The Champ Car World Series resumes racing this weekend after a six week break and Graham Rahal is on top form for the event. Graduating from high school last week, the 18-year-old turns his focus to the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team and being reunited with his #2 Medi I Zone champ car at Portland International Raceway in Oregon for the fourth round of the championship, being held from 8 -10 June.
Rahal tested at Portland at the beginning of last month and was second quickest on each of the two days of running, shadowing his team mate, Sebastian Bourdais. For the race weekend the Ohio racer is aiming to be the one that is setting the pace and says, “We definitely have a great shot at winning in Portland. There was nothing between Seb and I in testing, so there’s every chance that I can be the one to beat. ”
In addition to testing at Portland at the beginning of May, Rahal was also preparing for this next run of races taking part in a test at Circuit Mont Tremblant, a new venue for the Champ Car World Series this year. Finishing fifth quickest, Rahal enjoyed his first visit to the Canadian circuit and is now looking forward to returning to competitive racing: “We’ve had a few weeks away from competition now, but that’s not a problem for me. It’s a bit like starting the race season again, and this second run of races takes us through the bulk of the calendar. Nine races in thirteen weeks is a heavy schedule but I’m happiest when I’m racing so it suits me. ”
The Portland track is one of Rahal’s favourites, as the venue for his first win, and he reflects, “I had my first professional win here in 2005, driving in the Star Mazda Series, so it’ll always be special for me. I had hoped to win here last year as well when I set pole in Atlantics, but I got taken out on the first lap so wasn’t able to make that happen. This year, it’s another championship and another shot at the win. The next win for Newman/Haas/Laningan Racing will be the team’s 100th, so it would be pretty cool if I can be the one that delivers a place in the history books for them. It would also make me the youngest winner in Champ Cars, so that would be another bonus. ”
Rahal graduated to the Champ Car World Series from the feeder Atlantics championship which supports it at many of the events. Finishing runner-up in this with five wins and four poles, the young driver has continued to impress, taking a second place finish, at Houston, in only his third race, which has already put him into the record books, as the youngest podium finisher in Champ Car history.
The Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland is the first road race of the season and with its long, 1.964 mile permanent course always produces exciting racing. The Oregon weather often plays a role in the race weekend with changeable conditions bringing an extra dimension to race strategy. The Portland event kicks off on Friday with practice and provisional qualifying, continues on Saturday with final practice and qualifying, and concludes with the two hour race on Sunday afternoon, starting at 1pm local time. Keaton Feller is set to return to ASALMS competition as the I-70 Speedway sits waiting for him.
Altus, Oklahoma
After taking some time off to gain valuable seat time in other forms of auto racing, Altus, Oklahoma teenager, 16-year-old Keaton Feller is ready to return to ASALMS action and will return in a big way.
The Sooner State teenager is set to take on one of the most famous and storied high-banked facilities in the country that is notoriously known for it’s wicked fast high banks and breath taking speeds.
Feller and his Feller Motorsports Team will make their first appearance in the ASALMS Northern Division this Saturday June 9, 2007 at the famed 0.543 Mile High-Banked Paved Oval of the I-70 (MO) Speedway, located East of Kansas City in Odessa, Missouri for the running of the Missouri 100. The second race of the 2007 season in the ASALMS Northern Division.
“I am looking forward to racing at I-70 and getting back on track with the ASALMS. We have been busy racing our United States Super Truck and running in the United States Late Model Association (USLMA) plus testing the ASALMS car. ” Stated Feller. “Racing the ASA Late Model Series is what I really like and I can’t wait to get to the track. I think we have a good setup for the race and looking forward to this weekend. ” The Altus, Oklahoma teenager added.
Feller has one ASALMS start to his credit in the 2007 ASALMS Southern Division Season Opener at the Bronson (FL) Motor Speedway in Bronson, Florida back on St. Patrick’s Day March 17, 2007 where he finished in 19th place. The Sooner State teenager also competed in four of the six races held for ASALMS Type Crate Late Models during the 41st annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the New Smyrna (FL) Speedway in Samsula, Florida in February of this year.
| 
|