Get Creative, Do a Little Good

I'm passionate about IndyCar, and I enjoy seeing those that need help getting it. An opportunity to combine both interests? HELLA.

 

Grab your Crayolas and help those kids. Please.

 

Thanks.

 

--Chris

 

[GRF release] 

 

Graham Rahal Foundation Announces

Second Annual Helmet Design Contest

Graham Rahal Foundation to auction race worn Bell helmet after final IndyCar race

Indianapolis, IN –Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal announced today that the Graham Rahal Foundation will be hosting its second annual helmet design contest. Fans will have access to a pre-made helmet template where they can create a unique design. The template and rules are available online at www.GRFContests.org. Designs must be submitted electronically on www.GRFContests.org betweenAugust 24, 2013 and September 8, 2013 in accordance with the official contest rules.

 

At the conclusion of the submission period, Rahal will select the top five designs and post them on both the contest website, www.GRFContests.org, and his mobile application, which is available on all iPhones and Androids. Fans will then be able to vote for the winning helmet design from September 9, 2013 through September 16, 2013 via either www.GRFContests.org or Rahal’s mobile application. When voting concludes, the design receiving the most votes will be painted by Art Rotondo (www.ArtRotondo.com), who provides the artwork for all of Rahal’s Bell helmets. Rahal will then wear the helmet during the IZOD IndyCar Series finale at the Autoclub Speedway in Fontana, California on October 19, 2013.

 

Following the race, the Graham Rahal Foundation will auction the helmet at http://Celebrity.eBay.com to raise money for both of its charities, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and SeriousFun Children’s Network.

 

About The Graham Rahal Foundation:

The Graham Rahal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization founded by Graham Rahal. The Graham Rahal Foundation is dedicated to work for a cause that was significantly important to Rahal’s former race team owner and friend, the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman -- helping children with medical conditions. Through various fundraising events and activities, the Graham Rahal Foundation helps Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer and SeriousFun Children’s Network. For additional information, please visit www.GrahamRahal.com.

Mid-Ohio Day 2: The reception was BETTER THAN YESTERDAY

Those of you that follow us on Twitter know that. Couldn't get any pics out, but saylavee.

Editor's note: Alcohol is being consumed during this writing--exercising Citizen Journalist Privilege. BOOM.

Giddyup...

Means Street: If you've ever suffered a moment of Brain Fade and thought Chip, Roger, Michael, Graham, H3lio, et al, were just regular Joes, take a stroll down Motor-home Row (where you can, here, but you can't at Indy). STRONG.

I'm no Curt Cavin... But if the size of today's crowd on the mounds is any indication, you'll be fighting for elbow room, tomorrow. Nice. Yeah, Honda, blah, blah, blah...

#TheBoys: They work their arses off, and I don't miss my little foray a smidge, from that perspective.

It's a keeper: The fans love Mid-O, the drivers love it, too. We'll see how it plays on the telly, tomorrow, but I hope it's around for a long, long time.

It's not a hill, it's a HOLE: Pit #24, at the far end of pit road (Barracuda), is the short straw. Incredible elevation change and a distinct disadvantage. Sure the others near it aren't a lot better, but I was amazed. Luca's gonna need to deliver a clutch performance. Winky face.

What We'll Be Watching

• When engine changes happen after qualifying, it's ridiculously hard to follow because of the penalties, but... If H3lio--your points leader--rolls off last-ish, tomorrow, instead of 15th, does he take a haircut in points with Dixie (2nd in points) starting 3rd, where he can easily kiss the grass--or whatever they do here?
• Ryan "I was born in America" Hunter-Reay nabs pole. 3rd in points, can he turn the trick and make a magical run for the championship, like he did last year?
• Shout-out to Charlie's boys, Charlie, and the entire Ganassi organization. He stuffs it, they thrash, think better of it and go to the spare in time for qualifying, where he makes the Fast 6 and whoops up on his teammate, Dario, settling for 5th.  
• Speaking of the Franchen-monster, he was more than a wee bit miffed after quals. With the year he's having (P7 in points), I seriously hope it isn't dragging down his desire to race--I want to see him race for as long as possible. My personal opinion.
• I love me some, Tag, but I also enjoy a good underdog story. Luca Filippi isn't from around these parts, but he's shown early speed in his debut IndyCar weekend. Nothing would make me happier than to see him mow down the field. Forza Italia.

Five and five--seems like a good place to stop.

Don't worry about television ratings, don't fret over the number of passes, or even if your fave shoe doesn't have such a stellar day. Relax. Enjoy tomorrow's race.

--Chris

Mid-Ohio Day 1: The reception was PANTS

For a dude that likes to tweet that's...uh...unfortunate. Saylavee.

Let's dispense with the formalities, and get right to it [we never have formalities].

Stream of consciousness observations from an American racing original: The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Go home, Weather, you're drunk: Sun, clouds, spitting rain, wind...but it all went off. YEA.

Key viewing spot: The Keyhole. Not only can you see a nice chunk of track, the height of the viewing mound provides a glorious peek at the stellar Ohio landscape, as a backdrop.

Watch out for the Gators! In keeping with its rural location, Mid-O uses ATV Gators, hauling people wagons, as their shuttle vehicles. Earthy.

Freshen-up: MO needs one. And that's all I'll say about that.

Own it: Saw Kim Green of Green/Savoree fame (proprietors) on site... See above. 

Fan me: Saw several peeps sporting Mid-Ohio T-shirts, etc. Much like IMS, lots of fans of the track. I love that.

"INSIDE": ...Turn 1--another nice area to take it all in.

Stalking victims: A few random celebs we saw. Geoff Brabham (Matthew's dad), Plowey, Conor Daly, and PIPPA.

Did you know? Indycars have convex mirrors? I didn't. At a minimum, Graham has them  on here...

Stacked: Graham Rahal's team has everything in place to be successful.

Nationwide is on MO's side: Pleased to see a company of that stature have such a nice presence on the grounds. Headquartered in Columbus? Not certain.

TGIF: The best day to go to a race track, in my opinion. Plenty of action, not so many of your fellow fans. BOOM.

Rare bird: One of the nice things about Mid-Ohio is that you have a lovely view of the pits from above. Maybe it was just me, but there seemed to be an excess of males panting--er, observing--Hinchtown's pit. Winky face.

Unique whips: Sam Schmidt has a badass wheelchair--trimmed in livery bits from Pagenaud's car. 'Nuff said.

Watch and learn: Incredible what you can see and absorb by just watching the activity in the pits. Next time you're at the track, stand in one place for awhile. You won't regret it.

Thanks to Jessie Ghiorzi and the staff at Mid-Ohio: Tzit.

Like a kid again... Get a wicked buzz out of seeing kids excited about meeting and getting an autograph from an accommodating IndyCar driver. It's just cool.

The bromance is OVAH: Well... at least, it has changed. Against my will, I pressed the flesh with Graham Rahal, today. Frankly, I don't know how to proceed. To be continued...

All I got. As always, thank you for reading.

Stay tuned...

--Chris