Two-fer edition.
"For us it has been a bit of a drought and I've heard the comments made by some of our previous drivers about the team's desire and commitment. What it boils down to is having the right guy in the driver's seat. [Ryan] elevated the performance of the team immediately and he's just gotten better and better.” – Bobby Rahal, insinuating that former RLR drivers Buddy Rice, Vitor Meira, Danica Patrick, Jeff Simmons, Scott Sharp, and the late Paul Dana are collectively a pile of stinky poo compared to Ryan Hunter-Reay.
“This is vindication. Some guys who have driven for us in the past said this team doesn’t have the will to win. It’s all about having the right driver.” – Again it's Bobby Rahal, choosing not to take the high road after his team’s first win in four years.
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Geez. Why doesn't Rahal just come out and say: "What do you think of us now, BITCHES?" It's important to stay classy.
Considering this is the same bozo who uttered the phrase, "no harm, no foul" after one of his cars knocked out a couple others at Indy in 2005, why are you surprised by his lack of class regarding his former drivers, namely Danica and Scott Sharp, who he was talking about?
Let me also add to Mr.Rahal that one of his former drivers WON a race earlier this year.
In some sense I agree. After reading Derek Daly's book about the six characteristics it takes to be a champion, it makes me wonder if Hunter Reay is able to get more out of the car, himself and the team, compared to previous Rahal- Letterman drivers.
Hunter Reay has ran up front at most of the ICS races, and for a single car team such as Rahal/ Letterman, it is very impressive versus the powerhouses of Penske, AGR and Ganassi. Look at Texas (before his wreck), Indy, and Watkins Glen for example.
After a couple lackluster season with drivers such as Sharp, Rice, and Simmons, I think Hunter-Reay can definitely bring RHL back into contention week in and week out with the big teams.
RLR has, for years, been at the top of the second tier teams. This win comes as no suprise, but is still welcome. It would be nice if Bobby would talk more like his son--imagine being outclassed by a 19 year old.
I found his comments to be a very well-deserved shot at Scott Sharp.
The funniest part about all of this is Roembke (spelling?) on the radio when RHR was doing his under developed donuts..."We win with class Ryan, and we have to use that engine next week!"
All said, I see nothing wrong with the statement, AT ALL. It was obviously more directed at Scott Sharp, but I am fine with it directed at Patrick too.
Actually, TWO of Mr. Rahal's former drivers have won this year. Scott claimed his first ALMS victory in only his 3rd start back in April.
Now, I'm Scott's biggest fan, but I'm also a HUGE fan of Ryan & RLR. That being said, I really don't see anything wrong with Bobby's comments. Is it a little bit of a low blow, well yes, but all things considered it's not out of line. He's simply stating the facts - those comments HAVE been made and Ryan IS the right guy for that team. They just click.
However, if Scott had stuck it out with RLR this year, I certainly believe he would have won with them, too.
I would venture a guess that he was mostly speaking of Scott Sharp. Then maybe Danica & Jeff Simmons.
I think RLR really liked Buddy Rice. And I think they liked Vitor. I think they let the last two go more as a favor to them because they did like them and wanted them to be open to other opportunities.
But I mostly think it was for Scott Sharp.
Rahal was way harsh about Buddy, which was surprising considering the I500 win. However, and y'all feel free to correct me because I've only been at this open wheel thing for four years, Buddy never has lit the world on fire aside from the I500 win and *cough*blindsquirrelnut*cough*.
From his comments on the radio broadcast, though, I'm thinking Bobby was about to mention Sharp & Danica and caught himself. To not say Sharp's name flat-out was probably something to do with the court case ie a gag order.
And we all know what would have happened if he'd called out Princess. Can you say media circus?
Yeah, it wasn't the most polite thing he could have said, but he WAS just locked in a lawsuit on the eve of the season with a former driver. I can understand if he feels a bit ... vindicated.
Stay Classy, Bobby, because as we know, it's NEVER been your fault that your drivers had blown fuel calls, substandard shocks, radios that didn't work, sponsorship money funnelled to your son's career and tires inflated to the wrong pressure.
Gee...there's a surprise!...From the time I first worked at the IMS when Rahal was a rookie I learned that Rahal was pompous a**. His comments don't surprise me..he has NO class..and he is indeed a "2nd tier team." Had he fielded more substantial teams with better guidance, then perhaps he might have won...NO class!
Bobby Rahal has more class than his arrogant son.
"Bobby Rahal has more class than his arrogant son."
Hahahahahahahahahahahahha! Bobby's son is Graham Rahal, not Marco Andretti!