Graham Robert Rahal(/ˈreɪhɔːl/RAY-hawl;born January 4, 1989) is an American race car driver and small business owner. He currently races in theIndyCar SerieswithRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,a team partially owned by his fatherBobby Rahal,the winner of the1986 Indianapolis 500.
| Graham Rahal | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rahal at the 2024 Detroit Grand Prix. | |||||||
| Nationality |  American | ||||||
| Born | January 4, 1989 New Albany, Ohio,U.S. | ||||||
| IndyCar Seriescareer | |||||||
| 278 races run over 17 years | |||||||
| Team(s) | No. 15 (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) | ||||||
| Best finish | 4th (2015) | ||||||
| First race | 2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg(St. Petersburg) | ||||||
| Last race | 2024Music City Grand Prix (Nashville Superspeedway) | ||||||
| First win | 2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg(St. Petersburg) | ||||||
| Last win | 2017Detroit Grand Prix, Race 2 (Belle Isle) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Champ Carcareer | |||||||
| 15 races run over 1 year | |||||||
| Years active | 2007 | ||||||
| Team(s) | Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing | ||||||
| Best finish | 5th (2007) | ||||||
| First race | 2007 Vegas Grand Prix(Las Vegas) | ||||||
| Last race | 2007 Gran Premio Tecate(Mexico City) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Related to | Bobby Rahal(father) Courtney Force(wife) Ashley Force Hood(sister-in-law) Brittany Force(sister-in-law)John Force(father-in-law) Robert Hight(brother-in-law) | ||||||
| Previous series | |||||||
| 2007 2006 2005 | Champ Car World Series Champ Car Atlantic Star Mazda Championship | ||||||
| Awards | |||||||
| 2011 | 24 Hours of Daytonawinner | ||||||
Racing career
editEarly racing
editIn 2005, he won theFormula Atlanticclass at the SCCA Runoffs and finished fourth inStar Mazda Seriesstandings. After the season concluded, Rahal raced withA1 Team Lebanonfor the final three rounds of2005-06 A1 Grand Prix season.[1]He moved to a full-time ride in theChamp Car Atlantic Seriesin 2006, where he won five races and finished second in the season standings. He also drove in theIndy Pro Seriesevent on theIndianapolis Motor Speedwayroad course in conjunction with the2006 United States Grand Prixand finished second. Rahal would once again jump in A1GP's Team Lebanon car for one race in the second round of the2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season.SpeedTV reported in August 2006 that Rahal would drive forNewman/Haas Racingin the Champ Car World Series in 2007.[2]
2007
editOn January 27 Rahal drove in the24 Hours of Daytona.One of four drivers of the Southard MotorsportsLexusRiley,the car ran into early troubles and finished 62nd out of 70 entries. On March 18, he drove in the12 Hours of SebringAmerican Le Mans Seriesrace for his father'sRahal Letterman Racingteam. He drove aPorsche 911 GT3-RSRwith two other drivers, finishing 6th in the GT2 class and 15th overall.
On March 27 news reports from the previous summer were confirmed when he was announced as the second driver for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing in the Champ Car World Series[3]and drove the No. 2Panoz DP01sponsored by MEDI|ZONE alongside his teammate, three-time series championSébastien Bourdais.On April 8 in his debut in the Champ Car World Series at theVegas Grand Prix,Rahal hit the wall on the front stretch on the first lap and retired from the race. On April 15 at theToyota Grand Prix of Long Beachhe finished his first Champ Car race, ending up 8th. On April 22, in just his 3rd Champ Car race, he became the youngest ever podium finisher in Champ Car history after finishing 2nd inHouston.Rahal completed his rookie season in 5th place in series points with four podium finishes but without a race win.
2008
editWith the creation of a single American open-wheel racing series for2008,Rahal and the Newman/Haas/Lanigan team became part of theIndyCar Series,including Rahal's firstIndianapolis 500.
He missed theGainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300due to a crash in testing, after which his team could not get his car repaired in time for the race. He made his series debut at the second race of the season, theHonda Grand Prix of St. Petersburgand despite an early spin in the race, Rahal won the race by 3.5192 seconds from the two-time defending winner of the race,Hélio Castroneves.He became the youngest[4]person at the time to win a major American open-wheel race – aged 19 years, 93 days – and the fourth to win in his first appearance in the IndyCar Series. The best finish Rahal would manage the rest of the year was a pair of 8th place finishes at Watkins Glen and Sonoma; he finished 17th in points, 4th among series rookies.
