Andretti Autosport, Rahal Letterman Lanigan announce new sponsors

By Feb 17, 2016, 2:24 PM EST
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Andretti Autosport and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing made sponsorship announcements on Wednesday.

Andretti Autosport announced the expansion of an existing partnership with U.S. based food corporation Butterball.

Butterball, which accounts for about 20 percent of turkey production in the U.S., will be a season-long sponsor on the No. 28 Honda of 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, the team said in a media release.

This will mark the third consecutive season that Butterball has partnered with Andretti Autosport.

In addition, the No. 27 Honda of Marco Andretti will carry Butterball sponsorship for the 2016 Grand Prix of Indianapolis, as well as the 100th running of the legendary Indianapolis 500.

“We’re really pleased to welcome back Butterball for a third-consecutive season,” team owner Michael Andretti said in a media release. “The expanded partnership gives Butterball a place in history as we celebrate a significant season of Indy car racing. Not only are we proud to have Butterball on the cars – but we’re thrilled to have their quality turkey on our hospitality menu!”

As for Rahal Letterman Lanigan, it announced Fifth Third Bank has joined as an associate sponsor for the No. 15 Verizon IndyCar Series ride of Graham Rahal.

“I’m very pleased that we have entered into this partnership with Fifth Third Bank,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.  “Fifth Third Bank is a major force in the banking industry in the Midwest and is known as one of the top banking institutions in the industry.

“It’s only fitting to come together for these great races and especially the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.”

In addition to sponsoring the younger Rahal, Fifth Third Bank is planning additional specific initiatives for the season-opening race at St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as the Indianapolis 500, Detroit and Mid-Ohio.

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Ryan Hunter-Reay hired as replacement for Conor Daly at Ed Carpenter Racing

By Jun 8, 2023, 9:05 AM EDT
Ryan Hunter-Reay Carpenter
Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Ryan Hunter-Reay was named to replace Conor Daly in Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet, starting in the NTT IndyCar Series event next week at Road America.

Hunter-Reay is the 2012 series champion and 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner. He finished 11th for Dreyer & Reinbold last month in the 107th Indy 500, his first start since the 2021 season finale. He drove full time for Andretti Autosport from 2010-21.

“We need to improve our competitiveness and I wanted to add a fresh perspective from a driver like Ryan who has a massive amount of experience and success as well as a reputation as a team leader. I am excited to welcome Ryan to the team,” team owner Ed Carpenter said in a team release. “We have worked together in the past as teammates and he tested for ECR at Barber Motorsports Park in October 2021, where he made an immediate impact as we were able to qualify one of our cars on the pole following that test. I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset to ECR as we move forward toward our goals as a team.”

Hunter-Reay has 18 IndyCar victories, most recently in 2018. He also is a winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having been a part of winning entries in the 2020 Twelve Hours of Sebring and 2018 Petit Le Mans. Last year, he was an endurance driver for Cadillac Racing while being on standby for Chip Ganassi Racing.

He replaces Daly, whose departure was announced a day earlier in what the driver and team said was a mutual decision.

“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed,” Hunter-Reay said in a team release. “He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help. Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BITNILE.COM.

“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world. Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT IndyCar Series car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber. However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BITNILE.COM, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”

Said Milton “Todd” Ault, the chairman of sponsor BitNile.com: “It is great for BitNile.com to be aligned with an Indy 500 Winner and an NTT IndyCar Series champion. I have followed Ryan’s career for years and I am confident he will challenge the entire ECR team to perform at higher levels. I wish everyone luck at Road America.”