Arrow Electronics, which was the primary sponsor of the No. 5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda entry for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season, has extended its partnership with the team through 2018.
Headquartered in Centennial, Colo., Arrow Electronics is a global provider of products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions.
Team co-owner Sam Schmidt, whose crash in 2000 during an Indy car practice left him a quadriplegic, initially collaborated with Arrow on machine-to-machine technologies in 2014. The project enabled him to drive a modified 2014 Corvette known as the Arrow Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM).
“This has been an amazing journey from day one,” Schmidt said. “Ever since I received that phone call from Arrow to drive the SAM car, our lives, both on and off the track, have changed dramatically.
“The vehicle became a message that has inspired thousands worldwide while B2B and B2C relationships have blossomed. Arrow will assist our nonprofit, Conquer Paralysis Now, to accomplish its goal of curing paralysis and greatly improving the day-to-day life of those with disabilities.
“In my 20 years of being involved in motorsports at this level, I have never met a group of executives this focused on doing good things for humanity in addition to watching the bottom line. This program proves you can do both.”
The team will continue to run the No. 5 to spread the word about Arrow's Five Years Out initiative.
“Arrow’s collaboration with Sam Schmidt and SPM is a natural fit. We are both committed to guiding innovation forward to help improve people’s lives,” said Michael Long, Arrow’s chairman, president and CEO.
Leader Bank joins Grand Prix of Boston powered by LogMeIn lineup
Leader Bank has been named the Official Bank for the Grand Prix of Boston powered by LogMeIn, set to debut on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule Sept. 2-4, 2016, in the South Boston waterfront area.
As part of its sponsorship, Leader Bank will develop a grand prix debit card and provide ATMs on site at the temporary street circuit. Leader Bank's newest branch location, in the Boston Seaport Innovation District, will serve as a pick-up location for volunteer credentials and information during the event.
Of note
Mexican driver Juan Pablo Garcia, who competed in 44 Indy Lights races from 2009-2014, completed a two-day Verizon IndyCar Series test with KV Racing Technology last week at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla. "You will never forget your first test in an Indy car and I can now say that," said Garcia, 28. ... 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve and Simona de Silvestro are scheduled to compete in the 2015-16 FIA Formula E season that opens Oct. 24 at Beijing, China. De Silvestro will drive for Andretti Autosport, the same team she drove three races for in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series. … Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya will test a Porsche 919 Hybrid on Nov. 22 in Bahrain -- the day after the final race of the FIA World Endurance Challenge season. He had a seat fit this week: