BROWNSBURG, Ind. (June 4, 2015) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that it will again partner with FightSMA to build awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. FightSMA will be an associate sponsor the team’s No. 15 entry driven by Graham Rahal at the Honda Indy Toronto on June 14 and the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on August 2. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic cause of infant death, but has been identified as the closest of all neurological disease to finding treatment or a cure. The organization was an associate sponsor of the team at Toronto and Houston last season.
“It is truly an honor to represent FightSMA and join in the fight to end this terrible disease,” said Graham Rahal, who finished on the podium three of the past five Verizon IndyCar Series races and is ranked fourth in series point standings. “Our team is motivated to bring home a win in Toronto and at my home race at Mid-Ohio to raise global awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.”
“FightSMA is thrilled to be involved with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team for the second year in a row,” said FightSMA Canada president, Tracy Lacey. “As spinal muscular atrophy is a disease that is so close to the finish line in terms of finding a cure, partnering up with Graham Rahal is a natural fit for us.”
About FightSMA, Inc.
FightSMA engages leading scientists and policymakers to create treatments and a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), still the most common genetic cause of death for young children. FightSMA has been leading advancements in the SMA landscape for over 20 years and is more optimistic than ever before. FightSMA is a tax exempt non profit organization in both Canada and the United States that relies solely on charitable contributions to equip its innovative research and advocacy programs. For more information, please visit www.FightSMA.ca and www.FightSMA.org
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, CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2015 the team will compete in their 24th year of open wheel competition and attempt to add to their 20 wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice — their 29 poles, 81 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 competed in the GTLM class of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with a two-car program and earned six podium finishes including four second-place finishes. In 2015, the team opened the season by scoring their 50th podium finish of second place at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and will attempt to add to their 12 wins.
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