Racing icon Bobby Rahal will receive an honor at the Mid-Ohio IndyCar event.
Fan-Favorite Legend Bobby Rahal Set to Shine at Mid-Ohio on 40th Anniversary of His First Win
Get ready, racing fans! IndyCar legend Bobby Rahal is set to grace the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course as the honorary grand marshal for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 6, marking the 40th anniversary of his first triumph at this legendary Ohio track.
Having clinched the 1985 and 1986 IndyCar race titles at Mid-Ohio, Rahal will announce the immortal racing phrase, "Drivers, start your engines," and take part in the pre-race ceremonies for the 90-lap NTT IndyCar Series race. The thrilling event will broadcast live nationwide beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on FOX.
Born and raised in Ohio, Rahal's connection to Mid-Ohio runs deep and strong. Although he called Medina, Dublin, and New Albany home, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been a consistent thread throughout his life. His first IndyCar win at Mid-Ohio came in 1974, followed by two impressive IndyCar victories in 1985 and 1986, and an impressive eight podium finishes over his 16 career starts at the track, including his last two races in 1997 and 1998.
As a team owner, Rahal's bond with Mid-Ohio hasn't wavered. His Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing shop was once stationed in Hilliard, Ohio, within the building that once housed the Truesports Racing team, where Rahal started his professional career in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series. In 2015, his son Graham secured a memorable win at The Honda Indy 200 for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.
Iconic Career and Enduring Legacy
With his multiple motorsports hall of fame inductions, Bobby Rahal is part of an exclusive group of individuals who have accomplished the incredible feat of winning the Indianapolis 500 both as a driver and as an owner/entrant, in 2004 and 2020, respectively.
Reflecting on his relationship with Mid-Ohio, Rahal shared, "Being by Jim Trueman's side when he bought the track in 1980 and winning the IMSA race with him in 1983, as well as my IndyCar victories there and seeing Graham win there in 2015, are some of my greatest memories at this exceptional track."
In addition to Rahal, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America (HDMA) senior vice president Jun Jayaraman will serve as this year's honorary starter, and Paul Dentinger, HDMA's senior vice president of Purchasing & Supply Chain, will be the trophy presenter.
"It's a great honor to be named the Honda Indy 200 grand marshal at Mid-Ohio," said Rahal. "Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been key to both my personal and professional life. I attended the first ever race there in 1962, and it became a recurring spot for me, sometimes twice a year."
Join us at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from July 4 to 6 for the 42nd running of Ohio's biggest racing event, featuring the NTT IndyCar Series. Alongside the headlining event, the full development ladder of promising racing stars will entertain spectators in INDY NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire, USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire, and USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire.
Don't miss the occasion's Fourth of July off-track celebrations, with campers decorating their sites in red, white, and blue, and Honda-powered NTT IndyCar Series drivers touring the campsites after the qualifying session, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. Come celebrate motorsports history and a storied connection to Mid-Ohio with the one and only Bobby Rahal!
The racing community rejoices as IndyCar legend Bobby Rahal returns to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the scene of his first win in 1974 and numerous other racing triumphs. This Ohio-born racer, with a career highlighting the 1985 and 1986 IndyCar series titles and the 1986 Indianapolis 500 win, showcases his enduring passion for racing in sports like sports car racing, Graham Rahal's racing, Jim Trueman's racing, and the 1986 Indy 500.
