Latest news with #RLL
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Why Jay Frye used Al Pacino's speech to set tone for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Though they ultimately weren't left kissing the bricks as they'd hoped, and as it appeared they very well might be part way through this year's Indianapolis 500, Jay Frye felt he and his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team had built some noted momentum coming out of the Month of May unlike RLL had experienced since it's victory in 2020. Weeks into his tenure as the team's new president, a role Frye took over mid-April at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Frye, the old Missouri tight end and offensive tackle sat the team down and played Al Pacino's locker room speech from "Any Given Sunday" in an attempt to instill the importance of 'inches' to the race team that has had flashes of brilliance over the last couple years but largely has fallen deep into the mid-pack after years of darkhorse title contention with Graham Rahal. 'The inches we need are everywhere around us," the speech goes. "They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch, because we know that when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the (expletive) difference between winning and losing.' With all three cars in the Fast Six at the IMS road course and a challenge for the win by Rahal, the team found some inches. They found a few more in leading the most laps in the 500, qualifying a car on the front row and landing a pair of top-12 finishes for the team's two youngest drivers. But in the two weeks since — races that have included four crashed cars, three did-not-finishes and no finishes better than 20th across all three of the team's full-time cars — RLL has left yards' worth of inches strewn across the track. Road America, Frye told IndyStar, marks an opportunity to spool back up some momentum. 'We've shot ourselves in the foot a lot and lost a lot of points, and we can't do that. There's things we have to do to adjust and make sure that type of stuff doesn't happen,' Frye told IndyStar, hours ahead of what proved to be a dismal night at World Wide Technology Raceway for RLL, with Rahal 22nd eight laps down on pace, Devlin DeFrancesco 43 laps down in 23rd after a Lap 4 crash the team managed to repair and rookie Louis Foster in 26th by virtue of a crash caused by drifting too high into the marbles and ending up in the wall before he'd be T-boned by Josef Newgarden. 'We had a team meeting (a couple weeks ago), and I showed the team that clip … and that's what this is," he continued. "There's little things all around you, and if you don't take advantage of them or capitalize on them, and you mess that inch up, you end up 20th, and we should've finished 12th. When our cars have been fast, we've finished 20th, and when our cars are not as fast, we've been finishing 20th. You've got to find a way to build that momentum and get it going.' 'You have to reprogram your whole mind': Fired by IndyCar, Jay Frye talks new role with RLL Entering this weekend, both Foster and DeFranesco, 24th and 25th in points respectively, sit outside the all-important Leaders Circle spots that pay the top 22 charter-holding IndyCar entrants more than $1.1 million the following year. At the moment, the Nos. 45 and 30 cars sit 23rd and 24th — with Rahal's No. 15 plummeting down to 18th after sitting 13th following his season-best sixth-place finish on the IMS road course. Over the last four years at Road America, RLL has taken a liking to the National Park of Speed, with eight finishes of 11th or better out of 11 starts. In 10 career starts at the track, Rahal has only finished outside the top 11 once and has a pair of podiums in 2007 and 2016. With its billiard table-smooth surface, Road America offers some similarities to the IMS road course, a track RLL has shined at across the board in recent years, giving Frye hope Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race can act as a spring board for the team ahead of a jam-packed July without an off weekend. 'There's so much good here. There's a lot of really good things, but again, it's just about piecing it all together and getting some momentum on our side,' Frye said. 'We really need to finish where we're running. You've got to maximize what we've got, and we need to build momentum and finish the year strong and build into 2026. That's the key. 'Momentum is a funny thing.' Insider: Jay Frye was once IndyCar's change agent, until he no longer fit the Penske mold Reflecting back on his previous life as a NASCAR team executive, Frye pointed to his days atop MB2 Motorsports in 2007, where driver Mark Martin finished 0.02 seconds from a Daytona 500 win, and then went on a tear for the otherwise mid-pack team and led the points for several weeks at the start of that year. 'And then there's other times where you've having trouble, and you can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can't get out of (a rut),' he said. 'We're not struggling. There's good things that have been happening, except it's been inconsistent. Momentum is real, and I felt like we were building some coming out of May and had three or four things happen, and we don't get a good result, and there went that momentum. 'We've got to stop that.'
