Veteran race engineer Bill Pappas will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to work with driver Graham Rahal for the 2014 IndyCar Series season.
Pappas, who has worked in racing since his graduation from Purdue University in 1983, most recently was the race engineer for Justin Wilson at Dale Coyne Racing for the 2012 and '13 seasons. Wilson was fourth in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings entering the season finale Oct. 19 before being involved in a race incident and falling to sixth.
The team has booked its first offseason test for Nov. 18 at Sebring International Raceway.
“I’m very pleased that Bill is joining us,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of the team with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. “His track record and experience is really second to none and I feel that he can provide a big benefit to the team and Graham."
Rahal, the youngest winner of an IZOD IndyCar Series race, completed his first season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with five top-10 finishes (high of second at Long Beach) but was 18th in the standings.
“He brings not only a wealth of experience and Indy 500 wins as well as others, he can really help take our team and engineering staff to the next level," said Rahal, 24. "I’ve known Bill a long time. We have had opportunities to work together before but it just didn’t fall into place until now."
Following a stint at Patrick Racing from 1988-1992, Pappas has worked at Hall Racing (1993-96), Walker Racing (1997-99), Chip Ganassi Racing (2000-05), Panther Racing (2006-07), Michael Waltrip Racing (2008), Dale Coyne Racing (2009), KV Racing Technology (2010-11) and Dale Coyne Racing (2012-13).
Pappas was race engineer for Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000, during which the driver won the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and three CART-sanctioned races.
“I'm very honored to be offered an opportunity to be a part of Rahal Letterman Lanigan, working for Bobby and helping Graham reach his potential,” he said.