Cottonelle to sponsor Dario’s car for 200th start

Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that Cottonelle brand will serve as the primary sponsor of its No.10 Honda Dallara for reigning IZOD IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti in Round 2 of the series at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (March 28 at 3:30 PM ET, ABC). Kimberly-Clark joined the Target racing program in 2010, and its brands will be featured on both the team’s IZOD IndyCar and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars this season.

NOTES OF INTEREST:

Cottonelle Brand Part of Auto Racing History: When Franchitti hits the Streets of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 28, he’ll make his 200th start in Indy car racing (CART, IZOD IndyCar Series). In four starts on the 1.8-mile street circuit, he has claimed three top-five finishes – including a third place finish at the 2005 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

King of the Streets: In making his 200th start, Franchitti will also be making his 45th start on a street course (35 starts in CART and 10 starts in the IZOD IndyCar Series). Franchitti grabbed his second open wheel win in the 1998 Molson Indy Vancouver street race and has won eight of his 23 open wheel races on street courses.

Dario by the Numbers: St. Petersburg marks Franchitti’s 86th start in the IZOD IndyCar Series and his 19th Indy car start with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Franchitti has claimed two IndyCar championships (2009/2007), the 2007 Indianapolis 500, 23 victories and 24 poles in his U.S. Indy car career (CART, IRL) with 120 top-10 finishes.

QUOTEBOARD:

Brian Goldstine: Brand Director, Cottonelle Brand

"We are enthusiastic to be a part of the IZOD IndyCar Series, along with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. We’re also extremely excited to have Dario Franchitti behind the wheel of the Cottonelle car this weekend at the 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg."

Dario Franchitti: Driver, No. 10 Cottonelle Honda Dallara

“St. Petersburg is always a great weekend for Indy car racing, and this race is particularly important as I’m due to make my 200th start. I’m not sure if that makes me old or not! The Target cars are always competitive and I’ll do my best to make sure we keep our streak of qualifying in the Firestone Fast Six going in the Cottonelle car."