Fox Sports
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Droplight To Sponsor Louis Foster, RLL for Rest of 2025 Season
INDYCAR Droplight will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 45 Honda driven by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing rookie Louis Foster for the remainder of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, team officials announced June 10. The sponsorship is part of a strategic partnership between RLL and Droplight for the rest of the 2025 season. Droplight is a full-throttle venture studio recognized for its bold brand strategy, media expertise and innovation-driven approach to market growth. Droplight will collaborate with RLL on its broader marketing, brand and social media strategy, fueling a dynamic and modern engagement model for fans, sponsors and media. 'We're excited to welcome Droplight into the RLL family,' said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. 'Their team brings a rare combination of energy, vision and execution that aligns perfectly with where we want to take this program. This isn't just a sponsorship – it's a platform for growth.' Droplight's ecosystem includes investments and partnerships across entertainment, technology, media and consumer brands. New brand campaigns, media activations and strategic collaborations will roll out throughout the remainder of the 2025 season. 'The names Rahal, Letterman and Lanigan stand for more than racing – they represent a legacy of discipline, vision and leadership that has shaped generations of talent and performance,' Droplight CEO Joseph Anderson said. 'We're honored to support Louis Foster and the No. 45 team and to play a role in building on that foundation. This is more than a partnership; it's the next chapter in an ecosystem of innovation and impact.' The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, June 15 (FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). recommended in this topic
Fox Sports
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Droplight To Sponsor Foster, RLL for Rest of 2025 Season
INDYCAR Droplight will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 45 Honda driven by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing rookie Louis Foster for the remainder of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, team officials announced June 10. The sponsorship is part of a strategic partnership between RLL and Droplight for the rest of the 2025 season. Droplight is a full-throttle venture studio recognized for its bold brand strategy, media expertise and innovation-driven approach to market growth. Droplight will collaborate with RLL on its broader marketing, brand and social media strategy, fueling a dynamic and modern engagement model for fans, sponsors and media. 'We're excited to welcome Droplight into the RLL family,' said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. 'Their team brings a rare combination of energy, vision and execution that aligns perfectly with where we want to take this program. This isn't just a sponsorship – it's a platform for growth.' Droplight's ecosystem includes investments and partnerships across entertainment, technology, media and consumer brands. New brand campaigns, media activations and strategic collaborations will roll out throughout the remainder of the 2025 season. 'The names Rahal, Letterman and Lanigan stand for more than racing – they represent a legacy of discipline, vision and leadership that has shaped generations of talent and performance,' Droplight CEO Joseph Anderson said. 'We're honored to support Louis Foster and the No. 45 team and to play a role in building on that foundation. This is more than a partnership; it's the next chapter in an ecosystem of innovation and impact.' The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, June 15 (FOX, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network). recommended in this topic
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
MobileX Hits Top Gear at the Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Joins Forces with RLL as Official Wireless Partner at the Famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway IRVINE, Calif., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MobileX, the most customizable wireless service designed to save consumers money, has joined Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) team as the Official Wireless Partner for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, May 25. For MobileX, this marks a bold new chapter in its motorsports portfolio as it continues to align with high-performance teams and events that embody speed, precision and innovation. Much like the Indy 500 pushes the limits of engineering and endurance, MobileX is redefining what's possible in wireless, delivering smarter, more flexible service that helps customers pay only for what they use, never more than $24.88/month.