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One (Almost Two) For The Record Books
By Andrew Cutler April 7 2008
For the first time since Scott Dixon's 2003 debut at Miami-Homestead, a driver has won their maiden IndyCar series race. Graham Rahal, who sat out the season-opener after wrecking his car, won at St. Petersburg after weather forced the race to be called at the two hour mark.

Just over three months past his 19th birthday, Rahal becomes the youngest winner in IndyCar history.

The day started with the second of the Firestone Indy Lights suppost race. Raphael Matos' effort to sweep both events came undone when he made contact with race leader Jeff Simmons on lap 27, forcing him to pit to replace a flat tire. Simmons' car was also damaged, handing the lead over to rookie Ana Beatriz. Her quest to become the first ever female Indy Lights winner came apart on lap 32 when she touched wheels with teammate Richard Antinucci & was spun out. Antinucci would go on to win.

"It was a racing incident and I'm not going to start blaming Bia. She's a great driver and what she was doing was incredible", Antinucci said afterwards. " I'm going to apologize and hopefully have reasonable, mutual understanding that it was a racing incident."

The IndyCar Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg started in the wet, and the resultant combination of accidents and general slow going forced the IRL to call the race on lap 83 when it came up against the two-hour running time limit, short of the planned 100 lap race distance.

Rahal would be spun out by Will Power on lap 37, dropping him to 23rd spot. He began methodically working his way through the other cars. When most teams took advantage of a caution on lap 60 to pit for fuel & tires, NHL gambled & kept Rahal out, vaulting him up to 2nd spot.

After disposing of leader Ryan Hunter-Reay - who drives for the team co-owned by his father - Graham held the lead & held of a hard-charging Helio Castroneves, who was brought up to his rear wing by a series of late-race cautions.   

Graham's father, three time series champion Bobby Rahal, was understandibly proud of his son, and jokingly speculated that the win would go to his head. "Do you think he'll ever listen to any advice from me again? He really thinks he knows everything now. He drove a phenomenal race and the crew did a great job.

"I'd hire him, but I can't afford him."

You can see the complete race results here: http://www.indycar.com/stats/boxscores/2008/stpete_04062008.pdf

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