Panasonic Showcases Matsuura, IndyCar Series in Times Square

Kosuke Matsuura is larger than life in Times Square. Panasonic, a leader in digital imaging, is bringing the excitement of the IndyCar Series and the 90th Indianapolis 500 to Times Square in New York via its state-of-the-art Astrovision video screen.

Matsuura, driving the No. 55 Panasonic ARTA Dallara/Honda/Firestone, is showcased in the 60-second feature twice every hour. It will continue until the May 28 Indianapolis 500. A new video incorporating additional footage of Matsuura will be introduced in June, and will continue to air 16 times each day for the remainder of the IndyCar Series season.

Matsuura, Rookie of the Year at Indianapolis in 2004, begins practice for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on May 9. He is sixth in the championship standings with a career-best three consecutive top-seven finishes, including seventh in the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi on April 22.

"Of course I am disappointed because I expected a better result, but seventh was not too bad," he said. "This was good for the championship points. This was the most important race for me this year, and I had a lot of fans here.

"During the month of May, I think we will have a great car and hopefully we can have a top-five finish in the Indy 500." IRL