Graham Rahal, a 34-year-old Ohio native, has secured his second pole of the season in Saturday’s qualifying session for the Road America IndyCar race. What makes this achievement even more impressive is the fact that Rahal was the only driver in the Fast Six to remain on the harder primary, black sidewall tire compound. The rest of the group opted for the softer alternate, red-labeled rubber and trailed behind Rahal.
Rahal compared his pace at Road America to that of the Brickyard weekend on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last month. At the Brickyard, he qualified on pole, led the most laps, and finished second after Scott Dixon triumphed with an alternate strategy. Rahal believes that his race car will perform better than his qualifying car, and he is confident about his chances for success at Road America.
Rahal expressed his appreciation for running on the black tires at Road America and commended Firestone for their performance. However, he acknowledged that the red and black tires are both quite tricky to handle. The tire degradation is significant, with the peak performance of the red tires fading after just a couple of laps.
During practice, Rahal and his team made a strategic decision to conserve their tires. While most drivers used multiple sets of tires during practice, Rahal’s team used just one set per session. This approach allowed them to save a set of tires for the race, which Rahal believes will give him an advantage.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has experienced success at the Road America track in the past, with Takuma Sato winning from 20th place in 2018. In 2021, Rahal led 36 laps but was caught out by a strategy play that resulted in a 10th-place finish.
Rahal’s last IndyCar win dates back to 2017 in Detroit, where he won both races in a double-header weekend. Despite not securing a win in recent years, Rahal acknowledges that the talent level of drivers in the series has increased significantly. He believes that clean starts and straightforward strategies will be crucial for success.
In recent years, the favored strategy at Road America has involved using the alternate red tires. However, Rahal hinted that this year’s race might see a change in strategy. He believes that the cooler track temperatures could work in favor of the harder black tires. Rahal’s team deliberately conserved their set of black tires for the race, anticipating that they might give them an edge.
Rahal also pointed out that the red tires may not perform as well in hotter temperatures. They tend to wear out quickly and create further complications. With cooler temperatures expected for the race, Rahal believes that if he starts at the front of the grid, he can better manage the red tires and make them last longer.
Racing on the red tires for 35 to 36 laps, as required for a two-stop strategy, is a demanding task. Rahal has already accomplished this during practice using the black tires. He acknowledges that it will be difficult for most drivers to achieve, but he remains open to the challenge.
Graham Rahal’s tire strategy and careful tire management may play a significant role in his quest for victory at the Road America IndyCar race. By opting for the harder black tires, conserving sets of tires, and considering the impact of temperature on performance, Rahal and his team have positioned themselves for success. As he takes to the track on race day, Rahal hopes for a clean start and the opportunity to make the most of his tire choices.
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