INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has announced that
WIX Filters will join the team as the primary sponsor for the DRR machine piloted by Paul Tracy during the 100th Anniversary of the
Indianapolis 500. WIX will unite with the team for the first time as the primary sponsor for the Indianapolis 500 and also will serve as an associate partner on the No. 22 car of Justin Wilson for the 2011 season.
“Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is extremely happy to welcome WIX Filters to the team for the Indianapolis 500 and for the 2011 season. We have worked hard to maintain a strong relationship with our sponsors and to build new ones. We couldn’t be happier to have WIX Filters on board with us, and we look forward to growing with them in the future. We are also very excited to have Paul drive the WIX Filters car. He’s a great personality and driver, and we believe he will be very competitive during the Indy 500,” said Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner Robbie Buhl.
Since 1939, WIX has been an innovator in filtration products, the company noted. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment.
“WIX has a strong history of racing excellence, from dirt tracks and drag strips to super speedways, and it is with great anticipation that we join forces with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for our first expedition into IndyCar racing,” said Jeff Blocher, vice president of sales for WIX Filters. “With this year marking the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, there could be no better time for WIX to make its debut into this exciting competition. We look forward to sharing the WIX brand with the millions of IndyCar Series fans around the globe.”
Piloting the DRR WIX Filters entry for the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 will be Paul Tracy. Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, will be competing with DRR for the fourth time.
Now in his 21st season, Tracy has had a storied career that has made him one of the top drivers in open-wheel racing and the "winningest active driver" in the series to date. He is among the top 10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (tied for seventh all-time), poles, 25 (ninth all-time), and laps led, 4,238 (sixth all-time).
Over the past 20 years, Tracy has earned 75 career podium performances, 102 top-five finishes and 144 top-10 showings in 273 starts (262 in Champ Car and 11 in IZOD IndyCar, tied for seventh all-time). In the 15 seasons in which Tracy has competed, in more than 80 percent of the races, he has finished in the top 10 in the championship standings 10 times – including eight times in the top five, four in the top three and, captured the championship in 2003.
“Obviously, it feels great to be back with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. It’s been a chaotic winter, but it’s good to have the deal stowed away with a competitive program lined up with WIX Filters and DRR for the Indianapolis 500. I’m really happy to have signed a deal with Dennis and Robbie. It’s great to be with a team like DRR, they have quality equipment and a solid engineering group with Larry Curry. It’s a relief to have this deal done from that standpoint. I’m super excited, and want to thank WIX Filters for placing confidence in me as their brand ambassador at the Indy 500,” Tracy said.
