RACE NOTES/QUOTES for the Grand Prix of Baltimore - September 1st, 2013
GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 Midas / blu eCigs Dallara/Honda/Firestone: "The blu eCigs car was awesome today; I don't have any complaints there. We should have won that race; that was my race but everything kept going wrong for us. The strategy was on par really until those yellows. I don't understand why they were so long but they were and it took us right out of it but at the end we started to claw our way back. I got a really good restart and I got by Kanaan. I don't even know how far back he was but I looked in Turn 2 and couldn't even see him. The next thing I knew, I was trying to line those guys up for the exit and he just drove absolutely square into the side of me. I really don't get that and I'm definitely going to have some words with him."
FAST FACTS: Was his third race here and first with RLL… Rahal started 12th, led five laps but ultimately retired in 17th place after contact in an action-packed race that saw six caution periods for a total of 25 laps. After starting 12th, Rahal steadily climbed up the order and into the lead for five laps through two restarts before he pitted under caution on Lap 57/75 to meet the requirement to run Firestone alternate tires for at least one stint. He returned to the track in 9th place and made five passes but ultimately retired in 17th place after being hit by Tony Kanaan on Lap 69 of 75 while running fifth… His best start is second place and best finish is 10th - both in 2011 with Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing (SCCGR). In 2012, he had a problem in the qualifying session and was unable to post a single lap and qualified 23rd/last but started 21st due to two unapproved engine change penalties ahead on the grid. He ran as high as second (eight laps) but made five pit stops to the winners two which included a drive through penalty on Lap 47/75 for passing under yellow and finished 11th… His best finish this season is second place in Long Beach and best start is 9th at Iowa… Is ranked 18th in series standings with 266 points.
NEXT UP: The team will test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course next Wednesday, September 4 with Graham Rahal.