Rexall sponsors Rahal in Edmonton
07/22/08 Leading pharmacy retailer Rexall and eight-time Champ Car Champions Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (NHLR) announced today that Rexall has signed on as the title sponsor for Graham Rahal’s Number 06 Rexall-Oilers Car for the 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy, July 24-26. Financial terms of the sponsorship were not released.
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| Edmonton Oilers (back L to R) Fernando Pisani, Steve Staios, and Kyle Brodziak, and IndyCar driver Graham Rahal (R) take to the track to unveil the Number 06 Rexall-Oilers Car prepared by Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing |
Rexall also announced that it is dedicating a portion of its branded space on the car to include the logo of the hometown Edmonton Oilers. "In Oil Country people are very proud of the Oilers. It’s terrific to see the Oilers logo on the car. The combination of the Rexall Indy, the great tradition of our Oilers and Oil Kings junior team and the community based Edmonton Eskimo Football Club have made Edmonton a world–class sports destination," said Daryl Katz, Rexall’s founder and chairman. “We’re looking forward to seeing an Indy car sporting the Oilers' copper and blue on the track on Saturday, hopefully taking the checkered flag first."
“Rexall has received tremendous value from its sponsorship of the Edmonton Indy," said Andy Giancamilli, CEO, Rexall. “This sponsorship is a great way to build on Rexall’s successful relationship with Indy racing and further our support for an event that has become an important part of the community here in Edmonton."
In addition to Rexall’s title sponsorship, Kimberley Clark, Mars and BMO will join NHLR’s sponsors McDonalds, Dasani and Bosch on the racecar.
"Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing is looking forward to coming back to Edmonton, where we have had great success," said Carl Haas on behalf of himself and co-owners Paul Newman and Michael Lanigan. "This year we are even more excited about our return because of our partnership with Daryl Katz and the Rexall family of pharmacies."
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| Graham Rahal sporting copper and blue of the hometown Edmonton Oilers, special Rahal jersey #06. Rexall has signed on as the title sponsor of the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing car for the 2008 Rexall Edmonton Indy, July 24-26. Edmonton Oilers (back L to R) Fernando Pisani, Steve Staios, and Kyle Brodziak were on hand for the unveiling of the No. 06 Rexall-Oilers race car |
“The fans in Edmonton are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans we have encountered while racing around the world and they have always welcomed us. In return, we take pride in putting on a good show for them. This year, the race will be even more meaningful because of our affiliation with Rexall, the Oilers and the other top companies associated with the Katz Group as sponsors of our entry for Graham Rahal in the Rexall Indy."
In the three races run in Edmonton, NHLR has won two (2005, 2007) with Sebastian Bourdais and has earned five podium finishes, including Graham Rahal’s third place finish last year.
"We're very happy to have a great sponsor like Rexall on the car for the Edmonton race," said Graham Rahal, Driver, Number 06 Rexall-Oilers Car. “Since Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has won two of the three races in Edmonton we felt almost like a 'home team' and now this partnership will make it official. I'm a hockey fan so having the Oilers on the car is pretty special for me and I think the race fans will enjoy it too. The Rexall program has been coming together for a long time so it is exciting to be working with these companies and especially a guy like Daryl Katz. I'm excited to get to Edmonton and do a good job for Rexall and everyone."
On April 6th, 2008, Graham Rahal became the youngest winner in IndyCar Series history when he drove to victory in his IndyCar Series debut in St. Petersburg, Fla. at the age of 19. Marco Andretti previously held the mark for youngest driver by winning at Infineon Raceway.
Rexall is proud to again be the title sponsor of the Edmonton Indy. Last year, the race attracted more than 167,000 spectators and contributed over $25 million to the local economy. Rexall’s sponsorship of the Indy builds on its commitment to Edmonton and all of northern and central Alberta, including recent support for the Edmonton Oilers Tickets for Troops Campaign, the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the Stollery Children’s Hospital, the University of Alberta and the 2008 David Foster & Friends Charity Gala.
The Rexall family of pharmacies is the largest integrated retail pharmacy network in Canada and one of the most trusted health care brands in the country. The Rexall name is seen on thousands of health care products and is exclusively carried by the Rexall family of pharmacies – Rexall, Rexall Pharma Plus, The Medicine Shoppe, Guardian and I.D.A. – across Canada as well as proudly displayed within numerous community and health events across the country.