Dreyer & Reinbold Racing sign Graham Rahal for Iowa race
Indianapolis, IN (June 10, 2010) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced today that American driver, Graham Rahal, will replace the injured Mike Conway next weekend. He will drive the team’s No. 24 Dad’s Root Beer custom designed HOT WHEELS® entry for the Iowa Corn 250 at Iowa Speedway.
During the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing pilot, Mike Conway, was involved in a horrific crash. With one lap to go, the Brit collided with Ryan Hunter-Reay, who had slowed to conserve fuel in order to finish the race. Unfortunately, due to the varying speeds between the two cars, Conway’s machine launched into the catch-fence and disintegrated as it ran along the track. As a result, Mike was transported via helicopter to Methodist hospital where he was released last Friday. He had surgery that night to repair fractures to his lower left leg. Additionally, Conway has a compression fracture of one of his thoracic vertebrae and was fitted for a back brace, which he will wear for three months and will prevent him from racing. He is in excellent spirits and is on track to a speedy recovery.
While Conway is out of the seat, Rahal will step in to replace him next weekend. The American was the sensible choice for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing as he had a great showing at this year’s Indianapolis 500 and has experience at Iowa Speedway. Also, he was the perfect fit to drive the team’s Dad’s Root Beer custom designed HOT WHEELS® car, which will be driven during the Iowa Corn 250 on Father’s Day.
Together, Hot Wheels®, Dad’s Root Beer and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing wanted to create something special for fans for Father’s Day race weekend. Originally conceived as a 1:64 scale model in the Hot Wheels® 2010 IZOD IndyCar® Series product line, the Hot Wheels® designers brought Dad’s Root Beer IRL racecar to life. A true “Hot Wheels®” racecar, the vehicle features an entirely new custom paint scheme themed around Dad’s Root Beer and the iconic Hot Wheels® flames. In addition to viewing the life-size racecar on track, fans will be able to purchase a 1:64 scale version of this exclusive car trackside at upcoming IZOD IndyCar® series races.
This will mark Rahal’s first time to drive for the team and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing couldn’t be more excited to have him on board. “We are thrilled to have Graham drive for us this weekend. We obviously wish that Mike could be with us, but we just want him to have a quick recovery. Iowa will be big weekend for DRR as we unveil the Dad’s Root Beer one-off paint scheme designed by HOT WHEELS® on Father’s Day. Graham was a perfect fit and we couldn’t be happier to have him behind the wheel,” commented Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner, Robbie Buhl.
The 21 year-old Columbus, Ohio native joined the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2008 running for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. He won in his series debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, becoming the youngest winner in series history. In 2009, Rahal finished seventh in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. He recorded five top-five and nine top-10 finishes, with a best of third (Richmond, Twin Ring Motegi). He also became the youngest pole winner in IZOD IndyCar Series history at St. Petersburg and he also won pole at Kansas. Rahal posted his first consecutive top-five finishes at Chicagoland and Twin Ring Motegi.
He worked his way up the racing ladder by becoming the youngest SCCA National Champion in history, the youngest race winner in the history of the Star Mazda Championship, the youngest driver to win a Formula Atlantic race, the youngest driver to finish on the podium in Champ Car history, the youngest pole position winner in IZOD IndyCar history, and the youngest race winner in major league open-wheel racing history. Rahal has also competed in the A1GP Series and contested sportscar endurance races including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona. He is the son of three-time IZOD IndyCar champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, Bobby Rahal, who also won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 as a team owner.
“Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has clearly done an impressive job this season and I really have to thank Robbie, Dennis, the team, and Dad’s Root Beer for this opportunity to compete in Iowa. I also want to wish Mike Conway a quick recovery and hopefully we can bring home a good result for him. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Dad’s Root Beer custom designed HOT WHEELS® No. 24 car and hopefully contribute more success to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing,” said Rahal.
Decisions have not been made on a driver for the remainder of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Season. Stay tuned for more details and please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com for more information.
