Mouser Electronics Sponsor IndyCar Champion Tony Kanaan’s Entry

March 8, 2012

Mouser Electronics, patient Inc., unhealthy | regarded as a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announced it will become a primary sponsor of the No. 11 Mouser Electronics/GEICO/KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone car driven by IndyCar Champion Tony Kanaan for five key events including the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan brings a proven track record to IndyCar racing. In 2003, Michael Andretti selected Kanaan to take his driver’s seat. He didn’t disappoint, posting one victory, nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 16 races. 2004 was even more spectacular. He became the first driver in major auto racing history to finish every lap of every race for an entire season on his way to driving away with the 2004 IndyCar Series title. To date, he has captured 14 victories and 14 poles in addition to his championship run in 2004.

“It’s his undeniable skill behind the wheel and his experience as a brand ambassador of motorsports that made the selection for Mouser an easy one,” says Larry Johannes, Mouser Vice President of Strategic Marketing. “Last year, Mouser attached its name to the high-speed, high-tech world of IndyCar as an innovative way to promote our supplier partners and gain brand exposure as we continue to expand our operations worldwide. Since every advanced, sophisticated component that’s built to go inside an IndyCar is about state-of-the-art engineering and delivering a performance edge on the track, IndyCar is a natural fit. IndyCar provides us the perfect vehicle to build top-of-mind awareness for Mouser and our valued supplier and manufacturer rep partnerships.”

For the upcoming IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012, Kanaan and the KV Racing Technology team will welcome the new IndyCar chassis and engine package. The team’s IndyCar will be powered by Chevrolet’s fantastic new Twin-Turbocharged Indy V6; its chassis is designed and built by Dallara, its tires are from Firestone, and its host of advanced electronics needs is supplied by Mouser.

“There’s no better feeling than having a solid company behind you – the kind of excitement for motorsports we share with Mouser makes it a great experience,” says Tony Kanaan, who in 2011 finished in the top-five in the overall IndyCar Series standings. “When Jimmy (Vasser) and I were taking a tour of their facilities and saw all the products that they potentially supply to the sport of IndyCar, we were extremely impressed. Mouser is a great partner for us; we are going to work harder than ever to make this a winning partnership on and off the racetrack.”

by Ismail Uddin