Fans heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Month of May might want to bring some shades, because Simon Pagenaud’s livery is going to be bright.
Pagenaud’s No. 22 Chevrolet will be sponsored by Menards for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500, Team Penske announced in a March 22 release. The scheme will also return to Pagenaud’s No. 22 for The Verizon IndyCar Series return to Road America in June.
As part of the deal, Pagenaud will sport a livery in the industry-leading home improvement store company’s traditional shade of bright yellow for all three sponsored events.
“I think we all remember watching the Menards Indy car competing with all of its success on track, so it’s amazing to become a part of that history,” said Pagenaud, who won the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis in 2014. “I’m excited to welcome Menards to the No. 22 Team Penske Chevy, not only at Indianapolis, but also at Road America, just down the road from their company headquarters. I am really looking forward to representing them this year and the opportunity to go out and win races wearing the Menards colors.”
When Menards returns to Indianapolis in May, it will be the first time the Wisconsin-based company has adorned an IndyCar machine in 13 years. Menards sponsored multiple drivers from 1996-2003, famously gracing the side of NASCAR and IndyCar champion Tony Stewart’s machine during his 1997 championship run.
The company has also provided sponsorship to numerous drivers in NASCAR, including two-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton and Paul Menard, the son of company founder John Menard, who brought the company their first Indianapolis win in the 2011 Brickyard 400.
INDYCAR and the Indianapolis 500 have been a huge part of Menards for as long as I can remember,” said John Menard in a release. “We’ve enjoyed a great amount of success, but the one thing missing is winning the Indy 500 in the month of May. What better team to return to the series with than Team Penske. Roger and his team have proven that they know how to win the big races. I think Simon will do a great job and I look forward to Menards becoming a part of the history of Team Penske.”
“Menards has a long and successful history in motorsports and we are excited to welcome them to Team Penske in 2016,” said Team Penske owner Roger Penske. “John Menard and the entire Menards company have been long-time supporters of INDYCAR racing and it is special to have them on board as we celebrate the 50th season of Team Penske and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. We will be working hard to bring them their first Indy 500 victory with Simon this May and add to our team’s overall success at Indianapolis.”
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