FIFTH THIRD BANK JOINS RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING AS AN ASSOCIATE SPONSOR OF INDY CAR PROGRAM

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (February 17, 2016) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Fifth Third Bank has joined the team as an associate sponsor.  The bank logo will appear on the No. 15 Verizon IndyCar Series entry of Graham Rahal.

“I’m very pleased that we have entered into this partnership with Fifth Third Bank,” said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan.  “Fifth Third Bank is a major force in the banking industry in the Midwest and is known as one of the top banking institutions in the industry. It’s only fitting to come together for these great races and especially the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.”

Events in St. Petersburg, Fla., Indianapolis, Detroit and Mid-Ohio, among others, have been identified as key markets, and the company is currently planning initiatives that align with their corporate goals for those markets. The 100th running celebrations across Indianapolis will allow Fifth Third and the racing team to join forces to make an impact on the local community, especially during the bank’s annual hunger initiative leading up to the month of May.

“Fifth Third Bank is thrilled to support the Rahal Letterman Lanigan team as it chases the checkered flag this year at several races, including at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500,” said Steven Alonso, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Greater Indiana. “For the past century, this series has helped to define Indiana, so we look forward to celebrating this rich tradition this year with our employees, customers and racing fans across the country.”

RLL was a championship contender entering the season-finale of the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series with Graham Rahal, who was ranked a career-best second place entering the double-points race at Sonoma Raceway and the highest-ranked Honda-powered driver.  He was in sixth place with nine laps to go but was hit from behind and ultimately finished 18th in the event and fourth overall in series standings. Rahal earned a series-high six podium finishes including wins at Auto Club Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2015.

The 16-race 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season begins on March 13 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg which will be televised on ABC.  For more details about the Series, please visit www.indycar.com.