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IRL: Tae-Bo Creator Looks to Change Shape of Racing Through Sponsorship of Hemelgarn Racing

19 March 1999

INDIANAPOLIS - Tae-Bo, a revolutionary fitness program soaring in popularity across the United States, has started a partnership with Pep Boys Indy Racing League team Hemelgarn Racing and its drivers, 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier and Johnny Unser, Tae-Bo creator Billy Blanks and team owner Ron Hemelgarn announced March 17.

Tae-Bo will serve as the primary sponsor for Unser for this season, starting with his 1999 debut in the VisionAire 500 on May 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Tae-Bo will be an associate sponsor on the car driven by full-time league standout Lazier starting at the MCI WorldCom 200 on March 28 at Phoenix.

"Tae-Bo is all about building mental, physical and spiritual strength by developing discipline, concentration and dedication," Blanks said.

"Achieving this inner consciousness empowers people to overcome almost any obstacle and achieve any dream.

"I saw a need and felt a connection to what Johnny and Buddy were looking to accomplish. This partnership seemed like the perfect answer."

The entire Hemelgarn team will work out exclusively with the Tae-Bo fitness system, which combines Tae Kwon Do, boxing, dance and aerobics.

"What Billy and Tae-Bo represent is exactly what we want our drivers to believe in," Hemelgarn said. "Buddy and Johnny are both trying to make a real difference in the Indy Racing League this year. I am hoping that this partnership will give these drivers the confidence, enthusiasm and endurance needed to be successful."

The fitness industry is nothing new to Hemelgarn. He owns several hundred health and fitness clubs across the United States in addition to his Pep Boys Indy Racing League team.

Lazier won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 driving for Hemelgarn. He has been the most outstanding driver in the event the last three years, with finishes of first in 1996, fourth in 1997 and second in 1998. Lazier has two career Pep Boys Indy Racing League victories and finished fifth in the season point standings last year.

Unser, son of late Indianapolis 500 veteran Jerry Unser, has driven in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing the last three years, with a best finish of 18th for Hemelgarn Racing in 1997. He ran as high as third that year before dropping out with a mechanical problem. Unser will drive car number 92, the same number used by his father at Indianapolis.