McDONALD’S DRIVER RAHAL AIMS FOR ANOTHER HISTORY-MAKING WEEKEND AT THE TEAM’S 26TH CONSECUTIVE TOYOTA GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH RACE; DOORNBOS LOOKING TO CARRY OVER MOMENTUM FROM WIN AND POLE IN PORTUGAL A1GP RACES
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 14, 2009) --- McDonald’s driver Graham Rahal, 20, made history in his previous race in St. Petersburg by becoming the youngest pole winner in IndyCar Series history on April 4. His teammate Robert Doornbos, 27, also ran well in his previous race but it was the A1GP event in Portugal last weekend (April 12), where he won the sprint race from a second place start. Both will be hoping to carry the momentum to the streets of Long Beach for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing’s (NHLR) 26th consecutive event here.
In their 25 previous races here, NHLR has won six races, earned 11 poles and finished on the podium a total of 14 times with Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Bruno Junqueira and Sebastien Bourdais, who won three of the past four races here. In contrast, eight of the 17 races on this year’s IndyCar Series schedule will mark only the second time for the team to compete at those venues. Although experience on a specific track is always an asset, both drivers are cautiously optimistic that the team’s 25 years of experience will come in handy on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn Long Beach course.
“The fact that the team has had so much success in Long Beach will really help us but at the same time a lot of these other guys have some experience at Long Beach and the teams know the track whether they raced here last year or haven’t in a few years so its not a huge, huge advantage,” said Rahal, who will make his third major open-wheel start at this track and fourth overall after competing here in the Atlantic Series. “I expect it to be more competitive than ever this year. It’s going to be a tough fought battle this weekend for sure.”
“The fact that the team has had good results in Long Beach is a great confidence boost and that, in combination with a truly motivated Bobby D, and we should be up there again then!” added Doornbos, who hoped to follow-up his win in the A1GP sprint race in Portugal with a win from pole in the feature race but an electrical fire on the grid forced his retirement. “I found out that the Indy car is a different animal than the Panoz so the set-up we ran in Long Beach in the Champ Car won’t be close. Your driving style has to adjust to the car so the set-up does as well. We should be strong and I think it's going to be competitive again but for sure we will work to get an NHLR car at the front...preferably both of us.”
In the 2008 Champ Car finale here last year, Justin Wilson brought the team its 11th pole here but engine failure on Lap 13 ended his bid to win a seventh race for the team at this track. Although Rahal qualified ninth he charged to the front with a competitive race car and pulled ahead of third place runner Franck Montagny in Turn 10 but Montagny’s right front tire hit Rahal’s left rear and sent him into a spin. A last-lap move after he battled back to seventh resulted in a 13th place finish. Despite the result Rahal knows the team can produce a competitive race car and he is confident he can start closer to the front after improving his performance in qualifying sessions.
“We had a pretty good race in Long Beach last year despite starting pretty far back,’ said Graham, who would like to be the first Rahal to win in Long Beach after numerous second place finishes by his father at this track. “We made up a lot of positions and I got past Montagny for third and then he hit me in the left rear and spun me out so it was kind of like this year’s St. Pete season-opener where it was a catch up game for us. Then I made a mistake on the last lap so I didn’t finish which was very disappointing after the progress we made. Overall it was a pretty good race for us – competition wise. Historically Long Beach has been one of my favorites. I’ve always had some success there during my weekends and I think that this year will be no different. In fact, I think this year should be our best year yet based on how competitive we were in St. Pete.”
Doornbos is looking forward to his return to this track after competing here in his lone Champ Car World Series season in 2007. Five of his first six Champ Car races resulted in podium finishes including Round 6 in Mont Tremblant where he won. Of those first six events, the only venue where he failed to finish on the podium was on the streets of Long Beach. He’s looking forward to his return here and expects the event to be even bigger now that a unified open-wheel series will race here for the first time since the split.
“In the 2007 Long Beach event, we had a strong race where I was aiming for my second consecutive podium after Las Vegas but the gearbox broke in the new Panoz,” said Doornbos of the race he started sixth and finished 13th. “It was a big shame. It's a mechanical sport so things like that unfortunately still happen. It was a great event in 2007 and I'm sure it will be even better with a unified IndyCar Series! It's a big event and with F1 having raced there in the past, even a lot of people in Europe follow and know about this race.”
