ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Mouser Electronics will be the primary sponsor on the No. 11 KV Racing Technology car driven by Tony Kanaan for four IZOD IndyCar Series races at Long Beach, Texas, Sonoma and China and the co-primary sponsor with GEICO for the Indianapolis 500.

Mouser Electronics is a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components. “Last year, Mouser attached its name to the high-speed, high-tech world of INDYCAR as an innovative way to promote our supplier partners and gain broad exposure as we continue to expand our operations worldwide,” said Mouser VP of strategic marketing Larry Johannes. “Since every advanced, sophisticated component that’s built to go inside an IndyCar is about delivering a speed and performance edge on the track, INDYCAR was a natural fit.

“The decision to sponsor Tony Kanaan was also an easy one for Mouser because of his undeniable skill behind the wheel and his experience as a brand ambassador of motorsports. At Mouser, we’re constantly communicating how using the most advanced technology for design delivers a speed-to-market advantage. INDYCAR provides us the perfect vehicle to build top-of-mind awareness for Mouser and our valued supplier and manufacturer rep partnerships.”

Kanaan, who placed fifth in the IZOD IndyCar Series championship in 2011, returns to KV Racing Technology for his second season.

"There's no better feeling than having a solid company behind you -- the kind of excitement for motorsports we share with Mouser makes it a great experience," Kanaan said. "When Jimmy (KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser) and I were taking a tour of their facilities and saw all the products that they potentially supply to the sport of IndyCar, we were extremely impressed."

PEAK Performance Award added to USF2000
list The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda has added the PEAK Performance Award to its season-ending awards list. It will acknowledge drivers that claim the quickest race laps over the course of the series’ 14-event schedule.

The Old World Industries’ brand was recently announced as the Official Motor Oil and Functional Fluids Partner of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system.

Tecate Light sponsors two major concerts at Long Beach
Tecate Light will sponsor live performances by Mexican band Belanova and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and the Miss Tecate Light Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach competition during the event weekend April 13-15.

Belanova will headline Tecate Light Fiesta Friday (April) on the Convention Center stage following on-track activity for the day. The next night, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will take the same stage during the Tecate Light Rock-N-Roar concert. Both concerts are free to race ticket holders.

Park for free at Barber Motorsports Park
Ticket holders to the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama will receive free on-site parking Friday and Saturday. Premium on-site parking and preferred off-site parking for race day (April 1) is available for purchase. 

Complimentary spectator parking for race day will be conveniently located right outside of Barber Motorsports Park at the Outlet Shops of Grand River, with a shuttle transporting fans directly to the gate. Sunday on-site parking is $25 while preferred off-site parking is $10.

Of note
Ana Beatriz, who contested the 2011 season with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, will have an evaluation session in an Andretti Autosport car March 8 at Sebring International Raceway -- site of the Open Test. The three Andretti Autosport drivers tested their Chevrolet-powered cars March 5-6.