BOBBY RAHAL - DRIVER AND OWNER

Since joining Carl Hogan as a co-owner of Rahal-Hogan Racing in 1992, Rahal has deviated from the IndyCar community both on and off the track. He and Hogan first signed a major sponsor -- Miller Genuine Draft -- before their first race as team owners in Phoenix.

"As a driver, I was vulnerable to the team owner's decisions," said Rahal. "The driver was doing more for the team, like sponsor's activities, team personnel changes and various engineering decisions, but the team owner made the final call. I didn't want to be left out in the cold like some drivers have been lately."

Rahal's aggressive decisions as a car owner have raised eyebrows among rival car owners and drivers...but his philosophy was to find an advantage. This three-time IndyCar World Series champion has always looked for the "unfair advantage."

In 1993, he wanted to expand that advantage, and attempted to design and build the team's own chassis.

"I now have more control in the team's activities and the direction I feel the team should take," he said. "I'm not perfect. I've made some mistakes, but I'm at ease with various situations both on and off the track."

Last year, he decided to run a new powerplant (Honda). Unfortunately, the design didn't work and Rahal suffered through his toughest IndyCar season ever -- placing 10th in points.

Now, this 42-year-old Dublin, Ohio veteran is ready to return to his champion-winning form. This year, he'll be driving a Mercedes-Benz/llmor-powered Lola in all 17 races. Give him competitive equipment, and he'll win. It's that simple. Just look at his record:

Three PPG series titles (1986, 1987, 1992) 24 career wins 18 pole positions One Indy 500 victory Top Five in the standings 11 of his 13 IndyCar seasons Rahal/2

In 1989, Rahal also shocked the IndyCar world by jumping to the Kraco team and came close to winning his third series title in 1991. Later that year, he and Hogan purchased the assets of Patrick Racing and a new direction was established for Rahal.

Bobby Rahal first made history in 1992 by becoming the first "rookie" owner/driver to win the IndyCar series championship with an engine that was considered outdated.

Rahal has never finished out of the top 10 in the final point standings in his 13 years on the PPG circuit, and 11 times has placed in the top five. He's the first driver to win $1 million in PPG points fund earnings in a single year.

And Rahal still plans on winning races -- and championships -- both as a driver and a team owner.