Chip Ganassi Racing yesterday employed 3D graphics to show raised images of Novo Nordisk insulin pins on the car of the No. 83 Izod IndyCar entry driven by Charlie Kimball at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The team used Next Step M3dia to create the 3D images of Novo Nordisk's Levemir FlexPen and NovoLog FlexPen on the side of Kimball's car during in-car camera views shown during the race. Chip Ganassi Racing Teams President Steve Lauletta said, "From a branding perspective, it provided more value than an in-car camera. If it works with the in-car camera, the next step is to start using it in other areas of our business: transporters, Cup cars, etcetera" (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).
CASTRONEVES LIKELY TO STAY: Penske Racing President Tim Cindric said that he expects Helio Castroneves "to be retained" for the '12 Izod IndyCar season. Castroneves said that the team "is due to notify him of its plans in September." He said, "I've been very loyal to Roger (Penske), but I don't want to be left hanging." Cindric said, "I think there's been a mutual loyalty after everything he's been through" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/14). Castroneves is 11th in the points standing and has not won an IndyCar race since September '10 (THE DAILY).
