Penske reveals Menards sponsorship for Pagenaud

Pagenaud, who started from the front row at Indy last year and led 35 laps, will carry the bright yellow of Menards at the GP of Indy, the “500” and also the Road America round in June. Menards will remain an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season.

Menards, a value home improvement store, has been absent from Indy car racing since 2003. A Menards-sponsored car captured the Indy Racing League title in both 1997 with driver Tony Stewart and in 1999 with driver Greg Ray.

The company’s cars also earned two Indy 500 pole positions in the past, with the late Scott Brayton in 1995 and Stewart in ’96. The top finish by a Menards-sponsored car in the Indy 500 came from Stewart during his championship season of 1997, when he took fifth in the race.

“Menards has a long and successful history in motorsports and we are excited to welcome them to Team Penske in 2016,” said Roger Penske. “John Menard and the entire Menards company have been long-time supporters of IndyCar racing and it is special to have them on board as we celebrate the 50^th season of Team Penske and the 100^th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

"We will be working hard to bring them their first Indy 500 victory with Simon this May and add to our team’s overall success at Indianapolis.”

Said John Menard: “IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500 have been a huge part of Menards for as long as I can remember. We’ve enjoyed a great amount of success, but the one thing missing is winning the Indy 500 in the month of May.

“What better team to return to the series with than Team Penske? Roger and his team have proven that they know how to win the big races. I think Simon will do a great job and I look forward to Menards becoming a part of the history of Team Penske.”