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IRL: Rio Casino Resort to sponsor Foyt's second car

28 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Veteran Salazar to drive for Indy Racing legend in 2000 season

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.-- Harrahs Casinos increased its involvement with the Indy Racing League and A.J. Foyt Enterprises by announcing Jan. 27 that the Rio All-Suite Casino Resort will serve as the title sponsor of a second Foyt-owned Indy Racing car in 2000.

Veteran Eliseo Salazar will drive the #11 Rio A.J. Foyt Racing G Force/Aurora/Firestone in all 10 Indy Racing League events in 2000, including the Indianapolis 500. Harrahs Casinos is the title sponsor of the #14 Harrahs A.J. Foyt Racing G Force/Aurora/Firestone owned by Foyt and driven this season by Indy Racing standout Jeff Ward..

"By expanding our involvement with Foyt Racing, we are creating a marriage between Americas premier names in casino entertainment and open-wheel racing," said Craig Hudson, Harrahs vice president of brand management. "Based on the outstanding success Harrahs Racing enjoyed during the 1999 season, we couldnt be happier to bring an additional casino brand into the IRLs most recognized racing team."

Said Cary A. Rehm, senior vice president and general manager of the Rio: "Weve seen the tremendous return Harrahs has received on its investment, and it made perfect sense for the Rio to follow suit. Given the IRLs new television agreement with ABC and the high-profile association we have with A.J. Foyt, this is a perfect opportunity to reinforce Rios reputation as a winner."

Salazar, in his 26th year of racing, won the 1997 Las Vegas 500 and has won numerous races around the world.

"Racing with A.J. is going to take my career to a new level," Salazar said. "No one in racing has more experience than A.J. does, and no one knows more about winning. I know our determination, skill and knowledge will put us in the hunt for the championship."

Harrahs began its relationship with Foyt during the 1996-97 racing season, when it sponsored Foyts team at the Las Vegas 500 Indy Racing League event. Harrahs became an associate sponsor of both of Foyts cars in January 1999 before becoming the title sponsor of one of Foyts cars in June 1999.

"Racing teams need the support of sponsors to win, and during the past year Harrahs has backed my team in every way possible," Foyt said. "Agreeing to bring the Rio aboard as the title sponsor of my second car was about the easiest decision Ive made in a while."

Harrahs Entertainment, Inc., is the most recognized and respected name in the casino entertainment industry, operating 20 casinos in the United States under the Harrahs, Showboat and Rio brand names. The world-class Rio Suite Hotel & Casino is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harrahs Entertainment and offers more than 2,500 suites, live entertainment at its best with the famous "Masquerade Show in the Sky," 17 award-winning restaurants, the worlds largest public collection of fine and rare wines, shopping and a championship golf course.

Text provided by IRL

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