Rahal to NASCAR?

[Scotty G.]

From RMiller's latest article...



Graham Rahal wants to make his mark and living driving Indy Cars. He doesn’t want to drive stock cars or take a meeting with a NASCAR team in the first week of March, but he’s running out of options


Looks like we have about 2 weeks, until Graham potentially heads to NASCAR, to join all the rest of the American talent.

Because if Graham is available and he is tired of beating his head against a wall trying to make a career in Indy Cars, a NASCAR team owner will scoop him up. That's what owners in THAT sport do....they find young talent, hire it and cultivate it.

All of this talk about 2012 and the chassis and engines is great....if they even get to 2012. ;)

[NickFalzone]

Scotty, you're a troll. Go back under your bridge and sulk.

[Chamoo]

Scotty, you're a troll. Go back under your bridge and sulk.

Everytime you feed a troll, a kitten dies!

[TURN3]

Guys, despite Scotty's obvious issues, the point here is Graham still doesn't have a ride and Robin Miller's report does indicate there might have been some NASCAR interest. We can't have this, we can't, this is ridiculous. Indycar needs to step up to the plate regardless of the policy on not funding drivers. If they don't, I hope they don't make it to 2012. Same goes for the 2nd most popular driver in the series (PT). There are plenty of guys deserving of a ride but PT not having been in a full-time gig has done nothing to help Indycar and if they lose Graham then it is game set match.

[NickFalzone]

T3, until a "meeting" with NASCAR happens, this is highly speculative rumor mongering. If he's out of the IndyCar series, just like ANY other driver, they will look at other series to race in. For all intents and purposes, that quote should have included ALMS and GA, because they are just as likely if an IRL deal doesn't come through. Of course when Rahal gets a program with TCG or RLR for the season, we won't hear a pip out of Scotty.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

IndyCar already has two confirmed full-time American drivers so Graham can go wherever he wants to. The people have spoken, they want to see the best drivers compete regardless of nationality.

[NickFalzone]

IndyCar already has two confirmed full-time American drivers so Graham can go wherever he wants to. The people have spoken, they want to see the best drivers compete regardless of nationality.

Huh? IndyCar has confirmed that they don't care/don't get involved in driver's deals. Money talks, talent walks.

[TURN3]

T3, until a "meeting" with NASCAR happens, this is highly speculative rumor mongering. If he's out of the IndyCar series, just like ANY other driver, they will look at other series to race in. For all intents and purposes, that quote should have included ALMS and GA, because they are just as likely if an IRL deal doesn't come through. Of course when Rahal gets a program with TCG or RLR for the season, we won't hear a pip out of Scotty.

Absolutely, I agree 100%. I wasn't defending him in any way, just pointing out that Robin Miller's report brought it up (and must be for some reason), and also the fact he still is unsigned. I'm with you on everything you said.

[Scotty G.]

IndyCar already has two confirmed full-time American drivers so Graham can go wherever he wants to. The people have spoken, they want to see the best drivers compete regardless of nationality.


Damn straight.

Most people know, that James Rossiter, EJ Viso, Mario Moraes, Milka Duno, Mike Conway and Hideki Mutoh are "the best". :rolleyes:

That's why they were all laughed out of F1's junior series and had to come to America to find a job.

And yes, the "people" are speaking....they aren't watching.

[Scotty G.]

1. T3, until a "meeting" with NASCAR happens, this is highly speculative rumor mongering.

2. Of course when Rahal gets a program with TCG or RLR for the season, we won't hear a pip out of Scotty.



1. If Miller put that little tidbit in there about a March NASCAR meeting, believe me, its TRUE. That was a little "warning shot" fired from both Rahal and Miller, aimed at the "braintrust" in this sport. Graham doesn't want to go (although I am not sure why he wouldn't want to at this point) but his hand might be forced very soon.

And don't you know, NASCAR would like to put the final nail in Indy Car's coffin, by scooping up yet another famous AOW "name" driver. This one, unlike Mears and Patrick, can actually race too. ;) (although with as lame as DP has looked so far, Graham better get a deal signed down south ASAP, before DP ruins things for every other AOW/road racing trained driver). :p


2. I am shocked that something hasn't happened yet, in that regard. If TG was still running things, he likely would have "found" a team. I still think, somehow, someway, Graham will be in a car at some point in 2010. He almost has to. If he isn't, then the fat lady is probably warming up. ;)

2 full-time American drivers, with one week to go until the first test, is embarrassing and downright pathetic. :(

[Jag_Warrior]

http://www.linshingthailand.com/images/1209372251/gal_Glasgow_big_snore.jpg

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Huh? IndyCar has confirmed that they don't care/don't get involved in driver's deals. Money talks, talent walks.

It doesn't seem to be the case, according to RM's article: "Terry Angstadt, whose last-minute save kept Ryan Hunter-Reay in a car last season and IZOD appeased, has been trying to get Graham a backer for months"



Damn straight.

