DENVER -- Schmidt Peterson Motorsports will have a new look for the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season.
Team officials announced a significantly deepened partnership with Arrow Electronics, Inc., today at the Pepsi Center. The Denver-based technology company is now the title partner of the newly branded Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, providing additional technical expertise and resources to the racing team.
“For me, this announcement is nothing short of a lifelong dream come true,” said Sam Schmidt, co-owner of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. “Mike Long and the entire team at Arrow first had vision to create a system that enabled me to get behind the wheel after 16 years of paralysis which, in and of itself, has changed my life and the lives of millions worldwide. Now, by becoming our team title partner, they have given us the resources to fulfill another lifelong dream to win the Indy 500 and a championship in the IndyCar Series.”
The three Dallara-Honda Indy cars of James Hinchcliffe, Robert Wickens and Marcus Ericsson were on display at the home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth.
The Nos. 5, 6 and 7 displayed the team’s new signature black and gold previously seen on the Honda driven by Hinchcliffe since 2015. Longtime fans of the team will notice the chrome on the cars has changed to a futuristic, sleek matte finish.
“Our relationship with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has become synonymous with innovation, courage and perseverance,” said Mike Long, chairman, president and CEO of Arrow Electronics. “We are very driven to bring our technical expertise and resources to SPM to help them win races and championships for many years to come.”
While Wickens will not compete in the 2019 IndyCar Series season as he continues his rehabilitation and recovery after an accident during the 2018 season, the No. 6 Arrow Electronics Honda was on display to signify the team is keeping the No. 6 car ready and available for the Canadian whenever he is able to and wants to return to racing.
"It means the world to me, the support I've been getting (from the team) ... it's just phenomenal. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to race for them last year," Wickens said during the announcement. "And even more grateful I'll have the opportunity sometime in the future." "
The Arrow SPM team also continues its technical alliance with Meyer Shank Racing and its No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda driven by Jack Harvey although the car was not on display for today’s announcement. Arrow SPM will continue to provide full-time engineering and technician staff to see the car through from the initial build to on-track performance.
The relationship with Arrow began with SPM co-owner Sam Schmidt in 2014 through their collaboration on the semi-autonomous motorcar (SAM car). That was the same year Schmidt, a quadriplegic, drove the SAM car over 90 mph and 100 mph on consecutive days using the Arrow technology embedded in the car. The following year in 2015, the electronics company joined the race team as a primary partner on Hinchcliffe’s No. 5 car; the number a nod to the company’s “Five Years Out” vision that is about “guiding innovation forward to help you create a better tomorrow.”
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner for our team than Arrow,” said Ric Peterson, team co-owner. “They’ve been by our side the last four years through the highs and lows, always pushing us closer to our goal: becoming Champions. We’re very excited for this next chapter of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.”