BUSINESS: IMS forms headwear partnership with Hat World

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Hat World, one of the nation’s largest specialty athletic headwear retailers, to make the company the supplier of headwear for all of the Speedway’s Safety Patrol and Fire Crew. As part of its sponsorship, Hat World will provide headwear to more than 4,000 safety personnel, including the IMS Fire Crew, the finest rescue team in motorsports.

“This is a great opportunity for both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hat World,” said David Moroknek, senior director of marketing and consumer products. “This partnership will provide the Speedway’s safety and fire personnel with top-of-the line headwear, while the Hat World brand will be seen by over 1 million spectators and a global television audience during our three world-class events.”

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway plays host to the three largest single-day sporting events in the world: the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and SAP United States Grand Prix. The SAP United States Grand Prix attracted the largest crowd in modern Formula One history for its debut last September.

“We are excited about our partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and we are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the world’s most famous racing facility,” said Jon Glesing, marketing director for Hat World. “Racing fans are among the most loyal sports fans and hat buyers, and Hat World is a fan shop for sports fans who like to wear hats.” Headquartered in Indianapolis, Hat World opened its first store in 1995 and has gone from selling more than 6,000 hats in its first year to selling more than 2.5 million in 2000.

In 1999, Hat World was named the fastest-growing private company in the Indianapolis area for the second consecutive year by the Indianapolis Business Journal and also won the prestigious Indiana Heartland Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.