Indianapolis Motor Speedway "now has sponsor decals on its track walls," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Two decals for Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka and Shell "were at the exit of Turn 3 and the entrance to Turn 4" during Saturday's Indianapolis 500 practice session, and four more ads "were to go in Saturday night." There will be a total of 16 ads "in the north end of the track." The ads are "at the spot where the cars come closest to the wall," meaning they are "in line to be struck." Track officials allowed for Shell signage "on the inside pit wall last year." Shell also has "banners on the back of the Speedway's free-standing video boards." Terms of the deal were not revealed (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/13).
TRYING TO SECURE A FULL FIELD: The AP's Michael Marot reported IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard yesterday "offered to help find sponsors, engines and any other assistance" to make sure the traditional starting field of 33 cars is full for this year's Indianapolis 500. Bernard said, "We haven't had a race since 1947 that didn't have that many cars and we have to do everything we can to make sure we get 33." Marot noted with just 33 driver-car combinations and the Chevrolet and Honda engines "almost all divvied up, filling spots with new cars will be a challenge" (AP, 5/13).
