Naptown Buzz

Your source for all things Indy™

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Jack Harvey Tests for Dale Coyne Racing on January 23, 2024

by

So far Dale Coyne Racing has been mum on who will fill their seats for the 2024 INDYCAR racing season, but Jack Harvey may have given us a hint on one of the Coyne seats.

Jack Harvey Tests for Dale Coyne January 23, 2024 - SOURCE: @jack_harvey93 on X
Jack Harvey Tests for Dale Coyne January 23, 2024 SOURCE: @jack_harvey93 on X

Following the exits of David Malukas (aka “Little Dave”) for Arrow McLaren and Sting Ray Robb for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the offseason, Jack Harvey has been floated as a potential replacement at Dale Coyne Racing following being let go by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing during the 2023 IndyCar season.

TBD if the Englishman and Ravenclaw are in the seat when the green flag drops for the 2024 IndyCar season.

Rahal & Legge To Run Special Indy 500 Install Session Thursday

by

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 24, 2023) – INDYCAR has announced a special session Thursday, May 25 for the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet and the No. 44 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda after an Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice incident Monday involving both teams.

The 15-minute session will take place from 4:30-4:45 p.m. ET in preparation for final practice from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday on Miller Lite Carb Day. Graham Rahal is driving the No. 24 DRR Cusick Carekeepers Chevrolet, while Katherine Legge is behind the wheel of the No. 44 Hendrickson Honda fielded by RLL.

Each team will be allowed unlimited install laps (out and in) within the time frame. They will not be allowed to stay on the track to cross the start-finish line and the Yard of Bricks.

The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo, INDYCAR Radio Network).

2022 Indy 500 PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Photos May 21, 2022

by

Photo gallery from Indy 500 Day 1 of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on May 21, 2022, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

2022 Indy 500 Fast Friday Photo Gallery

by

Photo gallery from Indy 500 Fast Friday on May 20, 2022, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

Gehl to Be Primary Sponsor of Graham Rahal’s Entry at the Iowa Corn 300

by

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) announced yesterday that the Gehl brand, part of Manitou Americas, Inc., will be the primary sponsor for Graham Rahal’s No. 15 Honda-powered entry at the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway July 9. Gehl was co-primary sponsor of Rahal’s entry at this past weekend’s KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America for the second consecutive year and has increased their involvement.

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with Graham and the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team at the Iowa Corn 300 IndyCar Series race,” said Laurent Bonnaure, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Manitou Group. “Graham has been associated with Gehl for over 11 years and has developed strong relationships with our dealers, customers and company employees. We are honored to have Graham drive the Gehl/Manitou-sponsored car.”

Gehl was an associate sponsor of RLLR’s IndyCar Series program from 2006-2008 and again for the 2014 season. Manitou Americas, Inc. is a producer of Gehl, Manitou, and Mustang branded equipment for construction, agriculture, mining, energy industries and beyond. In addition, Gehl is in their 12th year of involvement with Graham Rahal, whom they have supported since his 2006 Atlantic Championship season where he was runner up to the champion.

“We value our longstanding relationship with Gehl and also appreciate their support of Graham throughout his career,” added Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. “To see our partnership extend from Road America and now to a primary sponsorship at Iowa is something we are very proud of. We look to continue to build our program with Gehl in the future and help strengthen relationships and business opportunities through their dealers and customers.”

Rahal is only 38 points behind second place ranked driver Simon Pagenaud in Verizon IndyCar Series standings and ranked seventh overall heading into Round 11 of 17 at Iowa Speedway. Season highlights to date include one pole and two wins in a dominant doubleheader weekend in Detroit earlier this month. Rahal’s best finish at Iowa Speedway is fourth in 2015 and he won Heat Race 2 in 2013. The Iowa Corn 300 will be televised live on NBCSN on Sunday, July 9 beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

“I’m extremely excited that Gehl has come back on board as the primary sponsor for the race in Iowa,” said Graham Rahal, 28. “For me this has been such as tremendous relationship that goes back so many years. It’s great to see them expand their relationship with the team and put the bright yellow car on track in Iowa. I want to thank everyone at Gehl Manitou that made this possible. We will certainly do our best to make them proud.”

“The Gehl/Manitou product is one we distribute in the Midwest and west coast United States,” added Mike Lanigan of the business relationship between Gehl and Mi-Jack, a company he co-owns. “To have them on our team is one I am most proud and excited about. Their product range enjoys the most advanced technologies and quality in our industry. To be associated on both fronts with racing and as a dealer for Gehl/Manitou enforces the marketing commitment of both our companies. We are and will continue to be the leader in the markets we compete in.”

In addition to its relationship with RLLR and driver Graham Rahal, Gehl has been active in motorsports for many years. Gehl has been the “Official Construction Equipment” of the Grand Prix of Long Beach and Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. for over 27 years. Other race venues Gehl has been involved with include the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Denver Grand Prix, Infineon Raceway, and The Milwaukee Mile. Gehl was also an “Official Supplier” to the Champ Car Safety Team for many years.

