BROWNSBURG, Ind. (November 16, 2016) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that United Rentals Inc., the largest equipment rental company in the world, has extended their agreement with the team with a new multi-year agreement. United Rentals will be again be the primary sponsor for the No. 15 Verizon IndyCar Series entry of Graham Rahal in the Chevrolet Duals in Detroit, June 3 and 4, and has added primary sponsorship of the No. 15 entry at Phoenix International Raceway on April 29. The agreement also calls for United Rentals to be a major associate sponsor on the team’s entry for Rahal during the 2017-2018 seasons and continue on as the Official Equipment Partner of the Verizon IndyCar Series.
“We are extremely pleased to have United Rentals expand their relationship with us,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with former late night talk show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Michael Lanigan. “We couldn’t ask for a better company to work with, whether it be the quality of their equipment and employees or their commitment to give back to charitable organizations. They are a first class organization and we are proud to be able to extend our partnership.”
In 2016, the team partnered with United Rentals on the Turns for Troops program that saw $50 donated by United Rentals to Soldier Strong for each racing lap Rahal completed. Over $100k was donated through the program and Rahal was awarded the “Commitment to Service Award” from Soldier Strong in November for his impact in raising awareness for their organization and the veterans they serve. On track, Rahal was a major factor in two of the most exciting races of the season, the Honda Indy at Barber Motorsports Park where he finished second to eventual champion Simon Pagenaud, and in the Firestone 600, where he won by the closest margin of victory at Texas Motor Speedway and fifth closest in INDYCAR series history. For the second consecutive year, Rahal ended the season as the highest-ranked Honda-powered driver in fifth place after a total of four podium finishes and eight, top-five finishes.
“United Rentals is very excited to extend our relationship with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” said Chris Hummel, chief marketing officer at United Rentals. “The RLL partnership has given us a terrific platform to showcase our equipment solutions and innovative offerings that improve productivity and safety. The entire RLL organization, and Graham Rahal in particular, have also been outstanding supporters of our Turns for Troops program to raise funds in support of wounded servicemen and women.”
United Rentals offers expert construction and industrial equipment rental, trench safety, temporary power, climate control, fluid transfer, tool management and technology services through the largest customer service organization of its kind in North America: 897 rental branches in the United States and Canada. For more information, see www.unitedrentals.com .
The 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season begins March 10-12 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Graham Rahal won the event in 2008 and won pole in 2009 – both feats earned him the distinction of being the youngest in series history to do so. For more details about the Series, please visit www.indycar.com.
About United Rentals
United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 897 rental locations in 49 states and 10 Canadian provinces. The company’s approximately 12,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 3,300 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $8.73 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at www.unitedrentals.com . To learn more about the Turns for Troops program in support of SoldierStrong, visit www.turnsfortroops.com .
About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and Brownsburg, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2017 the team will compete in their 26th year of open wheel competition and attempt to add to their 23 wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice — their 29 poles, 91 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. In 2014, BMW Team RLL moved to the GTLM class of the United SportsCar Championship with a two-car program and earned six podium finishes including four second-place finishes. In 2015, the team earned three wins, two poles and a total of eight podiums to finish second in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships and in 2016, BMW Team RLL added two poles and three podiums with their BMW M6 GTLM entries to bring their current total to 13 wins, 22 poles and 60 podium finishes.
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