Graham Rahal, No. 02 McDonald’s Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “We’re not quite there which is disappointing and frustrating because we should be. Somehow we had the wrong third gear which hurt our performance, particularly under braking so we lost a couple tenths (of a second) just in that. The McDonald’s team will be okay but we’ve got some work to do. The thing that worries me is that the car feels very numb to any of the changes we made.”
FAST FACTS: Will be his THIRD race here…Started from pole in the 2006 Atlantic race but was hit by Raphael Matos on the first lap. Repaired the damaged suspension and returned to the track a few laps down but later retired in 15th place. Set the fastest race lap. In the 2007 Champ Car race as a rookie for NHLR, he started 15th but an evasive move to avoid a pile up on Lap 1 led to him hitting the wall and a subsequent stop for a new front wing. Had to pit again for another front wing later in the race after running as high as second. Retired in 11th place after he made contact for the third time due to a broken steering rack...Highest start this season is two poles (St. Pete/street & Kansas/oval) and highest finish is third place at Richmond…Is ranked ninth in series points with 197, only 41 points out of fifth place.
Robert Doornbos, No. 06 Dallara/Honda/Firestone: “It was a good day, our best day so far. We ran a good free practice. It is good to be back here in Toronto. It’s a great city and a great track. It’s a bit bumpy so you have to get used to that in the first couple of laps but after a while you get into a rhythm. We made some good changes during the second practice. Even on old tires we were competitive so I look forward to a good day tomorrow.”
FAST FACTS: Will be his SECOND race here and only second track so far this season that he has raced on previously. Started 12th and finished sixth for Minardi Team USA in 2007 despite contact with Bourdais. He took over the points lead from Bourdais after the event by two over Will Power and three over eventual champion Bourdais…Highest start this season is second at his oval debut in Kansas and highest finish is 9th in Long Beach, Richmond and Watkins Glen… Is ranked 12th with 163 points and leads the Rookie of the Year standings (163-162) over Matos.
SEVEN WINS, FIVE POLES, 16 PODIUMS IN TORONTO FOR TEAM: NHR/NHLR has won SEVEN races at this track (Bourdais 2004; da Matta 2002; Michael Andretti 2000, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1989) and FIVE poles (Bourdais 2004, 2005, 2007; da Matta 2002; Mi. Andretti 1991). They have earned a total of 16 podium finishes (2nd – Servia 2005, Mi. Andretti 1998, Ma. Andretti 1991, Mi. Andretti 1990; 3rd – Bourdais 2006, Junqueira 2003, Fittipaldi 2002 & 1999, Ma. Andretti 1986).
