Harrah's named title sponsor of Michigan 500.
Harrah's Entertainment, more widely linked to the rival IRL series, has been named the title sponsor of this week's CART FedEx Championship Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
The official name of the CART race, to be held this Sunday, 22 July, will be the Harrah's 500 presented by Toyota, as the entertainment chain spreads its wings into another branch of American motorsport.
Harrah's Entertainment, more widely linked to the rival IRL series, has been named the title sponsor of this week's CART FedEx Championship Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
The official name of the CART race, to be held this Sunday, 22 July, will be the Harrah's 500 presented by Toyota, as the entertainment chain spreads its wings into another branch of American motorsport.
"Harrah's has been involved as a sponsor for several years of the Indy Racing Northern Lights Series, and became active this year in NASCAR," said Gary Loveman, Harrah's Entertainment's president and chief operating officer, "Our sponsorship of this race will enable Harrah's to expand its racing presence to include CART, and to introduce the Harrah's brand to millions of CART fans.
"The Harrah's 500 CART race will reinforce our brand with race fans and Harrah's customers in the Detroit area, which is a key feeder market for our Harrah's and Rio facilities in Las Vegas," Loveman said, "The timing of this race is uncanny. Harrah's will be sponsoring the Harrah's Indy 200 IRL race in Nashville the night before the Harrah's 500 CART race, which means that Harrah's will be treating race fans across the country to a weekend of major league racing."
"We're proud to welcome Harrah's Entertainment to the family of MIS sponsors," said Keith Karbo, MIS director of marketing, "The company's experience as a national sponsor of professional racing partners well with MIS, as Harrah's has established a loyal following in the sport. We're excited by the many marketing initiatives and fans the company can bring to MIS."
Harrah's currently sponsors both of AJ Foyt's Indy cars competing in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series and Larry Foyt's car in the NASCAR Busch Series. Earlier this year, Harrah's sponsored the Harrah's 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race in Texas.
Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment is the most recognised and respected name in the casino-entertainment industry, operating 21 casinos in the United States under the Harrah's, Showboat, Rio and Players brand names.
