Graham Rahal has accomplished a remarkable feat by raising over $70,000 for US veterans through his initiative, Riding with Rahal. This effort will see the names of donors or those they choose featured on his No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car at the prestigious 109th Indy 500. On May 25, Rahal will make his 18th attempt at clinching victory in what is known as the Greatest Spectacle of Racing.
The Riding with Rahal fundraising program emerged from a partnership between the Graham & Courtney Rahal Foundation and United Rentals. Its mission is to support Turns For Troops, an endeavor that involves United Rentals donating $50 for every lap Rahal completes in specific races since 2016.
This year, Rahal’s collaboration with United Rentals attracted 1,025 donors, collectively raising over $70,000 for veterans. Fans who contributed at least $50 secured a spot for their names on the car, ensuring all proceeds directly benefit US veterans. Notably, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s co-owner, David Letterman, contributed to feature his second cousin, Major Jonathan Letterman, known as the father of battlefield medicine, on the No. 15 Honda.
Since their joint efforts commenced with NASCAR’s Richard Childress Racing, United Rentals has raised over $2.58 million. In 2025 alone, 254 laps were completed, generating $12,700. Graham Rahal, alongside 33 other drivers, participated in the Indy 500 open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 23 and 24, preparing for the upcoming race.
Despite encountering a fuel issue at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Rahal has performed decently in the 2025 IndyCar season’s initial three races. As he prepares for his 18th Indy 500 attempt—where he has twice secured third place—he discusses Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s developments, underlining the significance of the two-day test.
Currently standing 17th in the championship, Rahal aims for his first Top 10 finish, leading the team’s efforts against new teammates Devlin DeFrancesco and rookie Louis Foster. The fundraising’s impact reaches far beyond the racetrack, showing the potential for motorsport to make a difference.
