T-Mobile signs with Ganassi/Franchitti

Dario Franchitti

Target Chip Ganassi Racing today announces that it has partnered with T-Mobile USA, Inc. to become an associate sponsor on Dario Franchitti’s No. 10 Target Honda in the IZOD IndyCar Series during the 2010 racing season. As part of the relationship, T-Mobile will have prominent logo placement on the rear wing of Franchitti’s car throughout 2010.

Along with the rear wing, T-Mobile’s logo will be prominently displayed on both driver and crew uniforms, the transporters and pit equipment. In addition, Dario will make multiple appearances on behalf of T-Mobile.

Notes of Interest:

About T-Mobile USA: T-Mobile USA strives to help customers enrich their personal relationships and stay connected through wireless communications with their friends and family. The value of its plans, the breadth of its coverage, the reliability of its network, and the quality of its customer service are meant to do one thing: help people stick together. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2009, almost 152 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.8 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world’s most widely used digital wireless standards. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality.

Dario Picks up Where He Left Off: When Dario Franchitti, the reigning 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion hits the track this weekend in Kansas he will be taking with him 23 Indy car wins along with two IZOD IndyCar Series titles and an Indianapolis 500 victory. In addition, he has started from the pole 24 times and finished in the top-five 81 times. Last season Franchitti joined Dixon and Sam Hornish, Jr. as the only multi-champions in IndyCar Series history.

Franchitti Awarded Driver of the Year: Dario Franchitti was awarded the Jerry Titus Award at the 40th Annual American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association’s (AARWBA) All-America Team Dinner earlier this year. The Titus Award is presented to American auto racing’s driver of the year. This was Franchitti’s second recognition as Driver of the Year having won his first Titus Award after winning his first IndyCar Series championship in 2007.

Quote Board:

Amy McCune, vice president, national retail accounts, T-Mobile: We are excited about the new partnership with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and proud to be a part of the IndyCar Series. T-Mobile is all about wireless products and services that bring families closer together. Our sponsorship of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and current IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, will really deliver against this objective because this is a sport that engages fans, families, and friends to have fun enjoying IndyCar racing.

Steve Lauletta, president, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.: We are very happy to begin this new relationship with T-Mobile in our IndyCar Series program. I think it says a lot about our team when big brands like T-Mobile are interested in leveraging a sponsorship to help grow their business. We collectively feel the partnership between T-Mobile and Target Chip Ganassi Racing will help both T-Mobile and Target drive awareness of their brands with the huge number of race fans who are watching the IndyCar Series each week. We look forward to a successful 2010 partnership with T-Mobile.

Dario Franchitti, Driver: I am excited T-Mobile has become a sponsor and truly appreciate their support. Like in the IndyCar series, speed is essential for success and I have to admit that the speed of the T-Mobile service is rather impressive.