Rahal-Letterman Racing In Doubt For 2009 IRL

The Rahal Letterman Racing team says it is making a last-ditch effort to find a sponsor so it can compete in the 2009 IndyCar Series.

Team co-owner Bobby Rahal said Thursday the situation looks "pretty grim" but he remains hopeful the reeling economy won't prevent his cars from running.

Earlier, Rahal said in an e-mail to The Associated Press: "At this time Rahal Letterman will not be in the IRL in 2009." But he's not giving up.

"We are continuing to search for sponsorship to run the 2009 season and to run in the Indianapolis 500," he said in a statement, "and we feel that there is still time for us to put something together that will allow that to happen."

The IndyCar opener is April 5.

RLR is co-owned by talk-show host David Letterman.