Graham Rahal--2014

[NoviVespa]

He talks about the coming season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTzbR7RhSfU

==

[BizzyV]

I think this team has nowhere to go but up, and things will be improved with Pappas and other new hires on board, but I've lost faith at this point that Graham is the driver to take any team to the top of the standings. In fact, if his teammate is Servia or Daly, I think either of them will end up finishing higher than Graham in the standings.

[shakespeare]

I think this team has nowhere to go but up, and things will be improved with Pappas and other new hires on board, but I've lost faith at this point that Graham is the driver to take any team to the top of the standings. In fact, if his teammate is Servia or Daly, I think either of them will end up finishing higher than Graham in the standings.

Well . . . Servia would be a good bet. Not so confident that Daly could put together a rookie season that places him ahead of Graham, though he certainly has the potential down the line.

After a lackluster past three seasons, you are correct--Rahal can't be worse than he has shown. I'm thinking 5-6 top 5s and a top 10-11 points finish would be a fair start to the National Guard era.

[spanny]

I really hope to see he has a much better season than last. There are a lot of expectations it seems for him which he hasn't lived up to yet. I wouldn't say this is a make or break year for him, but he definitely needs a lot of improvement over last year.

[davidgarvin]

According to Bobby's conversation with Racer, prospects for a full season second car doesn't sound too promising.

[Hitokiri]

According to Bobby's conversation with Racer, prospects for a full season second car doesn't sound too promising.

It does seem like there are two things that could possibly save the second seat.

1. Blu steps up their sponsorship dollars
2. Someone comes in with a whole bunch of money

What sad about losing that second seat is that's one less seat on the Indycar grid. Hopefully someone like Conor or Bird can come and at least get a partial season deal. The article also confirms what I expected and that is the National Guard wasn't too happy when Barnes decided to fire JR mid-season. The fact that the National Guard is looking for an American driver might have played a role in Bobby getting the sponsorship as well despite it being bid upon by teams.

[davidgarvin]

It does seem like there are two things that could possibly save the second seat.

1. Blu steps up their sponsorship dollars
2. Someone comes in with a whole bunch of money

What sad about losing that second seat is that's one less seat on the Indycar grid. Hopefully someone like Conor or Bird can come and at least get a partial season deal. The article also confirms what I expected and that is the National Guard wasn't too happy when Barnes decided to fire JR mid-season. The fact that the National Guard is looking for an American driver might have played a role in Bobby getting the sponsorship as well despite it being bid upon by teams.

Never being a Rahal fan, I still don't like the prospect of losing another full time entry. I thought Bobby made a lot of sense in the approach to the 16 car. He's going to do it the right way without taking anything away from Graham's effort.

[mitchbr]

I don't think it's much different than the second KV seat. It's not as probable as once thought but it's still probable. If Servia, Daly, or whoever gets a bit of money together they'll get the seat. Just they way I'm reading it. I bet Tag gets the third seat for an Indy one or two-off

[BizzyV]

Never being a Rahal fan, I still don't like the prospect of losing another full time entry. I thought Bobby made a lot of sense in the approach to the 16 car. He's going to do it the right way without taking anything away from Graham's effort.

I agree. Thats why as a Bourdais fan I'm a bit nervous at Saavadra testing at KV. That being said it should be noted that the ride buyer Jakes ran just as well if not better in some instances than Graham over the course of last year.

[davidgarvin]

At the present time, Foyt may have as much funding for 41 car as KV or Rahal have for their second entry. All three just needing a little more to do it right.

[BretEarl]

mitchbr, it appears as if Townsend Bell might be the third driver for KV.

[goldie19]

Servia would finish 8-10 spots ahead of Rahal in the final standings IMO. It's time for Graham to put up, but we say that every year. IndyCars Little E

[Hitokiri]

Servia would finish 8-10 spots ahead of Rahal in the final standings IMO. It's time for Graham to put up, but we say that every year. IndyCars Little E

Wow really? 8-10 spots huh? Let's not forget they did race together in '09 and Graham held more then his own during that time.