Rahal team announces Servia for Indy 500
Sponsored by DAFCA, a company dedicated to protecting the supply chain of micro electronic goods from acts of cyber terrorism through utilization of DAFCA’s revolutionary “in chip" process – that detects counterfeiting and system tampering at speed, in system, and in field, and prevents reverse engineering – the #17 Rahal Letterman Racing Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry will mark the team’s 12th year of competing in the Memorial Day Classic, which takes place on May 24.
“We have worked very hard all year in order to put this program together for the Indianapolis 500 and we feel like we have a package that will allow us to go to Indy and perform well," said RLR co-owner Bobby Rahal. “The team’s experience, combined with a veteran talent like Oriol, should give us everything we need to be competitive throughout the event. We are extremely pleased to welcome DAFCA to the RLR family and look forward to giving DAFCA a great experience in their first visit to Indy."
“DAFCA believes that the Rahal Letterman team embodies the same sort of competitive zeal and ethical stature to which DAFCA aspires in its business affairs; it’s a very good fit for us," states DAFCA Chairman, Jim Kelley.
Rahal Letterman Racing is no stranger to success at Indianapolis. The team scored its first Indy 500 victory in 2004 when Buddy Rice won the race from the pole, and an RLR car was the fastest qualifier in the race in 2005 with Kenny Brack. The team won Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year honors with Danica Patrick in ’05 and in 2008 with Ryan Hunter-Reay and has scored five consecutive top-10 finishes in the Indianapolis 500.
Servia also has a long resume of success behind the wheel, with 39 top-five finishes in 142 open-wheel starts. The 1999 Indy Lights champion made his first Indy 500 start last season and performed well, charging from 25th on the starting grid to finish on the lead lap and in 11th place. He finished ninth in the IndyCar Series point standings a year ago in his first season in that series, but this year’s Indy 500 will be his first start of the 2009 season.
“Sometimes being stubborn is not such a bad thing," Servia said. “I had a great season last year and I feel I am at the top of my game. Although the season started without me having a ride I knew that if I was patient enough something good would happen. I am really excited to announce this opportunity I have been given to participate in the greatest race in the world with one of the best teams in open wheel history. I have raced many years against the Rahal Letterman team and makes me very proud to be finally part of it. I am sure that together our focused efforts will make a very successful experience. I am also very pleased to be part of DAFCA's first journey into the Indianapolis 500 and make it fast, secure and accomplished as the company itself stands for."