Rahal Was Collected in an Opening Lap Incident, Rejoined the Race Seven Laps Down and Ultimately Retired in 21st Place at the Chevrolet Dual 2 in Detroit

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Chevrolet Dual in Detroit – Dual 2

Verizon IndyCar Series

RACE NOTES/QUOTES – June 1, 2014

RAHAL WAS COLLECTED IN AN OPENING LAP INCIDENT, REJOINED THE RACE SEVEN LAPS DOWN BUT ULTIMATELY RETIRED IN 21ST FROM RACE 2 OF THE CHEVROLET INDY DUAL IN DETROIT

GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 National Guard Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “Yesterday was a really good day for the National Guard guys. Unfortunately we just peaked too early. At the start today we just had terrible luck. These things happen. I couldn’t see him (Power). I got a great start and got by about five guys and I saw Newgarden and I knew there were two inside but I didn’t know who the other one was and I guess it was Power. Then I saw Newgarden start to turn in so I thought it was clear and I started to go and the next thing I know Power just drilled him and hit him straight into me and I t-boned him. When I got hit from behind by (Justin) Wilson it broke the gear sensor and when that happens these cars can’t run, its all electronics so the car wouldn’t go into gear at all and that’s what took us so long to fix. Unfortunately we couldn’t fix it properly but the guys did a good job. Then later I brushed the wall in Turn 13 and we retired. I was trying to build upon yesterday. We’ve just got to keep our chin up and go. We’ll be alright.”

• FAST FACTS: He started his sixth race here from 14th place after the team elected to qualify on primary tires to save a set of red alternate tires for the race. On the opening lap, Will Power, who was later penalized with a drive through penalty for avoidable contact, squeezed Josef Newgarden in Turn 4 and the two made contact. Rahal was behind the two and had no where to go and hit Newgarden before Justin Wilson ran into the rear of the No. 15 entry which resulted in gear problems. By the time the team replaced the front nose and repaired the gear sensor, he returned to the track seven laps down. He ultimately retired in 21st place after he brushed the wall and damaged his suspension after completing 43 of 70 laps. Yesterday he started his fifth race here from ninth place, led 10 laps and earned his best finish of the season of second place to Will Power in Dual 1 in Detroit and set the fastest lap of the race with two laps to go.

NEXT UP: The Firestone 600 will take place next Saturday night, June 7 at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS). Graham Rahal’s best start of third and finish of second came at TMS in 2012. RLL has earned one pole at TMS (Scott Sharp 2007), made two front row starts and the team’s highest finish is second place with Vitor Meira in 2005.

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