Main Content
Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500 Motorsports Sponsorships
Welcome to the Racing Capital of the World: The iconic entrance to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway sets the stage for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
The Indianapolis 500 isn’t just the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – it’s an unparalleled platform for brand exposure and business growth. With over 300,000 live spectators filling the stands and millions of viewers tuning in across the globe, the race offers a unique intersection of high-octane excitement and strategic business opportunities.
Cusick Motorsports, a grassroots organization founded in 2021, has a mission to make motorsports sponsorships more accessible to more businesses. While larger teams often cater exclusively to corporate giants, leaving smaller enterprises underserved, we specialize in creating tailored experiences that meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Our agile approach means partners aren’t just another logo on a car – they’re part of a highly versatile program designed to maximize every marketing dollar.
The power of IndyCar sponsorship truly comes alive through our comprehensive approach. We offer a blend of personalized hospitality experiences, strategic brand exposure, and high-value B2B networking opportunities, giving our partners a multifaceted advantage. By transforming the traditional race partnership model into a powerful business catalyst, we help companies turn Indy 500 into more than just a race – it becomes a launchpad for their brand’s success.
About Cusick Motorsports
Established in 2021 by healthcare industry entrepreneur Don Cusick, Cusick Motorsports emerged from a simple yet powerful vision: to make the thrill and business potential of racing accessible to companies of all sizes. While motorsports has historically been a catalyst for innovation and corporate growth, many businesses have been deterred by high entry barriers that limit their opportunities to participate.
Drawing from over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Don assembled our team of motorsports and corporate experts to bridge this gap. We don’t just focus on sponsorship – we approach every partnership as an opportunity to build a customized, results-driven strategy that delivers measurable returns on investment. Our mission goes beyond traditional sponsorship – we’re business architects who craft personalized racing partnerships that deliver measurable results.
As a grassroots racing organization, we turn our smaller size into a distinct advantage. Unlike larger teams burdened by rigid structures, our agile organization allows unsurpassed flexibility in creating hospitality and bespoke sponsorship packages that align perfectly with each partner’s specific goals and resources. From strategy development to execution, we work alongside our partners to transform the exciting world of Indianapolis 500 into a potent business accelerator.
The Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious spectacles in motorsports, fusing high-speed competition, a rich history, and unmatched marketing opportunities into one iconic event. Since its 1911 inception, the race has captivated audiences and served as a unique platform for businesses to engage with millions.
Held annually at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, this 500-mile race has evolved from a humble experiment in automotive endurance to a global phenomenon. Over the decades, it has not only become synonymous with motorsports excellence but also with innovation and cutting-edge performance in both racing and business.
A Brief History of the Indy 500
The event’s origins trace back to the early days of automotive innovation in America when the original crushed stone and tar track challenged 40 daring drivers in the inaugural race. Ray Harroun emerged victorious in his Marmon Wasp, setting the stage for what would become one of racing’s most coveted titles.
The race distance – 500 miles – was strategically chosen to span daylight hours, creating maximum entertainment value for spectators.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The race takes place at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an engineering marvel that stands as a beacon of racing history. Spanning more than 250 acres and hosting over 257,000 passionate fans, it remains one of the world’s largest sporting venues. Its distinctive rectangular oval track, with its four uniquely banked turns, continues to challenge even the most skilled drivers, providing adrenaline-pumping entertainment year after year.
Alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500 completes motorsports’ prestigious Triple Crown, a distinction that further elevates its status as a global racing spectacle.
As the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500 captivates global audiences around the world while simultaneously serving as motorsports’ premier marketing showcase. Businesses recognize the event’s prestige and leverage its massive reach to build brand legacies that resonate long after the race concludes.
The Value of Motorsports Sponsorships
at The Indianapolis 500
Racing sponsorships, particularly for high-profile events like the Indianapolis 500, offer significant value for brands seeking widespread exposure and engagement. Unlike traditional marketing channels, the Indy 500 provides a combination of reach, tradition, and direct fan interaction, making it an unmatched opportunity for building brand loyalty.
- Massive Audience Reach. Attracting over 300,000 attendees in person and millions of viewers through live broadcasts worldwide, the Indy 500 offers unparalleled exposure for brands. This reach spans diverse demographics, ensuring sponsors can connect with an array of potential customers from all walks of life.
- Association with Innovation and Performance. An Indy 500 Sponsorship aligns brands with values like speed, technology, and excellence. This association enhances credibility and reinforces the perception of a company as forward-thinking and dynamic.of life.
- Dynamic Brand Activation and Engagement. Sponsors engage fans through innovative cross-industry marketing. From interactive experiences to branded events like the Coors Light Snake Pit EDM concert, companies have the chance to leave lasting impressions on fans in unique, memorable ways.
- Measurable Returns. Motorsports sponsorships consistently deliver tangible results. Brands have reported increases in visibility, stronger customer engagement, and measurable sales growth, proving the value of investing in such partnerships.
The Global Reach and Prestige of the Indy 500
The Indianapolis 500 provides exceptional media exposure for sponsors through multiple channels. With a combination of traditional broadcast television, digital streaming, and comprehensive media coverage, the race ensures that sponsors reach one of the most engaged audiences in sports.
The race’s broadcast on NBC and streaming platforms reached over 5.3 million viewers in 2024, marking an 8% increase from 2023. This steady growth highlights the enduring appeal of the event and its ability to capture new fans year after year. This massive audience peaked at 6.4 million viewers during the dramatic finish between Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, providing prime visibility for sponsorship brands.
