NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As Fifth Third Bank Greater Indiana Regional President Mike Ash calls it an “expansion,” sponsor Fifth Third Bank has agreed to continue its relationship with the team through the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season.
The new deal was announced before Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
“We take a great amount of pride in the fact that our relationship with Fifth Third Bank continues to grow,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. “The caliber of people we have met through our partnership speaks volumes about the company and their mission to contribute to the communities in which they serve. We couldn’t be happier to not only continue, but also grow, our partnership with Fifth Third Bank through the 10-year mark and beyond.
“It’s a regional bank with national reach. It started out small and now we are increasing the number of races and longevity of the agreement. That is so important for a team. We are thrilled.”
The bank will be the primary sponsor of the No. 15 entry for Graham Rahal at the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and the addition of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix of Nashville race.
Fifth Third Bank will also have an enhanced associate sponsor presence in other key IndyCar Series race markets throughout each season including at the Indianapolis 500 and in Monterey, Calif. and St. Petersburg, Fla.
Fifth Third Bank first joined the team in 2016 as an associate sponsor and the partnership has grown as the two organizations have continued to build upon and pursue new collaborative business-to-business opportunities.
“Not only have we extended our partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, but we are excited to announce the Fifth Third car will now race in the Streets of Nashville,” said Mike Ash, Fifth Third Bank Greater Indiana Regional President. “The Bank has a strong presence in the Nashville market, run by a local team, and we are excited to bring additional assets and partnerships to the area. Our work with RLL continues to evolve and create tailored experiences for our clients as well as long-term community impact like our recent partnership on May 3, supporting all babies born in Central Indiana with newborn essentials and money towards their college savings.
“We cannot be more thankful and appreciative of our relationship with these guys and we are very excited for what the future brings.”
In addition to business-to-business activities, RLL has participated in Fifth Third Bank’s annual Fifth Third Day (5/3 on the calendar) by helping to kick off their Feeding Our Communities campaign that takes place in the communities they serve with the goal of providing more than 1 million meals to those in need in May.
In 2022, Graham Rahal also supported the 53Babies initiative in the city, by surprising babies born in Central Indiana with mom and baby essentials, as well as $1,053 provided by the Bank to start their new child’s College 529 account. Fifth Third Bank is also a supporter of other racing-related charitable initiatives such as REV Presented by Fifth Third Bank which benefits IU Health patients and an annual event that benefits Children’s TherAplay, a physical and occupational therapy for children with special needs.
The 17-race 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season continues with the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville on August 7. NBC will begin coverage at 3 p.m. ET.
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution.