By: Spencer Neff

July 22, 2026

On Wednesday, Dreyer and Reinbold Racing announced the purchase of one of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing”s charters, as the organization plans to return to full-time INDYCAR racing with the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign.

“I want to thank Bobby Rahal, Mike Lanigan, David Letterman and Jay Frye for the way they approached this from our very first conversation,” said Derek Reinbold, DRR chief executive officer.

“They treated this as a partnership between two organizations that want to see each other succeed, and this announcement today reflects that.

Further details of the program, including driver and engine plans, will be announced at a later date. Dreyer and Reinbold has utilized Chevrolet engines since the 2012 Indianapolis 500, while Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has run with Honda since 2003, prior to the current engine regulations.

DRR, which was founded in 2000, has competed as a part-time outfit since 2013, mostly running as an Indianapolis 500-only entrant. Since 2018, DRR has run two cars at the Indianapolis 500, including this past May with Conor Daly and Jack Harvey.

“The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is in the strongest position it has been in for decades, and that is a direct result of Roger Penske’s stewardship and leadership. The growth of this series, on the track and off, made this the right moment for our team to return to full-time racing. My dad built Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and poured his life into it, and our family has been part of the Speedway for four generations. Competing for a full season again is the truest way we can honor his legacy, and we intend to make him proud.”

Derek’s father and DRR Owner/Founder Dennis Reinbold passed away last month following a battle with cancer.

“I have always had tremendous respect for Dennis Reinbold, both as a fellow team owner and as a fellow automobile dealer,” RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal said.

“His dedication to INDYCAR and the legacy he built over many years earned the respect of everyone in the paddock. As we evaluated the long-term direction of our organization, we made the strategic decision to return our full-time program to two cars beginning in 2027. We believe this positions our team to be able to maximize our level of competition while allowing us to focus our resources as we prepare for the introduction of the new car.”

Founded in 1992, RLL expanded to three full-time entrants prior to the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign. The organization currently fields Graham Rahal, Louis Foster and rookie Mick Schumacher as its full-time entrants. Takuma Sato ran with RLLR during the Indianapolis 500.

“Dennis had expressed interest in acquiring a charter from the time the charter program was established, and we had several discussions with him before his passing,” Rahal added.

“We’re pleased we were able to complete this transaction, and we can’t think of a more deserving organization to receive the charter. It reflects Dennis’s longstanding commitment to the sport and helps ensure that legacy continues.”

RLLR’s driver lineup for 2027 will be confirmed at a later time.

“The first transfer of an INDYCAR charter is an important milestone for the INDYCAR charter system and demonstrates that the system is working as intended,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment president and CEO.

“The charter system provides teams with a valuable asset encouraging their continued investment in the long-term growth of the sport while also providing new ownership groups with a clear pathway into the series. It’s another step in strengthening the long-term foundation of INDYCAR.”

Established in 2025, the charter system guarantees all full-time entrants up to three guaranteed entries at each NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, with spots guaranteed for all races outside the Indianapolis 500. The total number of charters for the field was capped at 25.

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR