Robert Graham Announces Primary Sponsorship of Driver Townsend Bell for the 2014 Indianapolis 500
NEW YORK, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Graham is pleased to announce that the brand will serve as the primary sponsor for the No. 6 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone entry in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 driven by Townsend Bell on May 25th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.
"We are very pleased to associate Robert Graham with Townsend Bell for the 2014 Indianapolis 500," said Michael Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Robert Graham. "Partnering with Townsend is a strategic brand fit, providing a fun and exciting platform to reach millions of IndyCar fans and gain positive brand exposure. Townsend is an extremely talented driver, knowledgeable commentator and athlete who fully personifies the Robert Graham lifestyle. The Robert Graham team and our fans around the world are cheering for him."
Bell, a 38-year-old American, who resides in Pacific Palisades, California, spends much of his time now as a Verizon IndyCar Series broadcast analyst for NBC Sports and advising young drivers about the business of motor racing. He also competes in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving for AIM Autosport with Ferrari. Bell, who will be contesting a major U.S. based open-wheel event for the 12th season, will be making his eighth start at the Brickyard. In seven previous Indy 500's he has a best starting of fourth, in 2011, and has earned three top-10 finishes with a best showing of fourth in 2009, coincidentally, while competing with KV Racing Technology.
"As a long time Robert Graham enthusiast, I can't think of a better 'fit'!" said Townsend Bell. "I think race fans will love the paint scheme. If the car is as fast as Robert Graham's customer base is growing, we'll be in great shape on race day. Pop those collars, roll back the cuffs, it's time to get it on!"
"I am very pleased to have Townsend and Robert Graham join KV Racing Technology for this year's Indianapolis 500," said Jimmy Vasser, co-owner of KV Racing Technology. "Townsend has a lot of experience at the Speedway and did a great job the last time he drove there for us. I think the entire team will benefit from his knowledge as we go through our program in preparation for the Indy 500. Also, with Robert Graham on board I think we will be the best dressed team in the paddock during the month of May."
The 2014 Indianapolis 500 will be the 98th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." It has been held every year since the first race in 1911 except the war years of 1917-1918 and 1942-1945. The race will be contested on May 25, 2014 and will broadcast live on ABC beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET).
ABOUT ROBERT GRAHAM
Robert Graham is 'American Eclectic.' Since its launch in 2001, Robert Graham was created on the premise of introducing sophisticated, eclectic style to the fashion market as an American-based company with an intention of inspiring a global movement. Robert Graham creates four menswear and women's wear collections a year—spring, pre-fall, fall and resort. Robert Graham now operates freestanding stores in locations including Los Angeles's Venice Beach, Houston, Las Vegas, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, New York's Long Island, Short Hills, New Jersey, Bleecker St in New York City and Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino. At the time of press, the following stores are being constructed: Scottsdale Fashion Square in Arizona and NorthPark Center in Dallas, Texas.The brand also sells at luxury department stores and boutiques including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales nationwide, and Harry Rosen throughout Canada. Robert Graham has retail presence in more than a dozen countries around the world and has showrooms located in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Dusseldorf. (www.robertgraham.us)
ABOUT TOWNSEND BELL
Townsend Bell was the Indy Lights Rookie of the Year and championship runner-up in 2000. The following year he captured the Indy Lights title. He also made his Champ Car debut in 2001 contesting two races for Patrick Racing with a best showing of 12th at Rockingham, England. In 2002, Bell made nine starts for Patrick Racing with a best finish of fourth in Portland. Heading overseas in 2003, he competed in the FIA Formula 3000 Championship placing ninth in the standings with a best showing of third at Hungary. He also tested for BAR-Honda and the Jaguar Formula One teams in 2003. Bell made his IndyCar debut in 2004 competing in 10 events for Panther Racing recording five top-10 finishes including an IndyCar career high of fifth at Nashville in his second start. He made one IndyCar start in 2005 competing at Michigan for Panther, made the one start at Indy in 2006 and did not compete in 2007. Bell made seven starts in 2008 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing with a best finish of eighth in Richmond. He has only contested six IndyCar events since 2009 running the Indy 500 five times and contesting one race at Kentucky Speedway, but has been a consistent competitor in the American Le Mans Series and now the United SportsCar Championship. He won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012, the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2014 (GTB class) and currently leads the championship after two of 11 rounds.
ABOUT KV RACING TECHNOLOGY
KV Racing Technology was founded in January 2003 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2008. The Indianapolis based team is owned by successful venture capitalist Kevin Kalkhoven and 1996 CART IndyCar World Series Champion Jimmy Vasser. General Manager Steve Moore runs the day-to-day operations for the team. He is assisted by Engineers Olivier Boisson and Matt Curry as well as Crew Chiefs Jeff Simon and Kelly Potter.
KVRT operates two teams full-time in the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season. KVSH Racing, a partnership between Kalkhoven, Vasser and James "Sulli" Sullivan, will field an entry for four-time champion Sebastien Bourdais. KV AFS Racing, a partnership between Kalkhoven, Vasser and Gary Peterson, will field an entry for talented young driver Sebastian Saavedra.
For more information about KV Racing Technology, KVSH Racing and KVAFS Racing, visit: www.kvracingtechnology.com or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kvracing and Facebook: www.facebook.com/kvracingtechnology
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SOURCE Robert Graham
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