FONTANA, Calif. -- Marco Andretti will drive the No. 25 Andretti Autosport car in the 2014 IndyCar Series season again with primary sponsorship from Dr Pepper Snapple.
Andretti signed a two-year contract extension with the team owned by his father, former CART champion Michael Andretti. The DPS-Andretti Autosport relationship extends to eight years in 2014. This season, Andretti has driven cars highlighting Venom Energy Drink, Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper TEN and RC Cola.
“Marco and Andretti Autosport have been great ambassadors of our brands over the years, and we are pleased to be partnering with them for another exciting IndyCar season,” said Jim Trebilcock, executive vice president of marketing for DPS. “Our brands and IndyCar both have extraordinary and passionate fans, and we’re looking forward to working with Marco and his team to drive excitement and build on that passion.”
Andretti enters the MAVTV 500 on Oct. 19 at Auto Club Speedway fifth in the championship standings with 14 top-10 finishes, marking his best season to date. He was the pole sitter for the 2012 finale at Auto Club Speedway.
"I feel we have been getting closer to a championship title and an Indy 500 win, and I wouldn't want to win it with anyone more with the Dr Pepper Snapple family and with my dad," said Andretti, who has two IZOD IndyCar Series victories. I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business and a lot of good results coming our way.”
Andretti also has worked with DPS on one of its key philanthropic initiatives, serving as honorary chairman of its 2013 United Way campaign. Themed “Drive Home Giving,” the campaign has raised almost $2.2 million for United Way agencies.
Munoz subs for Viso in finale
Carlos Munoz, who started and finished second in his first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May, will sub for the ill E.J. Viso in the No. 5 Andretti Autosport entry for the MAVTV 500.
Munoz also will compete in the Firestone Indy Lights Lefty's Kids Club 100 on the 2-mile oval Oct. 19 in the No. 26 Dialy-Ser Andretti Autosport car.
In addition to the Indy 500, Munoz started Race 2 at Toronto in July in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car after Ryan Briscoe suffered a hand injury in Race 1 on the temporary street circuit.
Munoz has recorded three victories in 11 Firestone Indy Lights races this season, and won the 2012 series finale at Auto Club Speedway.
Viso, who made his 100th Indy car start in Race 2 at Houston, had seven top-10 finishes in 19 races this season with a best of fourth at Milwaukee.
Long Beach race tickets on sale Oct. 21
Tickets for the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, schedule for April 11-13, 2014, will be available for purchase at 9 a.m. (PT) Oct. 21.
The event weekend on the 1.97-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit will be the second round of the IndyCar Series season.
“We have just concluded our highest ticket renewal for the past five years, and now all the remaining seats are available to the public for sale,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “As the number one street race in America combined with all that the City of Long Beach has to offer, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach continues to be the best family entertainment value in Southern California.”
Tickets and information will be available at www.gplb.com and by calling (888) 82-SPEED. A printed ticket brochure that includes a circuit map, ticket prices, order form and other information can be obtained by calling the hotline.
Of note
IZOD IndyCar Series team owner/driver Ed Carpenter will be inducted into the Auto Club Speedway Walk of Fame. He won the 2012 MAVTV 500 for Ed Carpenter Racing's first victory. In fact, he's won the season finale the past two years. ... Alex Tagliani, who's driving the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car this weekend, celebrated his 40th birthday at the track Oct. 18. ... Tickets to the Honda Indy Toronto on July 19-20, 2014, will go on sale Dec. 1. Ticket-holders from the 2013 doubleheader will have the first opportunity to renew tickets in early November. Both will be available at www.HondaIndy.com. ... James Fortney of Schnecksville, Pa., is the latest winner in Honda's Fastest Seat in Sports sweepstakes and will lead the field during the parade lap of the MAVTV 500 in the two-seat Honda IndyCar driven by Mario Andretti.