As the most famous street race in the United States, there are many events surrounding race weekend. Rahal is looking forward to kicking off a busy race week with an overnight stay on a Navy aircraft carrier as part of Operation Home Front, a non-profit organization which “provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home.”
“It’s going to be a busy week,” said Rahal. “I’m going on a Navy ship on Tuesday and Wednesday then on to Long Beach for appearances at the gala and an Izod event. Then I have a dinner for a road racing driver association and one for my personal sponsor Gehl. I’m certainly looking forward to getting out there and getting the weekend started. It’s a great event and I think it will only get stronger from what I can see. It will be better than ever.”
Since holding its first event 35 years ago, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach has established itself as one of the most famous street races in the world. Equally historic and famous is the street race held in Monte Carlo, Monaco where Doornbos resides. He enjoys racing on both layouts although the commute home is considerably different.
“On comparison of Monte Carlo and Long Beach -- They are both fast and tight street courses so there is everything that makes a driver happy!!! The only difference for me will be that I can't walk home at night as I would in Monaco. I really look forward to the race and to be strong there,” added Doornbos.
The 2009 IndyCar Series season continues with Round 2 of 17 -- the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19 on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. The 2009 schedule, one of the most diverse in all of motorsports, features races on ovals, permanent road courses and temporary street circuits, all broadcast worldwide through a comprehensive, long-term agreement with Versus and ESPN. All races in 2009 will be telecast in High Definition. Coverage of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will begin with a qualifying and pre-race show on Saturday (check your local listing for times) while coverage of the 85-lap race will begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday. Both broadcasts will air on the VERSUS network.
GRAHAM RAHAL, driver of the #02 McDonald’s Dallara / Honda / Firestone:
AT LONG BEACH: Will be his third Champ or Indy car race here and first event since becoming the youngest pole sitter in series history after winning pole in St. Pete on 4-4-09 at 20 years, 90 days old. In 2008 he started ninth and had a podium in sight when he was alongside third place last year but contact during this pass led to a 13th place finish. Started fifth in 2007 but the pit strategy of others and slow fuel flow related to teething problems for the all-new Panoz Champ Car on one stop limited his finish to eighth place. In the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Series race here he started seventh and finished fifth.
RANKED 7TH IN INDYCAR SERIES SO FAR: Rahal ran the fastest lap times on Friday and Saturday on the streets of St. Pete to become the youngest pole winner in series history at 20 years, 90 days old. As the field entered the wide Turn 1 at the start of the race, second place starter Justin Wilson pulled slightly ahead on Rahal’s left while fifth place starter Dario Franchitti made a daring move on his right heading into the right hander. Rahal was not only squeezed in the process, he was hit from behind by Tony Kanaan which spun him sideways and into the grass. He dropped to the rear of the field but rebounded to finish seventh.
YOUNGEST RACE & POLE WINNER IN SERIES HISTORY: Became the youngest winner in IndyCar Series history when he drove to victory in his series debut in St. Pete in 2008 at the age of 19 years and 93 days old. The previous mark was held by Marco Andretti who won at Infineon Raceway at 19 years, 167 days old. Rahal had only run 10 laps at testing speed in an ICS car on a road course (Sebring) due to a pre-race three hour test (4-1) being cancelled due to rain. One year later he became the youngest pole winner in series history at 20 years, 90 days old when he returned to St. Pete.
