Bobby Rahal, a three-time IndyCar Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, has been appointed grand marshal for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, scheduled for Sunday, July 6. This marks the second time this season he will fulfill the honorary role, linking him once again to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course where he has a deep-rooted history.
Rahal, whose son Graham drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, will lead pre-race ceremonies and officially signal the start of the race by declaring, “Drivers, start your engines!” His connection to Mid-Ohio spans decades, making this appointment a significant homecoming.
Bobby Rahal’s Long-Standing Connection to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Originally from Ohio, Bobby Rahal’s career achievements at Mid-Ohio are notable, including wins in 1985 and 1986. He earned eight podium finishes in sixteen starts at this circuit, ending his appearances with podiums in both 1997 and 1998. His first victorious moment at Mid-Ohio came in 1974 in his Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) class, and he also claimed victories in IROC and the Lumberman’s race there.
“It’s a great honor to be the grand marshal for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio,” Rahal said. “Mid-Ohio played an important role in my personal and professional life. I went to the first-ever race there with my father in 1962 and made annual trips there after that, sometimes twice a year. I got my first win at Mid-Ohio in my SCCA class in 1974, won both IROC races I competed in there, won the Lumberman’s race and, of course, the two INDYCAR races in 1985 and 1986.” —Bobby Rahal, Grand Marshal
Bobby Rahal’s Recent Role at Monterey SportsCar Championship
In addition to his forthcoming duties at Mid-Ohio, Rahal was the grand marshal at the Monterey SportsCar Championship IMSA event held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May. He carries a similarly strong connection to Laguna Seca, a track where he began racing in 1979 and where he remains highly respected both for his accomplishments and as a team co-owner.
“When I first came here in 1979, this place was hallowed ground to me,” Rahal said, “I fell in love with the place, it suited me and I suited it, and I had a number of great days here.” —Bobby Rahal, Grand Marshal
Lauri Eberhart, CEO of Friends of Laguna Seca, acknowledged Rahal’s impact on the sport and the inspiration he brings to fans and fellow drivers.
“Bobby has played an extraordinary role in shaping American motorsports, and his presence will be an inspiration to fans and competitors alike,” she said. —Lauri Eberhart, CEO, Friends of Laguna Seca
Preserving the Rahal Family’s Continued Influence in IndyCar
As a co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Bobby Rahal supports a team competing in both IndyCar and IMSA series, with his son Graham Rahal continuing the family’s racing tradition. Bobby’s appointment as grand marshal not only honors his remarkable career but also highlights the ongoing Graham Rahal IndyCar family legacy, bridging multiple generations on and off the track. The role at The Honda Indy 200 offers an opportunity to celebrate this enduring tradition and further engage racing fans with the history and future of the Rahal family within the sport.
