Primary sponsorship with Tony Kanaan is over
Andretti Autosport has confirmed that 7-Eleven will no longer serve as the primary sponsor for Tony Kanaan’s No. 11 machine. However, the convenience store giant will stay with the team as an associate sponsor of Danica Patrick’s No. 7 machine.
Last night, word came out that Kanaan had been told by Andretti Autosport that he was free to look around for a 2011 ride with another team due to sponsorship issues. However, a team release states that they’re “currently working to secure primary sponsorship for the No. 11 car.”
“Our hope is to have Tony Kanaan and the No. 11 car as part of our IZOD IndyCar Series lineup again in 2011, and we are currently working very hard to find the necessary sponsorship to make that a reality,” said John Lopes, the team’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
“In the meantime, and although he remains under contract with Andretti Autosport, we have given Tony and his management the permission to talk with other IndyCar team owners to explore what other alternatives might be available at this time.”
Curt Cavin reports today that Kanaan is due more than $3 million per season as part of the multi-year contract he signed with Andretti Autosport in 2008. He has three years remaining in the deal.
