Yahoo Autos Fast Laps in an IndyCar at Mid-Ohio Are an Intense Roller Coaster
Graham Rahal's home track is a physical nightmare for IndyCar drivers. With something approaching 750 hp on tap from his tiny 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 Honda engine, over 5000 pounds of downforce crushing his car into the Mid-Ohio road course, and extra sticky tires from Firestone to turn that power and downforce into grip, Rahal and the rest of his rival emerge from their cars gasping for air after a hard session of lapping the 2.3-mile circuit.
"Oh yeah, we're over 3 Gs throughout every lap and over 4 in some places," he told RoadandTrack.com. "It can wear you out so that's why we train so hard in the gym and with our cardio. You know some guys aren't working as hard on that stuff and that's where you can catch them when they start to fade in the race."
Rahal went on to finish fourth on Sunday, proving fitness was key to enduring the rigors of racing at IndyCar's most punishing venue.