2009
editRahal returned to Newman/Haas/Lanigan for the2009 IndyCar Series,taking over the No. 02 car withMcDonald'sas his sponsor. He began the season by takingpole positionat St. Petersburg, his first in hisIndyCarcareer, thus becoming the youngest ever polesitter aged 20 years, 90 days. This was the first time a Rahal had won anIndyCarpole sincehis fatherstarted first atTorontoin1992,which was Bobby's third in a row that season.[5]He finished seventh after damaging the car in a first-lap crash. His season was also undermined by bad relations with his team-mateRobert Doornbos– when Doornbos left midseason, Rahal commented "We could certainly have a second driver who is more of a team player."[6]He finished the season 7th in points with two podium finishes.
Rahal was linked with theUS F1 Team,the American-basedFormula Oneteam, that was set to debut in the 2010 World Championship. The team's sporting director,Peter Windsor,mentioned Rahal as a potential candidate for a seat with the Charlotte-based outfit.[7]However, Windsor later decided against hiring either Rahal orMarco Andrettidue to fears that they would not be able to get theirFIA Super Licencesin time for the 2010 season. Eventually, the team failed to compete in the 2010 Formula One season, with the team ultimately folding and banned from participating in any FIA-sanctioned championship.
2010
editRahal did not return toNewman/Haas/Lanigan Racingfor the2010 IndyCar Series,due toMcDonald'sdiscontinuing their sponsorship to focus on the2010 Winter Olympics.
On March 10, 2010,Sarah Fisher Racingannounced Rahal would pilot Fisher's No. 67Dollar Generalcar in the first two North American events of 2010, theHonda Grand Prix of St. Petersburgand theIndy Grand Prix of Alabama.Fisher was originally planning on driving the races herself, in addition to seven oval races, before deciding that putting Rahal in the car could be a benefit to everyone, including Dollar General, who are based inGoodlettsville, Tennessee.[8]On April 6, 2010, Sarah Fisher Racing announced the addition of theGrand Prix of Long Beachto Rahal's schedule. Rahal's placing in those three races was 9th, 17th, and 22nd (retired) respectively.
After the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Rahal was signed to drive forhis father's team,Rahal Letterman Racing,in the2010 Indianapolis 500.Rahal qualified in the seventh position for the race and finished 12th. On June 10, 2010,Dreyer & Reinbold Racingannounced the signing of Rahal for theIowa Corn Indy 250atIowa Speedway,filling in for the injuredMike Conwayin the No. 24 entry on a one-off basis. Rahal returned toNewman/Haas Racingfor 6 of the remaining 8 races of the 2010 season, starting with Toronto, and returned to Sarah Fisher Racing for theKentucky Speedwayrace. Rahal's 2010 totals included 12 starts for four teams and a 20th-place finish in points.
On October 10, 2010, Rahal finished runner-up at the RoboPong 200 all-star kart event at the New Castle Motorsports Park with teammateConor Daly.[9]
2011–2012
editRahal signed to drive the No. 38 car forChip Ganassi RacingwithService Centralsponsorship beginning in 2011 as the team expanded from two to four cars and continued with the team into 2012.[10]
Rahal, co-drove the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates car to victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona along withScott Pruett,Memo Rojas,andJoey Hand.It came 30 years after his father, Bobby won the race, partnering withBrian RedmanandBob Garretson.
2013–2023
editFrom 2013 onwards, Graham Rahal returned to his father's teamRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.While a second-place finish at the 2013 Long Beach Grand Prix showed promise early in the season, 2013 would be a building year for the new partnership.
2015 brought great results for Rahal with three podiums in the first half of the season; 2nd at Barber Motorsports Park, 2nd at the 2015 Grand Prix of Indianapolis, and a 3rd at the Sunday race in Detroit.
During the 2015 season, Rahal broke a 6+ year winless streak by winning the2015 MAVTV 500atAuto Club Speedwayin Fontana, CA. Rahal again won later in the season at the 2015 Honda Indy 200 atMid-Ohio.The win was especially poignant for Rahal since he grew up in Ohio and also put Rahal in the championship hunt for the first time in his career. Rahal ended finishing 4th in the standings after a disappointing performance in the last two races.
2016 brought another win to Rahal's almost decade-long IndyCar career after winning the2016 Firestone 600atTexas Motor Speedway.The margin of victory was only.008 of a second, the fifth-closest finish in IndyCar history.[11]
In 2017, Rahal had six top-five finishes, down from eight top-five finishes in both 2015 and 2016, but he did pick up wins in both races at the Detroit Grand Prix (June 3 and 4).[12]
In 2018, Rahal scored a best finish of second from the streets of St. Petersburg and finished the championship eighth overall.
2019 marked the fifth-straight year Rahal finished in the top 10 for theIndyCar Serieschampionship, finishing eighth overall with a best finish of third atTexas Motor Speedway.
