There's no monologue or a desk at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and yet David Letterman feels home.
Earlier this month, Team Rahal announched it had been renamed Rahal Letterman Racing to including David Letterman in the partnership.
"I'm very proud; it's a great day in my life," Letterman said, following the announcement. "This is something I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I'll try not to embarrass the team."
The Ball State alumnus teamed up with 1986 Indianapolis 500 Champion Bobby Rahal to field three cars in this year's Indianapolis 500.
Letterman first met Rahal in 1986 following Rahal's victory in the 500. Rahal and Letterman soon developed a friendship and often attended races at the Meadowlands together.
"At first he said, 'Geez, if you ever start a team, I'd be interested,'" Rahal said. "That was probably six or seven years before we actually did. And so, the day I decided to start Team Rahal, I called him up and said, 'Well, do you still feel the way you did seven years ago or so?' He said, 'Absolutely. Where do I sign up?'"
When the team was formed in 1996, Rahal was racing in CART, a rival series to the Indy Racing League, and did not compete in the 500. It would take six years and a mass exodus from CART to bring Rahal back to the Speedway.
In 2002, Team Rahal and David Letterman returned to Indianapolis with Jimmy Vasser. By 2003, Rahal ran a car in the Indy Racing League with Kenny Brack. He expanded to three cars for this year's Indy 500 with Roger Yasukawa, Vitor Meira and Buddy Rice filling in for the injured Brack.
Letterman had something to brag about on "The Late Show" Monday after Rice earned the pole position for the race and all three cars were in the first four rows.
"He's pretty quiet about it," Rahal said. "Although I don't think anyone promotes racing on television more than he does."
After winning the pole, Rice was asked whether Letterman gave him any advice.
"No," he answered with a smile. "That would be like me going on his show and telling him how to do things."
Rice added that he looks forward to chatting with Letterman in the pits on race day. Letterman will come to the track for the race, but it may be the only time he watches his team in action live this year.
"I wish he came to every one," Rahal said. "His schedule, it's so demanding that I think when he gets a chance to rest, he takes it, takes advantage of that. And traveling to races all over the country, while it might be fun, it's probably not restful for him."
Letterman has featured many IndyCar drivers on his show and welcomed 2003 IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon on his show in October. Meira, Rice, and Yasukawa are all possible guests for the program.
"Well, whichever one wins [gets to appear on "The Late Show"]," Rahal said. "They can win other races, too, and still be on the show."
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