Racing icon Bobby Rahal set for tribute at Mid-Ohio IndyCar event
Storied Racing Legend Bobby Rahal Honored at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Get ready, racing fans! The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is set to pay tribute to one of its all-time greats, Bobby Rahal, on July 6 at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport. This momentous occasion marks the 40th anniversary of Rahal's pioneering win at the historic track in 1985.
With an impressive racing resume that spans across three decades, the 1985 and 1986 IndyCar race winner will take on the prestigious role of honorary grand marshal for this breathtaking event. On that auspicious day, Rahal will announce the time-honored words, "Drivers, start your engines," and participate in pre-race festivities prior to the 90-lap NTT IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio. The action-packed race will air live, nationwide on FOX, starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Rahal's Ohio Ties Run Deep
Born in Medina, Ohio, Rahal's strong connection to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is far from a recent development. Over the years, he's not only claimed two IndyCar victories at the track but also nabbed eight podium finishes across 16 career starts. Additionally, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, his successful team co-founded with television personality David Letterman, claimed a triumph at Mid-Ohio in 2015 with his son Graham Rahal crossing the finish line first.
As a young driver, Rahal raced for Truesports out of a Hilliard, Ohio, shop that once housed the racing team where he'd later claim his first victory at the Indianapolis 500 in 1986.
Rahal's Lasting Legacy in Motorsports
Inducted into multiple motorsports halls of fame, Rahal will join an exclusive group of individuals who have won the Indianapolis 500 both as a driver and as an owner/entrant. As the racing world prepares to celebrate Rahal's incredible career, he says, "Mid-Ohio played an important role in my personal and professional life. I've created some of my greatest memories there, and it was always a privilege to drive on such a great circuit."
Want to be part of the excitement? The July 4-6 weekend event promises nine races across five racing series, featuring amateur and professional drivers of the future. And it wouldn't be a Fourth of July celebration without a patriotic twist, as campers are encouraged to adorn their sites in red, white, and blue. Fireworks will light up the night sky just after dusk.
With its natural terrain layout and favorable location between Columbus and Cleveland, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has established itself as one of the most competitive tracks in the US. First opened in 1962, the racetrack has been under Green Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLC's ownership since 2011.
Join us in honoring the iconic Bobby Rahal and witness a weekend filled with exhilarating races and unforgettable memories at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Don't miss your chance to be a part of racing history!
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, co-founded by Bobby Rahal and racing veteran Graham Rahal, claimed a victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2015.
As a testament to his lasting legacy in motorsports, Bobby Rahal's connection to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course dates back to his early racing days, where he raced for Truesports based in a Hilliard, Ohio, shop that housed the racing team where he'd later win his first Indianapolis 500 in 1986.
