LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – Standard Motor Products (SMP) has signed Scott Sharp, renowned Indy race car veteran and current American Le Mans Series driver, to serve as the spokesperson for SMP’s recently introduced Intermotor brand of premium quality engine management parts for import vehicles, now available in the United States for the first time. Sharp will serve in this role for the 2009 season. 
“We’re thrilled to be working with IndyCar driver Scott Sharp as he represents our Genuine Intermotor brand of import parts in the U.S.,” said Mike Fitzgerald, vice president marketing, SMP. “Scott worked with SMP years ago and he was a tremendous ambassador for our engine management parts lines, so we’re excited about this new opportunity. Scott fits in very well with our overall marketing strategy for promoting the Intermotor brand. He has driven many import cars during his stellar racing career so he knows that professional quality, reliable parts are needed for a top import to run at peak performance and efficiency.”
One of the most well-respected Indy drivers in the world, Sharp joined the American Le Mans series for the first time in 2008 and quickly made his mark as he earned the Rookie of the Year award and first team status on the All-American Racing Team by the American Auto Writers and Broadcasters Association. Sharp is one of the current points standings leaders in the Le Mans series and has captured a first place and two seconds so far this season.
Early in his career, Sharp quickly moved up the ranks of various karting and racing series and then made his mark in the sports car arena by winning the SCCA GT2, GT1 (twice) and two Trans Am championships in the late 80s and early 90s. He was also part of the winning team in the 1996 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
In 1993, Sharp made his Champ Car debut with Bettenhausen Motorsports and made the move to full-time open-wheel racing the next year, driving first for Bettenhausen and later for the legendary A.J. Foyt. In 1996, the first year of the Indy Racing League (IRL), he was the series co-champion. He enjoyed consistent success as an IndyCar driver and his impressive career in the IRL included nine IndyCar event wins and 35 top-five finishes. He holds the league record of 138 consecutive IndyCar starts.
SMP announced the introduction of the Intermotor brand in the United States in early June to help its customers address their import needs in this complex and competitive market segment. SMP has positioned Intermotor brand parts in the United States as a broad engine management line that includes ignition and electrical, relays, switches and sensors with a concentration on high technology categories such as computerized engine controls, fuel injection and emission controls.
