Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bombardier Learjet 550k– Texas Motor Speedway
Round 6 in the IndyCar Series

McDONALD’S DRIVER RAHAL SEVENTH FASTEST IN PRACTICE FOR THE BOMBARDIER LEARJET 550k AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY; DOORNBOS 13TH

1) Dan Wheldon 215.786 mph
7) Graham Rahal 214.224 mph
13) Robert Doornbos 212.958 mph




Graham Rahal, No. 02 McDonald’s Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “I think that overall the McDonald’s car is quite good, pretty competitive. Right away we showed we had the speed. On the first outing the car felt really good and we got up to speed quickly and that is always a good omen. Of course there is still some speed to be found but overall the car feels good, it feels competitive. It will be interested to see who is where in qualifying because everybody is so close in race trim that it’s going to be tough to really know who is quick or not. Quite frankly it’s going to take looking at some data and the lap chart plot to see where we really stack up but the car is close.”

FAST FACTS: Will be his second race here…Started 18th and finished 11th here last year. Also tested here on October 26, 2008 and the team was able to measure gains made on ovals between racing here in June ’08 and the Oct. test…Is the only multiple pole winner this season after earning the top spot in St. Pete and becoming the youngest pole winner in series history. Also became the youngest pole winner on an OVAL in Kansas in April…Is ranked 8th in series points with 114.




Robert Doornbos, No. 06 Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “Obviously this is a very challenging place and very impressive with the banking. We are doing our homework well during the session and not driving silly times with a tow. You have to qualify on your own tomorrow so hopefully this will pay off. I feel comfortable in the car and I’m happy with the 06 crew, they are working very hard and I think its time for us to have a nice result. We have earned it. Driving here at night is very different. The sparks are going to be great for the fans to look at, especially in the beginning of the race. For the driver, it takes a bit to get used to. You have a whole different bio rhythm during the day. You try to eat a bit later, sleep a bit longer – which isn’t a bad thing. Visor choice is very important which I found out tonight. We will be in good shape Saturday evening.”

FAST FACTS: Will be his first race here and only FOURTH oval race ever…He tested here on April 8, ’09 and the team continued to measure the progress they have made on ovals between the June ’08 race, Oct. ’08 test and April ’09 test by Doornbos…Out-qualified ICS veterans in his oval debut the weekend following the TMS test at Kansas Speedway when he started second to teammate Rahal…Is ranked 15th with 85 points and is second to R. Matos in the Rookie of the Year standings.




NHLR IN TEXAS: Will be the SECOND race here for the team…Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson competed for the team here last year and also tested on Oct. 26, 2008 at TMS. Rahal started 18th and finished 11th in the race. Wilson qualified 23rd, ran as high as 13th but finished 27th after he brushed the T2 wall and retired with suspension failure after 39/228 laps. New driver Robert Doornbos also tested here on April 8, 2009.