Graham Rahal | Bobby Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: NTT IndyCar Series News Conference, Pre Mid-Ohio

NTT IndyCar Series News Conference - Thursday, September 10, 2020 - Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Graham Rahal | Bobby Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to our latest NTT INDYCAR Series video news conference in advance of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES two (2) race weekend in this week's Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Saturday's race will be on NBCSN at 4:30pm ET. Sunday's race will be on NBC at 1:00pm ET.

We're pleased to be joined by two favorite sons in the racing scene in Columbus, Ohio. We're joined by the co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and the 1996 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, and also Graham Rahal, driver of the No. 15 United Rentals and Fifth Third Bank Honda this weekend for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Gentlemen, thanks for joining us. Appreciate you taking the time to join us today.

GRAHAM RAHAL: Thank you.

BOBBY RAHAL: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Bob, you really can't think about going to Mid-Ohio without the Rahal name. Your expectations about having a race at Mid-Ohio, fielding a car for Graham?

BOBBY RAHAL: First, just really pleased that we're, A, going there. Two races is going to be a heck of a show for the fans that are going to be able to be there. Tough on the drivers. I don't think there's any question of that. It's going to be a great show. Really pleased to be there.

Upset, sad, like everybody, that we can't open the gates and let everyone who wants to come come. These next two races are key, four races in two weekends. A huge effect on the championship.

We've been pretty competitive on the road courses this year whether it was Elkhart or Indy GP. Hoping that holds true for this weekend as well.

Obviously the team is feeling pretty good about our year so far. Clearly finishing where we did at Indy is a big boost for everybody. As I said, Graham has had some strong races. Takuma has had strong races. I think we have to be going there feeling very positive. We just got to keep our heads down and do the job, as they say.

THE MODERATOR: Graham, how excited are you about having two races at your home track?

GRAHAM RAHAL: Yeah, I'm thrilled to go back home. It's a great place to go and race. As you mentioned before, 2015 still extremely important to me, special, a lot of special memories from that weekend.

We've been pretty strong there in recent years. I hope we can keep that going. As dad pointed out, our run on road courses has been very, very strong this year. We're excited about the opportunity ahead.

It's a big points weekend, two races. It's a physical weekend with two races. Hopefully Mother Nature will kind of stay away and be friendly with us. But we're looking forward to it.

THE MODERATOR: Graham, talk about the helmet. I know you're a proud Ohioan. Special Ohio themed helmet.

GRAHAM RAHAL: Yeah, we did a design contest earlier in the year for the first race. We ended up going with Cindy's design for Texas. The Ohio themed right away we thought it would be a great one to have when we do go to Mid-Ohio. It's being worn a little later than we anticipated. Excited nonetheless that we had it. Had it for a long time, it's been painted for a couple months. Just been hiding it all long. Excited about it.

We hope it brings us a little bit of Ohio luck. Last time wore a specialty helmet there we did pretty good. Hopefully this time around we can, as well.

THE MODERATOR: Bob, it's been almost a month since you won your second Indy 500. What has been the reaction to winning it a second time with Takuma?

BOBBY RAHAL: Well, very pleased. I'm always asked what is more satisfying, winning as a driver or owner. Tremendous satisfaction in either case, let's face it. As an owner I feel you have a much better feel for everything that goes into it. As a driver, you thank your c