Graham Rahal, a veteran IndyCar driver and a prominent figure in the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team, has recently unleashed a scathing critique of billionaire Roger Penske, the owner of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rahal’s remarks, branding Penske as an “incompetent and irresponsible old man,” stem from what he perceives as misleading promotional efforts for IndyCar and the controversial decision to sell a third of the series and the Speedway to media partner FOX. The outspoken driver’s comments have ignited a firestorm of debate within the motorsport community, with Penske’s response only fueling further discontent among fans, teams, and drivers.

Rahal’s criticism centers on Penske’s stewardship of IndyCar since acquiring it from Hulman and Company in 2019. Penske, a titan in the motorsport world with a storied history as a team owner and promoter, promised to restore IndyCar to its former glory. However, Rahal argues that these promises have largely been unfulfilled, accusing Penske of prioritizing financial deals over the sport’s long-term health. The sale of a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment to FOX, announced on July 31, 2025, has been a particular point of contention. While the deal extends FOX’s role as IndyCar’s exclusive broadcaster and is touted as a step toward greater exposure, Rahal claims it reflects a lack of vision and accountability.

The IndyCar series has seen a modest 30% increase in viewership in 2025 compared to the previous year, with the Indianapolis 500 drawing over seven million viewers. Yet, Rahal contends that this growth is insufficient, pointing to scheduling conflicts, such as the clash between NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 and IndyCar’s Grand Prix of Monterey, which led to a drop in viewership from one million to 700,000. He argues that Penske Entertainment has failed to market the series effectively, allowing such overlaps to diminish IndyCar’s visibility. Rahal’s frustration echoes a broader sentiment among drivers and team owners who feel that IndyCar’s potential remains untapped under Penske’s leadership.

The FOX acquisition has also raised eyebrows due to its implications for IndyCar’s future. While Rahal initially expressed cautious optimism about the partnership, tweeting, “LFG. Big news for our sport. Thank you FOX,” his tone has shifted as details of the deal emerged. Critics, including Rahal, argue that selling a significant portion of IndyCar to a media conglomerate risks diluting the series’ identity and prioritizing commercial interests over competitive integrity. The move has sparked concerns about whether FOX’s influence will lead to changes in race formats, scheduling, or even the sport’s core values to boost television ratings.

Penske’s response to Rahal’s criticism has done little to quell the controversy. In a statement, Penske defended the FOX deal as a necessary step to secure IndyCar’s financial stability and global reach. He emphasized the extended media licensing agreement and FOX’s commitment to promoting the series. However, his dismissive tone toward Rahal’s concerns, suggesting that the driver’s comments were “misinformed” and “unproductive,” has angered many in the IndyCar community. Fans and analysts have taken to social media, particularly X, to express their frustration, with some accusing Penske of deflecting accountability rather than addressing the sport’s challenges.

Rahal’s outspokenness is not new. He has previously criticized Penske’s leadership, notably in 2022 when he urged IndyCar to challenge Formula 1’s expansion into the U.S. market by taking the series global. He has also called out Team Penske, owned by Roger Penske, for repeated rule violations, including illegal modifications in the 2025 Indianapolis 500 qualifying and misuse of the Push to Pass system in 2024. These incidents, Rahal argues, reflect a pattern of mismanagement that extends to Penske’s oversight of the series itself.

The backlash against Penske underscores a critical juncture for IndyCar. As the series navigates a competitive landscape dominated by NASCAR and Formula 1, drivers like Rahal are demanding bold strategies to elevate IndyCar’s profile. Rahal has called for Penske Entertainment to “double or triple” its efforts in marketing and promotion, arguing that complacency will only widen the gap between IndyCar and its rivals. The FOX deal, while a potential catalyst for growth, has yet to prove its value, and Penske’s leadership will be under scrutiny as the 2026 season approaches.

For now, Rahal’s fiery remarks have amplified the voices of those who feel IndyCar deserves better. Whether Penske can address these concerns and steer the series toward a brighter future remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate over IndyCar’s direction will continue to reverberate, with Rahal’s critique serving as a rallying cry for change.