Owner of IndyCar Team, Mike Lanigan, Resurfaces Following Health Crisis
Michael Lanigan Survives Health Scare, Returns to IndyCar Paddock
Michael "The Industrialist" Lanigan, a 74-year-old IndyCar powerhouse, made a triumphant comeback to the racing scene at The Thermal Club after a harrowing health ordeal that threatened to leave him with a broken neck five weeks ago. Known for his indomitable spirit, the three-time CART owner joined Bobby Rahal and David Letterman as the co-owners of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL Racing).
Sporting a neck brace to stabilize his mended neck, Lanigan shared chilling details of his brush with death a few hours before the Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix on March 23. Insomniac Lanigan stirred at 3 a.m., seeking a caffeine fix, only to experience a heart stoppage while descending the stairs. Suffering a neck fracture from his fall and a head wound in the impact, the South Suburbs of Chicago native was miraculously resuscitated. Doctors implanted a pacemaker to keep his heart beating regularly, a device he now relies upon.
A heavy construction magnate who founded Mi-Jack in 1973, Lanigan's endeavors extend far beyond the racing circuit. His company manufactures rubber-tire gantry cranes, and throughout the years, he has expanded into crane distribution, industrial equipment, entertainment, motorsport interests, and even a joint Panama Canal Railway venture.
Lanigan's racing career took off in 1992, sponsoring CART and Indianapolis 500 cars. In 1993, he co-founded Walter Payton Power Equipment, a crane and heavy equipment distributor. Currently, he heads the Lanco Group, a versatile conglomerate with ties to numerous ventures.
Sharing the co-executor role for Walter Payton's estate with Matt Suhey after the legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame running back's passing from a rare liver disease in 1995, Lanigan transitioned into a racing team owner in 2001, partnering with driver Eric Bachelart in Conquest Racing.
Lanigan sold his stake in Conquest following the 2007 season, moving to Newman/Haas Racing. The team was renamed Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, and, together, they joined the IndyCar Series following the unification of Champ Car and IndyCar in 2008. Forging a strong bond with actor Paul Newman, Lanigan was among the last to see him before his passing on September 26, 2008.
In 2007, he maintained partial ownership of Carl A. Haas Motorsports in NASCAR. Leaving Newman/Haas in 2010, Lanigan joined forces with RLL Racing, a partnership that continues to push boundaries in both IndyCar and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Most notably, Lanigan played a crucial role in RLL Racing's victory in the 104th Indianapolis on August 23, 2020, as Takuma Sato clinched the win during the only Indy 500 held outside the month of May due to the unforeseen circumstances brought on by the COVID pandemic.
Byte-Sized Insights
✓ Although specific details regarding Lanigan's recent health scare and its impact on RLL Racing remain limited, his return to the paddock underscores his resilience and commitment to the racing world.
✓ If Michael Lanigan's health-related absence were to occur, it could potentially disrupt decision-making processes, team morale, and public perception around RLL Racing.
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- Despite limited details about the effects of Michael Lanigan's health scare on Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, his return to the IndyCar paddock demonstrates his unyielding resilience and dedication to the racing world.
- In the event of Michael Lanigan's unexpected health-related absence, it might disrupt RLL Racing's decision-making processes, impact team morale, and influence public perception about the team.
- In img_3352, one can see Michael Lanigan, along with David Letterman, engaging in a conversation that may hint at possible fracturing or shifting dynamics within Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, as they strategize for the upcoming races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
