Sunoco Makes its Return to INDYCAR, Joins Chip Ganassi Racing in Multi-Year Partnership
MWN-AI** Summary
Sunoco is officially reentering the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a full-time primary partner with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) for the 2026 season. This multi-year partnership sees Sunoco's branding on the No. 8 Honda driven by promising young driver Kyffin Simpson, marking the brand's first full-season primary involvement in INDYCAR since 1973.
Sunoco, recognized as the largest independent fuel distributor in the Americas, previously served as the primary fuel supplier for INDYCAR from 2010 to 2018 and had a notable association with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway between 2015 and 2018. The new partnership signifies Sunoco’s strategic return to open-wheel racing, with a legacy that traces back to 1968, including notable victories like its first Indianapolis 500 win in 1972.
Kyffin Simpson has shown considerable promise, achieving significant milestones during his first two seasons, including his first podium finish in 2025. He is positioned to build upon this foundation with the backing of Sunoco, contributing to his growth alongside CGR’s champions, such as Scott Dixon and Alex Palou.
Sunoco’s involvement will primarily emphasize their high-performance fuel, Sunoco 94 Octane, which is known for its efficiency and quality in racing. The collaboration aligns with Sunoco's ongoing presence in American motorsports, where the brand supplies more than 500 tracks across various racing series.
Chip Ganassi expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing shared values of performance and innovation. CGR, with a legacy of 17 championships and over 145 INDYCAR victories, is poised to benefit from Sunoco’s extensive expertise. This partnership indicates a dynamic new chapter for both Sunoco and Chip Ganassi Racing in the highly competitive INDYCAR landscape.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Sunoco's return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a primary partner with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) signals both brand revival and significant growth potential in the motorsports sponsorship market. This multi-year agreement marks Sunoco's first full-season primary partnership in INDYCAR in over 50 years, which reflects a strategic move not only to enhance its brand visibility but also to leverage CGR’s championship pedigree and performance-driven ethos.
For investors and market analysts, this partnership represents an intriguing opportunity. Sunoco is reinvigorating its historical connection to open-wheel racing, positioning itself in a rapidly evolving motorsports environment that prioritizes both innovation and sustainability. Given the growing interest in motorsports, especially with younger audiences, Sunoco's involvement with a promising driver like Kyffin Simpson could enhance its appeal among diverse consumer groups.
Moreover, as the largest independent fuel distributor in the Americas, Sunoco's showcasing of its high-octane fuels in partnership with a high-performing team can translate into a broader market reach. This aligns with the increasing emphasis on quality and performance in fuel choices among consumers.
With CGR’s impressive track record of 17 INDYCAR championships and 145+ race wins, Sunoco's association could potentially drive its brand of fuel to the forefront of the racing community, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted brand. Additionally, this partnership allows Sunoco to participate directly in marketing initiatives and events tied to INDYCAR, further solidifying its presence.
Investors should monitor the impact of this partnership on Sunoco's market performance in the coming seasons. Success could lead to increased brand loyalty, improved sales figures, and a stronger competitive position, not just in the racing arena but also in broader energy and fuel markets. Therefore, this multi-year partnership mutual benefits could make it a compelling investment prospect in the years ahead.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunoco is making its return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a full-time primary partner with Chip Ganassi Racing on the No. 8 Honda driven by Kyffin Simpson beginning in 2026. The multi-year agreement marks Sunoco’s first full-season primary partnership in INDYCAR since 1973.
Sunoco, the largest independent fuel distributor in the Americas, previously served as the primary fuel supplier of INDYCAR from 2010-2018 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2015-2018. The company’s new commitment to the Fastest Racing on Earth signals a powerful reentry into top-tier open-wheel racing and a notable partnership with one of motorsport’s winningest teams.
Notes of Interest:
- Returning to American Open-Wheel Racing: With the deal, Sunoco returns to the INDYCAR SERIES with a full season team primary partnership for the first time in 53 years. Sunoco’s relationship with INDYCAR goes back to 1968 in Riverside, California, when Mark Donohue drove the No. 12 Sunoco Eagle. Donohue and Sunoco won their first Indianapolis 500 four years later. Its INDYCAR roster also includes Gary Bettenhousen, Tony Kanaan, NASCAR legend Bobby Allison and current INDYCAR on FOX personality Townsend Bell.
