Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Makes History with Triple Fast Six Breakthrough at IMS

In a stunning display of teamwork, development, and driver execution, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) achieved a milestone on Friday by placing all three of its drivers into the Firestone Fast Six during qualifying for the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, and Devlin DeFrancesco each delivered season-best performances, locking out second, third, and fifth on the grid respectively — a historic first for RLL in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

A Long-Awaited Turnaround

For Rahal, who will start from the front row for the first time this season in the No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda, Friday marked a breakthrough moment.

“It’s a huge day for us,” Rahal said. “We didn’t unload in a great place, but we battled through it. There was great feedback among the three of us all day, and to see it pay off like this is incredibly rewarding. It’s massive for the whole organization.”

The team’s confidence at IMS wasn’t blind faith — it came with both historical performance and internal drive. Yet, Rahal acknowledged that finding this level of success elsewhere on the calendar has remained elusive.

“I wish we could understand what works here that we could apply everywhere else,” he added. “But hey, we’re not going to complain.”

Jay Frye’s Leadership Sparks a Cultural Shift

A recurring theme in the media session was the growing influence of RLL’s new team president, Jay Frye. The former INDYCAR President of Competition joined the organization earlier this year, bringing not only operational expertise but also a new energy.

“Jay’s added an element that wasn’t present before — real leadership,” Rahal said. “He gave us a kind of locker room-style pep talk this week. It was the first time in years someone other than my dad did that. It lit a fire in everyone.”

Foster and DeFrancesco echoed that sentiment, citing a noticeable shift in team culture since Frye’s arrival.

“Jay’s been a fundamental part of the changes here,” Foster noted. “I’ve seen the team without him and now with him, and the direction is clearly positive.”

A Unified Effort Pays Off

DeFrancesco, who matched his career-best starting position with P5 in the No. 30 EVTEC Honda, credited the turnaround to shared determination and support from both teammates and engineers.

“Everyone on the 30 car and across the team has rallied around me,” he said. “We’ve had a few frustrating rounds where we knew we had the pace but just missed execution. Today felt like a release of that pressure.”

The team’s qualifying strategy — especially tire management — played a pivotal role. Having learned from previous mistakes, Rahal and his engineers made a calculated decision to maximize tire usage at the right moments.

“We overestimated our pace at Barber and it cost us,” Rahal explained. “This week we sat down and said, ‘No arrogance. No assumptions. We’ve got to qualify well.’ And it finally clicked.”

Foster’s Rookie Rise Continues

Rookie Louis Foster delivered a season-best P3 in the No. 45 Mi-Jack Honda, building on strong showings earlier this year. His experience on the IMS road course — where he won in both Indy Pro and INDY NXT — clearly paid off.

“This is the first track I’ve come to in INDYCAR where I’ve won before in junior categories,” Foster said. “But credit goes to the engineers and the entire crew. They gave us the tools — I just had to deliver.”

Foster admitted to being surprised by his rapid return to the Fast Six but emphasized his focus remains on translating qualifying pace into results.

“It’s been nice to qualify well, but there’s more to learn in the races. As a rookie, that’s the hard part.”

Optimism Ahead of Race Day — and the 500

With the 85-lap race looming on Saturday, all three drivers stressed the importance of tire management and execution in warmer conditions. But more than that, they’re already thinking about how this momentum could carry into the Indianapolis 500.

“This gives us a boost heading into the biggest race of the year,” Foster said. “We had a great test here. All signs are pointing the right way.”

Rahal noted the team’s preparedness for the 500, aided by veteran crew members like Eddie Jones and legendary driver Kenny Bräck — both now key figures behind the scenes.

“Eddie’s been with me since the start. He’s working with Takuma this month. Kenny is a massive asset, especially on ovals. They bring that extra layer of depth we need.”

A Special Day, a New Chapter

For a team that has endured its share of frustration in recent seasons, Friday’s Fast Six sweep represents more than just grid positions. It’s a validation of belief, strategy, and the evolution of a team embracing change.

“Today just feels good,” Rahal said. “It’s a sign of what’s to come — not just for tomorrow, but for the month of May and beyond.”

written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment