Rahal's run of third-place finishes continues with Detroit podium

Eight races into the IndyCar season, Graham Rahal has three podiums to his credit, all third-place finishes, and his strongest performances to start the championship in many years.

His No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda was quick throughout the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix weekend, and despite being hit and spun under braking by Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyffin Simpson — who was coming from a long way back — that sent him to the rear of the field, Rahal was able to recover and shine for RLL.

“We're getting there. We're getting there,” Rahal surmised. “I tried some stuff today. I ran some things on the car that were development sets of dampers. I was different than the other boys on purpose to kind of take one for the team, good or bad, to see what the tire degradation on my car would be like compared to theirs, try to improve our street course package.”

Rahal’s drive was complemented by second-year teammate Louis Foster, who drove the No. 45 RLL Honda with determination and was rewarded with seventh place at the checkered flag. Rookie teammate Mick Schumacher was also going well until a mistake ruined his day in the No. 47 Honda.

"It's great to see both cars run up front, and it's a real bummer for Mick because honestly, he was in the catbird seat to have a great result today,” Rahal added. “I don't know if he got in a little too deep into 3 or 4 and hit the fence, but I feel for him because he needs all the laps he can get, and I was bummed for him for sure.”

Thanks to the three thirds in the last five races, Rahal holds ninth in the standings heading into next weekend’s short oval race at World Wide Technology Raceway in greater St. Louis. He’s just seven points shy of holding seventh in the championship, but has the Team Penske duo of Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin — two of the series’ best on tracks like WWTR — to overtake.

And Foster, with a pair of sevenths in the last three events, is tied for 18th with Andretti Global’s Will Power. Schumacher, who ended the day in 21st, is 25th and last in the championship.

For now, and in the city where his last win was earned, Rahal is feeling the love that Detroit has to offer.

“As an American, as a car guy, there's no greater city for car culture and for everything that's been done for the automotive industry than Detroit,” he said. “So it is a proud moment for me to have success here, and hopefully next year we can come back and keep this rolling. That's the objective.”