Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Elevates Qualifying Performance in 2025
Laguna Seca, CA — Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) is experiencing a significant uptick in its qualifying performance this season, reflecting a dedicated investment in engineering and strategy. The team entered the latest IndyCar race at Laguna Seca ranked joint third for appearances in the Firestone Fast Six with eight, trailing only Andretti Global (13) and Chip Ganassi Racing (10).
Veteran driver Graham Rahal has been pivotal, making four Fast Six appearances in the No. 15 Honda. He is joined by rookie Louis Foster, who has shown promise with three Fast Six spots in the No. 45 Honda, and Devlin DeFrancesco has made an additional appearance in the No. 30 Honda. This marked a substantial improvement compared to last year, where RLL managed only one Fast Six entry at Portland from a single carryover driver.
Despite strong qualifying results, the challenge remains in translating speed into race day success. Team Manager Grant Weaver acknowledged the focus on strengthening engineering capabilities. “We came into this year knowing we struggled in a lot of areas. We put a lot of effort into strengthening some core engineering areas,” he stated.
This year, RLL brought in Yves Touron to refine setups on Rahal’s car and expanded the engineering department under Todd Malloy. Weaver attributes the team’s improvement to extensive efforts in aerodynamics and mechanical setups, noting, “There’s not one single silver bullet… It’s a lot of effort toward a common goal.”
Since Weaver’s arrival, the organization has observed structural changes, including Malloy overseeing the IndyCar engineering department and the promotion of veteran crew chief Derek Davidson. The integration of former IndyCar president Jay Frye further supports the team’s strategic realignment.
Weaver emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication within the tri-car operation to maximize performance. “You can add star players, but if they don’t have teammates who want to work with them, you can’t make a team,” he noted, stressing the focus on collaborative engineering efforts.
As RLL continues to refine its approach, the objective remains clear: convert qualifying performance into race day results. "Sunday is payday, and we’re working hard to make things happen," Weaver concluded.
Key Stats:
- Fast Six Appearances: Rahal (4), Foster (3), DeFrancesco (1)
- Current Standing: Joint third in Firestone Fast Six appearances (8 total)
- Major Changes: New engineering hires and structural adjustments within RLL’s team operations.
