Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix – Phoenix International Raceway 

Verizon IndyCar Series

QUALIFYING NOTES/QUOTES – Friday, April 1, 2016 

RAHAL TO START 19TH IN THE DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX

POLE:             Helio Castroneves      2-lap avg. speed of 192.324 mph       (L1: 19.0997, L2: 19.1607)

19th:                Graham Rahal                        2-lap avg. speed of 179.770 mph       (L1: 20.3621, L2: 20.5702)

GRAHAM RAHAL, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone:  “It’s a shock for us because we were really good here at the test and came back and I have been turning right more than I have been turning left all day.  At the test, we were the fastest Honda in the no tows so we hoped to be much better than we are. The car has been incredibly loose and on a weekend like this, with such short track time, it’s going to be really hard for us to get a handle on it.  I have had several huge, huge moments including the one in Turn 1 on my first qualifying lap. We have a lot of work ahead of us.  I have a great pit crew so hopefully they can help me get a few spots on each stop.  It’s just frustrating to come back here after a good test with no real changes and be in this position.”

• FAST FACTS: Will make his first start at this track… Has three IndyCar Series wins (2008 – St. Pete street course; 2015 – Fontana Super Speedway, Mid-Ohio road course) and two poles (2009 – St. Pete street course, Kansas oval) and his highest series season-ending standing is fourth place in 2015.

NEXT UP:  There will be a 30-minute final practice session from 6:15-6:45 p.m. MST tonight and the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix will take the Green Flag at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.  Live coverage will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.