IndyCar’s Rahal Gets Guard as Sponsor

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has won the battle with Panther Racing for the Army National Guard sponsorship for the upcoming IndyCar season.

The National Guard will be Graham Rahal’s primary sponsor on the No. 15 Honda.

The Rahal organization submitted a winning proposal for the National Guard sponsorship last fall, but Panther Racing appealed to keep the contract it has held since 2008, All military sponsorships are reviewed annually.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office denied Panther’s appeal last month.

Rahal tells The Associated Press he feels strongly that an American driver should represent the Guard and “there is more pride to be involved in this than anyone can know.”

The Guard sponsors Dale Earnhardt Jr. in NASCAR.