The Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) team finds itself on shaky ground as it races against time to rebuild its NTT IndyCar Series lineup for the upcoming season. With only Graham Rahal confirmed to return, team owner Bobby Rahal faces a daunting task: filling critical vacancies in the No. 45 and No. 30 Honda seats while navigating sponsorship woes that threaten the team’s stability.
RLL’s current predicament is largely due to the departure of Christian Lundgaard to Arrow McLaren and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Pietro Fittipaldi’s position. As the team’s management scrambles to secure new drivers, negotiations with major sponsors like Hy-Vee—a crucial partner introduced to the sport by RLL—hang in the balance. Without solid financial backing, the team’s lineup and future remain in flux.
“We’re getting closer,” Rahal stated, trying to maintain optimism as he and his fellow co-owners, Mike Lanigan and David Letterman, sift through potential candidates to revive the team’s fortunes. Despite Lundgaard’s strong performance in 2023, finishing eighth, his slide to 11th in 2024 underscores the team’s struggle for consistency. Rahal must now find the next rising star to fill the void left by Lundgaard, with his son Graham positioned to lead the charge despite a disappointing 18th-place finish last season.
Bobby Rahal remains confident in Graham’s potential: “I have complete confidence in Graham. This year, despite engine penalties, he still showed pace and determination. He’s ready to bounce back.” But the team must look beyond just one driver, acknowledging the generational shift underway as veterans like Scott Dixon and Will Power approach the twilight of their careers.
The search for fresh talent is critical. RLL has its eye on young guns, including Juri Vips from Formula 2 and IndyCar free agents like Rinus VeeKay and Linus Lundqvist. Whoever fills the coveted No. 45 seat will need to live up to Lundgaard’s standard, while the decision on the No. 30 car will hinge on both talent and sponsorship dollars.
“We need someone who can be competitive, running consistently in the top six or eight,” Rahal emphasized. “The Indy NXT drivers have shown they can make the jump, so it’s an exciting time.”
But looming over everything is the potential loss of Hy-Vee as a primary sponsor. Rumors suggest the grocery giant might cut back on its racing investments, which could impact RLL’s funding. There’s even speculation of Hy-Vee’s budget being split between RLL and Penske’s AJ Foyt Racing entry for David Malukas.
“Well, we’re not there yet, but certainly I’m hopeful,” Rahal remarked regarding a possible extension with Hy-Vee. He admitted uncertainty around the company’s plans but remained optimistic: “I’ve heard they might reduce support, but there’s still going to be a race in Iowa. We’ll know soon enough.”
Despite the swirling rumors, Rahal brushed aside concerns about losing sponsorship to Penske’s team, stating, “We’ve had a strong relationship with Hy-Vee. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to those rumors. We’re waiting for their direction and hope it’ll be favorable.”
As RLL navigates through a pivotal offseason, the clock is ticking. With multiple drivers vying for spots and the future of sponsorship still up in the air, Rahal’s next moves will determine whether the team sinks or swims in the increasingly competitive IndyCar landscape.