Rahal finished second at the 2020 Indianapolis Grand Prix before earning two third place finishes at the second Iowa race and theIndianapolis 500to finish sixth in the points. In 2021, he would only score one podium atTexas Motor Speedwayto finish 10th in the points, and in 2022, he would finish 11th in points with a best finish of fourth at Toronto, marking the first year since 2014 that he had finished outside the top ten in points.
In 2023, Rahal initially appeared to miss out theIndianapolis 500after teammateJack Harveybumped him out of the field in the last chance qualifying session. However, afterStefan Wilsonwas ruled out due to an injury after a crash in practice, Rahal was chosen as the replacement driver for the #24Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick MotorsportsChevrolet.[13]Rahal finished 22nd 5 laps down in the race after being involved in an accident. After the Indy 500 however Rahal experienced a rebound in performance, taking pole positions at the second race on the IMS Road Course and at Portland and picking up his first podium position on road course in years.
Business interests
editRahal opened Graham Rahal Performance (GRP), in May 2017 and has grown the business from an automotive tuning and parts shop to including exotic car sales. GRP is based in Brownsburg, Indiana.
Graham is also a junior partner with Bobby Rahal Automotive Group, a network of car dealerships in western and centralPennsylvania.
Personal life
edit
Rahal was born inColumbus, Ohio.He attendedNew Albanyschool systems in Ohio and graduated in June 2007 with plans to attendDenison University.Rahal is a die-hard Ohio State fan and enjoys NHL hockey and golf. He is a car enthusiast and owns a growing Ducati collection.
Rahal is married to formerNHRAdrag racerCourtney Force,daughter of 16-time NHRA drag racing champion and legendJohn Force.[14]In May 2020, the pair announced they were expecting their first child; in November she gave birth to a daughter, Harlan Ann Rahal.[15]
Rahal started the Graham Rahal Foundation in 2009 to supportAlex's Lemonade Standfor Childhood Cancer and The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps (known asSeriousFun Children's Networkas of April 2012).[16]In 2019, Rahal and wife Courtney Force took on the foundation in a joint effort, changing the name to Graham & Courtney Rahal Foundation (GCRF). GCRF supports Turns for Troops, benefitting the national nonprofitSoldierStrong,and Colorado State University's One Cure.
Motorsports career results
editCareer summary
edit† Team result
SCCA National Championship Runoffs
edit| Year | Track | Car | Engine | Class | Finish | Start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mid-Ohio | Swift014.a | Toyota | Formula Atlantic | 1 | 1 | Running |
Complete A1 Grand Prix results
edit(key) (Races inboldindicate pole position; races initalicsindicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Lebanon | GBR SPR |
GBR FEA |
GER SPR |
GER FEA |
POR SPR |
POR FEA |
AUS SPR |
AUS FEA |
MYS SPR |
MYS FEA |
UAE SPR |
UAE FEA |
RSA SPR |
RSA FEA |
IDN SPR |
IDN FEA |
MEX SPR 13 |
MEX FEA 14 |
USA SPR Ret |
USA FEA Ret |
CHN SPR 18 |
CHN FEA 11 |
23rd | 0 |
| 2006–07 | NED SPR |
NED FEA |
CZE SPR 12 |
CZE FEA 12 |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
MYS SPR |
MYS FEA |
IDN SPR |
IDN FEA |
NZL SPR |
NZL FEA |
AUS SPR |
AUS FEA |
RSA SPR |
RSA FEA |
MEX SPR |
MEX FEA |
CHN SPR |
CHN FEA |
GBR SPR |
GBR SPR |
23rd | 0 |
American open-wheel racing results
edit(key) (Races inboldindicate pole position, races initalicsindicate fastest race lap)
Champ Car Atlantic
edit| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mi-Jack Conquest Racing | LBH 5 |
HOU 15 |
MTY 1 |
POR 27 |
CLE1 1 |
CLE2 1 |
TOR 15 |
EDM 2 |
SJO 12 |
DEN 1 |
MTL 1 |
ROA 20 |
2nd | 242 |
Indy Pro Series
edit| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kenn Hardley Racing | HMS | STP1 | STP2 | INDY | WGL | IMS 2 |
NSH | MIL | KTY | SNM1 | SNM2 | CHI | 28th | 43 |
Champ Car World Series
edit| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Rank | Points | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing | PanozDP01 | Cosworth XFE | LVG 17 |
LBH 8 |
HOU 2 |
POR 9 |
CLE 8 |
MTT 7 |
TOR 11 |
EDM 3 |
SJO 6 |
ROA 3 |
ZOL 3 |
ASN 9 |
SRF 11 |
MXC 4 |
5th | 243 | [17] |
IndyCar Series
edit(key)
* Season still in progress.
