By Tom Reck
Tribune-Star Correspondent
TERRE HAUTE
March 12, 2008 11:12 pm
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Teams and drivers new to the IndyCar Series are getting ready for their first race in the unification era March 29 in the Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.
Two teams making the move from the Champ Car Series are KV Racing Technology and Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.
Graham Rahal, 19, and Justin Wilson, 29, are the drivers for NHL. Will Power and Oriol Servia are the drivers for KV Racing Technology.
Most of them will be in Florida for tests at Sebring next week and all expect to be in the season opener in Miami.
“It is a huge undertaking for all the teams from [the old series] to get ready for the tests and race. It is the best for open-wheel racing,” said Jimmy Vasser, a former driver who is co-owner of KV Racing Technology, on a teleconference.
All teams in the series will be driving Honda-powered cars for the second year, meaning a major change for the regulars from the Champ Car Series in addition to driving on several ovals compared to the road-street course schedule of that series.
“I’m not sure how the car will handle. I’ll try to get comfortable in the tests. Our people are just putting the pieces together on the cars. We will be at a big disadvantage to start,” said Wilson.
Rahal is the son of Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, who is co-owner of rival team Rahal-Letterman Racing. His spot in the race lineup means there will be an Andretti (Marco), a Foyt (A.J. IV) and Rahal racing again in one series.
“I have raced against Marco in the past. It will be fun. I am just focusing on my job,” said Rahal, who was runnerup in the Champ Car Atlantic Series in 2006 and was fifth in the Champ Car points last year.
Rahal took second in his third race of the season last year, becoming the youngest (18) podium finisher in Chap Car history.
Wilson was second in CC points and he and Rahal both would have been contenders to win that series this year until unification became a reality.
“We have a long road ahead to get everything worked out for the season. We have a shot at rookie of the year,” said Wilson.
Noting that new cars should be used in the 2010 series, he said everyone will be starting out new at that time.
He said this season definitely will not be a loss. “We will gain valuable experience and hope to improve with each race,” he noted.
Rahal said he is not sure how much help he will get from his father since they are now competing.
“He was one of the best as a driver and has given me advice in the past,” he said.
Servia said he and his teammate also will be competing for rookie of the year in addition to top finishes. He said a new award might be good for the upcoming season: rookie team of the year.
He said he has raced on ovals in the past. The other CC drivers have raced on the oval at Milwaukee.
• • •
• Talent named — Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced the main talent for Carb Day.
Stone Temple Pilots will give a concert following the final practice for drivers qualified for the Indy 500 and an Indy Pro Series race on May 23.
It will be free to all persons purchasing a ticket at the gate that day.
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