Catchfence

Graham Rahal - Photo Credit: Catchfence Open Wheel Editor: Paul Powell

Race: Kentucky Indy 300 on Sunday, October 2 (2:00 PM ET, VERSUS)
Track: Kentucky Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Location: Sparta, Kentucky

NOTES/NEWS

Follow CGR on Twitter: Follow @CGRTeams for official updates from Chip Ganassi Racing’s IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball.

There’s an App for that: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and SapientNitro SM recently launched one of the first mobile applications for the high-velocity world of racing. This new application brings fans updated driver and event information, and exclusive content in one centralized and expansive mobile experience, bringing to life the rich heritage and legendary success of Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. The unique mobile application conveys the high-octane rush of the racing experience for a team that competes at the highest levels in three series – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, IZOD IndyCar Series and Rolex GRAND-AM Series.

Team Manager Mitch Davis on Kentucky: “Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing and Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing are prepared for the final two 1.5-mile ovals of the season. The Service Central team tested at Kentucky Speedway last week and made a lot of progress trying out different set-ups. The No. 38 Service Central car was really quick at the end of the test session and Graham (Rahal) feels confident that we’ll have really good race cars this weekend. Charlie (Kimball) utilized the practice session as a spectator and understands what we need to do at Kentucky to capitalize on the final two races of the season – earning good finishes and moving up in the points.”

Graham Rahal and the No. 38 Service Central Team

Follow Graham on Twitter: Follow @GrahamRahal for updates as the driver of the No. 38 Service Central Honda completes his first season with Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
Kentucky Racing: Rahal will attempt to make his fourth start on the 1.5-mile track. His best start of 10th and best finish of fifth on the Kentucky oval came in 2009.

Rahal on Kentucky: “I’m really looking forward to racing at Kentucky Speedway this weekend. The Service Central team had a very productive test there last week and we were able to make a lot of improvements. The No. 38 Service Central car is definitely getting stronger. We’re entering the final two races of 2011 with a focus on gaining points and earning podium finishes. Of course, a win is the primary goal and would make the season a success for Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing. We’ll also continue to work with our teammates Dario (Franchitti) and Scott (Dixon) to help them win this championship.”

Left Turn Only: Rahal has captured two top-five and three top-10 finishes with Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing on ovals, including his Indianapolis 500 career-best finish of third and season-best oval finish of second at Milwaukee.

Pole Position: Rahal captured his most recent pole and second of his career on a 1.5-mile oval (Kansas Speedway, 2009).

The Graham Rahal Foundation: The Graham Rahal Foundation will host the inaugural Race for Research benefiting the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Pole Position Raceway in Las Vegas, NV. Participants will compete side-by-side in an endurance kart race featuring drivers from the IZOD IndyCar Series. For additional information please visit www.grahamrahalfoundation.org.

In the Points: Rahal is ninth in the IZOD IndyCar Series points standings, 240 markers behind overall leader Will Power.

Motegi Recap: The green flag waved for the 63-lap main event at Twin Ring Motegi and Rahal kept his third-place starting position for the first stint. The strong run by Rahal came to an abrupt stop when he was innocently collected in an incident on lap 26, but would avoid losing a lap and restart 24th. The Service Central car charged through the field and gained 12 positions before bringing home a 12th-place finish.

TEAM ROSTERS

Mitch Davis – Team Manager

No. 38 (IndyCar)
Crew Chief (Air Jack): Matt Swan Race Strategist: Tim Keene
Engineer: Martin Pare Rear End (L/F): Dan Rushing
Assistant Engineer: Rob Ridgley Rear End (L/R): Pat Nelson
Tires/Transport Driver: Mike Briggs R/R: Eric Prentice
Spotter: Lee Orebaugh Front End (R/F): George Sladky
Gear Box: Mike LaFontain Front End/Fueler: Trey Harkins

About Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Chip Ganassi created his own one-car IndyCar team in 1990 and established a partnership with sponsor, Target. Today, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams includes two entries in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, four in the IZOD IndyCar Series and one Daytona Prototype in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Cars Series. Overall his teams have 13 championships and 145 victories, including three Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400 and four Rolex 24 At Daytonas. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind. and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, Penn.

For more information log onto servicecentralchipganassiracing.com

- Chip Ganassi Racing, Press Release