Bobby Rahal documentary brings IndyCar history to Nashville race weekend

The documentary “Bobby Rahal: True American Racer” was screened July 17 at the Franklin Theatre ahead of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix July 19 at Nashville Superspeedway. 

The film follows Rahal from his 1986 Indianapolis 500 victory alongside his late manager, Jim Trueman, to the three Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) championships, to his transition into team ownership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 1991.  

Rahal retired from IndyCar competition in 1998 with 24 victories, three years before the series first raced at Nashville Superspeedway. 

Although he never raced in Nashville, his legacy was appreciated through the screening and post-film discussion featuring his son Graham Rahal, Big Machine Records founder Scott Borchetta and musician Mark Collie. 

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“To see the documentary, to see his career on display . . . he’s a pretty humble guy,” Graham Rahal said. “Even for me, he doesn’t talk about it a lot.”

The second-generation racer, who will drive the No. 15 Honda for RLL this weekend, said Nashville remains one of the strongest hubs for IndyCar recognition.

“If you look at IndyCar ratings, Nashville is always one of the top markets for viewership,” Rahal said. “Obviously, (Josef) is a part of that because he’s from here, and it certainly helps move the needle.” 

Hendersonville native Josef Newgarden is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and the defending Music City Grand Prix champion, which drew a 1.42 local household rating on Nashville’s FOX 17, ranking second behind Indianapolis among all U.S. markets.

Rahal, who finished 17th in the 2025 race, said Nashville’s central location and connections to several drivers continue to strengthen the city’s place on the IndyCar schedule. 

“With our sport, where we thrive is the city, street races like that,” he said. “That’s where the crowds come in spades. When you tie together a race like that to a city like this, it’s a recipe for success.” 

The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix qualifying will take place July 18, with the official race the following day.