Herta Seeking Ticket to Drive

Bryan Herta has not let his status with car owner Bobby Rahal affect his performance on the track, despite the emotions that go along with being a lame duck.

“It’s like knowing that you’re getting a divorce, then living with your wife for another six months,” Herta said.

Herta, 29, has been on a tear since it was announced before the Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca on Sept. 12 that he will not return for a fifth season with Team Rahal.

Herta won at Laguna Seca for a second consecutive year after starting from the pole, then backed up that performance with a fifth-place finish at Houston on Sept. 26 and a fourth-place finish at Surfer’s Paradise in Australia on Oct. 17.

The hot streak has moved Herta to 11th in the standings, heading into the Marlboro 500 at Fontana on Sunday, the final race of the season.

“I really think the team has done a great job and my guys in particular have done a great job in not letting [my status] affect them,” said Herta, a Valencia native.

He has nothing lined up for next season but mentioned openings on teams run by Dan Gurney, Cal Wells and driver-owner Robby Gordon as possibilities.

Herta said he has been approached by car owners from the Indy Racing League and the Sports Car Club of America.

“I would definitely like to stay in the CART series and I think that’s possible,” Herta said. “I have to be very careful, however. I came from a winning situation and I just don’t want to jump into the wrong situation.

“I’d like to get something going in CART first, then look at these other opportunities. If there is something that complements CART, why not do it?”

The lack of personal sponsorship could be a stumbling block, but Herta believes his recent performance will help him get a new deal.

“It’s a fickle business but the success I’ve had at the end of the season has certainly helped,” Herta said. “People want to be involved with success.”

Herta finished third in the Long Beach Grand Prix, but was plagued by inconsistency in the next 12 races. He and Rahal said their split was not a contributing factor in Herta’s hot streak.

“I’m particularly satisfied because we were really lost there in the middle of the season, with the setup and everything,” Herta said. “I kept everybody with me and we came through it, which is rare.

“It wasn’t any one thing. I think we lost confidence, and that’s really a struggle. It took a lot of work, but we’re back where we ought to be.”

Said Rahal, who won three CART championships and the Indianapolis 500 before retiring as a driver after the 1998 season: “I think the end of the year traditionally has been Bryan’s time of the year, because that’s when we run more road courses.

“Bryan’s always been more competitive on the road circuits and some of the street circuits, so I think the performance gain we’ve seen has been more of a sense of timing. He’s always been strong on that part of the schedule.”

Herta and Rahal acknowledged team chemistry changed this year when Max Papis replaced Rahal as the team’s other driver.

“I think it changed things,” Herta said. “It gives [Rahal] a different perspective, certainly.”

Rahal agreed.

“I definitely think there’s been a difference,” Rahal said. “I was at the end of my career, not old enough to be Bryan’s father, but right there. I don’t think I was looked at as a contemporary, or as a threat.

“A year ago, we had a young guy and an old guy. This year we have two young guys.”

Rahal said he didn’t believe the change in chemistry was detrimental, and Herta praised Papis, who is fifth in the standings.

“I think Max coming in was good,” Herta said. “He and I have a really good relationship.”

Rahal has high hopes for the pair’s success at Fontana, based on recent tests at the two-mile oval.

Herta was clocked at 234.7 mph in 95-degree weather and Papis was nearly as fast.

“I think Bryan was real pleased,” Rahal said. “He liked the setup that Max initially developed and I think he made some improvements on that setup that Max will want to take advantage of.

“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Two drivers come up with a single car that both can be competitive with.”

Rahal said he expects to announce Herta’s replacement within a week after the Marlboro 500.

“We want to get through this season,” Rahal said. “Bryan’s won one race and we’d like to see him come out with one more.

“Do I wish this whole thing hadn’t happened? Yes. But it’s just like me having to retire. You reach a point in time where decisions like this have to be made. We’ve been together four years and we’ve not achieved the level of success we’ve both envisioned.”

Herta figures more emotions may kick in after the race.

“I think what I’ll really miss is a real great group of people.” Herta said. “Over four years, you get real close and form bonds and that will never be the same. For me, that will be the hardest part.”

Even so, he is maintaining a positive attitude.

“A lot of people try to put a negative spin on what’s happened between Team Rahal and myself, yet, I feel like I am the luckiest guy in the world,” Herta said.

“I’m living my dream, doing what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid, and I plan to keep doing it.”