INDIANAPOLIS — Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) proudly announced yesterday that Smithfield Foods will be the primary sponsor of the No. 43 Verizon IndyCar driven by Conor Daly in the 2015 Indianapolis 500.
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Smithfield Foods unveil the No. 43 Fueled By Bacon(TM) Special for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. From left to right: Bob Weber, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Smithfield Foods, Conor Daly, driver of the No. 43 Fueled By Bacon(TM) Special, and Ric Peterson, co-owner of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.
Smithfield Foods' iconic flagship brand, Smithfield, will adorn the third Honda-powered SPM entry on opening day of the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. Founded in Smithfield, Virginia in 1936, this global food company is the world's largest provider of high-quality pork products.
For Smithfield, partnering with SPM at the famed Brickyard is consistent with supporting one of their consumers' favorite lifestyle events according to Bob Weber, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Smithfield Foods.
"Motorsports has proven to be a dynamic and productive marketing tool for our brands; we have brought our associations to the store and fans have responded phenomenally," said Weber. "IndyCar represented the next horizon for us, and our partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and driver Conor Daly, whom I have monitored since his days in karting, is a very special opportunity. I'm not sure how we could make our debut into this sport at a better venue than at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!"
"Conor raced for our team in Indy Lights in 2011 for a partial season before heading off to Europe, so we know what he is capable of," said team co-owner Sam Schmidt. "He deserves to be competing in the IndyCar Series full time and we're honored to be providing this opportunity. Also, it will be great to be associated with such an iconic brand as Smithfield, having enjoyed their products on a regular basis."
For Daly, it is a homecoming. "I am ecstatic to partner with Smithfield and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. I have had a great relationship with Sam Schmidt since driving for him in Indy Lights and I've always wanted a shot with his Verizon IndyCar Series team. It's an honor to make my second attempt at running the Indy 500 representing a company like Smithfield who have a great passion for motorsports. I can't thank everyone enough who have put in the hours to pull this program together. I am confident we will all benefit from this relationship going forward and I can't wait to get to work on track!"
On May 3, Daly and the No. 43 Fueled By BaconTM Special plan to hit the track for the first time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Daly will seek his second start in the Indianapolis 500.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) was established in 2001 and is owned by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and Canadian businessman Ric Peterson. Schmidt was paralyzed (quad) in 2000 after an accident during testing at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Fla. SPM fields cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500, and the Indy Lights Series presented by Cooper Tires. SPM is the most successful team in Indy Lights Series history with sixty-five race wins and seven championships. In addition, SPM won the coveted Indy 500 pole position in 2011, and has won five Verizon IndyCar Series races since 2013.
Source: Smithfield Foods
