Unser, Ray Entries Receive Sponsorship

By indyracing.com Staff
indyracing.com

Thursday May 27, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS - Two entries in the 88th Indianapolis 500 received primary sponsorship on May 27.

Subway announced that it will provide the primary sponsorship on the No. 20 car of two-time 500-Mile race champion Al Unser Jr. Access Motorsports announced that Rent- A-Center, Eufora MasterCard and University Loft Co. have signed a one-race agreement as sponsors of Greg Ray's No. 13 Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone.

"With its worldwide audience, the Indy 500 is one of the premier sporting events in the world and the Indy Racing League has developed into a world-class racing series," said Chris Carroll, marketing director, Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust. "We saw this as the perfect opportunity to expand our program into another realm of the business, and align ourselves with proven winners in Al Jr. and Patrick Racing."

Subway will join associate sponsor Stacker 2 on the Patrick Racing Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone entry.

"It's great to have Subway involved in the Indianapolis 500," said Unser, who will start in the middle of Row 6. "We'll do everything we can to give them a good run."

Despite his lack of practice for this year's Indy 500, Ray's performance has been impressive. The 1999 IRL champion and 2000 Indy 500 pole sitter qualified 27th at 216.641 mph.

"We know our awesome Honda power, along with our G Force chassis and Firestone tires will be ready to race on Sunday," Ray said. "We are very excited about Rent-A-Center, Eufora MasterCard and University Loft's participation with our team for this year's running of the Indy 500."

Ray has been working with the motorsport marketing firm TCR to secure sponsorship for the team's short term and long term success.

"We have been working diligently for several months to identify and pursue every opportunity available in motorsport for our clients," TCR CEO Tommy Constantine said. "This was a unique opportunity for our clients to experience American open-wheel racing in its highest form. Our plan going forward is to evaluate the landscape of motorsport globally with a view towards 2005."

Rent-A-Center, Inc. has its headquarters in Plano, Texas, which is Ray's hometown. Access Motorsports personnel will be guests at the Don Pablo's 500 Fiesta from 2 p.m.-midnight (local time) on May 28 at the Don Pablo's Eagle Creek.

source: http://www.indyracing.com/indycar/news/story.php?story_id=2878