LEBANON – It was a tough start to qualifying for second generation racer Graham Rahal.
Rahal, the son of IndyCar legend Bobby Rahal, experienced a fuel pressure issue moments before his qualifying attempt on July 18 for the IndyCar Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix.
“No fuel pressure won’t run,” Rahal said moments before stalling out.
The No. 15 will not complete a qualifying run due to a suspected fuel pressure issue.
— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) July 18, 2026
Racers must “depart the Qualifications line within sixty (60) seconds of receiving the signal”, according to the IndyCar rulebook.
As a result, Rahal will start 25th for the 300-lap, 1.33 mile tri-oval race. The Music City Grand Prix is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. on July 19 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Rahal qualified 22nd for the 2025 Music City Grand Prix and was 17th in the race. Rahal is currently ranked 13th in the 2026 IndyCar standings.
David Malukas car doesn’t qualify, will start 25th
The No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet did not have a qualifying attempt on July 18 following a crash in the morning practice. David Malukas crashed the car in practice and was taken off site for medical attention. Conor Daly is available to help shake down the car in the final practice if needed.
It’s not known yet if Malukas will be available to run in the Music City Grand Prix. He also crashed in the 2025 Music City Grand Prix and was airlifted for medical attention.
The No. 12 car will start 25th.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Graham Rahal, David Malukas cars didn’t qualify in IndyCar Nashville race
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