Graham Rahal has signed a multi-year extension to stay at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. The expected move solidifies the team’s three-driver lineup for 2024, headlined by race winner Christian Lundgaard and newcomer Pietro Fittipaldi. Rahal is in the twilight of his career as a driver, but the thriving businessman is returning for another season to help grow the organization. It is also another opportunity for the second-generation driver to join his father as an Indianapolis 500 winner.

This past year didn’t go well for Graham as he did not qualify for the 500 – being bumped by his now former teammate Jack Harvey. The 34-year-old was able to fill in for the injured Stefan Wilson, and his season got much better as the year played out. His 2023 campaign was highlighted by a pole and runner-up finish on the IMS road course, and another pole position at Portland. The team clearly discovered something that triggered their massive turnaround in the second half. Rahal joined RLL in 2013, and is ready to run his 18th season in the series. The full press release from today is below.

[Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Press Release]

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that the team has entered into a new multi-year agreement that will see Graham Rahal continue to compete for the team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Rahal earned two of the final four poles in 2023, made three front row starts and returned to the podium at the Gallagher Grand Prix at Indianapolis with a second-place finish in what was the closest finish recorded on the road course with a margin of -0.4779 to the winner, Dixon, after he led a race-high 36 laps.

“I’m extremely excited to get a new multi-year agreement in place and hopefully continue to build and improve the team,” Graham said. “At the end of the season, we saw some glimpses of what we can and should be. Obviously, there is a lot of work still to be done to ensure that we continue to grow and get ourselves in a place for continuous success but I’m excited about the signs that I saw. I’m also excited to continue working with the tremendous partners that we have. It was important to me to continue to represent them and hopefully do a great job for them as we go forward. I’m glad that we were able to come together with Mike, my dad, David (Letterman) and everyone at the organization to continue together.”

“We are pleased to have been able to come to an agreement with Graham to drive for the team for the coming years,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “Clearly, when we’ve given him a car that he likes he shows what he can do by running up front. Two pole positions, really within a fraction of a second for a third this year and led many laps. All of that should reaffirm to everyone what he is capable of. He’s as driven as ever to win races and it’s exciting to watch. Clearly the efforts of the team over the off season are to ensure we have competitive cars at every race next year, including the Indy 500.”

Rahal’s rookie season of INDYCAR competition was in 2007 and he joined RLL full time in 2013. Since that time, he has earned three of his five career poles and five of his six career wins with RLL and contended for the championship in the final race of the 2015 season from a second-place rank. Rahal joins teammates Christian Lundgaard and Pietro Fittipaldi for RLL’s 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES lineup.

Co-owner Mike Lanigan added, “I have worked with Graham for the last 18 years, first as a 17-year-old in the Atlantic Series and many years as an INDYCAR driver.  Watching him grow and excel not only in racing, but also off the track, has been very impressive. Signing him with RLL will certainly continue to enhance the team’s ability to succeed in the competitive world we race in. His experience and knowledge in all aspects of racing is one the team will take full advantage of.”

The 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10 and the 17-race schedule includes the return of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Weekend doubleheader on Saturday, July 13 and 14 – both at Iowa Speedway. For more information about the series or team, visit http://www.indycar.com and http://www.rahal.com.