Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) announced recently that Smithfield Foods will be the primary sponsor of the #43 Verizon IndyCar driven by Conor Daly in the 2015 Indianapolis 500. The iconic race is scheduled for May 24 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis IN.
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 VA in 1936, this global food company is a leading provider of quality pork products.
For Smithfield, partnering with SPM at the famed Brickyard is consistent with supporting one of its consumers’ favorite lifestyle events, according to Bob Weber, vice-president of corporate marketing for Smithfield.
“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,” he said. “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, which has 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.”
In the United States, Smithfield provides numerous packaged meats with brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Farmland, Armour, Cook’s, John Morrell, Gwaltney, Nathan’s Famous, Kretschmar, Margherita, Curly’s, Carando, and Healthy Ones.
For more information, access www.smithfieldfoods.com.
