As a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Ed Carpenter knows the inspirational story of Andrew Smith, the former Bulldogs basketball player who died at age 25 after twice battling cancer.
That’s why Carpenter is more than happy to spread the message of Project 44 – which honors Smith’s legacy by driving registrations for bone marrow registry – within the INDYCAR paddock.
“I’m really hoping to rally this racing community, which really does rally around great causes, supports a cause that means a lot to me and the Butler community,” said Carpenter, the owner/driver of the Verizon IndyCar Series team bearing his name. “To be a small part of Project 44 and help them achieve their goal of saving 44 lives through bone marrow donation is the plan. I’m proud to sign up and be an ambassador, and hopefully, I can get a lot of my peers to sign up.”
Carpenter was joined by Butler men’s basketball coach LaVall Jordan and Samantha Smith, the widow of Andrew Smith, to place a Project 44 logo on the nose of his No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet on Thursday. Project 44 is a partnership between Butler and Be The Match, the nation’s bone marrow registry. It was created in honor of Smith, who played for the Bulldogs’ NCAA runner-up teams in 2010 and 2011.
Samantha Smith said that Carpenter and his wife Heather spent time with her and Andrew at the Crossroads Classic basketball game shortly before he passed away in January 2016. From that visit, she knew that Carpenter was ideal to be an ambassador for Project 44.
“Ed signing up during May at Indianapolis shows the simplicity of signing up for the registry,” she said. “To have Ed out here saying, ‘Yes, I’m going to do it,’ and then physically doing a swab on each cheek and filling out paperwork. If he can do it in May, we all can take a few seconds from our day to do it to.”
Drivers’ videos help passengers fly through Indianapolis airport security
Travelers passing through the Indianapolis International Airport for the Indianapolis 500 and beyond will be welcomed by some of the biggest stars of the Verizon IndyCar Series.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Hulman Motorsports have teamed with 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden, 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud and 2016 Indianapolis 500 pole winner James Hinchcliffe to provide passengers a series of helpful video instructions for easy TSA checkpoint screening.
“Our city is thrilled to be home to both the Indy 500 and so many of our amazing INDYCAR drivers,” said Allison Melangton, Hulman Motorsports senior vice president of events. “This is a fantastic partnership with our friends at Indianapolis International Airport and TSA that will make travel easier and more exciting for passengers and, of course, will increase anticipation for the big race as we get closer to Memorial Day weekend.”
The unique partnership is thought to be the first of its kind featuring sports stars at a domestic airport security checkpoint. The videos will be on display for departing passengers at the airport’s TSA security checkpoints.
“The Indy airport displays INDYCAR exhibits and racing memorabilia year-round to excite travelers and to help provide a sense of place in the airport,” said Mario Rodriguez, Indianapolis Airport Authority executive director. “We’ve taken that concept to the next level with this unique partnership to give passengers pertinent travel information and remind them they’re in Indianapolis, the Racing Capital of the World.”
The videos, placed today at the Indy airport, showcase the benefits of the TSA Pre✓ program, which saves time for passengers going through airport security checkpoints, as well as general tips for travelers to move through the checkpoints more quickly.
Driver videos are available to view (click on each driver’s name to download): James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports), Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), Simon Pagenaud (Team Penske) and Alexander Rossi (Andretti Autosport).
Veach adds bright Relay sponsorship for Indianapolis 500
The bold orange and yellow colors of the new Relay brand are adorning the No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda of Zach Veach for the Indianapolis 500. Relay, a new direct-to-consumer brand to be promoted and administered under Group One Thousand One, incents and rewards financial discipline through planned spending, so people can plan smart and spend happy.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Zach’s car feature Relay at the Indy 500 this year,” said Dan Towriss, CEO, Group One Thousand One. “Like us, Zach believes that through empowerment and hard work anyone can conquer obstacles. Much like Andretti Autosport and Zach Veach, who relentlessly seek constant improvements, we will be launching Relay® to empower and reward consumers for being better planners and smarter spenders.”
Group One Thousand One is Veach’s primary sponsor for the entire Verizon IndyCar Series season. The Indianapolis 500 allows the company to showcase its new Relay brand.
“We’re proud to have Group One Thousand One’s continued partnership in the upcoming Indy 500,”said Michael Andretti, CEO, Andretti Autosport.“With Zach behind the wheel and a fresh new Relay livery for such a historic racing event, the No. 26 car and Zach are well positioned to make a lasting impression on fans of IndyCar and the U.S. racing community this summer.”
Advanced ticket sales up 15 percent for Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear holds its traditional spot on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule, with the only doubleheader race weekend of the season following on the heels of the Indianapolis 500.
From the results of ticket sales to date, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the June 1-3 event on the Raceway at Belle Isle Park. Ticket sales are up by 15 percent over the same time period in 2017. The increase in sales clearly demonstrates the elevated interest in the grand prix as the first green flag of the weekend draws near.
“There’s definitely a lot of anticipation building for the grand prix and we hear it from our fans every day. They can’t wait to be back on Belle Isle and celebrate the start of the summer in the Motor City,” said Bud Denker, chairman of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. “It’s great to see that ticket sales are ahead of pace from this time one year ago and we encourage fans that haven’t yet purchased tickets to get your orders in now. We still have some great seats left, but we’ve really seen the interest pick up over the last few days, and with the Indianapolis 500 creating a lot of buzz this week and next, we expect we’ll continue to see sales increase.”
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix tickets start as low as $40 and can be purchased by visiting DetroitGP.com/Tickets or by calling (866) 464-7749.