Team Penske announced today a multiyear extension of its relationship with PPG Industries, building on one of the longest partnerships in motorsports. The agreement will see PPG Automotive Refinish serve as the primary sponsor on a Team Penske car in four Verizon IndyCar Series races in 2017.
PPG Automotive Refinish will also serve as an associate sponsor on all of the team’s cars and equipment. Simon Pagenaud, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series champion, won three of the four races in which he drove the No. 22 PPG Automotive Refinish Chevrolet this season.
PPG Industries will celebrate its 34th year of a successful partnership with Team Penske in 2017. PPG’s automotive refinish business – a leading worldwide supplier of high-performance coatings for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, heavy-duty trucks and many commercial applications – will continue as a key team partner into next season and beyond.
“As one of the Team Penske’s longest and most trusted partners for more than 30 years, PPG has been a big part of our success both on and off the track,” said Roger Penske, owner of Team Penske. “Our teams continue to win with PPG and we look forward to building on the success together with our NASCAR and INDYCAR programs in the future.”
Team Penske also announced that Discount Tire will continue their partnership into the 2017 season that includes an associate sponsorship of the team’s Verizon IndyCar Series program.
Time is right to order 2017 race tickets
It’s only four months and a day until the first official on-track competition takes place for the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season, with the commencement of practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The race on the 1.8-mile temporary street course is the first of 17 on the ’17 schedule, and it’s not too early to begin making plans to attend some events. With that in mind, here are some current deals for purchasing tickets to events.
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: Tickets for the March 10-12 race weekend are on sale to the public. From now through Nov. 15, new ticket buyers who purchase three-day grandstand tickets will be enrolled at no cost in the new Champions Club, which grants access to exclusive benefits including free paddock passes, merchandise discounts, a pre-race grid walk and an opportunity to sign a commemorative track banner.
"Our team has been hard at work exploring new and exciting ways to recognize our customers," said Kim Green of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of race. "The Champions Club is a great way for us to reward our most loyal customers and those getting a head start on buying their tickets.”
Three-day tickets to the event start at $55 for general admission and $105 for reserved seating. For full pricing information and to buy tickets, visit gpstpete.com or call (877) 725-8849.
KOHLER Grand Prix: Advanced discount pricing for the June 22-25 weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., is available through Jan. 1. Prices range from $20 for a Thursday general admission pass to $120 for a four-day weekend pass. For more information, click here.
Gateway Motorsports Park: Reserved seats for Indy car’s return to the oval across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, ranging from $35-$75, are available at http://www.gatewaymsp.com. The nighttime race will run on Aug. 26.
INDYCAR Grand Prix at The Glen: Discount pricing is available for ticket renewals now through Dec. 15 for the Sept. 1-3 weekend at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York. Race day general admission for renewals is $55 (a $25 savings over regular pricing) and weekend general admission $60 (a $35 savings). For more information, click here.
“Officer” Hinchcliffe appeals for driver safety
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver James Hinchcliffe is busy competing this offseason on “Dancing with the Stars,” but that hasn’t prevented him from warning drivers in his native Canada about the dangers of distracted driving.
Hinchcliffe appears in a public service announcement pointing out the potentially tragic consequences of distracted driving. The PSA is being shown in Canadian movie theaters this week as part of Crime Prevention Week for the Halton (Ontario) Regional Police.
“As a professional race car driver, safety comes first when I am on the track and on the roads,” said Hinchcliffe, who was named an honorary Halton Regional officer last year. “As honorary police officer, I am proud to announce the PSA about distracted driving will be featured during Crime Prevention Week.