Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announced that Steak ‘n Shake will be the primary sponsor of the No. 15 Honda driven by Graham Rahal in five Verizon IndyCar Series events, including the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
The partnership also includes races at Long Beach, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, the doubleheader at Detroit and Mid-Ohio. Maxim Magazine branding will also be featured on the race car. Both are owned by Biglari Holdings.
“I’ve been eating them since I was 11. Finally, free Steakburgers,” said David Letterman, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with 1986 Indy 500 winner and three-time Indy car champion Bobby Rahal and Michael Lanigan.
Steak ‘n Shake will be an associate sponsor for the remainder of the Verizon IndyCar Series season. It is the first time that the Indianapolis-based company will be involved in Indy car racing.
“Dave Letterman clearly loves Steak ‘n Shake, and we love teaming up with champions. After all, the best way to be a champion is to unite with champions,” said Sardar Biglari, founder, chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings. “As we enter the IndyCar series with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, without a doubt we are sponsoring the very best in racing and we are honored to be associated with the team, whose name is synonymous with winning.”
The season opens March 29 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (3 p.m. ET, ABC) on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. Graham Rahal won the race in 2008, becoming the youngest winner in Indy car racing at 19 years, 93 days.
“Over the years I have visited many Steak ‘n Shakes and never had the thought that they could potentially be a sponsor of ours but here we are,” Bobby Rahal said. “We are thrilled to welcome the Steak ‘n Shake brand to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and introduce them to Indy car racing. This is another bit of good news for our sport with a new company coming in. We’re looking forward to putting them in Victory Lane.”
