Chevrolet Extends Partnership As Official Vehicle of Road America
"We're honored that Chevrolet has played a key role in Road America's racing heritage from the track's opening in 1955 to today," said George Bruggenthies, Road America president and general manager. "We're excited to celebrate this longstanding association of two iconic racing brands and to continue our long, successful relationship together."
Road America figures prominently in Chevrolet's racing history. Bill Mitchell, GM's vice president of design, was an avid racer who fielded the original Sting Ray racer driven by Corvette legends John Fitch and Dick Thompson at Road America. Mitchell chose Elkhart Lake as the venue to preview his stunning Mako Shark concept car in June 1961; the Shark's sharp-edged body and hidden headlights foreshadowed key features of the production 1963 Corvette.
Wisconsin-based racers Augie Pabst and Jim Jeffords excelled in sports car racing in the early '60s with their Chevy-powered machines. The lightweight Grand Sport Corvette created by Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov rumbled through Road America's rolling hills with racing luminaries Roger Penske, Jim Hall and Hap Sharp sharing the driving chores. Notable Chevrolet racers who have made their mark on the legendary circuit include Tony DeLorenzo, Jerry Thompson, John Greenwood, John Heinricy, Ron Fellows, and many more.
From the glory days of the original solid-axle Corvettes, Sting Rays, and Grand Sports to today's championship-winning Corvettes campaigned by Corvette Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the high-speed 4-mile track in Wisconsin's rolling Kettel Moraine has long been a battleground for generations of Corvette road racers. Even the inaugural Corvette World Tribute in 2011 saw the return of the Corvette Bridge. Standing like a sentinel at the approach to Turn 6, the Corvette Bridge has witnessed amazing feats by drivers and machines since it first carried the Corvette logo in 1963. Quite simply, the Wisconsin circuit has served proudly as Corvette's proving grounds and spiritual home.
Chevrolet will continue to activate its sponsorship with a strong annual at-track presence that includes signage, corporate hospitality and vehicle displays at major races, use of the track for private consumer events, promotions and much more. In addition, a variety of Chevy trucks and SUVs will be used on the property and Chevrolet Corvettes will serve as the Official Pace Car for most events.
"Road America is one of the most beautiful and historic race tracks at which we compete each year, and we are thrilled to continue our long-running relationship," said Michael Stouffer, Chevrolet Motorsports Marketing Manager for IndyCar and Sportscar Racing. "We've been racing there for more than 60 years, and this affiliation allows us to further showcase our products and connect with current and prospective customers through trackside displays and promotions at the track."