Rahal confident of landing National Guard

Bobby Rahal confident of stealing National Guard sponsorship from the Panther team

Bobby Rahal's IndyCar Series team is still hopeful of landing the National Guard sponsorship for the upcoming season, but the team principal said Friday that nothing's assured.

Rahal noted that, as The Indianapolis Star first reported, the U.S. Government Accountability Office's website shows that Panther Racing's protest was denied Jan. 17. Panther Brands LLC has been trying to keep the funding it has had in primary form since 2008.

The annual value of the sponsorship has been estimated at more than $10 million.

Securing the funding is key to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing having a two-car program, with Graham Rahal likely to field the car carrying the National Guard livery.

"We're on pins and needles even though I'm confident in the merits of our proposal," Bobby Rahal said. "The protest has been denied, but Washington moves slowly.

"So, like everybody else, we're waiting."

Rahal said the team "can move pretty quickly" on a second car if it finalizes funding for the primary car. Indy Star