Lincoln Financial Group teams with Cheever.

Red Bull Cheever Racing has announced that the Lincoln Financial Group will sponsor team boss and 1998 Indy 500 champion Eddie Cheever Jr's #51 car this coming season.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates, and forms the annuities operation of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Co - the third largest variable annuity company in America.

"We are pleased to welcome Lincoln Financial Group to the team," Cheever said, "The company was founded nearly a century ago by a group of Fort Wayne businessmen, and it makes sense that they be involved in the Indy 500, which has a history just a few years younger than their own. They will find the full Indy Racing League schedule will provide the marketing benefits they desire at a great value."

Cheever will serve as a spokesperson for the annuities operation of Lincoln Financial Group as part of the sponsorship programme.

"Lincoln is very pleased to be entering into a partnership with Cheever Indy Racing," said Bill Boscow, Lincoln Annuities' chief marketing officer, "Eddie does a terrific job in articulating the parallels between his profession and our business goals - high performance, speed, risk management, flawless execution and teamwork.

"He will help us continue to stand out as a leader in our industry, especially as we roll out education initiatives on retirement income management and enhance business relationships throughout the country."

The Cheever team last week postponed a scheduled announcement regarding a team-mate for the former F1 driver. This is now expected to take place at the forthcoming 'Test in the West', where Cheever's car will first parade the Lincoln logos.