Over 1,000 journalists and photographers are credentialed every year to cover the event, providing extensive coverage that goes beyond television. This robust media presence ensures that every aspect of the race, from pre-event promotions to post-race analysis, receives significant attention.
Traditional media outlets combine with digital platforms and radio networks to create comprehensive exposure. The race’s streaming performance was particularly notable over the past several years, becoming the most streamed IndyCar race ever with 286,000 average minute viewers on Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms. These numbers reflect not only the race’s prestige but also its ability to adapt to modern media trends, offering sponsors access to younger, tech-savvy audiences.
For sponsors, this multi-platform reach ensures their brands receive significant exposure to a diverse, engaged audience across traditional and emerging media channels. This unparalleled visibility presents an opportunity to elevate brands and allow them to connect with millions of passionate fans who associate the event with excellence, innovation, and high performance.
Indy 500 and B2B Growth: A Winning Formula
The Indianapolis 500 transcends conventional sports sponsorship by creating lucrative B2B opportunities, serving as a dynamic platform for brand elevation and corporate collaboration. Its unique combination of thrilling competition and exclusive networking opportunities sets it apart from other events, offering sponsors a chance to connect with key decision-makers in an unforgettable setting.
Exclusive suites, trackside activations, and VIP experiences provide an electric atmosphere for hosting clients, partners, and prospects, turning casual conversations into meaningful partnerships. These premium experiences foster not only immediate connections but also long-term relationships, as they create shared memories and impactful interactions in an exhilarating setting. This high-energy environment naturally fosters deal-making and relationship-building.
The event particularly resonates with automotive, tech, and consumer goods industries, enabling strategic co-branding initiatives and innovation partnerships. By utilizing the Indy 500 as a launchpad for product demonstrations and showcasing cutting-edge technology, brands align themselves with the race’s reputation for excellence and innovation. Companies leverage the race’s global stage through product demonstrations and data-driven collaborations, forging valuable connections that drive business growth long after the checkered flag drops.
The Cusick Motorsports Advantage
While larger teams often operate with rigid racing sponsorship structures, Cusick Motorsports’ smaller team size and grassroots nature enable us to create highly personalized partnership experiences. Our versatile approach means we can adapt and customize every aspect of the partnership to perfectly adapt to our partners’ goals.
From strategic logo placement on our race car to comprehensive digital marketing integration, we ensure maximum visibility for our partners across various platforms. What truly sets our team apart, however, is our ability to craft bespoke VIP experiences throughout the Indianapolis 500 season. Partners gain exclusive access to practice sessions, complete with personalized hospitality experiences.
Our intimate team structure allows us to provide hands-on attention that larger organizations simply can’t match. The personal touches make all the difference – from exclusive driver meet-and-greets to VIP suite access and pre-race grid walks. We transform the Indy 500 into a business-generating, exposure-enhancing platform, ensuring our partners receive maximum value and impact from their motorsports sponsorship investment, regardless of their size or budget.
How Cusick Motorsports
Generates Value For Indianapolis 500 Sponsors
Cusick Motorsports delivers unsurpassed value to partners through our innovative approach to racing sponsorship.
By combining premium B2B networking, massive brand exposure, professional content creation, and direct fan engagement, we create measurable ROI across four key pillars that amplify your brand and drive business growth.
Key benefits of partnering with our team include:
B2B VIP Access
- Executive Network Access: Leverage our extensive network of decision-makers and industry leaders across motorsports, technology, and business sectors. Our program facilitates meaningful business relationships throughout the racing season.
- Strategic VIP Events: Host exclusive, high-impact experiences from private pit tours to luxury hospitality suites. These carefully curated environments combine the thrill of racing with purposeful networking, creating optimal conditions for business development.
Brand Visibility
- Massive Race Day Exposure: Tap into Indianapolis 500’s powerful audience of 5M+ television viewers and 500,000+ on-site attendees. Our fan base consists of engaged, educated, professionals with strong brand loyalty.
- Comprehensive Branding Package: Maximize visibility through strategic placement on race cars, pit equipment, crew gear, and merchandise. Our multi-touchpoint approach ensures your brand receives consistent exposure across all racing operations and fan interactions.
Digital Media Impact
- Premium Content Creation: Transform the thrill of racing into compelling marketing assets through our professional content team. We produce broadcast-quality commercials and digital content optimized for web and social media.
- Strategic Media Campaigns: Execute targeted PR and social media campaigns that amplify your brand message. Our campaigns reach engaged followers across platforms, driving measurable increases in brand awareness and customer engagement.
Fan Experience and
Activation
- Nationwide Fan Engagement: Connect directly with over 1.5M passionate fans across the IndyCar season, including 500,000+ at the Indianapolis 500 alone. IndyCar fans are known for their strong brand loyalty and support of sponsor products.
- Interactive Brand Activations: Create meaningful consumer connections through custom experiential marketing programs. From booth promotions to interactive fan contests, we design data-driven activations that generate qualified leads and valuable customer insights.
Cusick Motorsports Media Impact
Our comprehensive media strategy generated impressive reach:
- 17,902 online news mentions
- 46.63B total news audience reach
- 913,878 social media impressions
- 94,011 social media video views
By partnering with Cusick Motorsports, small to medium-sized businesses benefit from:
- Exponential growth in digital presence and engagement
- Significant boost in sales performance
- Massive media exposure and brand visibility
- Access to engaged motorsports audience
- Proven track record of delivering measurable results