David Letterman Celebrates Retirement at the Indianapolis 500

The Late Show legend shows up at Indy to support his #15 Steak n’ Shake Honda.

What is it with late night talk show legends and cars? Jay Leno left the Tonight Show and locked himself into a 100,000 square foot garage with 300 exotic cars in Los Angeles. David Letterman, who ended a 33-year run on Wednesday as host of TheLate Show, arrived in his home state of Indiana to celebrate the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. 

Letterman, along with Indy legend  Bobby Rahal, is an active team owner, and his IndyCar entry this year, the #15 Steak n’ Shake Honda driven by Bobby’s son, Graham, is have an exceptional year. After nearly cracking the top 10 in the first couple races and placing second at the Grand Prix of Alabama, RLL’s car, which is co-sponsored by none other than Maxim, ran a tough race at Indy after a long week of scary fiery wrecks and airborne events.

Letterman, a longtime Steak n’ Shake fan, spent the morning of the race wandering the garage, checking in on the RLL car, as well as the #32 car, which was skinned with the Late Show with David Letterman logo, and branded with the hashtag, #ThanksDave.

“This is the best,” Letterman said. “I grew up here. I used to hear the track from where I used to live. I’d stand in my yard and just listen. Everyone in the neighborhood used to listen to it. It was great fun.”

Juan Pablo Montoya won the race—his second victory at the Brickyard in 15 years—but it marked an important second phase to Letterman’s career as an activist race team owner.

Photos by Michael Hickey/Getty Images