Graham Rahal to Join Sarah Fisher Racing for Two Early Season Road Races

Graham Rahal will join Sarah Fisher Racing for two early season road races to start the 2010 season. Rahal will drive the No. 67 Dollar General car that is usually piloted by Fisher herself for the races at St. Petersburg and Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. Fisher was slated to drive the No. 67 car at nine races this year, and had previously added Jay Howard to drive a second car for the team at five races.

Rahal tweeted earlier today that he had good news that would shock everyone. A switch to SFR is certainly a shock to the Indycar world. Rahal, one of the most promising young drivers in the series, had previously driven for Newman Haas Lannigan, where he was reasonably successful for a 21-year-old driver. Rahal recently lost the McDonald's sponsorship of his No. 2 car with NHL, and seemed to be without a ride for 2010. Rahal had been offered a multi-year contract with Dale Coyne Racing, but turned down the deal because it would commit him for too long to a team that lost key people from 2009.

Rahal has been lobbying to be the third seat at Target Chip Ganassi Racing, but currently Ganassi does not have the sponsorship dollars to make a deal. Rahal's two race deal with Dollar General and Sarah Fisher Racing will allow him to continue to work for a full time ride for 2010 while keeping his skills sharp and on the track. The publicity will also be very positive for SFR and Dollar General, as Rahal is considered a young star in the series and featured prominently in upcoming IZOD advertisements.

While the situation may not be perfect for a young rising star, it ensures that Graham Rahal will be involved in the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series at least part time. In a time when the racing world is suffering from the economic downturn, any opportunity can be a good opportunity. More on this story is expected later, including an official release from Sarah Fisher Racing on Thursday.