Gasket Supplier Brings Unser Back to Brickyard

Corteco, the automotive aftermarket business of Freudenberg-NOK, has announced that it will three year sponsorship deal with Al Unser Jr. in the Indy Racing League.
Freudenberg-NOK, the world’s largest supplier of original-equipment automotive gaskets and seals, will sponsor Unser in a car fielded by the Kelley Racing Team.
The announcement was made today by Corteco Chief Executive Officer Gregory W. Gyllstrom, who said Corteco’s sponsorship is through the 2004 season.
"Corteco is thrilled to be the primary sponsor of Kelley Racing Team’s No. 7 car with one of the true icons of motorsports behind the wheel," said Corteco’s Gyllstrom. "We will have a comprehensive program revolving around the sponsorship, which will include a traveling Corteco technology display for customers, targeted advertising and many relationship-marketing activities. This sponsorship program will play a major role in helping us establish a strong Corteco brand in the aftermarket."
Al Unser, Jr., said, "I am extremely excited to be associated with such a fine automotive technology company like Corteco and its parent company, Freudenberg-NOK. I’ve always said that if I weren’t a race-car driver I would want to be an engine builder, so I’ve had a strong interest in gaskets, seals and other engine parts for most of my life. I’m looking forward to representing Corteco at customer events and winning for them and Kelley Racing on the racetrack."
The Indy Racing League (IRL) features 15 races, beginning March 2 (Miami) and ending September 15 (Dallas-Ft. Worth). The featured race in the IRL schedule is the Indianapolis 500, which will be held on May 26. Unser, Jr., won the Indianapolis 500 in 1992 and 1994. He raced in 13 IRL events in 2001; finished in the top 10 a total of seven times; and, won the Gateway Indy 250.
Corteco specializes in automotive aftermarket sealing and vibration control products. Its product lines include CorTec engine gaskets, seals, and gasket rebuild kits; TransTec transmission and power steering rebuild kits; and, MounTec engine, transmission and strut mounts and bushings. In addition, Corteco produces oil seals, in-vehicle crankshaft seal kits, and cabin air filters. Corteco is headquartered in Plymouth, Mich., and maintains manufacturing and distribution facilities in Milan, Ohio, and Newport, Tenn.
Kelley Racing has accumulated six wins and eight poles in Indy Racing League competition. The team begins its sixth season of Indy Racing competition in 2002.