Brazilian sponsor for Matos this weekend

Cemig on the front wings of Matos' Dallara Honda

Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports has added Cemig, one of Brazil’s leading energy companies, as one of its sponsors for the 2010 Sao Paulo Indy 300, it was announced today.

Cemig, headquartered in Minas Gerais, the same home state of driver Raphael Matos, will place its logo on the front wing of the #2 HP Luczo Dragon car. The Sao Paulo Indy 300 will be broadcast to more than 200 countries.

"We are pleased to have the support of Cemig. It is a privilege and a great responsibility to take the name of a great Brazilian brand to an international audience," Gil de Ferran, managing partner and president of Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports said.

"For Cemig to be part of the Sao Paulo Indy 300 and the IZOD IndyCar Series is a magical moment and a milestone in the history of the company, because we are projecting our brand in a car that will be seen by millions of viewers and fans in Brazil and around the world," Cemig president Djalma Bastos de Morais said. “This is a great opportunity for a company that was born in Minas Gerais, but now has a defined strategic business plan to break the boundaries of Minas and the borders of Brazil, presenting itself as a new player in the utilities sector."

Matos, who won the Apex Brazil IndyCar Rookie of the Year award in 2009, enters his second season with the Luczo Dragon/de Ferran Motorsports team and is proud to showcase his home state energy provider.

"It's an honor to represent a company from where I grew up in one of the most important international motorsports events," Matos said.

In addition to the Cemig sponsorship, a large contingent from Sotreq and Marcosa, the two biggest Caterpillar dealers in Brazil are providing their support to the Luczo Dragon/de Ferran Motorsports team.