Editor’s Note: This is another installment in SPEED SPORT’s preview of each NTT IndyCar Series team. To read other team’s previews, click here.
It’s been a tumultuous last handful of seasons for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as the team has only one victory in the last four years (Christian Lundgaard, Toronto in 2023).
Aside from anchor driver Graham Rahal, the team has cleaned house as it welcomes young drivers Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster to its stable.
Ahead of this weekend’s season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg (Fla.), here’s a look at each driver:
Key Losses: Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team), Pietro Fittipaldi (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship)
Key Additions: Devlin DeFrancesco (IMSA), Louis Foster (Indy NXT)
No. 15 — Graham Rahal
To say Graham Rahal’s last three seasons has been a struggle is an understatement. Prior to 2022, Rahal was on a run of seven straight seasons inside the top 10 in points.
However, the 36-year-old driver is coming off statistically his second-worst season in the IndyCar Series. With an average finish of 15.6 and a points finish of 18th, Rahal is in need of a rebound season.
Perhaps the addition of two young drivers along with offseason work will be the catalyst for success in 2025 as Rahal looks to get back to victory lane for the first time since 2017.
No. 30 — Devlin DeFrancesco
Devlin DeFrancesco is back in the IndyCar Series after a one-year absence as he focused on sports car racing last year.
The 25-year-old Canadian competed with Andretti-Steinbrenner Autosport in 2022-’23 where he posted a best finish of 12th (twice) with finishes of 23rd and 22nd in the standings.
Now with a fresh slate and new opportunity, DeFrancesco’s return to the series may be one to watch as he looks to cement his place on the grid as he enters a multi-year deal with RLL.
No. 45 — Louis Foster
Reigning Indy NXT champion Louis Foster will embark on his first foray in America’s premiere open wheel series with RLL this season.
While competing with Andretti Global in the IndyCar feeder series last year, Foster was stout with eight victories in 14 starts.
Heading to a struggling RLL team, Foster may lead the team to a bright future as he begins the first year of his multi-year deal with the team.
