Watkins Glen: Rahal-Letterman Racing race report

Ryan Hunter-Reay was able to score his first IndyCar victory at the world famous Watkins Glen International Raceway. Driving the Rahal-Letterman Racing’s No. 17 Ethanol machine Hunter-Reay was able to out pace second place finisher Darren Manning to finish his day with victory donuts.

Rahal-Letterman’s one car team was in the running for podium finishes all year long but bad luck seemed to ruin their chances until the Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen. With a caution filled close to the ending of the race Ryan was able to get past then race leader Darren Manning to capture the lead and keep.

"It's a dream come true - American kid winning with ethanol on the side of the car," Ryan said. "It's an American team - Bobby Rahal gave me the job and now we're in victory circle. I can't tell you how happy I am. This is amazing." (On his pass for the lead) "I just got a good run on Darren (Manning), stuffed it down in there, and said I'll deal with it when it happens. Then I got to the top of the hill, Darren popped to the outside so I stuck to the inside and we held on to it from there." (On seeing Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe crash) "Dixon was warming the tires really hard. And I was like, 'You know what, I'm going to see if I can do it that hard.' But I thought, 'You know what, I might loop this thing doing it.' Low and behold, a lap later there he goes. It was amazing. It was like the seas were part ing. For all the bad luck that's gone our way, for it to finally go our way a little bit, that's huge. Great timing too."


While doing celebrating donuts Ryan was told over his driver radio to save his engine which will be used next week in Nashville and to be a “gracious winner”.

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