Frye “Drinking from a Fire Hose” in Transition as RLL President – Rahal

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief

Racing legend and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal knows there is a learning curve for newly-appointed team president Jay Frye, but believes he will propel the organization forward.

Frye joined RLL at the start of last month, roughly two months after he was ousted as INDYCAR President, a role he held since December 2018, following a reshuffling of leadership by Penske Entertainment.

In some ways, the move to RLL looks like business as usual, especially since Frye’s resume of 30-plus years in motorsports includes being vice president and general manager of Red Bull Racing’s NASCAR program (2008-11), along with chief executive officer and general manager of MB2 Motorsports – an organization he helped create.

The one difference with this venture, however, is Frye not only oversees RLL’s IndyCar Series program, but also its BMW operation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“Jay brings so much experience from all types of racing,” said Rahal, during an IMSA media availability earlier this week.

“It’s not just IndyCar, but NASCAR as the guy who led the Red Bull team in NASCAR for so many years; worked with Mr. (Rick) Hendrick and others. Jay just brings a wealth of knowledge, and I think he brings different perspective; having worked with manufacturers as well. So, we’re really pleased to have him and right now he’s kind of drinking from a fire hose. All things are a little related, but I’m really pleased we were able to get Jay to join the group and feel very confident that he’s gonna lead us to good things.”

When asked by Motorsports Tribune what Frye gives the organization that it had been missing, Rahal continued to point to his experience, but was also quick to give appreciation to former RLL Chief Operating Officer Steve Eriksen, whom the team confirmed it parted ways with upon Frye’s appointment.

“I do want to say that Steve Eriksen did a very good job for us and so I think that needs to be said,” Rahal said. “However, I think that Jay brings a different perspective, a different level of experience in various categories, (and) various positions. Obviously with IndyCar a lot of experience dealing with manufacturers.

“To a T, I think to everybody on the announcement, everybody was very complimentary of his skills and what he would bring, and I think we’re just in the beginnings of that, you know, of those benefits that he can bring to us. I just think it’s a different kind of maybe a different perspective, maybe the best way of saying it, but he’s you know, whether it’s him starting, playing all four years at Missouri in college football, or to where he’s been through all these other teams, there’s just a great sense of, I think you brings a great sense of building teamwork, and I think that’s a that’s something that you could never have enough of, frankly, in motor racing or any sport, for that matter.”

And lastly, Rahal understands how jumping into the IMSA waters is a new experience for Frye, but relationships built throughout his career help bridge the gap.

“IMSA is maybe a little bit newer for him, but you know, he’s dealt with many of the people within the IMSA organization, John Doonan (IMSA President), they worked side by side on a lot of things with ACCUS and the FIA,” Rahal said.

“When you’re in that position, in a sanctioning body, you’re always talking to other people and whether it’s NASCAR, IMSA, so you name it, right? So, I think that maybe on the specifics and of course, you know, I’ve tried to feed him as much of the history of our relationship with BMW and with IMSA for that matter, you know, there’s only so many hours in a day, so consequently, there’s what their name makes it makes for busy days. But he’s a sharp guy and I think that, okay, maybe, this (Laguna Seca) will be his second IMSA race, as at least with us, and after Long Beach. But he’s learning quickly.

“I expect that the relationships that he’s built with people like Dallara, for example, you know, who, of course builds the chassis for BMW, you know, that’s a positive. A lot of experience there. So, I think you have to look beyond just the obvious and look into all the relationships with Xtrac, all the vendors. And so, I really do believe that it’ll be a short learning curve for Jay.”