“Was Called by Bobby Rahal”- Max Papis Reveals His Biggest Racing Accomplishment

Published 12/23/2023, 2:13 PM EST

NASCAR has been influential in luring motorsports talents throughout the world and the same was the case with Italian motorsports icon Max Papis. He is one of the few motorsports personalities who have had the taste of Formula 1, Indy Car, and NASCAR racing. Over the years during his years of racing in America, the ‘Mad Max’ was able to see his dream become reality, but with a few hiccups and bumps along his ride.

The three-time Champ Car race winner has an extensive portfolio of races and accomplishments. However, there is one particular moment that is close to his heart. In conversation with Kenny Wallace on his show Kenny Conversation, Papis explained his connection with the legendary Bobby Rahal and how his simple gesture led to the most memorable moment in his motorsports career.

Max Papis highlights the peak point in his motorsports career

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Race wins and championships would be the proudest moment for any professional driver. But not for Max Papis. Kenny Wallace questioned Papis along the lines of his best stat. Papis’ answer reflected the most memorable moment in his career.

Papis said, “The biggest stats and the biggest accomplishment for me was being called by Bobby Rahal when he retired to drive the seven car, the Miller lite car, that’s when I got to know your brother Rusty(…) I won at Homestead and Rusty won in Bristol at the same time and I still have that USA Today (poster in my mind). So the biggest accomplishment for me was being picked by a legendary person like Mr. Rahal.”

Papis may have been in a dreamland after being picked by Bobby Rahal but the purple patch would soon turn lean. Papis was dropped by Rahal owing to the split between the open-wheel championship and the Indy Racing League. From hitting the highs of his career in 2001 to hitting the ground hard the very next year, it was a steep drop for Papis to take in his career.

With IndyCar racing career in split, the Italian racer had to look at options that would further fuel his racing desires. Against all odds and making a big leap, Papis decided it was time to hit the NASCAR tracks.

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Papis reveals how he made his big switch to NASCAR

With the Indy Racing League not willing to take on the poster child of the open-wheel car championship, there was a big call on Papis’ part that could make or break his career. A regular racer who just made it big would not be able to comprehend the humbling lesson but for a champion like Papis, he made his peace with himself that opened new doors for him, in this case, it was NASCAR.

Papis said, “I wanted to race a car on my own at the highest level in America. When I was racing for Corvette I wanted to see what NASCAR was. So GM Hendrick Motorsport car of tomorrow comes in and they start testing the COT and I go to HMS and I pester them(…) So I ended up developing the car of tomorrow for road courses, for Mr. Hendrick. That’s when I started to get to know NASCAR folks.”

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Certainly, a guy who has a nickname of ‘Mad Max’ overcame every curve ball life threw at him. And yes, his 1996 Daytona 500 24-hour race finish will be remembered for a long time.

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Written by:

It was the Fast & Furious movies that acted as my gateway to the world of cars and motorsports. Later, as I completed my undergrad in Journalism, I learned how to channel my thoughts and opinions, which only helped me kick-start my career as a sportswriter. Having written multiple copies for the Scottish Daily, I am now looking to expand and contribute at EssentiallySports as a NASCAR writer, informing, enlightening, and entertaining the fans with my stories.

Edited by:

Abhishek Ramesh

“Was Called by Bobby Rahal”- Max Papis Reveals His Biggest Racing Accomplishment

Max Papis highlights the peak point in his motorsports career

Papis reveals how he made his big switch to NASCAR

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