Ganassi announces sponsorship deal with PNC

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) have formed a strategic sponsorship for the 2013 race season. The relationship, which includes assets across the CGRT’s IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-AM programs, will be focused around key motorsports events for each series in the Indianapolis market.

“It is always great when a highly respected company like PNC values the reach of motorsports and makes it part of their marketing mix," said Chip Ganassi, owner, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. “Personally, I’ve been a PNC customer for many years and know first-hand what a great bank and a great team they have. We could not have asked for a better alignment with our race teams."

The agreement includes PNC serving as host for a special ‘Business of Indiana Motorsports’ event for customers, community leaders and media on May 10 at the CGRT Indianapolis race shop which will focus on the economic impact of racing on the state of Indiana.

Taking part in the panel will be industry experts including Chip Ganassi, Mark Miles, CEO, Hulman & Co., and Tom Weisenbach, Executive Director, Indianapolis Motorsports Association, while CGR drivers will provide perspective on the Indianapolis 500, one day prior to the beginning of a month of festivities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that culminates with the Greatest Spectacle in Racing – the 97th Indianapolis 500.

“What better way for PNC to show its leadership in Indianapolis than to support Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and be part of some of the most thrilling, racing events in the world," said Connie Bond Stuart, PNC Regional President in Central Indiana. “Our innovative approach to the sponsorship also allows us to enhance local early childhood education with new learning opportunities, instilling excitement in future generations with science and math concepts applied to racing."

PNC will extend Grow Up Great, its early childhood educational program, to CGR and reach local public school pre-K students who will spend time with the CGR team learning how mathematics and science are applied throughout racing. PNC Grow Up Great is a $350 million, multi-year program that began in 2004 to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. To date it has served more than 1.7 million children with an emphasis on math, science, the arts and financial education.