OAKDALE, Minn., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Imation Corp , a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, today announced that it is an associate team sponsor for the Target Chip Ganassi Racing Team through 2007 for both the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The race team sponsorship includes the two Target IRL cars for the 2006 Indy Season. Watch for the #41 Target Dodge starting in the Great American Race, the Daytona 500, on Sunday, Feb. 19.
"The Target Chip Ganassi Team sponsorship is a great way to be involved in the fastest growing sport in America -- NASCAR," said Tom Lally, U.S. executive director of sales and marketing, Imation. "Combined with the growing interest in the Indy Racing League and its marquee race, the Indy 500, our sponsorship makes Imation part of the action -- front and center with race fans across America -- and demonstrates our support for activities and brands our customers enjoy and value."
Imation will highlight the sponsorship through a number of marketing initiatives, including in-store signage and Imation logos on the #41 Target Dodge. Imation logos also will appear on the #9 and #10 Indy Racing League cars, and on team driver uniforms for the 36 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events and 18 IRL events.
"Target is excited to have Imation as one of our 14 vendor sponsors for the 2006 season," said John Remington, vice president of marketing communications for Target. "Imation is a recognized brand and its products are available in Target stores nationwide, which is a win-win for our racing team and our guests."
New to the Target Chip Ganassi Race Team in 2006 are 2005 Indy 500 and IRL Champion Driver Dan Wheldon and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup rookie sensation Reed Sorenson. Wheldon and Sorenson join Scott Dixon, driver of the #9 Target car and the 2003 IRL Champion.
"Looking forward to 2006, a few of my goals include sustaining the momentum I have coming off of last season and returning the Target team to where they're accustomed to running -- up front," Wheldon explained.
"The transition to the NEXTEL Cup Series isn't going to be an easy one, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," added Sorenson. "It's going to be a busy year, but our goals are to contend for rookie of the year honors and also get the Target Dodge into Victory Lane."
For more information on Target Chip Ganassi Racing go to http://www.chipganassiracing.com/ .
Imation's products at Target include a variety of innovative flash drives and Imation CDs and DVDs available nationwide. For more information on these products, go to http://www.imation.com/ .
About Imation
Imation Corp is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of magnetic and optical removable data storage media. Additional information about Imation is available on the company's website at http://www.imation.com/ , or by calling 1-888-466-3456.
Imation and the Imation logo are trademarks of Imation Corp. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: bdallen@imation.com
