Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda Indy Toronto – Streets around Exhibition Place
Verizon IndyCar Series
QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES – Saturday, July 15, 2017
RAHAL EARNED HIS BEST HONDA INDY TORONTO STARTING SPOT OF SECOND PLACE IN QUALIFYING
POLE: Simon Pagenaud 58.9124 / 109.138 mph (Round 3, Group 2)
2nd: Graham Rahal 59.2245 / 108.563 mph (Round 3, Group 1)
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 Rousseau Metal Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “That was awesome! I couldn’t be more proud of the Rousseau team. These boys have worked so hard and we put it together in Round 3. To finish second in Round 3 after seeing how dominant Penske was all weekend, that’s better than a pole for me. We can definitely race them hard from here. I think we have a pretty good race car. We just need to settle her down a little bit. Those Penske’s had new reds (alternate tires) to finish qualifying and I’m really surprised Helio and Will didn’t get us. I think it’s going to be a great race tomorrow. Trust me, we’re going to give them everything we’ve got. We need good points here. We want to get a win. When you have a car like this, and a team like this, it makes it a lot more confidence inspiring. When you go out there you know that you have what it takes to get the job done. They have made my life a lot easier and I am proud of them. A result like this is great for all of our partners.”
RLLR AT TORONTO: The Honda Indy Toronto will mark the 18th year of Indy car racing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) here. The team also competed in the Atlantic Series races here in 2003 and 2004. The team earned a total of four second place finishes (Rahal 1992, 1994, 1995; Michel Jourdain Jr. 2003) and best start was pole in 1992 by Bobby Rahal. Prior to the 2017 event, the team prepared a total of 30 Indy car entries for drivers Bobby Rahal (1992-98), Mike Groff (1994), Raul Boesel (1995), Bryan Herta (1996-99), Max Papis (1999-2001), Jimmy Vasser (2002), Michel Jourdain Jr. (2002-03), Takuma Sato (2012), Graham Rahal (2013 x 2; 2014 x2; 2015-2016), James Jakes (2013 x 2) and Luca Filippi (2014 x2). The team also prepared three Toyota Atlantic entries (Danica Patrick 2003-2004; Chris Festa 2004). The team has earned FIVE podiums (3rd – Rahal 1996), 9 top-five’s and 17 top-10 finishes at the track. The No. 15 Rousseau Metal entry for Graham Rahal will bring the Indy car total to 31 entries in 2017.
NEXT UP: Morning warmup will take place tomorrow from 11:30-12:00 a.m. ET and the Honda Indy Toronto will take the Green Flag at 3:47 p.m. The 85-lap race will be broadcast live on CNBC beginning at 3 p.m. ET and will re-air on NBCSN at 7 p.m. ET. Streaming video and Timing and Scoring information is available for all practice sessions from www.indycar.com and includes commentary by the INDYCAR Radio Network. Timing and Scoring information for qualifying is also available live with commentary.
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.indycarmfedia.com/pages/ApplyforAccess