7-Eleven returns as Kanaan sponsor in 2017
Chip Ganassi Racing and 7-Eleven, Inc. has announced 7-Eleven as an associate sponsor of Tony Kanaan’s #10 CGR-Honda for four IndyCar races this season, some 14 years after it first backed the Brazilian veteran.
The Irving, Texas-based brand, which operates, franchises or licenses more than 61,000 stores in 17 countries, including 10,900 in North America, first became Kanaan’s primary partner at what was then Andretti Green Racing in 2003. In the course of eight years together, Kanaan won the IndyCar title (in ’04), recorded 14 of his 17 career wins and led 2,668 laps.
Kanaan’s primary sponsor in 2017 will again be NTT Data, while 7-Eleven’s associate sponsorship will apply to the races at St. Petersburg, Long Beach, the Indianapolis 500 and at Texas Motor Speedway.
Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven’s CEO and president, said: “Tony has proven himself to be an enthusiastic brand ambassador, both for the sport of racing and for 7-Eleven. Whenever he and the show car made a store appearance, crowds of customers would turn out to meet him. Tony would stay and sign photographs and talk to 7-Eleven customers for hours. He is a winner in everything he does.”
Kanaan himself, whose 265 consecutive race starts (dating back to Portland in 2001) is an all-time record in Indy car racing, stated: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be back in the 7-Eleven family. 7-Eleven was my home for most of my career in IndyCar and it’s definitely special to have them with me to celebrate my 20th IndyCar season.
“I’m looking forward to getting them to victory circle again like we did many times in the past. It’s natural for me to be excited that we are reuniting forces now at Chip Ganassi Racing.”
Steve Lauletta, president of Chip Ganassi Racing said: “We’re really excited to have 7-Eleven joining the team for the 2017 season…. It’s a huge milestone for Tony to be celebrating his 20th season in INDYCAR and I think 7-Eleven is a perfect partner to come on board and be a part of the celebration.”
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