ABC SUPPLY CO. INC. WISCONSIN 250 AT MILWAUKEE INDYFEST SECURES METRO MILWAUKEE HONDA DEALERS AS PRESENTING SPONSOR

MILWAUKEE, WISC. (November 13, 2013) - Andretti Sports Marketing, promoter of the rejuvenated race weekend and festival of speed in Milwaukee, announced today the addition of Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers to its lineup of sponsors as its new presenting sponsor for what is now known as the ABC Supply Co. Inc. Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest presented by Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers, the IndyCar race and weekend festival occurring at the Milwaukee Mile facility on August 17, 2014.

Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers has stepped up to support the revived event at the world's oldest operating motor speedway. The event became a weekend festival in 2012 when Andretti Sports Marketing took over responsibility of the event. With 2014 becoming the promoter's third year of hosting the weekend-long event has turned into much more than just a race on the historic oval track. With the addition of Mazda Road to Indy races in Indy Lights and Pro Mazda competition, along with rickshaw racing, free fair rides and a plethora of food and drink vendors, the ABC Supply Co. Inc. Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest Presented by Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers has become a family-friendly festival lasting the entire weekend.

"The Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers are excited to be a part of Milwaukee IndyFest," said Brad Schlossmann, President of the Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers Ad Association and a local Honda dealer in Milwaukee.

ABC Supply Company and Andretti Sports Marketing announce plans for the 2014, 2015 ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest

MILWAUKEE (October 16, 2013) - Andretti Sports Marketing announced today that they have teamed with ABC Supply Co. Inc. to bring INDYCAR racing excitement back to the Milwaukee Mile at Wisconsin State Fair Park on August 16 and 17. ABC Supply Co. Inc. will serve as the title sponsor for the IndyCar Series race at Milwaukee IndyFest for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

In 2012, Michael Andretti committed to the Milwaukee market to rebuild the event and keep INDYCAR racing in the state of Wisconsin, by reviving the open-wheel event at the historic Milwaukee Mile. Andretti Sports Marketing worked diligently in the market and has now set out a two-year plan to build on the success of Milwaukee IndyFest with its partner ABC Supply Co. Inc.

"We're very excited to sponsor the race in our home state of Wisconsin at the historic Milwaukee Mile," said Diane Hendricks, ABC Supply Founder and Chairman of the Board. "We have a large number of associates and customers in the Wisconsin area and are happy for the opportunity to support the oldest and longest operating motor speedway in the world. As a sponsor of A.J. Foyt Racing for almost 10 years, we're thrilled to play a small part in open-wheel racing in Wisconsin."

ABC Supply Co. Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation's largest distributors of siding, windows and other select exterior building products. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012, ABC Supply Co. Inc. has more than 400 branches in 45 states, employing approximately 7,000 associates nationwide.

The question of whether Milwaukee's IndyCar race will return in 2014 has been answered affirmatively, but the timing of when it will be held and the details of the Milwaukee IndyFest event will be revealed Oct. 16.

After this June's Milwaukee IndyFest, promoter Andretti Sports Marketing of Indianapolis said it wanted a return engagement but could not provide assurances. Andretti for the second year ran the event and targeted both open-wheel racing fans and folks who wanted to enjoy music, rides and concessions at the Milwaukee Mile on Father's Day weekend.

Although no date is set and the schedule is far from complete, Andretti Sports Marketing is still "working dilligently" toward bringing the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the Milwaukee Mile in 2014 and beyond, IndyFest managing director Kevin Healy said.

The event faces at least three obstacles: an increased sanction fee, competition from more tracks looking to get onto the schedule -- probably including Road America and Chicagoland Speedway -- and a minimal increase in attendance for 2013 over 2012.

Still, Healy said he is optimistic.

A racing schedule item is on the agenda for Thursday's State Fair Park board meeting. Healy said as far as he knows it has nothing to do with IndyFest.

Meanwhile, ARCA Midwest Tour vice president Steve Einhaus said he has been in contact with State Fair Park regarding a 2014 date.

He would prefer to move the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 off Tuesday night and onto a weekend for its third running but doesn't want to go head-to-head with NASCAR Sprint Cup. Among the possibilities consdiered, he said, is Labor Day weekend.  

Original Article: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/218632891.html

Milwaukee IndyFest showed improvement in attendance this year but sponsorships remain below expectations, said the event’s organizer.

The future of the IndyCar race at the Milwaukee Mile, infield festival and downtown Milwaukee pre-race street party will be determined in the coming months.

Andretti Sports Marketing, Indianapolis, for the second year ran the event and targeted both open-wheel racing fans and folks who wanted to enjoy music, rides and concessions at the track on Father’s Day weekend.