* "MobileX is built for performance, on the track and in the marketplace," said Peter Adderton, Founder and CEO of MobileX. "The Indy 500 is more than just a race, it's a celebration of technology, endurance and pushing limits — the same principles that drive us to redefine wireless. We're thrilled to team up with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and support three incredibly talented drivers in one of the most watched sporting events in the world." MobileX branding will appear on RLL's No. 15, No. 30, and No. 45 Hondas — driven by Graham Rahal, Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster, respectively — as the team takes on the most iconic race in American motorsports this weekend. "We are excited MobileX chose to partner with RLL at the world's largest single day sporting event, forging a dynamic connection with millions of passionate fans across the globe," said Bobby Rahal, team co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. With more than a century of history and global fanfare, the Indy 500 remains one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the race draws over 300,000 fans to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway and millions more tuning in worldwide. The 2025 Indianapolis 500 will air live on FOX beginning at 10:00 am ET on Sunday, May 25. For more information on MobileX, please visit For more information about RLL, visit *Prices do not include applicable taxes and government surcharges. About MobileXHeadquartered in Orange County, California, MobileX is the world's most customizable mobile carrier delivering the ultimate in choice and cost control. MobileX is a unique service that uses artificial intelligence to predict how much data customers need, delivering a dramatic reduction in cost while ensuring reliable speed and service. MobileX was founded by Peter Adderton, who also founded both Boost Mobile and Digital Turbine. For more information, please visit About Rahal Letterman Lanigan RacingRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Zionsville, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2025, the team will compete in its 34th year of competition and will attempt to add to its 30 Indy car wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Takuma Sato -- their 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 - Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. From 2014 to 2021, BMW Team RLL competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program. In 2022, BMW M Team RLL competed in the GTD PRO class in IMSA while simultaneously ramping up for a two-car program in the much-anticipated GTP class in IMSA for 2023. In total, the team has earned 24 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 30 poles and 103 podium finishes prior to the start of the 2025 season. BMW M Team RLL highlights also include second-place finishes in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017 and being named the 2020 Michelin North American Endurance Champions. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mobile X Global, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
With Four Wins in Five Races, Alex Palou is Writing His Name in IndyCar's History Book
Last year, Alex Palou won the Indianapolis Grand Prix to start the 'Month of May'; at the time, Chip Ganassi Racing hoped that Palou might finally secure an Indianapolis 500 victory to end the month. One of the only accolades in IndyCar that the Spanish driver is lacking. This year, after starting on the pole and losing the lead to Graham Rahal in the opening corner of the IMS road course, he starts IndyCar's month-long stay in Indiana the same way. This was Palou's fourth win in five races for a driver's best start to a season since AJ Foyt in 1964. That season, Foyt won 10 of 13 races with an average finish of 5.8 through the first five races, Palou now has an average finish of 1.2, and leads by 97 points. A lot happened at the start of the race as Josef Newgarden went to the pits before the start with a broken radio, falling from sixth to the back. Newgarden would end up having one of the drives of the day to rebound to 12th. All three Rahal Lanigan Racing drivers made the Fast Six in qualifying and were able to hold their own up front due to an interesting strategy. This race weekend marked the first race where both sets of hard tires and two sets of soft tires were required for the race, ensuring that all drivers would be on a three-stop pitstop strategy. The RLL drivers chose to go soft-soft for their first two stints, gaining speed and holding position early. The only problem was is that means they would have to try to hold position late against a field on the preferred softer tire at the end of the race. The race started under yellow as the first start was aborted, while not a proper caution, it was a preview of what was to come. Seventy laps into the race, IndyCar had its first caution after 400+ caution-free laps. Meaning the last three races were decided strictly on pitstop strategy, qualifying, and speed. Palou was out front by 10.2 seconds when the caution came out shortening his lead, The race resumed with 13 laps to go. Palou took the win over the McLaren of Pato O'Ward by 5.614 seconds. O'Ward started eight and steadily made his way through the field. Will Power rounded out the podium after starting seventh, followed by his teammate Scott McLaughlin. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
