Foster not a second choice after losing lundgaard

The co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing aims to build momentum around the upcoming Indy NXT champion

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is aiming for better days ahead, with the hope that its latest addition, Louis Foster, is a big part of its future.

The climb back from the depths of its dismal 2024 season won’t happen quickly, but RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal is keen to keep pushing forward and that starts with the acquisition - compliments of a multi-year deal - of Indy NXT champ Foster.

“Well, I don't think there's any question that we feel that Louis can run up front,” Rahal said. “I think that's the goal, undoubtedly, and I don't think there is any question of that.

“As I've said, the way he's raced this year in special, where I was able to witness quite a bit of it, I think all the pieces are there in my estimation."

There is no disputing how desperate RLL is to bounce back after this season's on-track results. There was also the midseason surprise of Christian Lundgaard, formerly assumed to be a bedrock of the organization’s future, announcing his departure at season’s end after being revealed as part of Arrow McLaren’s 2025 lineup.

RLL also failed to have any of its three full-time drivers (Pietro Fittipaldi, Graham Rahal and Lundgaard) finish in the top 10 of the championship, along with achieving only one podium on the year that came courtesy of the now-departed Lundgaard (third, Indianapolis road course). Roughly a week after the season concluded, the Federal Bureau of Investigation deployed agents to RLL’s offices, with the exact reasoning yet to be formally verified. And lately, Forbes reported that one of RLL’s key sponsors, Hy-Vee, a supermarket business in nine Midwestern states centered in West Des Moines, Iowa, would not be returning.

Still, Rahal is looking ahead to 2025.

“Yes, we're unhappy that we weren't able to continue with Christian. But… I don't look at this as a secondary choice or whatever. I think Louis has demonstrated his worth and has deserved the situation, and we're devoted to working with him and aiding him in every way so he can be successful.

“I think having Graham as a teammate, a lot of experience there, a lot of experience, and has still shown competitive speeds this year, seven top-10 qualifyings I believe it was, which is pretty hard to do these days.

“I think it's a good mix. I simply admired the way Louis held himself and how he acted, and I think he's just a class man. I think for sure that's why we look at him as a long-term prospect for us, because I think he can figure in races and in titles in the years to come.”

The 21-year-old Foster produced a tremendous campaign in Indy NXT, winning eight of 14 races while also capturing a total of seven poles, 12 podiums and leading 362 of 640 total laps en route to the title.

For Rahal, all of that accomplishment stood out amongst a pool of strong drivers still hoping for a ticket for next year.

“Well, clearly one thing I really like is the fact that, as you remember, this year we tested (Formula 2 race winner) Zane Maloney, for example, at the Indy Road Course,” Rahal remarked. “Really sharp young guy, did a very good job for us. There's no question he'll do extremely well in his future.

"There's a lot of individuals in Formula 2 that have transitioned into IndyCar, and that's certainly an option -- there's clearly a proven entrée into IndyCar with Christian and (Alex) Palou and others.

“But I think Indy NXT has proven itself to be just as good, and frankly I think there's an advantage in Indy NXT because you have familiarity with the circuits and on the ovals in particular.

“I believe that there are a lot of young guys waiting in the wings. And as I've mentioned before, there's a lot of guys that are -- I retired at 45, and there's a lot of folks that are banging on the door right now. The next few years we're going to see this kind of graduation of a lot of young males and perhaps young ladies coming into IndyCar through either Indy NXT or Formula 2.”