PERSONAL: Graham Robert Rahal, 20, was born in Columbus, Ohio on 1-4-1989 and resides in New Albany, Ohio in a bachelor pad he purchased in the summer of 2008…The 6’2” driver is one of four children of Bobby Rahal, three-time open wheel champion, Indy 500 winner and Hall of Fame race car driver…Has two sisters (Michaela and Samantha) and one brother (Jarrad)…Graduated from New Albany High School with a 3.8 GPA on 6-3-07 despite missing over 80 days of school that year due to racing. ESPN The Magazine covered his graduation…When not racing he likes to work on cars, hang out with friends and family or play other sports for fun…Is a self-proclaimed “Car Guy” and still has the first car he received when he was 16 – a Subaru WRX sti – and is in the process of turning it into a race car with a Cosworth race engine. He purchased an ’07 Atomic Orange Corvette Z06 with his prize money but later sold it and now has a Ferrari 599, Range Rover Sport Supercharged and Acura TL. In addition he has a 1964 Mini Cooper that he restored for his high school senior project. He also temporarily owned an Audi he earned by graduating high school with a GPA of 3.5 or above…To prepare for the physicality of racing he spends many hours doing cardiovascular training and weightlifting, skiing, running or bicycling…He auctioned a race-worn helmet on Ebay for $40k and donated the proceeds to Flying Horse Farms, a provisional member camp of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, founded by Paul Newman…His favorite type of clothing is anything made by Puma…His favorite food is sushi and his weaknesses are ice cream and white chocolate mocha drinks at Starbucks…His favorite books are those written by Lance Armstrong (and anything he read other than for school)…He is currently reading two books -- one is "In Pursuit of the Common Good" which is written by Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner and is about how Newman's Own charities began, and the other is "McDonald’s Behind the Arches" so that I know about the history of my sponsor McDonalds!...His favorite thing to watch on TV is any Ohio State Buckeye game, his favorite actor/actress are Owen Wilson and Eva Longoria and favorite movie is “Wedding Crashers.”
GRAHAM RAHAL, #02 McDonald’s Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We had a pretty good race in Long Beach last year despite starting pretty far back. We made up a lot of positions and I got past Montagny for third and then he hit me in the left rear and spun me out so it was kind of like this year’s St. Pete season-opener where it was a catch up game for us. Then I made a mistake on the last lap so I didn’t finish which was very disappointing after the progress we made. Overall it was a pretty good race for us – competition wise.
“Historically Long Beach has been one of my favorites. I’ve always had some success there during my weekends and I think that this year will be no different. In fact, I think this year should be our best year yet based on how competitive we were in St. Pete.
“The fact that the team has had so much success in Long Beach will really help us but at the same time a lot of these other guys have some experience at Long Beach and the teams know the track whether they raced here last year or haven’t in a few years so its not a huge, huge advantage. I expect it to be more competitive than ever this year. It’s going to be a tough fought battle this weekend for sure. It’s a great event and I think it will only get stronger from what I can see. It will be better than ever.
“It’s going to be a busy week. I’m going on a Navy ship on Tuesday and Wednesday then on to Long Beach for appearances at the gala and an Izod event. Then I have a dinner for a road racing association and one for my personal sponsor Gehl. I’m certainly looking forward to getting out there and getting the weekend started.”
ROBERT DOORNBOS, driver of the #06 Dallara / Honda / Firestone:
SECOND RACE IN LONG BEACH: In the 2007 Champ Car race here, he started sixth but battled pit stop troubles related to the new Panoz chassis as well as gearbox problems and finished four laps down, in 13th place. Of his first six races in Champ Car, this was the only one he didn’t finish on the podium. After being competitive in the St. Pete opener, the team is optimistic of a strong result in Long Beach…Has competed against fellow ICS drivers Marco Andretti (A1GP), Danica Patrick (Formula Ford), Ryan Briscoe (F3) and E.J. Viso (F3000).
A1GP IN 2008/2009: Drove for Team Netherlands in the international series in two events (China, New Zealand)…Started and finished second in his series debut in the sprint race in Chengdu, China (Nov. ’08) as well as set the second fastest race lap. Started eighth and set the fastest race lap but finished 16th in the feature race…Started second and finished third in the sprint race in New Zealand (Jan. ’09). Started second and finished fifth in the feature race…Competed against fellow ICS driver Marco Andretti among others…Last weekend in Portugal, he started second and won the sprint race and started from pole in the feature race but retired due to an electrical fire after the formation lap and never started the race (April 12)…Competed against fellow ICS driver Marco Andretti among others.
