Gateway reveals IndyCar race title sponsor

John Bommarito, President of the Bommarito Automotive Group (right) and Curtis Francois, Owner and CEO of Gateway Motorsports Park (left) unveiled the race sponsorship at the St. Louis Auto Show on Jan. 19.

(Bisci photo)

The Bommarito Automotive Group, the leading retailer of new and used vehicles in the St. Louis region, is partnering with Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois to sponsor the inaugural Verizon IndyCar Series event at the track on August 26. The title of the INDYCAR event at the 1.25-mile oval will be the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.

The announcement was made today at the St. Louis Auto Show.

Truly an international event, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 for the first time will bring to GMP all of the cars and stars of the Indianapolis 500. In addition to America’s best drivers, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 also will draw competitors from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

“We are pleased to announce that Bommarito Automotive Group will join Gateway Motorsports Park in the production of our inaugural INDYCAR event as the title sponsor," said Curtis Francois, Owner and CEO of Gateway Motorsports Park. “This is a tremendous event for the St. Louis region and no one knows our town better than the folks at Bommarito. They are a progressive group, known for a high standard of quality and excellence. It’s the same standard of on-track action and family-friendly experience that we look forward to delivering with our landmark event."

“We are excited to partner with Gateway Motorsports Park and the Verizon IndyCar Series," said John Bommarito, President of the Bommarito Automotive Group. “When approached by Gateway about the return of INDYCAR to St. Louis, we felt it was important to have a major St. Louis company step forward and support the return of open wheel racing to the region. We are extremely proud to be the title sponsor of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500."

The inaugural Bommarito Automotive Group 500 for the Verizon IndyCar Series joins the annual NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ Drivin’ for Linemen 200 (June 17) and NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ AAA Insurance Midwest NHRA Nationals (September 29-October 1) on Gateway Motorsports Park ‘s 2017 major event schedule.

About the Bommarito Automotive Group:

Celebrating 45 years in the St. Louis marketplace, the Bommarito Automotive Group (www.bommarito.com) currently operates 20 franchises throughout every St. Louis neighborhood. Bommarito recently was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as Missouri’s No. 1 selling automotive group and is currently ranked 52nd in the nation. Our goal is to have at least one Bommarito vehicle in the driveway of every St. Louis family.