INDYCAR: Rahal prepared to mentor Pigot

Graham Rahal will have reigning Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot as a teammate for three races this year and says he's ready to bring the 22-year-old up to speed in IndyCar.

"Spencer is a pretty quiet kid – so he doesn't say much," Rahal said between test sessions at Phoenix on Saturday. "He hasn't been around a ton I would say. He's on the radio here just kind of listening in and trying to do everything we can to get him up to speed.

"We're going to be running him in I think three races this year, and it's key that when Spencer steps in – like Oriol Servia did for us before – when you get a guy that steps into that second car for whatever amount of races they're doing, they have to help add to the program. They can't be any sort of distraction."

Pigot (RIGHT) will get his first taste of a Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara DW12-Honda next week, which follows the half-day he spent testing a Team Penske Chevy last August.

"So it's kind of my job, as well, to help Spencer get up to speed a little bit before we go testing," Rahal added. "He's going to test early this next week in Sebring and he'll get a couple days there, so I would expect he's right on par come St. Pete."

Known as one of the more focused young drivers, Rahal says working with an introvert like Pigot won't be an issue.

"He's a good kid, and I think he's very down to earth. Obviously very competitive, very successful kid, but a little different than some of the other personalities around," he remarked. "Definitely very well-grounded, and we're looking forward to having him out here."