Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
NTT IndyCar Series
QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES – September 21, 2019
RAHAL AND SATO TO START EIGHTH AND 16TH IN THE FIRESTONE GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY INDYCAR SEASON FINALE
1) Colton Herta 1:10.1405 / 114.867 mph (Group 2; Round 3)
8) Graham Rahal 1:10.6296 / 114.071 mph (Group 2; Round 2)
16) Takuma Sato 1:10.8393 / 113.733 mph (Group 2; Round 1)
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 United Rentals Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “I thought it was a good run. We were lucky to squeak through in the first round after Felix’s issue but were able to make the most of it. We refined the car a little bit and missed advancing to the Fast Six by two-hundredths of a second and two-hundredths of a second around here is nothing. We should have advanced, but I made a mistake. I was on a really good lap, I was on a four (1:10.4) which would have comfortably advanced us but I just screwed up going into the corkscrew, tried to roll too much speed, got too much understeer and ruined the lap. But at the end of the day, we’re right here at the sharp end of the grid with the good guys and I think we found some good stuff that will get us excited for next year.”
TAKUMA SATO, No. 30 ABeam Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was a tough session. It’s a tight field and not really what we expected out of qualifying. We made good progress through all of the practice sessions. Our performance was moving up all the time but unfortunately the car felt a little disconnected in qualifying. It was tough. In the end we lost advancing to the next segment by three-hundredths (of a second) so it’s a pity. Everyone is in the same situation, it was the hottest day and challenging. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it to the next round but I believe we have a strong car.”
RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING AT LAGUNA SECA … Will mark the 13th Indy car event for RLL at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and first since 12 consecutive races here from 1992-2003. The team has also competed in ALMS and IMSA races here since 2009 as BMW Team RLL and has earned three wins, three poles and a total of 10 podium finishes to date – including pole last weekend and a second-place finish. The Indy car team has earned three wins, three poles and a total of six podiums (1st – Herta 1998-1999; Papis 2001; 2nd – Herta 1996; 3rd: B. Rahal 1992, Papis 1999). The team won three straight pole positions (Herta 1997-1999). Prior to the 2019 event, the team prepared a total of 21 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), and Michel Jourdain Jr. (2002-03).
NEXT UP: The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey will be televised live on NBCSN beginning at 2:30 PM ET Sunday, September 22.