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The Indianapolis 500 might have been changed forever by one man, a reminder that it takes more than talent to become a legend.
You also need to overcome adversity, and that’s exactly what Bobby Rahal did in the 1986 Indy 500. Not only did he win the race, he made a career-defining finish with a late pass to take the lead against Kevin Cogan. And his mark on the history of the Indy 500 and INDYCAR is chronicled in a new documentary titled “Bobby Rahal: True American Racer,” produced by FOX Sports, Big Machine Racing Productions and Chassy Media.
The victory served as a touching tribute to the car’s owner, Jim Trueman, who was battling cancer and died a few days later.
“The 1986 Indy 500 altered the course of my life forever,” Rahal said in the trailer, which was released Tuesday ahead of its May 8 premiere.
After winning, Rahal cemented his legacy as a CART star by capturing two more championships in 1987 and 1992 before retiring in 1998 with 24 career wins. He later became a successful team owner, forming Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and winning once again, but as an owner.
Rahal’s impact on the Indy 500 extends beyond his 1986 victory, as he helped shape the modern era of INDYCAR both through his success as a driver and his leadership as an owner.
He continues that legacy to this day with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, the team he co-founded and which continues to be a constant presence at the Brickyard. His son, Graham Rahal, carries the family name this year, driving the No. 15 Honda for the organization.
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The documentary will premiere May 8 on FOX at 7:30 pm ET. It will also highlight the emotional stakes of the 1986 race, the deep bond between Rahal and Trueman and the strategy behind one of the most famous restarts in Indy history.
Along with Rahal, the documentary features Al Unser Jr., Brian Redman and Bryan Herta, and Trueman appears through archival footage. Together, they reconstruct the defining moments and emotional weight of one of INDYCAR’s most iconic races.
The 110th running of the Indy 500 will take place on May 24 at 12:30 pm ET on FOX.
