Bobby Rahal to Serve as Grand Marshal at IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship
Racing stalwart Bobby Rahal will take on the role of Grand Marshal at next week’s IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship, held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This honor comes as Rahal boasts five race wins at the circuit as a driver and six victories as part-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL).
Recent changes at RLL include the appointment of Jay Frye as president, tasked with overseeing the team’s operations in both the IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. However, uncertainty looms over RLL’s future in IMSA beyond 2025, as their current agreement to service BMW’s M Hybrid V8 prototypes concludes this year.
In a recent media conference, Rahal remained noncommittal regarding ongoing negotiations with BMW but expressed hope for continued collaboration. “We’re obviously hoping to continue this long relationship that we’ve had with BMW dating back to 2008,” Rahal stated. He emphasized a focus on the present, indicating the team is fully committed to upcoming races in the current season.
Despite recent speculation sparked by Dries Vanthoor’s third consecutive GTP pole position at Long Beach, both BMW and RLL have yet to convert strong starting positions into wins. Rahal acknowledged missed opportunities, citing issues at Daytona and Sebring that hampered their chances for victory. “We’ve had on-track issues… which hurt our chances at the end of the race,” he remarked.
Rahal highlighted the positive start to this season, noting that this is RLL’s most promising performance since the inception of their top-tier prototype program in 2023. “Yes, we’ve had three poles, that’s exciting… Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to put it all together come race day,” he said.
Frye’s inaugural race as RLL President at Long Beach follows Steve Eriksen’s tenure, which Rahal acknowledged as valuable. Rahal is optimistic that Frye’s extensive background in NASCAR and IndyCar will benefit the GTP program, fostering a collaborative environment crucial for future success in both championships.
“Jay brings a different level of experience… with manufacturers,” Rahal explained. “He has a great sense of building teamwork, something that is essential in motor racing.”
RLL continues to aim for a resurgence in both IndyCar and IMSA, with hopes that Frye’s established connections and innovative approach will bring renewed competitiveness to their operations. As the team looks ahead to Laguna Seca, securing victories remains paramount in solidifying their relationship with BMW beyond the current season.
