GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 National Guard Dallara/Honda/Firestone:It was a crazy day for us. The National Guard guys did a great job for us. I must say the engineering staff and all of the mechanics were down because we were starting where we did and to charge up like that feels awfully good. When we stopped out strategy was working perfectly. We were able to click by guys, going and going. I hit Justin and they called a penalty on me and then I got hit by Aleshin and he doesn't get a penalty. Same exact situation but I got one and he doesn't. Honestly I feel like we had a great car today. The National Guard guys did a fantastic job and I really can't be disappointed. We could have won this race because the car was definitely quick enough but on a day like today, you just have to take what you're given."
FAST FACTS: Started 23rd and gained one spot at the start before he made his first pit stop on Lap 3 in order to get out of sequence. Multiple incidents happened during the race including being hit by Kanaan, who was leaving his pit box, a drive through penalty for what was deemed avoidable contact with Justin Wilson on a restart, avoiding a multi car accident, and being hit by Aleshin, who was not penalized for contact and dropped from sixth to 13th… Was his EIGHTH Champ or Indy car race here, ninth overall, and second for his father's team. In 2013, he finished second after starting 11th. In 2012, he qualified 15th for SCCGR, started 8th due to penalties to Chevy-powered teams, ran as high as fourth but finished 24th due to contact with Marco Andretti. In 2011, he qualified 16th for SCCGR and finished 13th. In 2010 he started and finished 22nd for Sarah Fisher Racing after contact. In 2009, he started seventh and finished 12th for NHLR. In 2008 he started ninth and had a podium in sight when he was alongside third place 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 two stops limited his finish to eighth place. In the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Series race here he started seventh and finished fifth… He is in a three-way tie for 15th in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings with 33 points.