team in the event. The team’s highest start of second place and highest finish of first in the event came in the inaugural running on Belle Isle in 1992 by Bobby Rahal. In total, the team has earned two podiums (Max Papis 2000 – 2nd), three top-five finishes and nine top-10’s here (chart on back page). Prior to 2013, the team prepared a total of 21 entries for drivers such as Bobby Rahal (1992-1998), Mike Groff (1993-94), Raul Boesel (1995), Bryan Herta (1996-99), Max Papis (1999-2001), Kenny Brack (2000-01), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2007-08) and Takuma Sato (2012). The No. 15 Midas / Big O Tires entry for Graham Rahal and the No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts entry for James Jakes will bring that total to 23 in 2013.
PHOTO AND VIDEO AVAILABLE: Media members who register on the IndyCar Series media site have access to photography as well as video. Register for access to photos at: http://www.indycarmedia.com/pages/ApplyforAccess