Most people know, that James Rossiter, EJ Viso, Mario Moraes, Milka Duno, Mike Conway and Hideki Mutoh are "the best". :rolleyes:

That's why they were all laughed out of F1's junior series and had to come to America to find a job.

And yes, the "people" are speaking....they aren't watching.

It was a sarcastic remark.

[EagleEye]

1. If Miller put that little tidbit in there about a March NASCAR meeting, believe me, its TRUE. That was a little "warning shot" fired from both Rahal and Miller, aimed at the "braintrust" in this sport. Graham doesn't want to go (although I am not sure why he wouldn't want to at this point) but his hand might be forced very soon.

And don't you know, NASCAR would like to put the final nail in Indy Car's coffin, by scooping up yet another famous AOW "name" driver. This one, unlike Mears and Patrick, can actually race too. ;) (although with as lame as DP has looked so far, Graham better get a deal signed down south ASAP, before DP ruins things for every other AOW/road racing trained driver). :p


2. I am shocked that something hasn't happened yet, in that regard. If TG was still running things, he likely would have "found" a team. I still think, somehow, someway, Graham will be in a car at some point in 2010. He almost has to. If he isn't, then the fat lady is probably warming up. ;)

2 full-time American drivers, with one week to go until the first test, is embarrassing and downright pathetic. :(

Don't bash a guy for being honest, especially since we have moved past personal attacks.

While point 2 is true ony after TG ffinds a seat for ED, which is one of the reasons he was pushed out. (Putting ED, and not RHR full-time in the seat).

Things are bad, ok. Almost any driver annoucement about a team "signing" a driver is a fraud. The only signing going on is certain drivers signing a check, and handing it over to the car owner. The list of ride buyers grows.

This is more than embarrassing; it is down right sad.

[SarahFan]

Things are bad, ok. Almost any driver annoucement about a team "signing" a driver is a fraud. The only signing going on is certain drivers signing a check, and handing it over to the car owner. The list of ride buyers grows.

This is more than embarrassing; it is down right sad.



sad......and SCARY if your a AOWRfan

[drewdawg727]

IndyCar already has two confirmed full-time American drivers so Graham can go wherever he wants to. The people have spoken, they want to see the best drivers compete regardless of nationality.


Are you serious right now? An AMERICAN sport is gonna sit back and watch an AMERICAN walk to a different series? I don't care which way you spin it, that is a horrible conclusion to stand around and watch happen.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Are you serious right now? An AMERICAN sport is gonna sit back and watch an AMERICAN walk to a different series? I don't care which way you spin it, that is a horrible conclusion to stand around and watch happen.

It was a sarcastic remark.

[Scotty G.]

1. While point 2 is true ony after TG ffinds a seat for ED, which is one of the reasons he was pushed out. (Putting ED, and not RHR full-time in the seat).

2. This is more than embarrassing; it is down right sad.


1. I really don't blame TG for running Ed. No different then Andretti running Marco or Guthrie running his son in Lights or Foyt running his grandson. The team was setup for Ed. TG and his wife were the car owners.

Not saying that RHR isn't a better driver then Ed. Although, I think Ed became a very solid oval driver, who was clean and relatively fast most places, in the past few years.


2. Yes, this we can agree on. This sport now reminds me too much of the last few years of Champ Car. Its a sad state of affairs on so many levels.

[EagleEye]

1. I really don't blame TG for running Ed. No different then Andretti running Marco or Guthrie running his son in Lights or Foyt running his grandson. The team was setup for Ed. TG and his wife were the car owners.



2. Yes, this we can agree on. This sport now reminds me too much of the last few years of Champ Car. Its a sad state of affairs on so many levels.


Agree on point two, all the way. Disagree on the 1st.

Andretti and Guthrie were not in charge of the IRL, like TG was. TG was asked and begged by the board to run RHR, due to the ongoing discussions with Izod. He said no, for personal reasons and picked himself over the series. That is a big reason why he is gone. Series first, team second at least in my opinion.

Had he not been in charge of the IRL (like now) he could choose what he feels is best for his team.n As series owner, he had to choose what was the best for the series, and he failed.

I also have no issues with Ed, who is a great guy and showed well last year. I do have issues with someone who always put himself, and not the series or OWR first.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Face the reality Scott. The guy who you think would have remedied this if still in charge is the guy who created in part the situation that has led us to this state.

Frankly, Rahal should be in the IRL. IT is a real shame they haven't found a way, but something must be noted. Where is all this money coming from for these loser euro trash drivers who keep stealing American rides? It ever occur to anyone that the real tragedy is American business not taking a flyer on a good young American talent in the IRL? Surely someone out there would rather pay money to put Rahal in a Indycar over Viso or Mutoh?

At some point, quit blaming the team owners Scott. They could hire guys like Rahal and go broke 3 races in, or put a slightly less competantent driver in the seat, and have the funding to survive. At some point, shooting the car owners for a crappy business model is just ignoring the real issue.

Rahal I hope stays in the IRL, but the economics of a crappy economy, European support for their drivers, and the lousy business model of the IRL have come home to roost.

