Schmidt Peterson Debuting F1-Style Hospitality At IndyCar Race

Verizon IndyCar Series team Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and major primary sponsor Arrow Electronics this weekend at the season-opening race in St. Petersburg are debuting a massive new trackside hospitality structure that rivals what is seen from some of the top outfits in F1. The new structure is climate controlled and two stories. SPM President Jon Flack said that the team and Arrow collectively decided to invest in the larger hospitality footprint to give a more premium experience to the two sides’ guests and VIPs at races. It will be at most races this season. Flack said, “It should have a very F1, Le Mans-type look” (Adam Stern, Staff Writer).

Meanwhile, a sanitation truck "backed into Chip Ganassi's hospitality tent" Friday morning. The tent "was crumpled and removed from the paddock" following the incident. Because the accident "happened so early, the tent was not occupied" (AP, 3/9).