Sexton Companies Signs as Associate Sponsor of No. 48

Alex Tagliani in the No. 48

Sexton Companies has signed as an associate sponsor of A.J. Foyt’s No. 48 Alfe Heat Treating Honda driven by Alex Tagliani in the Indianapolis 500.

Sexton Companies, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Indianapolis, builds and manages apartment communities in the Midwest and as far south as Louisiana and Texas. The company’s first apartment community was built in Speedway, Ind. just minutes from the Motor Speedway and it was this fortuitous building project that provided the opportunity for Joe Sexton and team owner A.J. Foyt to meet.

Marlyne Sexton, president and owner of the eponymous real estate development company, has been involved with the 500 Festival for many years, first on its Board of Directors and now as a Festival Foundation member. Her ability to champion the cause of the Festival is evident in the number of corporate members she encouraged to join the Festival, her company’s floats in the parade and most recently her endowment of the 500 Festival Princess Program scholarships. Mrs. Sexton’s first sponsorship of a driver was Robbie Buhl in the mid ‘90s. This is her company’s second involvement with Tagliani as a sponsor but her first with AJ Foyt Racing.

“Being associated with AJ Foyt is an honor," Sexton said. “Not only is it a long standing friendship, it is a long standing admiration. Having worked with Alex in the past, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this exciting pairing with A.J."

“I so glad that Marlyne joined our team for the 500 this year," said Foyt. “She’s been a good friend to me, the Speedway and the Indianapolis community. Her husband Joe and I went way back—I stayed in the first apartment building he built in Speedway. We’re proud to carry the Sexton Companies logo on our car."

“I’m really thankful for Sexton Companies support," said Tagliani. “We have known them for a long time. They have so many people in Indianapolis and Indiana who live in their properties. It’s a good organization and they really take care of their residents. It gives me a lot of pride to have them on the side of the cockpit of our 48. It’s been a pleasure having them in the garage this month–we’re having a great time."

Tagliani qualified the No. 48 Honda at a four-lap average speed of 223.722 mph, good enough for 22nd on the grid of the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500. It will be Tagliani’s seventh start in the 500. Tagliani won the pole for the 2011 Indy 500 and his best finish was 10th in 2010. In six starts he has finished in the top 13 four times.