By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has appointed a bona fide INDYCAR “insider” as team president.

Jay Frye has joined Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing as team president.

Industry executive Jay Frye will report directly to a team ownership group fronted by 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal, and oversee operations in the NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Frye’s experience spans over 30 years and includes series and team leadership roles on the competition, marketing and sales and ownership sides.

Team leadership also announced it has parted with Steve Eriksen, who served as chief operating officer since January 2023.

“First, I would like to thank Steve Eriksen for all of the work he did for us, particularly at a critical moment in time for the company; we certainly wish him the best in his next endeavor,” said Rahal, team co-owner with David Letterman and Michael Lanigan. “I’m very pleased to have Jay Frye join the team as president of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. I’ve known him since his arrival on the INDYCAR scene in 2013 and have spent a lot of time with him and think highly of his character and his passion for the sport. I look forward to working with him in the future to take RLL to the place we all want it to be.”

Frye most recently served as INDYCAR president until February 2025. He is credited with implementing a strategic plan for future financial stability and innovative safety, competition and partnership developments. 

“Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has a tremendous history of success, both on and off the track,” Frye, 60, said in a team news release.  “I am very proud to be joining the dedicated and talented team of people at RLL. RLL has the foundation, infrastructure and an incredible commitment to continue being successful well into the future.”

BMW M Team RLL returns to action in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series on Saturday, April 12, on the Streets of Long Beach while the NTT IndyCar Series season resumes with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 13. For more information about the series or team, visit www.indycar.com and www.rahal.com.

Frye joined Hulman & Company in 2013 as chief revenue officer of Hulman Motorsports and led the combined team of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway sponsorship sales, licensing and account services.

In 2016, Frye introduced a rolling, five-year plan that served as a strategic blueprint in team cost-containment. Impetus for the plan was built around the introduction and successful implementation of the AK-18 universal aero kit in 2018. That initial five-year plan has extended through the 2026-28 seasons of the NTT IndyCar Series.

Named president in December 2018 after spending the previous three years as INDYCAR’s president of competition and operations, Frye made significant contributions to the commercial and competition sides of the business. NTT, a Fortune Global 500 global informational technology and communications leader, opened the 2019 season as new series title sponsor. Frye initiated and consummated this multi-year deal that was pivotal to growth of the series.

In May 2019, Frye spearheaded a partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to design the aeroscreen, an industry-changing, total driver cockpit safety solution which debuted during the 2020 season. Frye subsequently was recognized by Autosport on its prestigious 2019 Motorsports Power List covering the 50 most powerful people in global motorsport.

In October 2020, engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda extended their long-term agreements with the open-wheel series.

The 2024 season featured successful implementation of the INDYCAR hybrid power unit. Highlighted by a first-of-its-kind collaboration with partners Chevrolet and Honda, the hybrid engine package produced over 800 horsepower and completed a remarkable 94,244 miles after full-field introduction. The record-breaking 2024 season also produced 14 on-track passing records and the fastest pole speed in the 108-year history of the Indianapolis 500. As an indicator of overall series health, 2024 featured 27 full-time starters _ matching the record set in 2023.

Prior to joining Hulman & Co., Frye served in team management roles in NASCAR. He was vice president and general manager for Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR team (2008-11) and was named 2008 NASCAR Executive of the Year by ESPN and the Kansas City Star. From 1996-2007, Frye was chief executive officer and general manager of MB2 Motorsports, a team he created and built. Before his executive roles with NASCAR teams, Frye worked at Valvoline Racing. His extensive sales and marketing experience began with a variety of roles at Anheuser-Busch Inc.

A native of Rock Island, Ill., Frye graduated with a marketing/education degree from the University of Missouri, where he played tight end and offensive tackle for four years on the Tigers’ football team. He and his wife, Danielle, have two daughters.

Based in Zionsville, Ind., Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is co-owned by three-time INDYCAR champion  and ‘86 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.

In 2025, the team is celebrating its 34th year of competition while attempting to add to its 30 INDYCAR wins _ including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice and the 2020 Indy 500 with Japanese ace Takuma Sato _their 37 poles, 112 podium finishes and 1992 series championship.

Andretti Global rookie Dennis Hauger led the INDY NXT by Firestone Open Test on April 1 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. On his first day of driving on an oval, Hauger turned a top lap of 187.564 mph in the No. 28 Rental Group car. A 22-year-old native of Norway, Hauger leads the standings in INDYCAR’s developmental series after winning the season-opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 2.

“First test on an oval, and it was a really cool experience,” Hauger said. “I had a lot of fun out there. Good day at the office and I’m looking forward to coming back here later in the season.”

Series veteran Myles Rowe was second-fastest on the 1.33-mile concrete oval, which will host the 2025 series-ending Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 31. Rowe’s best lap was 187.491 mph in the No. 99 Abel Motorsports/Force Indy car.

