Camping World to back Dixon's Indy 500 entry (2nd Update)

UPDATE

They missed out on all the pole position photos

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that four-time Verizon IndyCar Series Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Scott Dixon will be sporting the colors of the nation's largest RV and outdoor retailer, Camping World, on May 28 for the Indianapolis 500 (11am ET, ABC). The No. 9 Camping World Honda will roll out in full livery next Friday, May 26 for Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

NOTES OF INTEREST:

About Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis: Marcus Lemonis is an entrepreneur, investor, television personality, and chairman and CEO of Marcus Lemonis LLC as well as Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises. Camping World is the nation's largest RV and outdoor retailer, and Good Sam is the world's largest RV owner's organization. Visit http://www.campingworld.com. Lemonis is known as the "business turnaround king" and host of CNBC's prime time reality series, The Profit, in which he lends his expertise to struggling small businesses around the country and judges’ businesses based on a "Three P" principle: People, Process, and Product. The Profit returns with eight all-new episodes beginning Tuesday, June 6 at 10pm ET/PT. More about Marcus Lemonis can be found at http://www.marcuslemonis.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marcus.lemonis and Twitter @MarcusLemonis.

Starting from the Pole: Scott Dixon will start this year’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing from the pole position for the third time in his career (2008, 2015) and his 26^th career Verizon IndyCar Series pole and CGR’s fifth Indianapolis 500 pole. Dixon’s run for the pole was the fastest four-lap average at IMS since 1996 (21 years). Sunday’s race will mark Dixon’s 15^th Indianapolis 500 start, his 276^th scheduled start in Indy car racing and 213^th consecutive start (second all-time behind his teammate Tony Kanaan). The pole is the 88^th in Indy car racing for CGR.

About Scott Dixon: The four-time Series Champion (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015) and 2008 Indianapolis 500 Winner returned to CGR in 2017 for his 16^th season – the longest tenure for a driver in team history (1990-Present). Dixon holds the distinction of being the winningest active Indy car driver with 40 victories and is currently ranked fourth on the all-time win list. In addition, he ranks second on the all-time list for most consecutive starts with 212 straight dating back to the 2004 race in Michigan. The New Zealander has 275 starts, producing 40 wins, 27 poles, and 92 podium finishes (2001-Present).

CGR QUOTEBOARD:

Scott Dixon, Driver, No. 9 Camping World Honda: “The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest motor race and the largest spectator sporting event in the world, and I’m very much looking forward to representing a new partner in Camping World this weekend and starting from the pole makes it even more special. I also know the show The Profit very well and am excited to work with Marcus and his team."

Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing: “After weeks of discussions, we're proud to partner with Camping World, a brand that is the leader in its industry, and introduce them to our team’s Indy car operation. They have a tremendous sports marketing portfolio, which includes some common ground for us in NASCAR. Having Marcus and Camping World on board with us on the No. 9 car at Indianapolis is very exciting for everyone involved."

05/19/17 UPDATE Dear AR1.com, Why did it take the Ganassi team so long to find a sponsor for Scott Dixon, the most successful active driver in IndyCar? Rob Rice, Houston

Dear Rob, It's the TV Ratings on NBC Sports Network – they are so minuscule the non ABC races are essentially invisible. If IndyCar renews with NBCSN you know for certain they want to keep the Indy 500 big and all the remaining races small and insignificant. Mark C.

Dixon on hearing about sponsor

05/19/17 Camping World, a major retailer for outdoor and camping lifestyles, will be on four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon's car the rest of the month and possibly beyond for Chip Ganassi's team.

"I'm excited – it sounds like a great deal," said Ganassi after Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis tweeted: "Excited to partner with Chip Ganassi Racing and Scott Dixon for the Indy 500" early Friday evening.

Since Target dropped its 27-year IndyCar sponsorship of Ganassi, his marketing team has been searching for a replacement. Dixon's car has carried NTT Data (Tony Kanaan's primary sponsor) or General Electric (in the season opener).

"I think Marcus is interested in doing something the rest of the year, so we'll see how it plays out but this is good news," said Ganassi. Robin Miller/Racer