Sam Schmidt Motorsports announced that long-time sponsor and supporter Lucas Oil Products Inc. has signed on to return to the championship-winning team for the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season. The announcement continues a partnership that started in May 2003.
“I can’t express how pleased I am to see Lucas Oil return to our team for 2009,” team owner Sam Schmidt said. “They’ve been a terrific supporter of our team over the years, and I’m excited that we’ll continue on our relationship heading into the 2009 season. Lucas Oil is a fixture in many different sporting series throughout the world and we’re honored that Forest and Charlotte (Lucas) place their trust in our team to represent the company in major open wheel racing.”
Lucas Oil originally partnered with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for the 2003 Indianapolis 500 and driver Richie Hearn. Beginning in 2005, Lucas Oil partnered with the team in Firestone Indy Lights with great success.
The combination of Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Lucas Oil has produced 14 race wins in the last four seasons of competition, by far making it the most successful team/sponsor combo in the history of Firestone Indy Lights.
Two drivers, Jay Howard and Alex Lloyd, won the championship carrying the Lucas Oil banner in Firestone Indy Lights. Other drivers in the No. 7 Lucas Oil machine have included race winners Travis Gregg and Richard Antinucci.
“We’re a big fan of Sam Schmidt,” Lucas Oil founder Forest Lucas said. “We appreciate everything Sam does on an off the track, and we couldn’t be happier to continue our relationship with he and his team.”
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