Team Penske and Hitachi Extend Partnership for 2014
Hitachi branding will continue to adorn the No. 3 Dallara/Chevrolet, driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, for eight races during the 2014 IndyCar Series as part of the extension. Castroneves will first race in the Hitachi colors at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Fla.) – the season-opening event for the 18-race IndyCar Series season – on Sunday, March 30. Hitachi will also serve as an associate sponsor on the No. 2 Dallara/Chevrolet driven by Juan Pablo Montoya in 2014 as well as the No. 12 Verizon Dallara/Chevrolet driven by Will Power.
“One of our goals at Penske Racing is to create true, integrated global partners for our race teams," said Roger Penske. “Hitachi has certainly represented this type of partnership with Team Penske. Working closely with Chevrolet on the fuel injection systems on our Indy cars, Hitachi has been instrumental in many of our race wins, but our relationship extends far beyond what you see on the racetrack."
The relationship between Team Penske and Hitachi began at the start of the 2012 IndyCar season. In 2013, Hitachi grew to become a primary sponsor on the No. 3 Team Penske machine driven by Castroneves at select IndyCar Series races. In addition to being a part of a number of race wins, pole positions and podium finishes since the start of the relationship, Castroneves has become a true ambassador for the company through an integrated marketing campaign.
“I’m excited to represent Hitachi again during the 2014 IndyCar Series season," said Castroneves. “We were so close to winning a championship together last year. Through hard work and their continued support, I believe an even better season is on the horizon for us."
“Through our collaboration with Team Penske we have been able to transfer both technology and application experience from racing components into production vehicles that are on the road today. The relationship in 2013 with both Team Penske and Chevrolet has truly been a collaborative partnership," said Rob Sharpe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. “We are thrilled to continue this relationship in 2014."
“Partnering with such well-established and successful entities like Team Penske and Helio Castroneves puts Hitachi in a strong position as we continue to refine our new global brand campaign around social innovation," said Lauren Raguzin, Director, Branding and Corporate Communications, Hitachi America, Ltd. “Helio is a great representative of Hitachi and the multiple group companies that continue to leverage this impactful relationship."