With the name Fueled By Bacon Special, what guy won’t be following the No. 43 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda driven by Conor Daly during the Month of May?
Smithfield Foods will be the primary sponsor of the team’s third entry in the 99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The global food company, founded in 1936, is the world's largest provider of high-quality pork products.
Smithfield Foods vice president of Corporate Marketing Bob Weber said the partnership with the Verizon IndyCar Series team for the iconic American event is a “dynamic marketing tool for our brands.”
“We've been in motorsports, as most people know across the country, now in Sprint Cup. It’s exciting for us to finally step forward with the Indy 500,” Weber said. “It's the next logical step for us. Our motorsports has proven very effective for us, not only in expanding our brand nationally but also in generating sales for our company.
“Our partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and driver Conor Daly, whom I have monitored since his days in karting, is a very special opportunity. I'm not sure how we could make our debut into this sport at a better venue than at ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ "
Daly, who made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 with AJ Foyt Racing, participated in the Opening Day on-track activities on the 2.5-mile oval May 3. He competed for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in Indy Lights in 2011 before venturing to Europe to compete in the GP3 and GP2 series.
"I have had a great relationship with Sam Schmidt since driving for him in Indy Lights and I've always wanted a shot with his Verizon IndyCar Series team,” said Daly, who made his second series start April 19 at Long Beach as a replacement driver for the injured Rocky Moran Jr. in a Dale Coyne Racing entry. “It's an honor to make my second attempt at running the Indy 500 representing a company like Smithfield, which has a great passion for motorsports.”
Avaya to sponsor Pagenaud's No. 22 entry in '500'
Avaya will sponsor the Team Penske entry of Simon Pagenaud for at least four Verizon IndyCar Series races beginning with the Indianapolis 500.
The Avaya partnership was fostered through the long-term relationship between Team Penske and HP. Together, Avaya and HP Enterprise Services are delivering infrastructure modernization services.
"Avaya and HP, two of Silicon Valley's business technology powerhouses, have been on the forefront of communications and enterprise technology innovation for decades," said Joe Manuele, vice president, Global Cloud Services, Avaya. "Communications is entering the cloud-era, and we are proud to offer our technology and expertise to Team Penske in an effort to help the team continue to produce at a high level."
In addition to the Indianapolis 500, Avaya will also serve as the primary sponsor for Pagenaud and his No. 22 Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway, the streets of Toronto and Sonoma Raceway.
Pagenaud, in his first season at Team Penske, is ninth in the championship standings after posting top-10 finishes in three of the first four races.
Ivy Tech campaign to focus on 20-year-old Karam
Ivy Tech Community College will serve as a partner on the No. 8 Comfort Revolution/Big Machine Records Chevrolet of Sage Karam for the Indianapolis 500.
"The partnership with Ivy Tech and Sage is a great fit for us, highlighted by the connection between Sage's age and that of Ivy Tech's student body," Chip Ganassi Racing Teams president Steve Lauletta said. "Ivy Tech's reach and activation with Sage, combined with the team's focus on millennials, makes for a great program for the No. 8 team during the Month of May."
Karam, 20, of Nazareth, Pa., will be the centerpiece of a social/digital media campaign. The partnership also provides the Indiana-based community college a direct connection to the demographic of its student body, and specifically to automotive tech students with a look to the future of potential careers in motorsports.
On May 1, Karam threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Indianapolis Indians Triple-A game at Victory Field in Indianapolis. He completed a refresher test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval May 3 and joined all cars for the practice.
Franzoni steps up in class
Victor Franzoni has joined M1 Racing in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and will compete in the series’ tripleheader May 7-9 on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Franzoni, 19, of Brazil, is stepping up from the USF2000 series, where he is fifth in the championship standings. He won the USF2000 race April 12 at NOLA Motorsports Park.
Of note
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves was the first on track, marking the sixth consecutive year in which a Team Penske car was first on track. ... The Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened pit lane for spectators to cruise during the break between the rookie orientations/refresher test and the afternoon session for all cars. ... Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard waved the green flag to start the all cars afternoon session. "I enjoy the entire month out here and make every excuse I can to be here. I listened to races here when I was a kid and came out here a lot. I really appreciate the track for letting me wave the green flag."