An Indy 500 First: A Presenting Sponsor

(L to R): D-A Lubricant President Gisela Miller

A Lebanon-based company will be the first-ever presenting sponsor of the Indianapolis 500. The official title for the next three years will be the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. D-A Lubricant Co. produces PennGrade and has ties to the race that date back to the late-1950s.

The deal is valued at $5 million.

Last year, the company began a multi-year sponsorship of Graham Rahal’s Dallara-Honda in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Mike Protogere, chairman and chief executive officer of D-A Lubricant Co., said they’ve been looking at various marketing opportunities and associating the company with the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 was the perfect one.

Protogere said having an Indiana company sponsor the race is really special. "Our old plant actually was only a couple miles from the track. Of course, now, we’re up in Lebanon but it was very special and having the relationship where Tom Binford owned the company several years ago even made it better."

Tom Binford took over ownership of the company after his father’s passing in 1954. D-A Lubricant Co. sponsored entries in the race from 1955 to 1958, with a high finish of sixth in 1956 with driver Bob Sweikert.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles says having a local company sponsor the race wasn’t a prerequisite but ended up being an added benefit for both brands. "When we started talking to the folks at D-A and PennGrade, it was immediately known that they cared about the Indianapolis 500, understood what it was about and just as we started going through the motions with them and talking about the opportunities, it felt right."

Boles added his grandmother worked for D-A and said, "I know our fans will appreciate the Hoosier connection as well."

Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles says, "this historic announcement is welcome news for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and generates even more momentum for the entire Verizon IndyCar Series. PennGrade Motor Oil, with its deep understanding of the heritage and tradition that fuels the Indy 500, is the perfect presenting sponsor for the world’s greatest race."

Company President Gisela Miller said she is proud that an Indiana company is sponsoring the 100th running of the 500. "The benefits from that, you can’t put a dollar value on them or a number. For two Indiana companies with the history that we both had, it’s a very proud moment."

The annual race, being held this year on May 29, is the world’s largest single-day sporting event.