Verizon Expands Team Penske Partnership, Includes Eight IndyCar Races For Montoya

Verizon Wireless today announced an "expanded partnership with Team Penske" that includes primary sponsorship of IndyCar driver Juan Pablo Montoya for eight races in '14, according to Jenna Fryer of the AP. The company also is "continuing its full-season sponsorship of Will Power." Verizon will be the "primary sponsor for Power, Montoya and Helio Castroneves at the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course" on May 10. The expanded partnership includes a "multi-year contract extension with Team Penske for Verizon to provide wireless services for all of the Penske teams." Verizon first partnered with Team Penske in '09 as "primary sponsor for Power in the Indianapolis 500." Verizon has "since been on Power's car for 17 wins, 25 poles and 28 podium finishes." If nothing materialized, team Owner Roger Penske was "prepared to pay for Montoya's IndyCar season out of his own pocket" (AP, 2/10).