CGR's Rahal Sonoma race report

The Service Central Team Scores a Top-10 Finish in Wine Country

Graham Rahal, Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing

Photo by: IndyCar Series

SONOMA, Calif. (August 28, 2011) – Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing (SCCGR) driver Graham Rahal finished eighth in the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Rahal arrived in Wine Country feeling confident after testing the 2.303-mile road course a week before making his fourth career start at Infineon Raceway. The Service Central team quickly learned they would have to rely on race strategy to move the No. 38 Service Central car to the front of the field after qualifying 13th for the 75-lap race.

The green flag flew at Infineon Raceway and Rahal moved into fuel conservation mode while maintaining a competitive pace. The Service Central team hoped the No. 38 car would benefit from a two-pit stop strategy to gain positions as passing is a tough feat on the 12-turn, Sonoma road course. The plan proved to work as Rahal was turning some of the fastest laps on the track and advanced to 10th by lap 50. Ultimately, the Service Central team would leave Wine Country with an eighth-place finish and their fifth top-10 of the season.

With the finish, Rahal moves to 10th in the IZOD IndyCar Series points standings, 211 markers behind leader Dario Franchitti.

Up next for Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing is the Baltimore Grand Prix on the streets of Baltimore on Sunday, September 4, 2011 (2:00 p.m. ET, VERSUS).

SCCGR Quoteboard:

Graham Rahal: “Today was a good run for Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing. After the weekend we’ve had, pulling off a top-10 feels pretty amazing. I think the No. 38 Service Central car was definitely one of the quickest cars today. If the caution did come out at the end, I think we would’ve had a great chance to catch (Sebastian) Bourdais and (James) Hinchcliffe. Overall, it was a really good day and I’m proud of the Service Central team. It feels very good to get a top-10 and gain some points.”