American dream becoming reality in IndyCar

INDIANAPOLIS — Graham Rahal senses IndyCar is undergoing a change. After spending a decade chasing and watching other young drivers try to get a breakthrough victory, the 28-year-old Ohio native believes it’s about to finally happen.

“I think it is time or we’re at least very close,” Rahal said. “At the same time, we still have a lot of legends in the sport still doing their thing. But this young crop of talent is only going to get better.”

They’ll get hungrier, less patient and more outspoken, too. And the new generation is full of something the series hasn’t had in a while — young, talented American drivers. If Rahal or another of the other young drivers wins Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, it could speed up the transition already in motion.

The new wave includes Rahal, the son of the 1986 race winner, and 30-year-old Marco Andretti, the son of one racing icon and the grandson of another. Both work for their fathers.

There’s Josef Newgarden, a 26-year-old rising star who signed with Team Penske during the offseason, and 25-yearold Alexander Rossi, a teammate of Andretti’s and the defending 500 champ. Another win would vault him into rare territory.

Behind them are even younger hopefuls such as 22-year-old Sage Karam, who hails from the same Pennsylvania town as Andretti; Spencer Pigot, who is making his second Indy start at age 23; and 22-year-old rookie Zach Veach. Those three are hoping they can find fulltime rides when the older guys step aside.

All are young, marketable and ready to put an imprint on this series.

“I think you’re seeing a shift, maybe we’re in mid-shift right now,” Newgarden said. “Maybe it will happen next year, maybe it will happen five years from now, I don’t know.”

When many older stars — A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Al and Bobby Unser and Johnny Rutherford — left the sport in the early 1990s, the series struggled to find replacements.

Two of open-wheel racing’s brightest stars, Michael Andretti and Al Unser Jr., stayed with CART after Tony George formed his own series. Jacques Villeneuve, another big name, took off for Formula One after winning the 500 in 1995.

“I think they’re as fun as we were in the past,” said Tony Kanaan. “And they’re really, really fast. This new generation of kids is unbelievable, and I think the future of this series is in good shape.”