Ward’s Apparel announces sponsorship agreement w/Jonathan Byrd’s racing
Ward's Apparel (www.wards-apparel.com) is a family owned clothing store located just 17 miles south west of Indianapolis off highway 67 in Mooresville. It has been serving central Indiana and surrounding areas since 1972. Known as the largest Levi's store in Indiana, they also carry a full line of clothing for men, women, and children from brands like Wrangler, Carhartt, Lee, Red Wing Shoes, Dockers, Brighton Jewelry, and more.
Ward’s Apparel first appeared on Jonathan Byrd’s Racing cars in 1988, as the late Rich Vogler would compete in his 3rd Indianapolis 500 and also go on to win his final USAC National Midget Championship. The Ward’s Apparel logo would appear on a total of ten Jonathan Byrd’s Racing Indy 500 cars, adding Stan Fox, Gordon Johncock, Scott Brayton, John Andretti, Davy Jones, Jaques Lazier, and Buddy Lazier to the list of Ward’s Apparel sponsored drivers.
As the newest Ward’s Apparel sponsored driver, Bryan Clauson said “I’m excited to be part of Ward’s Apparel’s new venture with the Jonathan Byrd’s Racing team. As they are a long-time supporter of the Byrds, I’m honored that they would choose to come back to the 500 in support of me and this effort, and I’m hopeful that they are just as excited now as they were in the late 80’s when they first joined the Jonathan Byrd’s team."
Team principal Virginia “Ginny" Byrd talked about the renewed relationship with Ward’s Apparel and the Ward family: “Because we are a family business with a personal connection to the Indianapolis 500, it’s wonderful to be able to get other families and their businesses involved with us. Getting Ward’s Apparel and the Ward family involved with us again just makes our new Indy 500 effort with Bryan Clauson even more fun, because in so many ways it feels like we’re getting the band back together. We’re looking forward to seeing the Ward’s Apparel logo back in its rightful place on the nose of the Jonathan Byrd’s IndyCar."
John Ward offered his thoughts: “Ward's Apparel and the Ward family are pleased to once again align ourselves with Jonathan Byrd's Racing and Bryan Clauson as we all look forward to the 2015 Indianapolis 500. We are huge Indy 500 fans, and our relationship with the Byrd family goes back to the beginning of Jonathan Byrd’s, so as they look towards a new future for their family brand, we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to be part of what they are doing and to be going to back to Indy with them. Ginny talked about getting the band back together, and we like the way that sounds. It really does feel like we’re going back to the future with the Byrd team."
#####
Jonathan Byrd’s Racing was founded by the late Jonathan Byrd in 1982. In its various forms, Jonathan Byrd’s Racing has successfully fielded 17 entries in the Indianapolis 500 beginning in 1985, scoring 6 top ten finishes, with a best finish of 5th in 2005. A Jonathan Byrd’s Racing car currently holds the all-time Indianapolis 500 1 and 4 lap qualifying records (Luyendyk ’96). Jonathan Byrd’s Racing has won 2 IndyCar races (Luyendyk – Phoenix ’96, Paul Jr – Texas ’98), along with 2 United States Auto Club National Midget Championships (’86,’87).
Jonathan Byrd's Racing