Indy Racing League team owner Tom Kelley has revealed that communications industry leader Rick Weidinger has invested in, and acquired, a minority interest in Kelley Racing ahead of the 2004 IndyCar⛎ season.

"We're very excited that Rick is joining our team," Kelley said, "This is no ordinary business relationship, but an extraordinary partnership. I believe that Rick's
background and experiཧence as a successful entrepreneur will be extremely beneficial to Kelley Racing. His enthusiasm for the IRL IndyCar Series and our tradition of racing is a great combination for success in 2004 and beyond.

"Rick's background is in fibre 💖networ🍬ks, but his future is in racetracks."

A successful businessman, Weidinger was chairman, CEO and president of Pontio Communications, which was acquired by a Fortune 100 company in November 2000. Prior to that he was vice-president of corporate development for MFS Communications, where he was one of the chief architects for MFS growth and acquisition strategy and 🅷had a key role in building it to a multi-billion dollar company. Weidinger joined MFS at its foundation in 1989.

"Tom Kelley is a leader in professional motorsp💯ort and has been involved at its highest levels since the beginning of the IRL," Weidinger said, "I am proud to call him, not just a partner, but also a mentor.

"Tom and I share t๊he same vision for the team; World class on track performance, first-class hospitality and best-in-class ratings for our sponsors. Looking at it from the outside, the IRL's success has been outstanding and there is an enormous upside in growth and value, I like the business modeಞl."

Passionate for the sport and its people, Weidinger plans to spend the m🎉ajority of his time working꧂ with Tom and the Kelley Racing team.