Rahal to replace Wilson at DRR for Indianapolis 500

Graham Rahal treasures the year he spent as a teammate of the late Justin Wilson in 2008, when the teenager learned important things about the life and racing of the gracious Brit. Fifteen years later, he gets another chance to partner with the Wilson family, this time with Justin’s younger brother Stefan, who won’t be able to compete in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 due to injury.

In one of the most remarkable stories imaginable at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Stefan Wilson, his sponsor and team owner Don Cusick, and the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team fielding Wilson’s #24 Chevy have asked Rahal to Be their driver in the 107th Indy race. 500.

“We are very sad that Stefan was injured on Monday and is now unable to race this Sunday in the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports/CareKeepers Chevrolet,” said Dennis Reinbold, DRR team owner.

“Stefan put so much effort into this race that it is heartbreaking that this has happened. However, we are announcing that Graham Rahal will now drive the No. 24 car this Sunday. We have known Graham for over a decade when he was driving our car in 2010 at Iowa Speedway. He had a tough weekend here, but we think Graham can perform very well this Sunday.”

The call was made Monday, the day after Rahal was thrown from the field in his own No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, and Rahal accepted, completing an emotional journey of his own. The opportunity comes after Wilson received word that he had broken his back and would be unable to race after being hit from behind and thrown into the Turn 1 wall at over 200 mph during practice.

“First of all, the only thing that matters is that Stefan is doing well considering the circumstances,” Cusick said. “We are completely heartbroken for Stefan and now we will miss his favorite race, the legendary Indy 500. We would not be here without him and are committed to supporting him every step toward recovery and beyond.

“Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and our partners have been nothing but supportive and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m happy we can fill the No. 24 DRR/Cusick Motorsports/CareKeepers Chevy’s seat with a quality replacement in Graham Rahal. Graham knows the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway very well and we wish him the best this Sunday in the ‘Great Spectacle of Racing’.

Wilson qualified in 25th place on Sunday, and with the Cusick/DRR team preparing a new No. 24 entry for Rahal after the main chassis was destroyed, he’ll get his first chance to drive it during Friday’s final two-hour practice. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to the driver change, it is unclear if IndyCar will move the No. 24 car to the back of the 33 cars to start the race or allow Rahal to take Wilson’s original qualifying position.

“I admit it was a very difficult weekend for me and the United Rentals/Fifth Third Bank/RLL team,” Rahal said. “We tried everything, and we just didn’t have the speed. I am very sad that Stefan was injured in practice on Monday. I wish you a speedy recovery.

“I want to thank Dennis and Don for giving me this opportunity in the No. 24 car. I’m looking forward to working with the team and preparing for the greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500.”

Fifth Third Bank and United Rentals, which had partnered with Rahal on entry number 15, will move to number 24.

Fueled by gratitude for all Justin Wilson gave while mentoring the 19-year-old IndyCar sophomore, the enduring bond between Rahal and the Wilsons runs deep. With Wilson’s loss at the Pocono IndyCar race in 2015, Rahal sprang into action to care for Wilson’s wife Julia and young daughters Jane and Jess, rallying the IndyCar paddock and some of the biggest names in the sport. , spanning NASCAR and Formula 1, to donate helmets and other memorabilia. for a charity auction.

Fueled by Rahal’s tireless efforts, which also included the help of Stefan Wilson, $637,067.94 was raised for Justin Wilson’s wife and daughters. In his proverbial hour of need, Rahal was there, and with the opportunity to repay the kindness, Rahal was chosen from a number of drivers to make sure he didn’t miss out on the chance to compete in the race that means the most to all IndyCar drivers.