SunTrust Extends Commitment to Grand-Am
Specific terms of both commitments were not announced, but officials from SunTrust, Grand-Am and Wayne Taylor Racing expressed their pleasure with the latest developments, which continue their respective partnerships for years to come.
“We have been committed to our partnerships with Grand-Am and Wayne Taylor since 2004, and we are extremely proud to announce that we are moving forward with our collective efforts to help elevate the series and the racing team to a whole new level for the long-term future," said Krista Massey, Senior Vice President, Director of Sponsorships and Event Marketing, SunTrust Banks, Inc. “Our partnerships with the series and the team obviously serve to elevate SunTrust’s brand awareness in the racing community and key markets in which we race. Equally important is how the series and the racing community have been a tremendous source of business for SunTrust over the last four-plus seasons, and we look forward to continuing and expanding on those business relationships and opportunities, as well."
In addition to its “Official Bank of Grand-Am" status and sponsorship of the race team, the company also sponsors the “SunTrust Improve Your Position Award," which provides $1,000 to the Rolex Series competitor and $500 for each KONI Challenge Series competitor who moves up the most number of positions from start to finish each race.
“When it comes to having dedicated partners in the racing business who know how to make the most of their opportunities, it’s safe to say SunTrust is one of the standard-setters in Grand-Am, as well as the entire racing world," said Roger Edmonson, President, Grand-Am. “They recognize that we are all in this together, and that the growth of Grand-Am, its teams, its drivers, and its fan base, is important to their business. What’s truly wonderful is that as intensely as they approach their sponsorship endeavors, they treat our constituents not only as customers or potential customers, but as friends. I am delighted that they have extended their commitment to our series and to the Wayne Taylor Racing organization."
Wayne Taylor, who started his own team prior to the 2007 season, is a three-time sports car racing champion who co-drove to the 2005 Rolex Series championship with Max Angelelli. The team, which this year added Michael Valiante as full-time co-driver with Angelelli, opened the season with a fifth-place finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, then switched to the Dallara chassis, which it campaigned at the next four events before it was destroyed in a transporter fire May 19. After running the Riley chassis at the last two events, the next-generation Dallara makes its competitive debut at Daytona this evening.
“All of the things that we have been able to accomplish over the last four-and-a-half years would not have been possible without SunTrust, and I am extremely happy to be continuing our relationship, both from a team standpoint and as a series competitor," Taylor said. “In all my 30-plus years in the racing business, I can honestly say SunTrust is truly unique in the way it makes the most out of its sponsorship. Those are the kinds of sponsors you really want to go out and win for because they work hard in every way, and the results have shown, both on and off the race track. I look forward to making many more runs for the championship on behalf of SunTrust and all of our sponsors."