2015 Browns Position Previews: Wide Receivers
August 4, 2015Pics: Joe Haden wears Jordan VII cleats at Browns training camp
August 4, 2015New Albany, Ohio native Graham Rahal decided to spice up his helmet game for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Speedway in Lexington, Ohio Sunday. Rahal wore an Ohio State-themed helmet that looked identical to a Buckeyes football helmet, from the stripes to the stickers.
After starting 13th, the No. 15 car finished atop the race and is now just nine points behind front-runner Juan Pablo Montoya in the race for the Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Whether it was the helmet, the fact that he was racing just an hour from his hometown, or the fact that he is racing royalty, Rahal claimed his third career victory.
Graham is the son of former driver 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, who now co-owns Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Chicago-based businessman Mike Lanigan. The younger Rahal attended Denison University and began racing in 2004. The 26-year old is engaged to NHRA drag racer Courtney Force, daughter of 16-time NHRA Funny Car national champion John Force.
Per the Columbus Dispatch, the OSU helmet will be a one-off thing:
Rahal, a devoted Ohio State fan, doesn’t want [the helmet] to face any more chance of damage.
“That one’s going to be nice race-worn (souvenir), sitting on my shelf the rest of its life.” Rahal said of the helmet, done by designer Austin Polen. “That’s a special one for me.”
The Buckeyes spirit will prevail on the Rahal Letterman Lanigan race team through the last two races of the season, however.
“You know, my guys all have leaves on their helmets, Buckeye leaves,” Rahal said. “They had five for the five podiums (top-three finishes) this year going in, but they’re going to get a sixth. I think that’s going to stick. I think that’s something we can keep doing, give them some pride, keep everybody working hard.”
3 Comments
Cool.
Not to be picky . . . okay, simply to be picky . . .
Buckeye stickers don’t go on the second side of the helmet until the first side is completely full. Sheesh.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/whid.gif