- 1TheLas Vegas Indy 300was abandoned afterDan Wheldondied from injuries sustained in a 15-car crash on lap 11.
| Years | Teams | Races | Poles | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Indianapolis 500 wins |
Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 174 | 3 | 6 | 41 | 73 | 0 | 0 |
Indianapolis 500
editIMSA SportsCar Championship
edit(key) (Races inboldindicate pole position)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BMW Team RLL | GTLM | BMW Z4 GTE | BMW4.4 L V8 | DAY 4 |
SEB | LBH | LGA | WGL | MOS | IMS | ELK | VIR | AUS | ATL | 30th | 29 | |
| 2015 | BMW Team RLL | GTLM | BMW Z4 GTE | BMW4.4 L V8 | DAY 4 |
SEB |
LBH | LGA | WGL | MOS | ELK | VIR | COA | PET |
23rd | 29 | ||
| 2016 | BMW Team RLL | GTLM | BMW M6 GTLM | BMW4.4 L V8 | DAY 11 |
SEB | LBH | LGA | WGL | MOS | LRP | ELK | VIR | COA | PET | 30th | 21 | |
| 2017 | Michael Shank Racing withCurb-Agajanian |
GTD | Acura NSX GT3 | Acura3.5 L Turbo V6 | DAY 11 |
SEB | LBH | COA | DET | WGL | MOS | LIM | ELK | VIR | LGA | PET | 68th | 20 |
| 2018 | Acura Team Penske | P | Acura ARX-05 | AcuraAR35TT 3.5 L TurboV6 | DAY 9 |
SEB 15 |
LBH | MDO | DET | WGL | MOS | ELK | LGA | PET 5 |
31st | 64 | ||
| 2019 | Acura Team Penske | DPi | Acura ARX-05 | AcuraAR35TT 3.5 L Turbo V6 | DAY | SEB | LBH | MDO | DET | WGL | MOS | ELK | LGA | PET 3 |
30th | 30 |
References
edit- ^Redmayne, Tim,Graham Rahal to join Team Lebanon,AutoSport.com, February 21, 2006
- ^Miller, Robin,Graham Rahal Set for Newman/Haas Ride in '07,SpeedTV.com, August 13, 2006
- ^GRAHAM RAHAL TO DRIVE THE NO. 2 MEDI | ZONE RACE CAR FOR NEWMAN/HAAS/ LANIGAN RACING IN THE 2007 CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPArchivedApril 8, 2007, at theWayback Machine,CCWS press release, March 29, 2007,
- ^Cavin, Curt (April 6, 2008)."Rahal's victory sets open-wheel record".The Indianapolis Star.Gannett Company.Archived fromthe originalon November 22, 2015.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^"Bobby Rahal".www.champcarstats.com.
- ^"Doornbos out, Philippe in at IRL heads for Mid-Ohio".Crash.net.Crash Media Group. August 5, 2009.RetrievedMarch 11,2010.
- ^Noble, Jonathan (February 24, 2009)."USF1 open-minded on engine partner".Autosport.Haymarket Publications.RetrievedNovember 21,2015.
- ^Ryan, Nate (March 10, 2010)."Graham Rahal to drive two IndyCar races for Sarah Fisher".USA Today.Gannett Company.RetrievedMarch 11,2010.
- ^"Jay Howard, Bill McLaughlin Jr. win all-star kart race".Autoweek.Crain Communications.October 11, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 31,2011.
- ^Spencer, Lee (December 16, 2010)."Chip Ganassi Racing expanding".Fox Sports.Fox Broadcasting Company.RetrievedJanuary 31,2011.
- ^"Rahal wins Firestone 600 in closest finish in Texas Motor Speedway history".RetrievedAugust 31,2016.
- ^Sipple, George (June 4, 2017)."Graham Rahal pulls off weekend sweep at Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle".Detroit Free Press.RetrievedMay 7,2018.
- ^Pruett, Marshall (May 23, 2023)."Rahal to replace Wilson at DRR for Indianapolis 500".RetrievedMay 23,2023.
- ^"Courtney Force, Graham Rahal announce engagement".Foxsports.com.Associated Press. November 27, 2014.RetrievedNovember 27,2014.
- ^"Graham Rahal, Courtney Force welcome their first baby - NBC Sports".MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports.November 6, 2020.RetrievedMay 30,2021.
- ^"Foundation".
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2007 Champ Car World Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 14,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2008 IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2009 IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2020 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2021 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2022 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2023 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Graham Rahal – 2024 NTT IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedMarch 10,2024.
External links
edit
- Official website
- IndyCar Driver Pageat theWayback Machine(archived July 24, 2011)
- Graham Rahal Un-official Fan Zone
- Graham Rahal career overviewat theWayback Machine(archived August 31, 2007)
- Graham Rahalcareer summary at DriverDB.com
- IndyCar 11 in '11 video
- IndyCar 36: Graham Rahal- IndyCar documentary