BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M University is bringing its message \u2014 and its signature maroon \u2014 to the nation\u2019s capital this weekend, partnering with an IndyCar team for a high-speed showcase during America\u2019s 250th anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n
The Aggie Maroon car will hit speeds of more than 200 mph Sunday at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., capping a season-long motorsports partnership between Texas A&M, Meyer Shank Racing and Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a national event during America\u2019s 250th anniversary in the nation\u2019s capital, big national television audience,\u201d said Ethan Braden, Texas A&M\u2019s vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. \u201cTexas A&M has a national story to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braden said the partnership highlights the university\u2019s work in engineering, national security, energy and data.<\/p>\n
The race features 25 of IndyCar\u2019s top drivers on a street circuit along Independence Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, with roughly 140,000 fans expected onsite \u2014 out of an estimated 380,000 who wanted tickets \u2014 plus a large national TV audience. Drivers will run 250 laps and make four pit stops before a champion is crowned.<\/p>\n
Texas A&M\u2019s car is painted Aggie maroon with red, white and blue accents. The front wing reads \u201cTogether We Stand,\u201d the back reads \u201cA Force for Good,\u201d and the aero screen says \u201cServing Texas and the Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s really a car about our essence of the brand platform,\u201d Braden said. \u201cTogether we stand as a force for good \u2014 the service, the impact, the community, the spirit that Aggies bring to the state of Texas and all over the nation and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
That same message anchors a new two-minute brand film, \u201cWorking Together for the Good of the Nation,\u201d featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Texas A&M alumnus Lyle Lovett performing a newly recorded rendition of \u201cLet\u2019s Work Together.\u201d The film, released today on Texas A&M\u2019s YouTube channel, will make its national television debut as a commercial during Sunday\u2019s broadcast.<\/p>\n
Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist will be behind the wheel of the No. 60 Honda. He finished sixth in IndyCar points last season and fourth in last year\u2019s Indianapolis 500. This past May, he won the Indianapolis 500 in the closest finish in 110 years of the race \u2014 with Texas A&M branding on his car, fire suit and helmet.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a wonderful guy. He\u2019s an incredible advocate for Texas A&M University,\u201d Braden said. \u201cHe says he\u2019s a Swede, but he says the only thing that\u2019s more American than he is the bald eagle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braden also praised racing partner Meyer Shank Racing: \u201cThey\u2019ve been terrific partners to us. There\u2019s just a lot of cohesion and synergy in going to the track with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the marketing spotlight, Braden said the race itself is no exhibition. \u201cThis is serious. They\u2019ll be doing 200 miles an hour. Lives are at stake,\u201d he said. \u201cThese guys want to win, and the championship\u2019s on the line. So it\u2019s just a great place for Texas A&M to show up. Really rare air for a university to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. airs Sunday on Fox, with coverage starting at 10:30 a.m. Central time and the race set to begin around noon Central time, weather permitting.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll have the car on the track, but you\u2019ll have our two-minute commercial on the screen at some point during the broadcast as well, which we\u2019re really excited about,\u201d Braden said.<\/p>\n
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