Rookie Lochie Hughes of Australia helped Andretti Global produce a 1-3 finish on the speed chart, as he was third at 186.651 mph in the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship entry.

Andretti Global veteran Salvador de Alba of Mexico was fourth at 186.602 mph in the No. 27 Group Indi car. Caio Collet of Brazil completed the top-five at 186.054 mph in the No. 76 HMD Motorsports machine. Collet was the only driver among the top-five to turn his fastest lap during the morning session.

A total of 19 drivers turned 2,953 laps without incident. Series veteran Jonathan Browne of Ireland was the busiest driver, recording 194 laps in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing car.

Next INDY NXT by Firestone event is the Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday, May 4, at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. (11:30 a.m. EDT, FS1, INDYCAR Radio Network).

No Indy 500 weekend is complete without a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. With the Month of May looming, the reimagined Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reopened to the public on Wednesday, April 2, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The IMS Museum had been closed to the public since November 2023 while undergoing a transformation of its space and experiences.

With a general admission ticket, visitors now have full access to all exhibits and display areas of the Museum _ 40,000-square-feet of additional space _ including the lower level. That area previously was restricted to only select tours as well as the newly added mezzanine featuring artifacts on view for the first time.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is excited to welcome guests back to our reimagined space,” said Joe Hale, IMS Museum president. “Guests will not only enjoy visiting some of their favorite objects but will be able to explore significantly more exhibit space and have fun testing their skills in our immersive Qualifying Zone.”

As part of the reopening, the IMS Museum has rolled out a new pricing structure and membership opportunities. Effective April 2, IMS Museum general admission pricing is as follows: Adults, $25; senior citizens (55-plus), $23; veterans, $18, a new ticket offering; youth (ages 5-16), $18, with children 5-and-under admitted free.

The IMS Museum also has unveiled a new membership program, which focuses on families and allows members to bring guests on their visits, as well as other benefits and discounts. For the first time, the IMS Museum will offer a Family/Grandparent membership and Family/Grandparent +2 guests membership, with savings for visitors after just two visits. Annual membership prices:

_ Individual Plus membership: $125 (one individual + one guest)

_ Family/Grandparent membership: $175 (two adults and all children living in the home/all grandchildren)

_ Family/Grandparent Plus membership: $215 (two adults and all children living in the home/all grandchildren plus two guests)

Current members will be renewed at their previous rate for this first year.

In keeping with its commitment to being an educational destination, students and teachers (K- 12/college/vocational) can purchase an annual membership at the discounted rate of $25 with a valid student/teacher ID.

As a public, non-profit organization separate from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS Museum admission revenue helps cover operating costs, provide students nationwide with free or reduced educational programming and allows the IMS Museum to offer a variety of community programs and benefits, including:

_ Access Pass: In partnership with The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie, Newfields and others, qualified families can register for this membership and purchase general admission tickets for $5. More information can be found here.

_ Free Community Days: Guests can visit the IMS Museum for free on select days throughout the year. Dates are announced annually.

_ Blue Star Program (Active Military): Current active-duty military and their immediate family receive free general admission year-round with a valid military ID.

_ Bank of America’s Museums On Us: Present your Bank of America, Merrill Lynch or Bank of America Private Bank (US Trust) credit or debit credit and a photo ID on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month for one free general admission. Advanced ticketing is required.

For more information on the IMS Museum, visit imsmuseum.org.

FOX SPORTS’ 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES BROADCAST COVERAGE SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 2 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, March 23 _The Thermal Club, Thermal, Calif.  (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, April 13 _ Streets of Long Beach, Calif. (FOX, 4:30 p.m.)

Sunday, May 4 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (FOX, 1:30 p.m.)

Saturday, May 10 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course (FOX, 4:30 p.m.)

Sunday, May 25 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval (FOX, 10 a.m.)

Sunday, June 1 _ Streets of Detroit (FOX, 12:30 p.m.)

Sunday, June 15 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill. (FOX, 3 p.m.)

Sunday, June 22 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (FOX, 3:30 p.m.)

Sunday, July 6 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington (FOX, 2 p.m.)

Saturday, July 12 _ Iowa Speedway, Newton, Race 1 (FOX, 5 p.m.)

Sunday, July 13 _ Iowa Speedway, Newton, Race 2 (FOX, 2 p.m.)

Sunday, July 20 _ Streets of Toronto, Canada (FOX, 2 p.m.)

Sunday, July 27 _ WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif. (FOX, 3 p.m.)

Sunday, Aug. 10 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (FOX, 3 p.m.)

Sunday, Aug. 24 _ The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis. (FOX, 2 p.m.)

Sunday, Aug. 31 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn. (2:30 p.m.)

NOTE _ All times Eastern. Dates and times subject to change.