- Simpson Behind the Wheel: Kyffin Simpson is one of the young talents in the sport, completing two full INDYCAR seasons before his 21 st birthday – which is more starts than Chip Ganassi Racing champions Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Jimmy Vasser or Alex Zanardi had by their 21 st birthdays. The 2025 season marked a significant step forward for the Caymanian, scoring his first career podium, three top-5 finishes, six top-10s and his first trip to the Firestone Fast Six. He will look to take another leap forward, fighting for wins in 2026 and continue learning from his teammates that share a combined 10 INDYCAR championships and two Indianapolis 500 victories.
- A Trusted Fuel Brand: The largest manufacturer of race fuels, Dallas-based Sunoco will use the partnership to showcase Sunoco 94 Octane , the highest-octane fuel on the market. As a Top Tier™ fuel, it can help engines run cleaner, longer and more efficiently. Beyond INDYCAR, Sunoco remains a dominant force in American motorsports, supplying high-performance fuel to more than 500 tracks and over 50 racing series nationwide.
- A Championship Pairing: Sunoco joins Chip Ganassi Racing after one of the most successful seasons for a team in INDYCAR history. Combining for nine wins, six poles and 17 podiums with Dixon, Palou and Simpson, the team won both the Indianapolis 500 and the INDYCAR championship. Since its founding in 1990, CGR has won 17 INDYCAR championships, tied for most all-time, and over 145 INDYCAR races. Sunoco will have a presence across all Chip Ganassi Racing INDYCAR entries for all 17 races.
Quoteboard:
- Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing: “Sunoco has long been synonymous with performance and innovation, values that mirror the DNA of our team. To join forces with such an iconic brand and one with a storied legacy in INDYCAR is truly special. This partnership reflects our shared drive to keep pushing boundaries, and we look forward to what we’ll accomplish together on and off the track.”
- Kyffin Simpson, Driver, No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda: “Starting my third year in INDYCAR with Sunoco joining the No. 8 Honda is an incredible boost. We’ve made big strides on the track, and this partnership will only help us get better, I’m confident we can take another step forward and have even more success in 2026 and beyond.”
About Sunoco LP
Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a leading energy infrastructure and fuel distribution master limited partnership operating across 32 countries and territories in North America, the Greater Caribbean, and Europe. Sunoco's midstream operations include an extensive network of approximately 14,000 miles of pipeline and over 160 terminals. This critical infrastructure complements Sunoco's fuel distribution operations, which distribute over 15 billion gallons annually to approximately 11,000 Sunoco and partner-branded retail locations, as well as independent dealers and commercial customers. Sunoco's general partner is owned by Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET).
About Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for more than 35 years and is considered one of the most successful and innovative owners in motorsports. Today, his teams include three Honda cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and four entries in INDY NXT by Firestone. Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has won 24 championships and over 270 races, including six wins in the Indianapolis 500, eight Rolex 24 At Daytona victories, and wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. CGR boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, where the INDYCAR and INDY NXT teams are located, and a corporate office in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit ChipGanassiRacing.com .
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cbda446a-dbc4-4640-b401-4e4424fb1d9d
A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9a53d8a-13dd-4af0-9f38-188783b7f2ab
Contact:Colin Kulpa, Public Relations Coordinator, Chip Ganassi Racingckulpa@ganassi.com
FAQ**
How does the multi-year partnership between Sunoco and Chip Ganassi Racing enhance Energy Transfer LP's (ET) strategic positioning in the motorsports fuel market, given Sunoco’s historical significance in INDYCAR?
What measures will Sunoco take to leverage its partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing to increase brand awareness and fuel distribution, considering Energy Transfer LP (ET) owns Sunoco?
In what ways might Kyffin Simpson’s performance in the 2026 season influence Sunoco’s marketing strategy, particularly in light of Energy Transfer LP (ET) and its pursuit of growth within the motorsports sector?
How does the success of Chip Ganassi Racing in the INDYCAR series support Energy Transfer LP (ET)'s investment in racing partnerships, and what are the anticipated financial impacts of this collaboration?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Sunoco LP representing limited partner interests (NYSE: SUN).
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