Dropping The Green Flag: Primary Sponsors For Indy 500 Field

The 93rd Indianapolis 500 that will be run on Sunday has a "buzz," and momentum among Memorial Day races "could be swinging back toward Indy," according to Bill Center of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. The Indy 500 features former "Dancing With The Stars" winner Helio Castroneves on the pole, as well as the return of Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy. Meanwhile, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti "further pique the interest of racing fans" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/21). The following lists the primary sponsors for the 33 cars entered in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 (THE DAILY).

WHAT CAN YOU GET FOR A BUCK? The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Matthew Futterman reports IRL team owner/driver Sarah Fisher is "trying to make the most of the limited sponsorship she has with Dollar General that provides her only with enough money to participate in six of the 17 IndyCar Series races this season." Fisher Monday appeared on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" and Fuse TV's "Top 20 Countdown" in an effort to show "potential sponsors she has mainstream appeal." A Fisher spokesperson said, "We're trying to grow conservatively" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/22). Fisher also appeared on Friday's episode of "The Price Is Right" in her Dollar General race suit during the Showcase Showdown. Fisher said, "Driving in the Indy 500 is pretty serious business and there's almost nothing more important than a great qualifying time. So that's why I make sure that my crew has the finest time pieces, like this official Indy 500 Tag Heuer watch." The showcase package also included a trip to the Indy 500 and a 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid ("The Price Is Right," CBS, 5/22).

Go Daddy CEO Says Patrick Has "Golden Touch" For Sponsors

GATOR GROWL: Thursday night's edition of NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly" featured a taped interview with IRL driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, who reflected on his win last season at the Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Hunter-Reay: "It had a few interesting aspects to it. Number one, we announced the Izod partnership with myself, a personal sponsorship deal there. It was July 4th weekend, so it was a big American weekend up there -- an American kid with an American clothing line like Izod. And they were putting the pressure on through the 'I am next' thing, a 120-foot tall billboard in Times Square saying 'I am next'" ("Last Call With Carson Daly," NBC, 5/21).

NEW SET OF WHEELS: Bridgestone Americas Thursday announced that it has signed on to title sponsor the season-ending IndyCar series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS) on October 9. The Firestone Indy 300 will mark the first time HMS has hosted the IndyCar Series finale, as it had held the season-opening race from '02-08 (IRL). While the contract only involves entitlement of this year's race, Bridgestone Firestone Racing Exec Dir Al Speyer said that the company "held options for future years." HMS President Curtis Gray said that teaming with Firestone was a "natural, calling the tire maker 'an iconic brand' and 'a champion name in this sport'" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/22).

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