There was a quiet sense of assurance among the drivers at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on the eve of Indianapolis 500 qualifying this year.
The team had made significant investments in their program over the past year, addressing areas that needed improvement, and they believed in the speed of their cars.
However, Graham Rahal almost faced a situation similar to last year by the end of the weekend.
When he was bumped from the 33-car field on the final qualifying run, he had to race as a replacement for injured Stefan Wilson. This prompted Bobby Rahal to ask for a turnaround plan within 30 days to improve the team’s performance.
The plan included investments in technology, infrastructure, and most importantly, people. They bolstered their engineering department to ensure that Rahal and his teammates wouldn’t have to worry about qualifying.
These investments seem to have paid off on the track for some of the drivers. Takuma Sato secured a spot in the Fast 12 for the pole position and will start 10th on race day. Christian Lundgaard and Pietro Fittipaldi will start in Row 10, avoiding the pressure of bump day.
Graham Rahal was among the drivers vying for a spot on the grid until the last chance qualifying session.
As the session was coming to a close, Rahal found himself in the 33rd spot while rookie Nolan Siegel made a final attempt to bump him out. Fortunately for Rahal, Siegel crashed on his run, securing Rahal’s spot in the field.
Rahal insisted that despite challenges, the team had made progress this year and was no longer struggling with speed issues. However, they still lag behind Team Penske in terms of performance.
Rahal expressed puzzlement over the team’s struggles to find speed despite various changes made, including engine swaps and adjustments to gear ratios and aerodynamics.
When questioned about Sato’s better performance, Rahal attributed it to Sato’s exceptional engine. He acknowledged that there was room for improvement for the rest of the team.
Following a disappointing showing last year, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing made significant investments to improve their performance this year.
The team’s co-owners, Bobby Rahal and Mike Lanigan, are fully committed to ensuring a better outcome this time around.
Despite the challenges, the team remains hopeful that one of their drivers will reach the podium on race day.
FAQs
Q: What investments did Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing make to improve their performance?
A: The team invested in technology, infrastructure, and expanded their engineering department to enhance their performance on the track.
Conclusion
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has made significant strides in improving their performance for the Indianapolis 500 this year. Despite challenges, the team remains determined to compete at their best and achieve better results on race day.
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