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©1998 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Big Bang Team Rahal owner/driver Bobby Rahal had it going in last year's U.S. 500.He had led 50 of the first 250 miles and was well on his way to a front-linefinish when traffic intervened and ended his day with a bang. "It's toughto be racing so hard and come up on guys who are just out there drivingaround. I was passing (Dennis Vitolo) high and he moved just enough - thatwas all she wrote. I knew it was going to be big. I hit a ton. It's areal testament to these cars that I was able to get out, walk away and beplaying golf the next day. The car was definitely strong - strong enough towin. It was a lot of fun while it lasted." He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not Bobby Rahal characterizes his 17-year relationship with Michigan Speedway as"love/hate." "It's one of those places I always thank God when I walk outof," smiled the three-time series champ. "The place is a speedrome if everthere was one. It's one of those places you don't really look forward togoing because it's so fast and the risk factor is so high. And yet when youget there and get going, the next thing you know you're caught up in it andyou want to be the fastest." Sub-500 Though he has never won a 500-mile race at Michigan Speedway, Bobby Rahalhas tamed the track often at shorter distances. He won the 150-mile eventhere during his rookie season of 1982; a 200-miler from the pole in 1983;and a 250-mile race in his first CART series championship season - 1986.His best 500-mile result at Michigan was 2nd, which he managed first in 1988and duplicated in 1990. Sunday will mark Rahal's 23rd and finalChampionship Car appearance at the track. Wing Ding Team Rahal driver Bryan Herta will be among the handful of CART competitorsto have run the new Handford wing prior to arriving at Michigan Speedwaythis week for the U.S. 500. Herta tested the new drag-inducing speedwayairfoil at the California Speedway in June. "The new wing was veryeffective in slowing the car down. We were about 11 miles per hour sloweron average with the Handford wing than with the standard speedway package.I was able to run nearly flat on both ends of the track, but not entirely.I ran some laps in traffic with Al (Unser Jr.) and each of us taking turnsleading and following. The car remained pretty stable in traffic, but itwas sliding a fair amount in the corners. I expect it will tougher to passnow than it's typically been on these tracks." Pizza Guy Among the dozens of drivers who have contacted the retiring Bobby Rahalrecently about his soon-to-be-vacant seat have been seasoned professionalsfrom nearly every racing discipline. The most interesting inquiry, though,came last week via e-mail to the Team Rahal web site. James Butcher, a23-year-old Pizza Hut delivery driver from El Centro, California, thinkshe's the right man for the job and has tossed his paper hat into the ring."Nobody's heard of me, seen me race or knows my driving ability," he wrote."Consider the element of surprise!" "Who knows," Rahal said. "I've seensome surveillance video on this kid. He may have what it takes!" Source: Team Rahal | ||
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