Highlights

Bobby Rahal's son wins Atlantic Championship race

(AP)
Updated: 2006-05-22 11:48

MONTERREY, Mexico -- Graham Rahal, the 17-year-old son of former Indianapolis 500 and Indy Car champion Bobby Rahal, led from start to finish in the Atlantic Championship's Grand Prix of Monterrey on Sunday.

Graham Rahal, the 17-year-old son of former Indianapolis 500 and Indy Car champion Bobby Rahal celebrates after winning the Atlantic Championship's Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico on Sunday May 21, 2006. [AP]

Making his third start in the Champ Car developmental series, pole-sitter Rahal finished in 44 minutes, 52.255 seconds. Second-place starter Simon Pagenaud, who said a gear box problem hindered his ability to downshift late, was 3.571 seconds back and Monterrey's David Martinez started in third and finished there in 45:05.205.

A clean start helped Rahal jump to a six-length lead at Fundidora Park, a 2.1-mile (3.3-kilometer) road course of smooth but slippery asphalt. He extended his advantage throughout the 32-lap race that was crash-free.

Rahal became the youngest race winner in Atlantic's 33-year history.

"Always having the last name of Rahal brings a little more attention to you and a lot of people expect you to do better, so I guess you could call that pressure," said Rahal, whose fastest lap of 1:23.206 set an Atlantic record at Monterrey. "But when he's here, I don't feel that."

Bobby Rahal, who won Champ Car championships during the 1986 and 1987 seasons, when the series was known as PPG Indy Car, ran the pit board for his son on Sunday.

"I like it because it gives me something to do. Otherwise all I do is pace around," the elder Rahal said. "I think the last time I handled a pit board was for my father back in the 60s, so I hadn't lost my touch."

It was the first time the former Indy champion was in attendance for one of his son's major victories.

"I was nervous because the first big go-kart race he won I wasn't there. The first Mazda race he won I wasn't there. So you're sitting here going, 'God, maybe I shouldn't be here,"' Bobby Rahal said. "I think that I feel better than anybody, knowing now that I can come to these things and that doesn't mean that he won't potentially win.'

BARE BLACKTOP: Things were more lonesome on the Monterrey course this year. Only 17 Champ Car drivers competed in Champ Car's Grand Prix of Monterrey, compared to 19 last year and fields of well over 20 during previous races. In years past, Mexican drivers with little Champ Car experience have filled out fields, but this year only circuit veteran and Mexico City native Mario Dominguez competed, finishing sixth.

Also, only Champ Car and the Atlantic Championship held races, though the Atlantic field was nearly double last year's size. Mustang, Neon and truck races that have accompanied Champ Car events here previously didn't compete this year.

Some felt the lack of other circuits using the track for qualifying and races could be a disadvantage for Champ Car drivers, who counted in past years on other drivers leaving rubber residue that helped slow down the slick, curvy course. But many said the grip actually improved because vehicles from the other series weren't around.

"My impression is, it's a higher grip level than last year even with fewer cars," said Justin Wilson, who won the provisional pole on Friday.

Race winner Sebastien Bourdais agreed.

"The other series, what they were doing was they were taking rubber off the track," he said. "The only cars that put rubber on the track here are the Champ Cars. Even the Atlantics have too small a tire to put any rubber down. They just take it all away."