Rahal clarifies Champ Car comments

Rahal said his quote in the Edmonton Sun that "Penske, Ganassi or ourselves are probably 50-50 odds" of going to Champ Car was made in the context of a discussion about the possibility that the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series don't reach an agreement regarding unification.

He reiterated that Rahal Letterman Racing would remain in the IRL IndyCar Series past 2007.

"Rahal Letterman Racing has, and we have previously confirmed, a multi-year agreement with Ethanol regarding its participation in the IRL IndyCar Series," Rahal said in the statement. "RLR, as previously stated, intends to compete in the IRL IndyCar Series with multiple entries in 2007 and beyond."

On Wednesday, Chip Ganassi issued a three-sentence statement refuting Rahal's comments in the newspaper report.

"Target Chip Ganassi Racing has no plans nor have we entertained any plans of leaving the Indy Racing League for any other league or organization," Ganassi said in the statement.

"Further, we have had no contact at all with either Bobby Rahal or Kevin Kalkhoven regarding our team's future racing plans. We wish nothing but the best to Kevin and Champ Car and to Bobby and his son, but we are part of the IRL and have no plans of changing that."

Shortly after Rahal Letterman Racing officials were made aware of Ganassi's statement, they issued one from Rahal.

"Given the confusion that seems to exist surrounding some comments made during the Edmonton weekend, I think it best to clarify," Rahal said in the statement. "I do not speak on behalf of nor do I know the future racing strategies of either Penske Racing or Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

"Any comments about the likelihood of such changes by RLR were made in the context of the discussion of a reconciliation in open-wheel racing versus other forms of racing."

The wide-ranging column also discussed reports about the future of Rahal's 17-year-old son, Graham. Recent reports have indicated that Graham Rahal might be prepared to test a Newman/Haas car with the possibility of racing in Champ Car in 2007. Earlier reports indicated Graham Rahal might compete in selected IRL road-course races in 2007.

"Discussions about the future of Graham Rahal and whichever series he intends to compete in the future are a completely separate issue from those of Rahal Letterman Racing," Bobby Rahal said in the statement.

One of Rahal's three drivers in the IRL, Danica Patrick, announced Tuesday that she would join Andretti Green Racing in 2007.