SOURCE: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Fifth Third Bank to Sponsor RLL’s Oriol Servia in Detroit Grand Prix Duals

by

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that Fifth Third Bank has not only extended their partnership with the team as an associate sponsor for three more years, they have also expanded their role to include primary sponsorship of the No. 16 Indy car driven by Oriol Servia in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Duals, June 3 and 4. It is their first time to be a primary sponsor on an Indy car. Fifth Third Bank is in its second year as an associate sponsor for the team.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to grow our Fifth Third relationship and feature them as the primary sponsor in both races in Detroit on Oriol Servia’s entry,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. “My personal experience with Fifth Third Bank goes back to the days when I lived in Columbus, Ohio and I am very proud that it has grown to this level since our partnership began in 2016. It’s going to be exciting to see Fifth Third as the primary sponsor on an Indy car and we look forward to the opportunity to put the car in Winner’s Circle.”

“There is no better way for us to ignite the Fifth Third brand than by partnering with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team and Indy car racing, said Steven Alonso, Group Regional President of Fifth Third Bank. “We had a great experience with our partnership last year and we are thrilled to not only continue but to increase our sponsorship for the next three years. We are really looking forward to being the primary sponsor and see the Fifth Third Bank car in the field at the Detroit Grand Prix.”

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheaders will both be televised live on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET on June 3 and June 4.

SOURCE: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ♦ PHOTO: Brian Groce

Steak ‘n Shake is Back with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

by

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that Steak ‘n Shake, a classic American brand and home of the original Steakburger™ and hand-dipped milkshakes, will return for a third season of sponsorship after a successful partnership in 2015 and 2016.

Steak ‘n Shake will be the primary sponsor of Graham Rahal’s Honda entry at four Verizon IndyCar Series events in 2017 including races in St. Petersburg, the Indianapolis 500, Mid-Ohio, and a new venue for the partnership – the race at Gateway Motorsports Park, outside St. Louis, a key market for the company.  Maxim Magazine branding will continue to be prominently featured on the race car. Both are owned by Biglari Holdings Inc.

“The partnership with Rahal, Letterman and Lanigan has exceeded all expectations. We’re excited to support such a legendary team in its efforts for another winning season,” said Sardar Biglari, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings Inc.

In 2017, the sponsorship will build on the successes of previous years with the return of the Steak ‘n Shake bow-tie themed fire suit and the continuation of the signature Graham Rahal Milkshake, created exclusively by Steak ‘n Shake. This season will also include in-store fan events with appearances by Graham Rahal and the #15 Steak ‘n Shake Indy car. Additionally, fans will be able to enjoy a new fan event in St. Louis to celebrate the return of IndyCar to one of Steak ‘n Shake’s largest markets in August at Gateway Motorsports Park.

“It’s great to have Steak ‘n Shake on board for another season,” added Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.  “Since the beginning of the partnership, it has been a great pleasure working with Sardar Biglari and everyone at Steak ‘n Shake.  The pride they have in their company and their enthusiasm for Indy car racing is impressive. The fan support also continues to be a source of pride for the team and we can’t thank the fans enough for all of the positive reinforcement.  We are going to do everything in our power to produce another race-winning season for Steak ‘n Shake as well as our other partners.”

SOURCE: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Naptown Buzz Podcast: December 9, 2016

by

Naptown Logo 2016 Color (1200x1200) C

Naptown Buzz for Friday, December 9, 2016

Housekeeping

Back after a hiatus to remodel the studio!

2016-hgg-header-800x200

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

INNER BUZZ

Stories so far…

PATREON

Community News

Business News

INDYCAR

Other Racing

Videos

Events

Shoutouts

[Read more…] about Naptown Buzz Podcast: December 9, 2016

Oriol Servia Returns to RLL for the 2017 Indy 500

by

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced that Oriol Servia will return to the team for the 2017 Indianapolis 500 with the hope of adding more races during the season. Servia competed for the team in the Indy 500 in 2009, the Indy 500 and three other races in 2014, the Indy 500 in 2015 and will return for the 101th Running of the Indy 500 on May 28, 2017.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back with Bobby, Mike and my second father Mr. Letterman for the 2017 Indy 500,” said Oriol Servia.  “We’ve done it before and had some success but both the team and myself are only doing this because we feel we can contend for the win together. Since Day 1 in 2009, working with Graham as a teammate has been great and now at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, it just feels like a family.  The team has been the best Honda entry the past two years and the objective would be to continue to make the team even better in order to fight the multi car teams at Indy and also hopefully for the entire season. We feel that together we can do that.  I can’t wait to get started. We plan to go for the win at the Indy 500 and at as many other races as we can.”

The 2017 Indy 500 will be Servia’s ninth in the famed race and fourth with RLL. His best finish overall is fourth in 2012 with Dreyer & Reinbold and best start is third in 2011 with Newman/Haas Racing.  In the 2009 Indianapolis 500 with RLL, Servia was in ninth place halfway through the race when a mechanical failure led to his retirement in 26th place.  In 2014, he competed for the team in Long Beach, at Barber Motorsports Park and two events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he led seven laps in the road course race but finished 12th, qualified 18th for the Indy 500 and finished 11th.

“Oriol is a talented driver who brings value beyond what takes place on the race track,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.  “His race craft is that of a veteran obviously but more important than that is his ability to develop the race car and as a one car team fighting the multi-car teams the last few years, that is a big benefit.  We have a great chemistry at our team and Oriol fits nicely into our program.”

Servia, a native of Pals, Spain, has made 195 starts in CART, Champ Car and the IndyCar Series since his rookie season in 2000.  His Indy car highlights include one win (Montreal 2005) and one pole (Surfers Paradise, Australia 2005) as well as a total of 19 top-three, 51 top-five and 101 top-10 finishes.

SOURCE: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ♦ PHOTO: Brian Groce