Jack Daniel's Racing has signed up IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal to partner Rick Kelly in October’s Armor All Gold Coast 600.
Rahal, who drives for Chip Ganassi in IndyCars and is the son of 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, makes his V8 Supercars Championship debut at Surfers Paradise, but is no stranger to the street circuit, having competed in the 2007 Champ Car race and the last IndyCar race there in 2008.
Rahal is the second IndyCar Series driver Jack Daniel's Racing has added to its Gold Coast 600 co-driver line-up, with the team announcing in June that Marco Andretti will drive alongside Todd Kelly.
On announcing the signing Rick Kelly said: “It's awesome to have Graham join us for the Gold Coast race. Jack Daniel's Racing has secured two of the biggest names in American racing, Andretti and Rahal, and I am confident Graham will do an outstanding job for us. I am sure he is going to enjoy his V8 Supercar debut.”
Rahal was equally enthusiastic and the American has set his hopes high.
“I was thrilled to get the call from Jack Daniel's Racing to participate in the event. It's definitely a big thanks to Jack Daniel's and the Kelly group for the opportunity. The Gold Coast has become one of the marquee motorsports events for racing drivers from all disciplines and to compete with one of the premier teams in the series in my first go at it is a real honour.
“Rick himself has a very successful history in the series, so I have a great guy to lean on to get up to speed as quickly as possible and hopefully we can deliver a quality result for the team and Jack Daniel's.
“Racing in Australia, back on the Gold Coast, and in a new series I've never run in before! It's going to be an awesome event and I can't wait to get down there.
“I want to win! That's what we go racing for. Certainly a top 10 would be awesome and getting back in the race for 2013 would be ideal!”
