Andretti Autosport and Crown Royal Partner Up

LONG BEACH, California – Crown Royal and Andretti Autosport have joined forces to honor American veterans with the Crown Royal Wall of Gratitude.

The Wall of Gratitude will allow racing fans 21 years old and older to submit names of their military heroes between now and the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The company’s goal is to receive 31,680 names, enough to lap the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That number will far surpass the 4,000 names they received last year.

“Crown Royal has had a long tradition of honoring the men and women of our nation’s military,” said Stephen Wilson, Crown Royal director of Whisky Engagement. “For me personally, it is one of the most humbling experiences I could be a part of. We also believe in inspiring exceptional generosity. When you serve this country, there is no act that is more selfless or generous than protecting our freedom.”

Wilson added that racing and honoring veterans go together naturally as part of their many military activations.

“The fans of motorsports are just incredible individuals,” he said. “When it comes to the partnership that motorsports has always had with our nation’s military, it really embodies what Crown Royal stands for. It makes perfect sense to connect with Andretti Autosport and the Verizon IndyCar Series to honor the men and women of our nations military.”

Andretti Autosport drivers Alexander Rossi, Marco Andretti, team owner Michael Andretti and Wilson submitted the first names to the wall. A handful of Andretti Autosport crew members are military veterans.

“Serving our nation is the most generous thing a person can do for this country,” said Rossi, who drives the No. 27 Napa Auto Parts Honda. “I have the utmost confidence race fans will do their best for the Crown Royal Wall of Gratitude by Indy 500 weekend, honoring so many deserving troops and veterans.”

This is the newest military partnership for Andretti Autosport, as Rossi drove the Military to Motorsports car in last weekend’s race at ISM Raceway.