Player Management International Media Release
Los Angeles, CA (April 9, 2008) – Indianapolis 500 GEICO driver, Max Papis, packed up his family and headed west last week for an April 5th event at Rubicon Racing team owner Jason Priestley’s home in Los Angeles. An event that rivaled red carpet A-list Hollywood parties, the event took place under perfect skies and temperatures in Priestley’s backyard to kick off the Indy 500, which will begin practice on May 4th.
While Papis is regarded as one of the most versatile race car drivers in the world, A-list celebrities such as David Cubitt, the star of NBC’s Medium, surrounded him. Cubitt was joined by Luke Perry, Tiffany Thiessen and Jason Priestley himself, to name a few. While the Gecko and Lauren Wallace were unable to attend, they will be making appearances in Indianapolis during the month of May.
The Indianapolis 500 is the #1 event in the world, which makes perfect sense for team owners Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley to throw the #1 Indianapolis 500 kick off party in the world. Max Papis will be in good hands when he arrives at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and that was evident on Saturday night. The event was attended by Rubicon Racing team sponsors that traveled from all over the United States, and points around the globe, to attend the gathering in Los Angeles.
The son-in-law of Emerson Fittipaldi, Papis was both flattered and excited at being the guest of honor at Rubicon Racing’s Indy 500 kick off event.
“This is very exciting for me and my family and I’m looking forward to getting to Indy,” Papis said. “Jim (Freudenberg) and Jason (Priestley) have done a great job of getting everything in order and I think this event is a great testament of their commitment to our program. I’m happy that GEICO is going to be with me in Indy, and it was also nice to meet some of our other partners, such as LifeLock, Boston Market and Money Mailer.”
Max Papis and the Gecko will begin practice at the historic 2.5-mile speedway on May 4th with practice lasting throughout the month of May. Qualifying will be held on May 10th and May 11th, as well as May 17th and May 18th. The 92nd Indianapolis 500 will go green on Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 1:00 PM (ET).
The 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Series Champion, Papis was born in Como, Italy, and now resides in Mooresville, North Carolina. He has made over 100 open wheel race starts, including two prior Indianapolis 500 starts, while also serving as a test driver for NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports team. He has also participated in NASCAR’s #2 Series, where he recently recorded a third place finish on August 4, 2007 in Montreal.
Aside from recording three wins in the former CART Series and being a former Formula 1 driver, Papis has been one of the top competitors in American sports-car racing. He has posted an overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2002, as well as a Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series championship in 2004. As a member of GM’s Corvette Racing team, Papis has recorded a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, as well as two runner-up finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
To learn more about Max Papis, please visit www.maxpapis.com.
To see Max in GEICO’s new innovative, interactive web site, please visit www.geicogarage.com .
To see Max dressed as the Gecko in GEICO’s new internet commercial, please visit www.geicoracing7.com. Also featured in the commercial is Paul Tracy, Tommy Kendall, and Mike Wallace.