Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron, Inc. company, announced today an addition to their sponsorship by fielding a second Daytona Prototype (DP) in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, Sept. 8 (5:00 pm ET, FOX Sports 1).
The No. 02 Dinan-Prepared BMW will return to action for a third time in 2013 (Rolex 24 At Daytona, Brickyard Grand Prix) but will now include the Target Chip Ganassi Racing IZOD IndyCar Series duo of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti. The Cessna-backed DP entry will run alongside the season-long effort (No. 01 Telcel/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW) driven by reigning Series Champions and Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, who hold the distinction of being the most successful driving duo in series history with 27 race wins.
In January, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) announced a multi-year sponsorship with Cessna including cars across all three series in which CGRT competes. The world’s leading general aviation company is the co-primary sponsor on the No. 1 Chevrolet SS of Jamie McMurray in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) – sharing assets with sister Textron companies Bell Helicopter and E-Z-GO golf carts – and partnered with Pruett and Rojas on the No. 01 car at Detroit earlier this season. Cessna will also partner with the No. 10 Honda of Franchitti in the IZOD IndyCar Series later this season.
Scott Ernest, President and CEO, Cessna:
- “It is such a pleasure to work with a team as dedicated as the Chip Ganassi Racing Team. Just as Cessna continues to find new ways to serve our customer’s aviation needs, the team at CGRT continues to find new ways to develop and promote our partnership across all components of racing. It will be fantastic to see the Daytona Prototype with the Cessna logo out at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”
Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams:
- “This is a special opportunity for our Daytona Prototype program and for our partner Cessna. Anytime you can pair two of the best Indy car drivers out there in the same car makes for an immediate contender. We try and assemble an impressive lineup in the No. 02 car for the Rolex 24 At Daytona each season, and this year we’ve been able to provide more opportunities for our sponsors like with Tony Kanaan and Joey Hand at Indianapolis, and now Scott and Dario for Cessna at Laguna Seca.”
Source : Chip Ganassi Racing