Gainbridge and Andretti INDYCAR Showcase Special LPGA Livery in Long Beach
As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES made its way to Southern California for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this past weekend, the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda sported some exciting additions to Andretti INDYCAR driver Colton Herta’s recognizable black, white and yellow livery.
To further its commitment to women’s sports, Gainbridge, a Group 1001 company, highlighted The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, the LPGA Tour and the JM Eagle LA Championship Presented by Plastpro logos on the rear wing of Herta’s Gainbridge Honda. Golf Channel tune-in messaging for the JM Eagle LA Championship was also featured on the inside halo of the car to promote the LPGA tournament taking place this week at the Wilshire Country Club, located just 30 miles from the historic Long Beach street circuit.
“It was an exciting weekend in Long Beach as our team at Group 1001 got a front row seat to see two of our partnerships that we’re extremely passionate about come together,” said Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation for Group 1001. “Being able to use our platform within the Andretti INDYCAR team to celebrate and highlight women’s sports, specifically the LPGA in this instance, has been instrumental in our mission to engage and utilize our partnerships in a meaningful way. Forty-seven percent of Gainbridge’s sponsorship dollars currently support women’s sports including the recent signing of No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, Caitlin Clark.”
In addition to the new branding on the Gainbridge Honda, Group 1001 and the Andretti INDYCAR team also hosted LPGA Tour and Epson Tour winner Emma Talley on race day in Long Beach. Making her first LPGA start of the 2024 season at the JM Eagle LA Championship, the LPGA Tour veteran and former NCAA All-American from the University of Alabama kicked off her time at the track with an INDYCAR two-seater ride. Following her ride around the 1.968-mile street course, Talley headed to the Gainbridge timing stand to watch the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field warm-up.
“It was amazing to spend the day with the Andretti INDYCAR team,” said Talley. “From engaging with INDYCAR fans to spending time on Colton’s timing stand, I am still pinching myself. Colton, Kyle and Marcus were also so kind and to see them out there racing in Long Beach was such a great experience. They have gained a new fan, that’s for sure!”
Talley also spent time with Herta in the Andretti INDYCAR garages prior to the green flag as the seven-time INDYCAR race winner gave her an up-close tour of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and talked team strategy for the 85-lap race.
“It was great to have the LPGA, JM Eagle Championship presented by Plastpro and The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican logos featured on the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda this past weekend,” said Herta. “It would have been nice to have them ride along with me for the win, but we’ll take the podium finish. I also enjoyed getting to meet Emma before she kicked off her first tournament of the season, and I wish her and the rest of the LPGA players all the best as they compete at the Wilshire Country Club this week.”
The weekend ended on a high note as Herta carried on the Andretti legacy of success on the Streets of Long Beach with another podium finish for the team. The second-place finish marks Herta’s 13th career podium and second at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Herta now sits third in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship, just 15 points behind the leader.