[Mark in Oshawa]

Oh ya...as for TG. He created his own race team for his boy Ed to get a ride. Last time I looked, if you were listing top talents of American born drivers, Ed Carpenter isn't one of them. THAT judgement call right there shows you why TG was a unmitigated disaster.

[jackmart]

it will be such a shame and sad to go to races if Graham is not there. gotta pull for my fellow ohioan. heres what seems odd to me, that the national guard is it? or the us army is sponsoring a non-us driver. does that confuse anyone else?

[Mark in Oshawa]

it will be such a shame and sad to go to races if Graham is not there. gotta pull for my fellow ohioan. heres what seems odd to me, that the national guard is it? or the us army is sponsoring a non-us driver. does that confuse anyone else?

When I saw the National Guard colors on the Dan Wheldon driven Dallara last year at Indy, I really did think there was something sort of wrong with the axis of the planet. Then again, National Guard wanted their name up front, and Dan had it in the top 10 for a while if I remember correctly.

[Hiryu]

Just another sign of a lousy series on the verge of being flushed.

Though since Rahal is a big guy (6'-2"?) maybe he should be driving tintops.

[nigelred5]

Rahal Sr. isn't even in the series. Both belong there, with the Andretti's and Unsers and Mears families, which very likely means we won't see the Rahal name in Indycars this year.I'm suprised we don't hear anything about him driving for his dad in ALMS, but Bobby needs drivers with cash in his pocket. I agree Graham's size would be better suited to Stockcars or Sportscars, but that's not where he grew up.

[anthonyvop]

Graham tweeted this last night.


I just want to reiterate that IndyCar is where I currently want to be, and I am focusing all my effort on that, there is opportunities.

Read into it what you will.

[Jag_Warrior]

heres what seems odd to me, that the national guard is it? or the us army is sponsoring a non-us driver. does that confuse anyone else?

I've yet to figure that one out either.

[djparky]

I hope he stays in Indy Car- it was great seeing a Rahal racing Indy Cars again- but such is the state of the series that if he wants to earn a living from this then he'd be better off talking to NASCAR

the American drivers are who this year- Patrick, Andretti and RHR??

[nigelred5]

it will be such a shame and sad to go to races if Graham is not there. gotta pull for my fellow ohioan. heres what seems odd to me, that the national guard is it? or the us army is sponsoring a non-us driver. does that confuse anyone else?

Well, if that confuses people, my trip to the commissary on post this afternoon for some grocery shopping would REALLY confuse people. I heard Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, German, even a little English, and that was from soldiers, not their wives.

The NG sponsors the team, not the driver. Have they ever sponsored an american driver in indycar?

[Mark in Oshawa]

Well, if that confuses people, my trip to the commissary on post this afternoon for some grocery shopping would REALLY confuse people. I heard Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, German, even a little English, and that was from soldiers, not their wives.

The NG sponsors the team, not the driver. Have they ever sponsored an american driver in indycar?

They sponsor Dale Jr. for half a season in NASCAR. Cant get much more red white and blue apple pie American than Dale Earnhardt Jr.

[SarahFan]

Grahams cousin was on the radio yesterday and stated loosley...


'US ow racing is on its death bed, and nascar IS very aware of it.....and with his cousin a good looking marketable rising star without a ride......that nascar is meeting with him (graham) this week.....and relizes the opportunity to add him to there series'



*http://www.rahalgroup.com/htm/managmnt.htm

[AussieV8]

IndyCar already has two confirmed full-time American drivers so Graham can go wherever he wants to. The people have spoken, they want to see the best drivers compete regardless of nationality.

Only the $$$ of pay drivers has spoken. Most of the drivers are only there due to the money they can bring to the team. I'm sure NHL would take graham rahal over hideki mutoh if money wasn't a problem.

[garyshell]

Graham tweeted the folowing tonight:


GrahamRahal: I just want everyone to know Randy Bernard is great! He has helped more in the past 12 hours than anyone ever before I think!

So now the question, what is Randy Bernard doing???

Gary

[Alfa Fan]

As he's the CEO of IRL one can only speculate he may have "found" Graham a ride?

[garyshell]

New Graham tweet:

GrahamRahal: Goin to the airport. @ktmosborne n I r goin to Tampa to have a photo shoot w/ Izods photog Troy Plota, check him out, he's awesome!

Now why would he be doing an Izod shoot, if he is on the sidelines this season???

Gary

[Mark in Oshawa]

Grahams cousin was on the radio yesterday and stated loosley...


'US ow racing is on its death bed, and nascar IS very aware of it.....and with his cousin a good looking marketable rising star without a ride......that nascar is meeting with him (graham) this week.....and relizes the opportunity to add him to there series'



*http://www.rahalgroup.com/htm/managmnt.htm

Ken, his cousin isn't Graham. I do agree it is likely NASCAR would want him, and I do think he could consider it, but Graham is an open wheeled guy with a father who was one of the best. He has a place, he just needs the music to stop when a good ride opens up.