Kroger, Remy International Renew Sponsorship of Historic Little 500

By Kyle Larson
Public Relations

Anderson Speedway is thrilled to announce that The Kroger Company and its grocery chain, Pay Less Super Markets along with Remy International Inc. will continue sponsoring the Pay Less / Remy International Little 500 at Anderson Speedway. Pay Less and Remy International combine for one of the longest running event sponsorships in short track racing as they will serve as the entitlement sponsor of the Little 500 for the 18th consecutive year on Saturday, May 28, 2005.

"I’m pleased to renew our sponsorship with Kroger and Remy International on our most treasured event,” said Rick Dawson, Co-Owner/President of Anderson Speedway. “We have been happy with the growth of the Little 500 and look forward to a promising future with the support from Kroger and Remy International.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. The Kroger Company operates (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,531 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith’s, Fry’s, Fry’s Marketplace, Dillons, QFC, City Market, Hilander, Owen’s and Pay Less.

For additional information on Kroger, visit www.kroger.com.

Remy International Inc. markets starters and heavy-duty alternators for original equipment and aftermarket customers under the Delco Remy brand name, which was licensed to the company by General Motors. The company also added the Remy trademark to its brand portfolio for a variety of automotive products in addition to using Remy International, Inc. as the new corporate name.

On August 1, 2004 the company changed its name to Remy International, Inc., marking the 10th anniversary as a separate company from General Motors Corporation. For additional information on Remy International Inc., visit www.remyinc.com.

The format of the 57th Pay Less / Remy International Little 500 is unique to Sprint Car racing. The starting grid is comprised of thirty-three cars in 11 rows of three, charging to the green flag. Two mandatory pits stops are required during the challenging 500-lap event. Billed as one of the most entertaining races in auto racing, fans will be filled with anticipation in the most exciting start to a racing event.

The Pay Less / Remy International Little 500 received the 2002 National Speed Sport News Short Track Event of the Year from the Racing Promoters Monthly. RPM is an organization of racing promoters from across the country.

The United States Auto Club has designated this historic event as a special sanctioned race. The format, rules and race control are officiated by Anderson Speedway.

Eric Gordon of Indianapolis, Ind. became the first six-time winner of one of America's greatest short-track races in 2004, winning the 56th Pay Less/Delco Remy Little 500 Sprint Car classic.

His fourth consecutive win in the 500-lap race surpassed Bob Frey's five total race wins and tied Frey's mark of four straight wins.

Gordon started fifth in the 33-car field on the quarter-mile paved oval and led nearly half of the race in his Jack French Pay Less/Print Express Gor-Fre/Gaerte entry. He had to withstand a late-race challenge from runner-up finisher Aaron Pierce of Daleville, Ind., who finished just .35 seconds behind the race winner.

For additional information contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.