Sunoco to Title Sponsor Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award

American company Sunoco, Inc. will be the title sponsor beginning in 2014 of the Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced today.

Now in its 63rd year, the Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award has been presented to an amazing list of legendary drivers including Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Tony Stewart, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Arie Luyendyk and many more.

“The Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award has long been one of the most coveted honors that a first year driver in the race can receive and the list of its recipients is a ‘Who’s Who’ among professional racing drivers,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “What makes the award exciting is that a driver who might not have had the best of practice or qualifying leading up to the race, could put it all together on race day and make a strong showing when it really counts. We are looking forward to seeing who that Sunoco Rookie of the Year is for the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500.”

Sunoco has a long and successful history in motorsports. In the late 1960’s, the team of Roger Penske and Mark Donohue competed in several different series with Sunoco-sponsored cars. This legendary team won many major events including the 1969 24 Hours of Daytona, the 1972 Indianapolis 500 and numerous high-profile sports car championships.

“Sunoco is proud to sponsor this year’s Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award,” said Sunoco Director of Marketing Drew Kabakoff. “We are thrilled to expand the Sunoco Rookie program and our partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through this historic and prized award.”