BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – When NTT IndyCar Series team co-owner David Letterman saw that his two drivers had swept the front row for Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, there was no way he was going to miss it.
Letterman decided to travel to Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, and it was worth the trip. His last-minute adventure ended in victory lane as Takuma Sato drove the No. 30 Mi-Jack Honda to the fourth victory of his career, his second at RLL.
Letterman watched along with his team partner Bobby Rahal on the observation deck of the VIP Tower at Barber Motorsports Park.
Letterman, who gained fame as a comedian and late-night television talk show host on both NBC and later CBS, commented on how age doesn’t seem to be slowing down the 42-year-old driver from Tokyo.
“In fact, Takuma is actually about my age,” the 71-year-old Letterman told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “Experience is important. I don’t know how many starts he’s had total, but it’s a big, big effort on the part of the team. It’s not just the drivers.
“I think something is taking place here (on this team) that is going to be great.”
A win before the Indianapolis 500 creates momentum for any team heading into the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Before that, however, is next Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. That is a race Sato won in 2013 when he was driving for A.J. Foyt.
“When you qualify 1-2 with Graham Rahal, you can’t overlook that,” Bobby Rahal said. “Takuma has been a great addition to this team. It’s experience and he’s a very skilled guy. He has a good touch.
“He’s a craftsman.”
Letterman had never been to Barber Motorsports Park before and he fell in love with the facility and the area.
“It’s brand new, it’s beautiful, it’s great and I love natural terrain road courses,” Letterman said. “I wish I could see a little more passing (from this observation deck), but I can’t complain. We won the dang race so good for us.”
Sato was happy and honored to have Letterman witness his victory in person.
“I really appreciated that,” Sato told NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “He told me he couldn’t miss it. Initially, he wasn’t going to come to this race but after we had a great performance in qualifying on Saturday, he decided to fly in this morning.
“I think it’s fantastic to see David come to Barber. I think he really enjoyed it.
“I’m very, very proud of the entire Rahal Letterman Lanigan team. They did a fantastic team and Graham Rahal and I worked together. That is why we won today.
“Now, we are back in the game and that is a great feeling before we head into the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and for the Month of May at the Indianapolis 500.”