The AP reported Steak 'n Shake "will be the primary sponsor" for Verizon IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal's No. 15 Honda for the final two races this season. Steak 'n Shake had been Rahal's primary sponsor for six of the first 13 stops on the circuit. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing co-Owner Bobby Rahal said that Maxim Magazine, which is owned by the same Biglari family that controls Steak 'n Shake and is his son's other big sponsor, "will continue to be featured prominently" on the car. Rahal "has jumped into the No. 2 spot in the standings" behind Juan Pablo Montoya (AP, 8/19). NBCSPORTS.com's Tony DiZinno wrote the buzz "generated by Steak ‘n Shake’s involvement in IndyCar this season has been a good thing for all parties" (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/19).
SMELLS LIKE SCHOOL SPIRIT: James Madison Univ. and Sprint Cup Series team BK Racing yesterday announced that the school's logos and colors will be the paint scheme for Matt DiBenedetto's No. 83 Toyota Camry during the Sept. 12 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond. The car, which is part of the BK Racing team co-owned by former JMU Board of Visitors member Ron Devine, features JMU purple prominently around most of the exterior with gold accent on the top and bottom. The car displays JMU’s full portfolio of athletics logos in highly visible locations over the entire surface (BK Racing).
SELLING THE FIRM: In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin reports Andretti Sports Marketing "will be sold and renamed as part of a lawsuit settlement" with Michael Andretti, who owned 60% of the company. Andretti had been majority owner of the company, "but the business will be turned over to John Lopes and Starke Taylor, who filed the suit last week in Marion County Superior Court." ASM "has promoted IndyCar Series races in Baltimore, Milwaukee and New Orleans, in addition to the Formula E race in Miami" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/20).
