Hitachi will serve as the primary sponsor for nine races – including two doubleheader race weekends – of the Chevrolet-powered No. 3 Team Penske car driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves during the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season.
“Hitachi is a world-class company that proved to be a terrific partner for us this past season,” team owner Roger Penske said. “With the technical support Hitachi provides to Chevrolet in its IndyCar engine program, this relationship represents a winning formula on many levels.”
Hitachi will be the primary sponsor for the season-opening race at St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 24), plus Sao Paulo, Brazil; Detroit (two races); Iowa Speedway, Pocono Raceway; Toronto (two races) and Sonoma, Calif.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to drive the Hitachi Team Penske car next season,” said Castroneves, who will look to add to his 27 career Indy car victories. “We will race in the Hitachi colors at some great events in 2013, including my hometown race in Brazil, and it will be awesome to have them on board with the team.”
Hitachi joined Team Penske for the 2012 season and was the primary sponsor on the No. 2 for several races, including its first victory in the sport as Ryan Briscoe won at Sonoma.
“We’re very excited to be back with Team Penske in 2013 and we look forward to working with Helio and the No. 3 car team,” said Rob Sharpe, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This valued partnership provides the Hitachi Group with the opportunity to grow our brand globally with a well-respected team built on a tradition of winning and excellence. It also creates great business-to-business and customer networking opportunities at some of the world’s premiere racing venues.”
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo. The company is engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and services of automotive components, transportation-related components, industrial machines and systems. It also offers a wide range of automotive systems, including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems.