CGRT and Kanaan announced last month at the Houston IndyCar Series race a multi-year deal to pilot a fourth entry starting with the 2014 IndyCar Series season with sponsorship from NTT DATA, a leading global IT services provider.NOTES OF INTEREST:· About Tony Kanaan: Reigning Indianapolis 500 Winner Tony Kanaan began his Indy car racing career in 1998 and is a 16-time race winner as well as the 2004 Series Champion. He is the active leader in consecutive starts, with 215 consecutive Indy car starts, and has started every race since the Portland CART event in 2001. · About Grupo Petrópolis: Founded in 1994, Grupo Petrópolis is currently the second-largest brewery in Brazil and among the large companies in its segment it is the only one with 100% Brazilian capital. Owner of Itaipava, Crystal, Lokal, Black Princess, Petra and Weltenburger beer brands, TNT Energy Drink, Ironage isotonic, Blue Spirit Unique vodka, Blue Ice and Nordka Spirits, it is also the largest Brazilian beverage company. TNT Energy Drink is also the official Energy Drink of Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1. With four plants in operation and two more under construction, the Group is responsible for the generation and maintenance of 16,700 jobs, both direct and indirect. Grupo Petrópolis also sponsors professional and amateur athletes in Brazil, US and Europe and promotes environmental activities through the AMA Project (Brazil). · By the Numbers: In 15 seasons of IndyCar Series racing, Kanaan has 276 starts, 16 wins, 15 poles and over 3,336 laps led.QUOTEBOARD:Tony Kannan, Driver, No. 8 NTT DATA Chevrolet: “TNT first came onboard with me at the end of 2010 and they were the first ones to tell me I would stay in the IndyCar Series when I had no sponsor and no team to race, so I'm more than excited to have them join Chip Ganassi Racing for this new chapter of my career. I'm looking forward to a strong season with them at Chip Ganassi Racing.”Douglas Costa, Marketing Director, Grupo Petrópolis: “I'm excited about the continued relationship with Tony, the opportunity to be associated to such a successful team like Chip Ganassi Racing and what the future holds for TNT Energy Drink in the IndyCar Series and in the US Market.”Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams: “Bringing TNT Energy Drink into our partnership lineup further enhances Tony’s program for the No. 8 team heading into 2014. They are one of Tony’s longtime sponsors and we’re excited they are continuing their relationship in the IndyCar Series with us. We look forward to helping them further grow their business both in the US and globally.”PaddockTalk Perspective