Kohler named title sponsor for IndyCar race

The Road America event will be known as the Kohler Grand Prix.

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – Kohler has signed on to be the title sponsor for the Verizon IndyCar Series event at Road America, and the race will be known as the Kohler Grand Prix. The green-flag will fly on the event at approximately 12:15 p.m. CST on June 26.

 
"Kohler Company is pleased to serve as the title sponsor for the Kohler Grand Prix for the Verizon IndyCar Series at historic Road America. Verizon IndyCar events are among the most exciting in motorsports today as evidenced by the recent sell out of the 100th Indianapolis 500,” said David Kohler, president and CEO of Kohler. “Kohler shares this passion and enthusiasm and we are excited to welcome Verizon IndyCar fans to our home to take part in the return of IndyCar racing at Road America, one of the most beautiful and unique tracks in the world."
 
“Kohler is a great fit for Road America,” said George Bruggenthies, Road America’s president and general manager. “They have a very unique brand that has been instrumental to Road America’s success through previous partnerships and initiatives while remaining dedicated to supporting the local area. We feel that Kohler Co. will incorporate itself very well in the racing community through this entitlement and we are very excited to have them on board in such a prestigious capacity.”
 
The Verizon IndyCar Series Kohler Grand Prix takes center stage at Road America June 23-26 as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most revered road courses. The first IndyCar race at Road America took place in 1982, when Hector Rebqaue was crowned as the winner. In 2000, Dario Franchitti set the track record with a lap of one minute, 39.866 seconds (145.924 mph) set in qualifying for the 2000 race. Legendary drivers Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi have each won three times at Road America, while Jacques Villeneuve and Paul Tracy were two-time winners on the high-speed course. 
 
Ten current Verizon IndyCar Series drivers have raced on the circuit, with Sebastien Bourdais winning the last Indy car race there in 2007 under Champ Car sanction. 
 
“I am really excited to see Road America back on the 2016 Indy car schedule,” said Bourdais, a four-time Indy car champion who currently drives for KVSH Racing. “This place allows our cars to stretch their legs fully and show what the Verizon IndyCar Series is all about. For me, it is the best racetrack in North America and I have some great memories there, including the win in 2007, and I am looking forward to coming back.”
 
Tickets are still available and additional event details; ticket pricing, a tentative event schedule and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. New for 2016, anyone 16-years-old and under arefree with a paying adult at the gate. All races will run rain or shine.