David Letterman Returns for 109th Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — David Letterman, the former late-night talk show host, is set to make his return to the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25. Having jumped into IndyCar ownership in 2004, he proudly partners with racing legend Bobby Rahal.

At 78 years old, Letterman recalls his early memories of the race dating back to 1955, when he would listen to the event on the radio with his family. Now, as co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, he will once again experience the thrill of the race in his home state.

This year, Letterman’s team will have four drivers competing in the prestigious event. Notable past winners include Buddy Rice, who took the win in 2004 for Rahal Letterman Racing, and Takuma Sato, who triumphed in 2020 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

In a recent interview, Letterman spoke passionately about the significance of the Indy 500 in his life, sharing, “I saw every weekend this kid named [driver’s name] running up front. When he won in ’86, he came on my show, and our friendship developed from there.”

The joy of racing was foundational in his life, with Letterman often attending races across the country during his time off from television.

In a humorous anecdote, he recalled a trip to the 1966 Indy 500 as a student at Ball State University, where he and a friend brought an old suitcase filled with beer, leading to a memorable experience at the race.

This year’s race is highly anticipated, with MobileX partnering with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as the Official Wireless Partner. Bobby Rahal expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the race’s global reach and fanfare.

The Indy 500 remains a hallmark of American motorsports, drawing over 300,000 fans to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and millions more watching worldwide. This year’s event is set to air live on FOX at 10:00 a.m. ET on May 25.