If the IndyCar Series old guard hadn't already been put on notice, they are sure to be looking over their shoulders after a new pack, led by second- and third-generation drivers Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti, again warned that it is poised to assume the leadership.
Rahal - who, at age 19 years and 93 days, became the youngest winner of a major open-wheel race on Sunday in St Petersburg - and Andretti, who previously held the honour, currently lie fourth and fifth in points after the first two races of the 2008 season. Sitting on top of the standings, but perhaps uncomfortably so, are veterans Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.
“I think it's great,” admitted 2004 series champion Kanaan, “We need the Rahals, we need the Andrettis, we need new names. Helio and I, we were far and away more stupid than they are when we were 19. I have to say it makes us look really old. Can you imagine, when Graham was born, Helio and I were racing already. That's not cool, is it?”
More impressively, the 'kids' are succeeding despite the pressure of growing up in famous racing families.
“We're talking about Bobby Rahal's son,” Castroneves said, “Bobby Rahal is a legend. I remember watching him. Now, all of a sudden, his son followed in his steps. That's a big deal. It's a lot of pressure for him, and for Marco and AJ [Foyt IV], to repeat what their grandfathers and fathers did in the past.”
The pressure couldn't have been greater than the closing laps of Sunday's Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg, when Rahal saw two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves in his mirrors.
“I have to say, if I was 19 years old, restarting, three laps to go, and you have Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan behind you, I was going to be kind of worried,” Kanaan said, “He played it so cool, so I guess he proved how good he is.”
Despite the praise, however, the old guard won't go away quietly.
“I think they are very capable race car drivers,” Kanaan said of the new brigade, “They're going to give us a lot of hard times, so I wish them the best - and I'm looking forward to beating them in the future.”
![Graham Rahal - Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing [pic credit: IRL/McQueeney]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/426246.jpg)
