Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Reveal Army National Guard Partnership

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) have signed a new partnership with the Army National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, to be the primary sponsor of the No. 15 entry driven by Graham Rahal in the IndyCar Series.

“This is an historic day for all of us at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. “I can’t overstate how proud and how privileged we feel to represent the men and women of the Army National Guard. This is a huge responsibility that each of us feels and we are looking forward to working with the National Guard to achieve their goals.

“And I can’t imagine a better ambassador for those men and women than Graham, as an American, driving the National Guard Dallara-Honda IndyCar,” added Bobby Rahal.

The 2014 season will mark the eighth in a top-tier open wheel racing series for the 25-year-old Rahal, who became the youngest winner in major auto racing history when he drove to victory in his first IndyCar Series race at the 2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at the age of 19. The following season he became the youngest pole winner at the same event – both while driving for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, a team co-owned by Michael Lanigan at the time. 

The deal also ends Panther Racing’s partnership with the National Guard.

John Barnes, Panther Racing Managing Partner/CEO, said: “Panther’s partnership with the National Guard since 2008 has been an incredible privilege. We are thankful for their partnership and very proud of the work we have done together, on and off the track. It has been an honor to represent our citizen soldiers, and create friendships that will last a lifetime. 

“Panther Racing is moving forward with the options in front of us, building on current relationships, and creating new partnerships as we continue to plan for the 2014 IndyCar season.”