‘I Won’t Be Racing for Much Longer’: Graham Rahal Shares When He’ll Leave IndyCar and Why
In the high-octane world of IndyCar, where legacies are forged at 230 miles per hour and the roar of engines drowns out all but the boldest ambitions, Graham Rahal has long been a fixture of resilience and unyielding passion. The 36-year-old driver, son of three-time IndyCar champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, has piloted the No. 15 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) since 2013, amassing seven race victories and a reputation as one of the series’ most consistent performers. But in a candid revelation on the latest episode of the “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi” podcast, Rahal dropped a bombshell that has sent ripples through the paddock: his days behind the wheel are numbered, with retirement looming after just two more seasons.
“I’m not gonna race much longer. It’s just a reality,” Rahal told hosts James Hinchcliffe and Marshall Pruett, his voice carrying the weight of a man who’s stared down the barrel of two decades in open-wheel racing. The admission came unprompted during a discussion about his burgeoning business ventures, a pivot that underscores the “why” behind his impending exit. At 36, Rahal is far from the grizzled veteran of the sport—younger than champions like Scott Dixon (44) and Josef Newgarden (34)—yet he’s choosing to step away not out of exhaustion, but to chase a different kind of victory: entrepreneurial empire-building.
Central to Rahal’s post-racing vision is Graham Rahal Performance (GRP), a high-performance automotive tuning and engineering firm he’s grown into a nine-figure revenue powerhouse. Founded in 2015 amid the frustrations of inconsistent funding at RLL, GRP started as a side hustle customizing street cars with IndyCar-derived tech. Today, it boasts a state-of-the-art facility in Zionsville, Indiana, churning out bespoke modifications for everything from Lamborghinis to Tesla Model S Plaid swaps. “For me, it’s fun, and it’s the future,” Rahal said, emphasizing how GRP’s growth has outpaced even his wildest expectations. The company now employs over 50 people, partners with global brands like Michelin and Brembo, and generates enough cash flow to fund Rahal’s racing without relying on traditional sponsorships—a rarity in IndyCar’s sponsorship-starved landscape.
This financial independence marks a stark evolution from Rahal’s early career. Debuting in IndyCar at 19 with a stunning victory at the 2008 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg—the youngest winner in series history at the time—he quickly became the sport’s prodigy. But family ties to RLL brought challenges. In 2023, a public contract dispute with his father Bobby led to a mid-season suspension, with Rahal missing four races and finishing 20th in the standings. The fallout, coupled with a winless drought stretching back to 2017, tested his resolve. Yet, Rahal returned stronger in 2024, scoring three podiums and helping RLL secure its first top-10 points finish since 2015. This season, 2025, saw him notch a emotional win at Mid-Ohio—his home track—breaking an eight-year victory famine and reigniting fan fervor.
Still, the pull of the cockpit is waning against the siren call of the boardroom. Rahal’s portfolio extends beyond GRP: He owns Rahal Ducati, a Cleveland dealership specializing in performance motorcycles, and Rahal Paint Pro, a custom coatings business. These ventures aren’t mere hobbies; they’re a deliberate hedge against IndyCar’s volatility. “Racing is my passion, but business is my legacy,” Rahal reflected on the podcast. The timing feels poignant—2025 marks the final hybrid season before a new 2028 chassis era, and with GRP eyeing expansion into electric vehicle tuning, Rahal sees clearer skies off the track.
What of his RLL legacy? Rahal quashed any notions of a clean break, outlining a seamless succession plan that keeps him woven into the team’s fabric. “Yeah, I’ll be there. There’s no doubt,” he assured Hinchcliffe when asked about trading his firesuit for a pit wall polo. Post-retirement, likely after the 2027 season, Rahal envisions a strategic role—perhaps team principal or technical director—mentoring rising stars like 2025 Rookie of the Year Louis Foster, who joined RLL mid-season and impressed with a podium at Iowa. Foster, a 21-year-old Brit with Firestone Indy Lights pedigree, represents the youth infusion Rahal champions. “I love seeing these kids come in green and leave as pros,” Rahal said. “Louis is special; he’s got that fire.” Under Rahal’s guidance, RLL could evolve from a midfield mainstay into a contender, especially with Bobby Rahal’s 77-year-old wisdom still sharp.
The announcement has sparked a mix of nostalgia and optimism in the IndyCar community. Teammate Pietro Fittipaldi, who shares the No. 15 entry, called it “bittersweet,” praising Rahal’s mentorship. Fans, too, are rallying—Rahal’s “Turns For Troops” charity, which raised over $69,000 in 2025 via United Rentals donations per lap completed, embodies his off-track impact. Yet, Rahal remains laser-focused on the present. With three races left in 2025, including a title shot at Laguna Seca, he’s gunning for a championship charge. “I’ve got unfinished business,” he declared. “But when the checkered flag drops on my driving career, it’ll be on my terms.”
Rahal’s candor is a reminder that even in a sport defined by speed, life’s race has detours. As he accelerates toward entrepreneurship, IndyCar loses a driver but gains an ambassador—one whose engine will hum long after the tires stop spinning. For now, though, the track calls. And Graham Rahal, ever the competitor, answers.
