Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing chief operating officer Scott Roembke passed away Sunday, after several years battling health issues.
Roembke returned to the team at this year's Indianapolis 500, working with RLL's second driver Michel Jourdain Jr., who raced full-time for the team in 2002 and 2003 in CART. He was still at the helm on the pit box for RLL's last IndyCar race win, which came with current championship contender Ryan Hunter-Reay at Watkins Glen in 2008.
Team co-owner Bobby Rahal issued a statement on Roembke's impact on the team and legacy within the sport.
“This is a very sad day for all of us at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” Rahal said. “Scott was truly passionate about motor racing and particularly Indy car racing and was wealth of knowledge about the sport. He was a great leader, a confidant of mine and a dear friend. Scott's passion was directing winning Indy cars and RLL and many drivers were the beneficiaries of his strategic genius. Scott was selfless when it came time for the betterment of the Sport and the Sport is now poorer for his passing. Our prayers and sympathies are with his wife Darcy, son Chris and the entire Roembke family. Scott will always be a part of our team, now and in the future.”
Roembke began his professional racing career in 1986. After growing up a passionate race fan in suburban Indianapolis, Roembke realized his lifelong dream when he joined Patrick Racing as the logistics manager and worked closely with the legendary Jim McGee. He later assumed the role of Assistant Team Manager for Patrick Racing. Late in 1991, he joined Rahal-Hogan Racing as General Manager and in 2000 was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, a title he held at the time of his passing. Under Roembke's guidance, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has become recognized as an industry innovator and one of the premier teams in open-wheel and sports car racing.