Purdue to sponsor car driven by Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan in SRX racing series

Alex Martin, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
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LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two legends of the Indianapolis 500 will don the black and old gold of Purdue in upcoming races.

Purdue University will be sponsoring a car driven by IndyCar veterans Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan in the full 2023 Superstar Racing Experience Series.

The drivers will share racing duties, alternating who is behind the wheel of the black and gold-painted automobile.

Purdue has had a growing influence in the world of auto racing since the creation of the motorsports engineering program in 2008 at the Purdue University-Indiana University Indianapolis campus, making it the only of its kind in the country. The program will continue after the separation of IUPUI, as the Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

Meyer Shank Racing driver Hélio Castroneves (06) and Arrow McLaren SP driver Tony Kanaan (66) laugh together during an interview Wednesday, May 17, 2023, during the second day of practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kanaan and Castroneves have been friends and racing together for 40 years.
Meyer Shank Racing driver Hélio Castroneves (06) and Arrow McLaren SP driver Tony Kanaan (66) laugh together during an interview Wednesday, May 17, 2023, during the second day of practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kanaan and Castroneves have been friends and racing together for 40 years.

In 2022, West Lafayette campus graduate Angela Ashmore became the first female crew member to win the Indianapolis 500 as the member of Chip Ganassi's driver Marcus Ericsson.

Castroneves, winner of a record-tying four Indianapolis 500 races, said in a release, "I am very excited to be back at SRX and having Purdue University in Indianapolis on the car and sharing it with my brother T.K. (Tony Kanaan) is just perfect."

Purdue graduate Angela Ashmore is a racing engineer for Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson making her the first woman in any position to be apart of a winning Indianapolis 500 team. Photographed on Monday, May 22, 2023, during practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Purdue graduate Angela Ashmore is a racing engineer for Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson making her the first woman in any position to be apart of a winning Indianapolis 500 team. Photographed on Monday, May 22, 2023, during practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Driver Tony Kanaan recently stepped away from his racing career in IndyCar, with the 2023 Indianapolis 500 serving as his farewell race.

"As an Indy resident, it's a big deal," said Kanaan in the release. "Purdue has long been a part of the Indianapolis 500, so I'm looking forward to carrying their livery during the SRX season."

The SRX series held their first season in 2021. The series includes various backgrounds of motorsports, featuring NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA and more drivers.

Arrow McLaren SP driver Tony Kanaan (66) tears up after watching a farewell video Sunday, May 28, 2023, before his final Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Arrow McLaren SP driver Tony Kanaan (66) tears up after watching a farewell video Sunday, May 28, 2023, before his final Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"Having Helio and Tony share the same car for the entire season with a new sponsor in Purdue University in Indianapolis is a huge win for the sponsor, SRX, its fans and ESPN," said SRX CEO Don Hawk, in the release. "The Team of Helio, T.K. and Purdue will be a threat to win every week in SRX.

"Welcome to Purdue, and welcome back Helio and T.K."

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue to sponsor SRX car driven by Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan