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KV Racing Technology To Field Car For Paul Tracy At 2009 Indianapolis 500 - Geico To Sponsor Entry


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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - - APRIL 17, 2009 - - KV Racing Technology will field a car for open-wheel superstar Paul Tracy at the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500, May 24, 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, is one of the most successful and exciting drivers in the history of open-wheel racing. The 40-year-old Canadian will be sponsored by GEICO Insurance and pilot the #15 GEICO - KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry during the 2009 Indianapolis 500. Tracy will team with Mario Moraes, #5 KV Racing Technology - Votorantim Honda/Dallara/Firestone, in a two-car effort for KVRT at this year\'s Indy 500, which marks the opening of the Centennial Era for the Speedway and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the facility. The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will be in 2011.

"I am pleased to announce that Paul Tracy and GEICO Insurance will be joining KV Racing Technology for the 2009 Indianapolis 500," said KVRT co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven. "Paul is one of the greatest and most exciting drivers in the history of the sport, while GEICO Insurance is an outstanding company and a leader in the industry. I am confident that Paul, with the support of GEICO Insurance, will provide KVRT with a very competitive entry in this year\'s Indy 500."

"We\'re pleased to be able to accompany Paul Tracy on his return trip to the Indianapolis 500," expressed Ted Ward, GEICO\'s vice president of marketing. "Having a relationship with two world class drivers such as Paul Tracy and Max Papis, as well as KV Racing Technology, allows us to spread our message of safety on a much broader scale and we are excited about the opportunity."

Tracy, who\'s talent, determination and on-track performances have made him a fan favorite, will be contesting his sixth Indy 500 and first since 2002 when he was the runner-up. In five previous races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, four in CART/Champ Car and one in the IndyCar Series, he has a best qualifying position of seventh in 1993. His best finish is second in 2002. Tracy will be attempting to qualify for his third IndyCar race, albeit over three different seasons. In addition to the 2002 Indy 500, he ran the IndyCar Series event at Edmonton last year qualifying 15th and finishing fourth.

"I want to thank GEICO Insurance, Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for the opportunity to compete at this year\'s Indianapolis 500," Tracy said. "I have accomplished a lot of things during my racing career, but one of the things that I am missing is a win at Indy. I feel I have some unfinished business at the Brickyard and with the support of GEICO and an outstanding team like KV Racing Technology, I feel good about our chances at this year\'s 500."

Tracy will be contesting at least one race in his 19th season this year. During a span of 18 seasons, Tracy has crafted a career that has established him as one of the top drivers ever to step into the cockpit of an open-wheel car. The resident of Las Vegas, Nevada is among the top-10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (sixth all-time), poles, 25 (eighth all-time), and laps led, 4,231 (sixth all-time). He has 75 career podium performances, 102 top-five finishes and 141 top-10 showings in 263 starts (261 in Champ Car, tied for eighth all-time and two in IndyCar). In the 15 seasons in which Tracy has competed in over 80% of the races, he has finished in the top-10 in the championship standings 10 times including eight times in the top-five, four in the top-three and captured the championship in 2003.

KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser said, "I think I can speak for everyone at KVRT when I say that running Paul Tracy at the Indy 500 is very exciting. I also want to thank GEICO for supporting our efforts. Even though Paul hasn\'t been in an open-wheel car much the last year, having raced against him and knowing his ability, I am sure he will get up to speed immediately."