“We’re determined to really keep working on this,” said Kevin Healy, managing director of Andretti Sports Marketing.

Ryan Hunter-Reay continued Andretti Autosport's domination at the Milwaukee Mile, winning the IndyCar event Saturday for the second year in a row.

Hunter-Reay became the first driver to win back-to-back races at the Mile since Tony Kanaan in 2006 and 2007 when he was driving for — you guessed it, Andretti. 

Andretti drivers have won five of the last nine races at the mile oval.

It's the second win of the season for the defending IndyCar Series champion and it came at the site of the track he used to jumpstart last year's title run. Hunter-Reay reeled off three consecutive wins starting with Milwaukee last season to climb into the championship race.

Penske Racing's Helio Castroneves was second, and teammate Will Power finished third.
 

Check out this collection of photos from the events on Friday at the 2013 Milwaukee IndyFest at the Milwaukee Mile.

Check out this collection of photos from the events on Saturday at the 2013 Milwaukee IndyFest at the Milwaukee Mile.

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This weekend the Milwaukee IndyFest is your place to score free Summerfest tickets.
Here's how to get yours:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
Milwaukee IndyFest Bartender Challenge
with James Hinchcliffe, Ed Carpenter and Takuma Sato
Miller Time Pub
509 W. Wisconsin Ave,
Milwaukee, WI
@ 5 - 7 pm

The first 20 patrons to ordered from guest bartenders IndyCar drivers James Hinchcliffe, Ed Carpenter and Takuma Sato will receive two Summerfest tickets!

THURSDAY, JUNE 13
MARCUS Street Party at Hilton City Center
Live music, Food Truck, Vintage Car Show, Driver Autographs
509 W. Wisconsin Ave,
Milwaukee, WI
@ 5 - 10 pm

Tweet your pictures from the IndyFest Street Party using hashtag #RockTheBlock and you could be selected to win free Summerfest tickets!

FRIDAY, JUNE 14
MILWAUKEE INDYFEST
The Milwaukee Mile
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Gates Open 7:30 am

The first 2,000 fans to enter the Infield via the Grandstand Tunnel will receive one free Summerfest ticket!

SATURDAY, JUNE 15
MILWAUKEE INDYFEST
The Milwaukee Mile
Wisconsin State Fair Park
Gates Open 8 am

The first 2,000 fans to enter the Infield via the Grandstand Tunnel will receive one free Summerfest ticket! 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
Milwaukee IndyFest Bartender Challenge
with James Hinchcliffe, Ed Carpenter and Takuma Sato
Miller Time Pub
509 W. Wisconsin Ave,
Milwaukee, WI
@ 5 - 7pm

THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Firestone Indy Lights Testing
Grandstands Open to Public
The Milwaukee Mile
@ 10am - 12pm & 2 - 4pm

Pro Mazda Championship Testing
Grandstands Open to Public
The Milwaukee Mile
@ 4:15 - 5:45pm

Michael Andretti Autograph Signing
Piggly Wiggly
10282 W. National Ave,
West Allis, WI
@ 3:30 - 4:30pm

Marco Andretti Autograph Signing
Sendik's
7901 W. Layton Ave,
Greenfield, WI
@ 4 - 5pm

2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion & Milwaukee IndyFest Winner
Ryan Hunter-Reay Autograph Signing
Woodman's
8131 S. Howell Ave,
Oak Creek, WI
@ 4:30 - 5:30pm

James Jakes & Justin Wilson Autograph Signing
David Hobbs Honda
6100 N Green Bay Ave
Glendale, WI 53209,
@ 4:30 - 6:30pm

MARCUS Street Party at Hilton City Center
Live music, Food Truck, Vintage Car Show, Driver Autographs
509 W. Wisconsin Ave,
Milwaukee, WI
@ 5:30 - 10:00pm

FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Firestone Indy Lights Autograph Session
The Milwaukee Mile
INDYCAR Fan Village
@ 2 - 2:30pm

Milwaukee IndyFest Brat Fry
The Milwaukee Mile
Coors Light Music & Beer Garden
@ 5:30pm

Milwaukee Brewers Sausages Appearance
The Milwaukee Mile
IndyFest Infield
@ 6:30 - 7:30pm

Milwaukee IndyFest Pit Stop Challenge
Driver appearances & Live Music
The Milwaukee Mile
Coors Light Music & Beer Garden
@ 7 - 9pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Coffee with Legends Q&A
The Milwaukee Mile
Coors Light Stage
@ 9 - 9:30am

Generations Q&A
The Milwaukee Mile
Coors Light Stage
@ 10 - 10:25am

IZOD IndyCar Series Autograph Session
The Milwaukee Mile
INDYCAR Fan Village
@ 12 - 1pm