Treadway signs title sponsor.

Fred Treadway's eponymous team looked in danger of becoming extinct over the winter when they joined forces with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and driver Anthony Lazzaro. However they scraped enough money to get onto the 'Leaders Circle' programme and now look set to go from strength to strength.

On the eve of the 2002 Indy Racing League Championship, one of the Series' oldest teams, Treadway Racing, who were forced to merge with Sam Schmidt Motorsports over the winter, were granted a new lease of life. Airlink Enterprises, a New York-based commercial real estate developer and wireless telecommunications contractor and consolidator, will be the primary sponsor for the Treadway Racing/Spade Motorsports IRL co-entry driven by rookie Rick Treadway.

Treadway drives the team's No. 5 G Force-Chevrolet could only manage a disappointing 24th place finish in the season opening 20th Anniversary Grand Prix of Miami after hitting the turn four wall at the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway on lap 28 of the 200-lap event. He qualified an impressive 12th but lost crucial front air whilst trying to pass Al Unser Jr and slapped the wall causing irreparable damage to his car.

Away from the track however the team are all smiles. Team owner Fred Treadway had entered his son under the Treadway Racing and Associates banner for Homestead and the new deal will allow the younger Treadway to complete the entire 15 race IRL season. Prior to the Airlink announcement Treadway feared he would have to make way for experienced veteran Arie Luyendyk at Indianapolis and several other races. Luyendyk will now form part of a three-pronged Treadway/Schmidt/Spade attack.

"We are excited to be partnering with a successful team like Treadway Racing," Airlink President Guy Winter said. "And we are confident that our sponsorship will assist in executing our primary business strategies for years to come."

Airlink's introduction to Treadway came by way of new team co-owner, John Spade, co-founder, president and CEO of Cincinnati, Ohio-based Did You Sports Marketing and Griffey International Baseball and Softball schools.

"I thought, 'What a great way to identify emerging business opportunities, but after spending time with Fred Treadway and his team, I realized it is also about winning races," Spade said. "I also knew that the IRL makes the most sense. Tony George and his commitment to the league has enabled team owners to provide sponsor value that is many times greater than other national sports leagues, especially in fan-base demographics.

"Without question, the IRL is the best value in motorsports, and Treadway is the right team to deliver that value to its sponsors."

Team owner Fred Treadway, no stranger to bringing new companies into the IRL with successes with Sprint PCS, Meijer, EPSON and Hollywood, knows he can provide an avenue for a unique marketing platform and a winning spirit for Airlink.

"I am thrilled to have Airlink and Spade Motorsports as part of our team," Treadway said, "and look forward to a winning future. Airlink is a complimentary business to one of my construction companies, and I expect great results on track and off."
Airlink Enterprises continues to diversify its commercial real estate development business.

Established in 1995, Airlink has used its expertise in commercial development financing, engineering, construction and facility management to take advantage of the explosive growth of the wireless telecommunications industry. The company has been part of the explosive growth of the wireless telecommunications industry since 1996, providing financing, construction and long-term management of wireless towers and facilities throughout the Northeast. Airlink's reach is toward communities and community planning through its community partnership program.

Treadway Racing is one of the most prominent teams in the IRL with five wins and 41 top-10 finishes. The team finished one-two in the 1997 Indianapolis 500 with drivers Arie Luyendyk and Scott Goodyear, respectively.