RLL Dropping to one car?

In this spec era of limited testing, one-car teams are at more of a disadvantage than ever. We expect RLL to name Graham Rahal's 2014 teammate soon.

This AP article by Jenna Fryer discussing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing securing the National Guard sponsorship, indicates RLL may drop to a one-car team.

[Editor's note: we don't see it. In this day of limited testing and spec-car racing most development to the cars is done on race weekends, which makes a teammate critical. We expect RLL to remain a two-car operation.]

Bobby Rahal said the team was prepared for the GAO decision to go either way, and they courted other sponsors in case the guard returned to Panther. But landing the funding is a big step that will help the overall growth of the organization.

Rahal added his son to the team last year, but the results didn't show: Graham Rahal had only one podium finish, led six laps and finished 18th in the IndyCar standings — a year after he finished 10th in the standings and nearly won at Texas while driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.

"For us, signing the guard is obviously huge, historic, because it gives us the ability to compete at the highest level and build our company," Bobby Rahal said. "We can give our driver the proper tools to succeed. My partners and I, we made the investments in the cars and the equipment and the personnel, and it was clear we weren't giving Graham the equipment he needed to succeed."

Rahal has overhauled the program since midway through last season, when he brought in engineer Mitch Davis. He's also added engineer Bill Pappas and last week named veteran John Dick head of research and development.

Graham Rahal said Pappas has already helped identify areas that need improvement, and the guard sponsorship will help.

"Dad's motto has always been 'Lean and Mean' but this gives us an opportunity to get more growth," Graham Rahal said, adding that his father and partners David Letterman and Mike Lanigan had been paying for many things out of pocket.

"They'd been doing so much on their own dime, so increased sponsorship makes a big difference in helping us go get more people and grow the organization," he said.

Whether that will be two cars in 2014 remains to be seen.

Bobby Rahal was vague on how many entries he will field this year, noting "I won every one of my championships as a one-car team." But he said the goal is ultimately to be a successful two-car team. The team fielded cars last year for Rahal and James Jakes.

Graham Rahal said he told he father he's comfortable in a one-car team if the second driver is not an asset to the organization.

"I want a teammate that can add to what we are doing. I don't want a teammate that isn't helping setup the cars. We need somebody who can put something into the program," he said. "And the problem is, there is really a small list of drivers who can add to the program. A lot of the great ones are already taken." Star Tribune