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Hunter-Reay Joins Vision, says MillerWritten by: Robin Miller 03/27/2009 - 04:55 PM
Indianapolis, IN In the end, Tony George did the right thing.
With one of America's IndyCar stars and IZOD's multi-million dollar advertising and promotional program on Ryan Hunter-Reay and the series twisting in the wind, SPEEDtv.com has learned that George agreed Thursday to campaign the talented 27-year-old American in a second Vision Racing car for the entire 2009 season.
Miller and fans across the nation have been calling for Tony George to step up and throw RHR a lifeline. We waited until the last minute, but thankfully, the message got through. (LAT) » More Photos
A formal announcement is expected this weekend.
"It all happened yesterday and we're still getting the contract squared away but the team is scrambling to put my car together and thankfully I'm going to be racing Indy cars this year," said Hunter-Reay. "I really can't tell you how thankful I am that Tony stepped in because it was getting late and I know Terry Angstadt (IRL's president of its commercial division) has been working real hard to help me and I appreciate his efforts.
"The entire IRL marketing and commercial department has been working relentlessly on several B to B deals as well as sponsorships and I can't thank them enough. I'm just very grateful right now. This will be a huge opportunity for me to race for Tony George at Vision."
After last May's Indy 500, IZOD signed Hunter-Reay to a personal services and also committed to the IRL for three years.
Next week, prior to the IndyCar season opener at St. Pete, IZOD's advertising campaign kicks off with a national TV commercial, print ads in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine and New York Times in addition to several other promotions involving newspapers, billboards, movie theatres and a clothing line at Macy's.
But all this was in jeopardy because Hunter-Reay has been rideless since Rahal/Letterman lost Ethanol as its title sponsor and no longer fields a full-time
IRL effort.
"IZOD was getting a little anxious and so was I but it took a lot of people pulling together to get it done and it's worked out really well," said Angstadt.
Added Hunter-Reay: "IZOD has been 100 percent supportive from Day 1 in so many ways than I am just relieved I have a chance to represent them on and off the track in IndyCar this year."
Following a test with Keith Wiggins team earlier this week in Sebring, Hunter-Reay figured HVM was probably his best option. But then Dale Coyne also showed interest.
"I was talking with Tony (George) yesterday about those two teams when he said, 'I think we (Vision Racing) should do it,'" related Angstadt. "I think he understands Ryan's importance and the fact this IZOD deal has a lot of promising B to B opportunities. "I know I work for him but I can't compliment Tony enough for seizing this opportunity. And I also want to thank Keith and Dale for their efforts and they were both very understanding."
Hunter-Reay was equally complimentary to Wiggins. "Keith worked really hard, testing me out of his own pocket, but it was going to be a real challenge for him to try and run two cars all year. "But I'll always be grateful for his support and interest."
George was vacationing and unavailable for comment.
Hunter-Reay, a winner in Champ Car with mid-pack operations, captured his initial IRL show at Watkins Flen in 2008 and also ran strong on ovals in the one-car Rahal/Letterman effort. He will be teammates with Ed Carpenter.
Indianapolis, IN In the end, Tony George did the right thing.
With one of America's IndyCar stars and IZOD's multi-million dollar advertising and promotional program on Ryan Hunter-Reay and the series twisting in the wind, SPEEDtv.com has learned that George agreed Thursday to campaign the talented 27-year-old American in a second Vision Racing car for the entire 2009 season.
Miller and fans across the nation have been calling for Tony George to step up and throw RHR a lifeline. We waited until the last minute, but thankfully, the message got through. (LAT) » More Photos
A formal announcement is expected this weekend.
"It all happened yesterday and we're still getting the contract squared away but the team is scrambling to put my car together and thankfully I'm going to be racing Indy cars this year," said Hunter-Reay. "I really can't tell you how thankful I am that Tony stepped in because it was getting late and I know Terry Angstadt (IRL's president of its commercial division) has been working real hard to help me and I appreciate his efforts.
"The entire IRL marketing and commercial department has been working relentlessly on several B to B deals as well as sponsorships and I can't thank them enough. I'm just very grateful right now. This will be a huge opportunity for me to race for Tony George at Vision."
After last May's Indy 500, IZOD signed Hunter-Reay to a personal services and also committed to the IRL for three years.
Next week, prior to the IndyCar season opener at St. Pete, IZOD's advertising campaign kicks off with a national TV commercial, print ads in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine and New York Times in addition to several other promotions involving newspapers, billboards, movie theatres and a clothing line at Macy's.
But all this was in jeopardy because Hunter-Reay has been rideless since Rahal/Letterman lost Ethanol as its title sponsor and no longer fields a full-time
IRL effort.
"IZOD was getting a little anxious and so was I but it took a lot of people pulling together to get it done and it's worked out really well," said Angstadt.
Added Hunter-Reay: "IZOD has been 100 percent supportive from Day 1 in so many ways than I am just relieved I have a chance to represent them on and off the track in IndyCar this year."
Following a test with Keith Wiggins team earlier this week in Sebring, Hunter-Reay figured HVM was probably his best option. But then Dale Coyne also showed interest.
"I was talking with Tony (George) yesterday about those two teams when he said, 'I think we (Vision Racing) should do it,'" related Angstadt. "I think he understands Ryan's importance and the fact this IZOD deal has a lot of promising B to B opportunities. "I know I work for him but I can't compliment Tony enough for seizing this opportunity. And I also want to thank Keith and Dale for their efforts and they were both very understanding."
Hunter-Reay was equally complimentary to Wiggins. "Keith worked really hard, testing me out of his own pocket, but it was going to be a real challenge for him to try and run two cars all year. "But I'll always be grateful for his support and interest."
George was vacationing and unavailable for comment.
Hunter-Reay, a winner in Champ Car with mid-pack operations, captured his initial IRL show at Watkins Flen in 2008 and also ran strong on ovals in the one-car Rahal/Letterman effort. He will be teammates with Ed Carpenter.