SO FAR IN INDYCAR SERIES: Worked to adapt to the different driving style needed to drive an Indy car’s in St. Pete opener. Qualified 13th, ran as high as fifth place but finished 11th after having to pit to repair damage from contact while alongside Wheldon for a pass. Race had seven caution periods for a total of 28 of the 100-laps…Ranked 11th with 13 points.
THIRD IN ’07 CHAMP CAR STANDINGS: Competed for Minardi Team in 2007 CCWS…Finished on the podium five of his first six events including his first of two wins in Mont Tremblant and went on to finish third in series standings after holding the series lead for one event and also won Rookie of the Year…Became the first driver to score a podium finish in his series debut since 1993 (Nigel Mansell) when he finished second at the season-opener in Las Vegas after starting third…Third place finishes in Houston and Portland were followed by a second place finish in Cleveland that could have been his first win had he not had to overcome a drive-through penalty on Lap 11 and a spin in Turn 1 to finish second to Paul Tracy…His win in Round 6 in Mont Tremblant strengthened his point standing and he took over the championship lead briefly after Round 7 in Toronto from S. Bourdais after the two made contact and Bourdais was unable to continue…Won his second race of the season in Round 9 at San Jose after he started 15th and lost his front wing due to contact in Turn 1 on the first lap. Calculated pit strategy and timely passes enabled him to lead 30 laps en route to victory…Ran as high as second place at Road America but contact with his teammate cost him a front wing and relegated him to a 14th place finish…Had disappointing weekends in Belgium and his home race in the Netherlands before rebounding to finish fourth in Australia…Qualified third for the season-finale in Mexico City but gearbox failure forced him to retire from the race early which ended his hope of challenging Justin Wilson for second place in the standings. Settled for a third place rank in the standings, only 13 points behind second place Wilson…Clinched Rookie of the Year after the penultimate race of the season in Australia.
PERSONAL: Robert Michael Doornbos (aka “Bobby D”) was born on September 23, 1981 (27) in Rotterdam, Holland…He is single and resides in Monte Carlo, Monaco…He started his sporting career as a tennis player, rising to the semi-professional ranks in Holland and got his first taste of racing as a visitor to the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix as a guest of Williams F1 and decided to pursue a career in the sport…If he wasn’t a race car driver he would be a businessman – most likely with his father in the area of property development…His hobbies include golf and most types of fitness…His favorite designer is Dolce & Gabbana and his favorite jeans are True Religion…He collects watches but says he “needs to brake later and get on the power earlier” in order to expand his collection…To stay in top racing shape he runs, cycles, kayaks and utilizes a weight training program…His typical day away from the race track consists of getting up at 8 a.m. and having a small breakfast while reading the newspaper on the internet. Around 8:30 he takes a five mile run or a bike ride outside. After a quick shower and another bite to eat he checks e-mails and makes calls. If the weather is nice he then goes outside for a swim in the pool then chills out until 4 p.m. when he goes to the gym for a two-hour work-out. After that he has dinner with his girlfriend at home or at the Italian restaurant around the corner. At 10 p.m. its “sleepy time”…His favorite music is R&B or Club music…Speaks Dutch, English, Italian and German.
ROBERT DOORNBOS, No. 06 Dallara-Honda-Firestone: “In the 2007 Long Beach event, we had a strong race where I was aiming for my second consecutive podium after Las Vegas but the gearbox broke in the new Panoz. It was a big shame. It's a mechanical sport so things like that unfortunately still happen!
“The fact that the team has had good results in Long Beach is a great confidence boost and that, in combination with a truly motivated Bobby D, and we should be up there again then!
“I found out that the Indy car is a different animal than the Panoz so the set-up we ran in Long Beach in the Champ Car won’t be close. Your driving style has to adjust to the car so the set-up does as well. We should be strong and I think it's going to be competitive again but for sure we work to get a NHLR car at the front...preferably both of us!
“The Long Beach race was a great event in 2007 and I'm sure it will be even better with a unified IndyCar Series! It's a big event and with F1 having raced there in the past, even a lot of people in Europe follow and know about this race.
“On comparison of Monte Carlo and Long Beach -- They are both fast and tight street courses so there is everything that makes a driver happy!!! The only difference for me will be that I can't walk home at night as I would in Monaco. I really look forward to the race and to be strong there.”
