Rahal calls NOLA track ‘fast and physical’

Graham Rahal joined the majority of the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series field today at a test at NOLA Motorsports Park, the track that will host the inaugural Grand Prix of Louisiana April 10-12. Like most other drivers, it was Rahal's first time on the course in an Indy car although the 26-year-old visited the track in May 2014 during a media tour to promote the Indianapolis 500. Many changes have been made since then.

"It's great to be here, it's a cool track to drive on," said Rahal who completed 91 laps on the 2.67-mile road course. "It's fast and its physical. We had a great day out here testing. We have to find some more speed but we're pretty close. At a place like this that is so high speed, a little tweak here or there can make a big difference as we found today. We're sneaking up on it and, as a group, we're all in the ballpark. Maybe some people hit their new tire run better than others but everybody we clocked time wise is all within a couple of tenths (of a second).

"It's going to be tough and competitive," continued Rahal. "I was talking to a driver who said he was having a hard time holding his head up and that sums this place up. It's going to be even harder when we come back with heavy downforce and more aero with the new aero kit. Overall it's great to get back out today and knock more rust off and tomorrow is going to be even more important. There is a lot of work still to be done."