MOTORSPORTS LEGEND BOBBY RAHAL has been named grand marshal for the Monterey SportsCar Championship IMSA race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca next month, the raceway said this week.
Rahal is a three-time IndyCar Series champion and one-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, which he won in 1986.
He also co-owns Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, which races cars in IndyCar and International Motor Sports Association races.
Rahal is tasked with delivering the “Drivers, start your engines!” command prior to the race, which is the only IMSA race in Northern California.
Rahal has a long history at the raceway, where he won five races in the Champ Car and IndyCar series.
“When I first came here in 1979, this place was hallowed ground to me,” Rahal said, “I fell in love with the place, it suited me and I suited it, and I had a number of great days here.”
Those great days could continue — Rahal has two cars in the day’s race that will compete in the field.
Lauri Eberhart, chief executive officer of Friends of Laguna Seca, a nonprofit that supports the racetrack, says it’s an honor to have Rahal as the grand marshal.
“Bobby has played an extraordinary role in shaping American motorsports, and his presence will be an inspiration to fans and competitors alike,” she said.
Monterey SportsCar Championship IMSA weekend takes place May 9-11. Tickets start at $10.35.