Meijer Expands Andretti Green Sponsorship
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Meijer Inc. inked a newly-expanded sponsorship with Andretti Green Racing's #26 entry and driver Marco Andretti, which will provide the regional retailer the opportunity to rise to the level of major sponsor in two of its key markets during the 2008 IndyCar Series season.
Meijer, the Midwest grocery supercenter chain, will serve as an associate sponsor on the #26 Honda-powered entry driven by the 2006 IndyCar Series rookie of the year at all but two events. Meijer will be featured as Andretti's major sponsor during event weekends at Kentucky Speedway and The Raceway at Belle Isle.
Meijer's program evolution with the racing team is "a great step forward for both Meijer and Marco," said Michael Andretti, who co-owns Andretti Green Racing with partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. "Meijer has always done a great job activating its program through all 181 of its Midwest stores, but having an opportunity to stand tall as a major sponsor at Kentucky and Belle Isle will surely take the program to a new level."
"Meijer is proud of its heritage as a family business," said Frank Guglielmi, spokesman for the supercenter chain. "It is only fitting that we continue our strong motorsports commitment through a relationship with the third generation of an iconic racing family."
Since joining the IndyCar Series in 2003, Andretti Green Racing has claimed 32 IndyCar Series victories including Indianapolis 500 victories in 2005 and 2007, and has won three of the last four IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005 and 2007). AGR also fields an XM-sponsored Acura in the American Le Mans Series and a two-car team in the Indy Pro Series.
Meijer operates 181 supercenters throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.
Meijer, the Midwest grocery supercenter chain, will serve as an associate sponsor on the #26 Honda-powered entry driven by the 2006 IndyCar Series rookie of the year at all but two events. Meijer will be featured as Andretti's major sponsor during event weekends at Kentucky Speedway and The Raceway at Belle Isle.
Meijer's program evolution with the racing team is "a great step forward for both Meijer and Marco," said Michael Andretti, who co-owns Andretti Green Racing with partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. "Meijer has always done a great job activating its program through all 181 of its Midwest stores, but having an opportunity to stand tall as a major sponsor at Kentucky and Belle Isle will surely take the program to a new level."
"Meijer is proud of its heritage as a family business," said Frank Guglielmi, spokesman for the supercenter chain. "It is only fitting that we continue our strong motorsports commitment through a relationship with the third generation of an iconic racing family."
Since joining the IndyCar Series in 2003, Andretti Green Racing has claimed 32 IndyCar Series victories including Indianapolis 500 victories in 2005 and 2007, and has won three of the last four IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005 and 2007). AGR also fields an XM-sponsored Acura in the American Le Mans Series and a two-car team in the Indy Pro Series.
Meijer operates 181 supercenters throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.