DOOM to Compete in Indianapolis 500

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) and Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, today revealed the DOOM car is set to premiere at the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 14 – one day after the videogame's eagerly-awaited release on May 13. The No. 7 car, driven by SMP Racing driver Mikhail Aleshin, will go on to compete in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.

DOOM, under development at id Software, the studio that pioneered the first-person shooter genre, returns as a brutally fun and challenging modern-day shooter experience for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Aleshin is the first driver from Russia to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series. The 28-year-old native of Moscow spent the formative years in his racing career in Europe racing and winning on some of the most storied racetracks. Aleshin competed with SPM for a full season in 2014, earning one podium and seven top-ten finishes. He piloted a third SPM car at the 2015 season finale and is making his full-season return for 2016.

"We couldn't imagine a more perfect sponsorship fit," said Pete Hines, Vice President of PR & Marketing for Bethesda Softworks. "DOOM is all about pushing forward with incredible speed. We'll all be cheering on Mikhail and the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team as we celebrate the game's launch."

Relentless demons, impossibly destructive guns, and fast, fluid movement provide the foundation for intense, first-person combat – whether you're obliterating demon hordes through the depths of Hell in the single-player campaign, or competing against your friends in numerous multiplayer modes. DOOM garnered numerous E3 2015 awards and in a recent preview, Game Informer aptly described the gameplay as "an absolute blast."

"We are always pleased to invite a new sponsor into the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports family. However, according to my son, having DOOM on Mikhail's car for the GP of Indy and the Indianapolis 500 is by far the most exciting sponsor we've ever announced," said Sam Schmidt, SPM Team Owner. "We feel these types of partnerships are absolutely critical to creating the next generation of fans for the Verizon IndyCar Series. This sport is all about speed, innovation and technology, so gaming seems to be a natural fit."

The team unveiled the livery for Aleshin's No. 7 Indy car this morning at 8:30 a.m. ET in the SPM garages at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will be on track at 11 a.m. for the first practice of the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

DOOM has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information, visit: www.DOOM.com