Andretti Autosport presents 2014 lineup and liveries
In addition to its IndyCar efforts, team owner Michael Andretti confirmed German news reports regarding Andretti Autosport's intent to compete in 2014 Global Rallycross events, representing Volkswagen. Further details on Andretti's Global Rallycross efforts will be announced at a later date.
Other highlights from the launch event follow.
NO. 25 TO CARRY SNAPPLE® BRAND PRIMARY SPONSORSHIP
Andretti Autosport revealed a new look for the No. 25 Snapple Honda driven by third-generation racer Marco Andretti. The previously RC Cola-branded car will be emblazoned with the blue and yellow of Snapple® – a Dr Pepper Snapple Group beverage with a 42 year history. This will be the fifth different Dr Pepper Snapple product that the Pennsylvania native has carried on his Indy car following the Venom Energy Drink, Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper TEN and RC Cola liveried cars. Additionally, United Fiber & Data will be prominent as a major associate sponsor for Andretti.
UNITED FIBER & DATA LIVERY TO ADORN THE NO. 27 HONDA
Three-time IndyCar race winner James Hinchcliffe will remain in the No. 27 car for the third consecutive year, but will move to the bright blue and white livery of United Fiber & Data, a tech company, founded by three members of the multi-platinum rock band LIVE and their Think Loud Development company.
UFD will also serve as a major associate sponsor on the No. 25 and No. 28 cars piloted by Marco Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay, respectively. In addition, the company will serve as the primary sponsor for Pro Mazda Champion Matthew Brabham as he transitions to Indy Lights in 2014.
Based in York, Pennsylvania, United Fiber & Data offers a complete suite of all-fiber networking and broadband solutions and also served as a major associate sponsor of the No. 25 machine of Marco Andretti for the 2013 season.
United Fiber & Data is introducing a 400-mile fiber optic line running between New York and Virginia and operates out of different data centers across Pennsylvania (Allentown, Lancaster, Reading and York).
RYAN HUNTER-REAY BACK TO THE NO. 28 ALONGSIDE LONGTIME SPONSOR DHL
The 2012 IndyCar Champion will return to the No. 28 machine to signify the 28 million people living with cancer worldwide. Throughout the year, fans will have the opportunity to help Ryan fight cancer through his charitable work with Racing for Cancer, an organization he helped co-found, and its event, The Yellow Party, with locations and event dates to be announced. The yellow and red livery seen on Hunter-Reay's car in seasons past will have little changes made as DHL returns as its primary sponsor for the third year of his four-year career with Andretti Autosport.
2013 INDY 500 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR MUNOZ TO DRIVE NO. 34 CINSAY HONDA
Making his full-time debut in the IndyCar Series, Colombian Carlos Munoz will tote a livery customized around new primary sponsor Cinsay – an Austin, TX-based company that is a leader in next-generation social video commerce technology. This fourth IndyCar entry for Andretti Autosport will once again be run as a joint effort between Andretti Autosport and HVM Racing.
Cinsay, the creator of next generation social eCommerce, viewer interactive, video-based platform for any individual or size business, utilizes SaaS based technology to enable everyone to sell products, services, capture donations and generate leads all inside the patented Smart Store™ technology.
The eCommerce company, named one of the Forbes Top 100 Most Promising Companies (2012), formed a relationship in March with 34 Solutions, a company co-chaired by All American football legend Herschel Walker. Under the 34 Commerce banner, the relationship names 34 Solutions as the licensed reseller of Cinsay's Smart Store™ technology and provides payment gateway services to process the Smart Store™ platform transactions.
The white and Cinsay-green Honda-powered Indy car will carry the No. 34 to pay honor to former footballer Walker's role in the program and to help carry on the tradition of excellence tied to the Heisman Trophy winner's iconic jersey number.
Also seen on the No. 34 Honda: AndrettiTV.com – a new website, coming soon, where fans will be able to subscribe to exclusive behind-the-scenes, live video access to Andretti Autosport's headquarters, purchase official team merchandise and more.
United Fiber & Data again expands its role within the team as an major associate sponsor on the No. 28 DHL Honda.
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT MAZDA ROAD TO INDY LINEUP OFFICIALLY RELEASED
2013 Pro Mazda Champion Matthew Brabham, the only driver to capture the USF2000 and Pro Mazda championships in succession, has moved up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder and will be competing in Indy Lights for the 2014 season. The third-generation standout driver will showcase a similar livery to Hinchcliffe's Indy car as both drivers are representing United Fiber & Data. Matthew's No. 83 Indy Lights machine will also highlight MAZDA as the 19-year-old will be a MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver once again in 2014. In addition to Brabham, Zach Veach will return to the team for his fifth racing season – his second at the Indy Lights level of competition. The 19-year-old will bring back the red and white livery from the end of the 2013 season with partner RePLAY XD.
Completing the Mazda Road to Indy ladder for Andretti Autosport will be race winner Shelby Blackstock who returns for his second year of Pro Mazda, and rookie and race winner Garett Grist who moves up from the USF2000 championship; both drivers will have similar designs to those of their 2013 effort.
Andretti Autosport 2014 INDYCAR Line Up
IndyCar Series
Marco Andretti, No. 25 Snapple Honda
James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 United Fiber & Data Honda
Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 DHL Honda
Carlos Munoz, No. 34 Cinsay Honda
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
Zach Veach, No. 26 RePLAY XD
Matthew Brabham, No. 83 United Fiber & Data/MAZDASPEED
Pro Mazda Presented by Cooper Tires
Garett Grist, No. 27 Sofina Foods/Lander Property Management
Shelby Blackstock, No. 28 Starstruck