Saturday, August 22, 2009
Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma – Infineon Raceway
Round 14 in the IndyCar Series

McDONALD’S DRIVER RAHAL TO START SIXTH FOR THE INDY GRAND PRIX OF SONOMA; FUEL PUMP FAILURE LIMITED SERVIA TO 17TH PLACE START

1st: Dario Franchitti 1:16.7987 / 107.955 mph
6th: Graham Rahal 1:17.3885 / 107.132 mph
17th: Oriol Servia 1:18.1409 / 106.101 mph (only ran 2 laps in practice prior to qualifying)




Graham Rahal, No. 02 McDonald’s Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “The McDonald’s car felt pretty good all day especially for not having tested here. I thought we did a good job. When we showed up we were pretty close. There is still work to be done because we certainly we struggled quite a lot in that last session of qualifying. It wasn’t a very comfortable feeling; we’d like to be closer than that. Overall the guys worked hard today. We made a lot of big changes over lunch and they worked out so they’re going to sleep well tonight. We made the Firestone Fast Six again which means we made it every race this year but one and that is a good feeling. Now we just need to have a straightforward race tomorrow, save some fuel, get by some of these guys and be in it for the win.”

FAST FACTS: Will be his second race here. He started 15th and finished 8th here last year…He started from pole on the streets of St. Pete and 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway oval this year…Highest start this season is two poles (St. Pete/street & Kansas/oval) and highest finish is third place at Richmond…Is ranked 8th in series points with 289.




Oriol Servia, No. 06 Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We lost the first session because of a fuel pump problem which is never something you want to happen, especially when it is one of two road courses where it’s a two-day event. If you miss the only practice you have before qualifying it doesn’t help the team or myself. I needed laps under my belt. Most of the teams tested here last week and we didn’t so we knew we came with a small handicap to catch up and not getting to run in the first practice session didn’t help. I tried to do what I could in qualifying and I knew it would be difficult but you still try your hardest. I think we made big improvements every lap but this place is so special with all the blind corners. I loved it last year, I was very fast but it takes laps. It’s just a shame that we couldn’t make it happen for qualifying. We’ll have to find a way to get to the front in the race.”

FAST FACTS: Will be his second race here. Last year he started sixth and finished 15th for KV Racing…Prior to racing at Mid-Ohio two weeks ago for NHLR, his previous road/street course race was in the 2008 season-ending exhibition race in Australia on October 26…Competed for the team in 2005 as the replacement driver for the injured Bruno Junqueira and earned seven podiums in 11 events.




NHLR AT INFINEON RACEWAY: This is mark the second event here for the team. Last year Rahal started 15th and finished 8th in 2008. Justin Wilson missed his first Firestone Fast Six of the season and started seventh, ran as high as fourth and finished ninth in a race that saw multiple pit strategies which limited his finishing position.

Tune In… The race will be broadcast live on VERSUS Sunday, August 23 at 5 pm. The radio broadcast also will be carried on www.indycar.com. As always, fans can follow the action from every on-track session via the official website of the IndyCar Series, www.indycar.com.