Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston – Reliant Park, Houston
IZOD IndyCar Series
RACE 2 NOTES/QUOTES – October 6, 2013
JAKES AND RAHAL FINISHED 17TH AND 18TH RESPECTIVELY IN RACE TWO OF THE SHELL AND PENNZOIL GRAND PRIX OF HOUSTON
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 blu eCigs Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “On the first lap we got hit by Simona and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the day. It was going to be very hard to get a lap back on this track and unfortunately I spun and hurt the rear wing a little later. It’s a shame because the car was really, really fast. I’m not sure we had a 59.5 lap like some of the leaders — I haven’t seen their times — but we certainly could have run the 59’s. It’s a shame because the car was very good. I think if we had been up front, we probably could have stayed there but unfortunately this is what we get for being where we are in the championship. But most of all, I hope Dario and all those guys are okay because that (crash) was scary.”
JAMES JAKES, No. 16 Acorn Stairlifts Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was a tough afternoon. We got up to fourth place but we struggled with the car all afternoon. We had to pit anyway and Bourdais kind of lunged so I gave him the room and we lost a couple of spots there then we had to pit. After that, later we made the call to pit because the caution came out and the guys weren’t ready. I don’t think it was there fault but we lost a lap and that was that. It’s frustrating but we will move on to Fontana.”
NEXT UP: The series will take next weekend off and reconvene for the MAV TV 500 at Auto Club Speedway October 19. RLL has earned one win (Vasser 2002), four podiums and led 400 laps at the track. Last year, Rahal qualified 11thwith Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing, started 18th after grid penalties were assessed and finished sixth. Jakes qualified 24th, started 12th after grid penalties were assessed and finished 12th with Dale Coyne Racing.
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