Canadian Paul Tracy, Geico, KV Racing Tech team up for Indy 500 assault

LONG BEACH, Calif.- Paul Tracy, 2002 Indianapolis 500 runner-up, will return to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway next month for KV Racing Technology, driving the No. 15 GEICO – KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race set for Sunday, May 30, 2010.

Tracy, the 2003 Champ Car World Series champion, is one of the most successful drivers in the history of open-wheel racing with 31 career victories. The Canadian native will be sponsored by GEICO Insurance for the second consecutive year.

“It is exciting to have Paul Tracy and GEICO Insurance back together with KV Racing Technology for this year’s Indianapolis 500,” said KVRT co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven. “Paul is one of the greatest and most exciting drivers in the sport’s history, while GEICO Insurance is a leader in its industry. I feel confident that Paul, with the support of GEICO Insurance, will provide KVRT with a very competitive entry in this year’s Indy 500.”

Tracy’s entry will be the fourth for KVRT in this year’s Indianapolis 500. Tracy will team rookie Takuma Sato in the No. 5 Lotus - KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car, E.J. Viso in the No. 8 PSVDA – KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone car and Mario Moraes in No. 5 KV Racing Technology Honda/Dallara/Firestone machine. The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will be in 2011.

“We are excited to bring Paul Tracy back to the world’s best auto race, the Indianapolis 500,” expressed Ted Ward, GEICO’s vice president of marketing. “We have a great combination with a legendary driver in Paul and a world class organization in KV Racing Technology. This alliance allows us to spread our message of safety on a much broader scale.”

Tracy, a fan favorite for nearly 20 years, has competed in six Indy 500 races including his second place finish to Helio Castroneves in the controversial 2002 event. Last year, Tracy drove the No. 15 GEICO – KVRT Honda/Dallara/Firestone entry to ninth. In addition to the Indy 500, he drove the Honda of Canada KVRT car at Toronto and Edmonton last year.

“It is great to go back to the Indianapolis 500 with GEICO and KV Racing Technology,” Tracy said. I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser of KVRT and GEICO for the opportunity to return the world’s biggest auto race. I have won races and championships at the top level during my racing career, but what I am missing is a win at Indy. I feel I have some unfinished business at the Brickyard and, with the support of GEICO and an outstanding team like KV Racing Technology, I feel good about our chances at this year’s 500.”

Tracy has competed in 270 Indy car-type events during his career and has established himself as one of the top drivers in open-wheel racing. The resident of Las Vegas, Nev., is among the top-10 in almost every Champ Car career statistical category including wins, 31 (sixth all-time), poles, 25 (eighth all-time), and laps led, 4,231 (sixth all-time).

“It is tremendous to bring Paul back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again this year in the No. 15 GEICO - KVRT car,” said KVRT co-team owner Jimmy Vasser. “I also want to thank GEICO for supporting our efforts with Paul Paul was very competitive last year in the GEICO machine in his first Indy 500 in seven years. After last year’s return to the Speedway, we, at KVRT, believe Paul will be a contender for the win.”

About GEICO Insurance:
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States based on the latest 12 months written premium. It provides auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than 15 million vehicles. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), boats, homes, apartments and mobile homes. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection and life insurance are also available. As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, please visit www.geico.com. For more information about the GEICO Racing program, please visit: www.geicogarage.com.

About KV Racing Technology:
KV Racing Technology was established in 2003. The Indianapolis-based team is contesting its eighth open-wheel season and third in the IndyCar Series in 2010. KVRT is owned by successful venture capitalist Kevin Kalkhoven and 1996 Series Champion, Jimmy Vasser. Veteran motorsports manager Mark Johnson is the team's General Manager. KVRT has earned two victories the first by Cristiano da Matta in Portland in 2005 and the second by Will Power in Long Beach in 2009. KV Racing Technology will be making its third appearance at the Indianapolis 500. The team qualified three cars last year with Townsend Bell placing fourth, Tracy ninth and Mario Moraes 33rd. For more information about KV Racing Technology visit: www.kvracingtechnology.com.

Release Prepared by Doug Barnette
Player Management International, Inc.
www.pmifirm.com