Split for Tracy and Franchitti at Team Kool Green.
After five consecutive years as teammates on the Barry Green-lead Team KOOL Green (TKG) Champ Car team, drivers Paul Tracy and Dario Franchitti are splitting up.
While the longest pairing of drivers in the CART FedEx Championship will both continue to compete as members of TKG, they will no longer be twinned in identical race cars and drivers' suits, thanks to a new livery package that was unveiled today at the team's headquarters in Indianapolis.
After five consecutive years as teammates on the Barry Green-lead Team KOOL Green (TKG) Champ Car team, drivers Paul Tracy and Dario Franchitti are splitting up.
While the longest pairing of drivers in the CART FedEx Championship will both continue to compete as members of TKG, they will no longer be twinned in identical race cars and drivers' suits, thanks to a new livery package that was unveiled today at the team's headquarters in Indianapolis.
Starting with next weekend's Round 4 of the CART FedEx Championship at The Milwaukee Mile, Franchitti will drop the traditional KOOL green/white/gold color scheme from his car, crew uniforms, and driver's suit and will switch to blue and silver, as the team undergoes a makeover to reflect title sponsor Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation's vibrant new KOOL Milds brand packaging.
While Tracy's livery package will remain green, it has also been significantly updated to mirror the new KOOL Full Flavor packaging.
"This bold new identity certainly conveys the connectedness of the team, but at the same time it allows both Paul and Dario to stand out as individuals," said Barry Green, CEO of Team KOOL Green. "I believe that it expresses the high-energy and the confidence we have going into the Milwaukee race with the points lead. I'm really excited about the change."
"This is just great," asserted Franchitti, who currently leads this year's CART FedEx Championship. "I've always thought that we had the best looking cars out on the track, and now this new scheme gives me the chance to drive another standout entry. It certainly provides an opportunity for both Paul and me to be easily identified by CART fans."
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation unveiled its new KOOL packaging on May 6 and announced the rollout of extensive communication and promotion programs as part of a major effort to re-vitalize its flagship KOOL.
"The Team KOOL Green partnership has seen a lot of consistency over the years both in terms of its look and driver line-up," said Ludo Cremers, Divisional Vice President of Marketing at Brown & Williamson. "This dynamic new TKG livery, which reflects the high quality and up-to-date image of our new brand packaging, is sure to be a head-turner when Paul and Dario debut their KOOL Full Flavor and KOOL Milds cars at The Milwaukee Mile next weekend. We're pleased that the whole team is proud to carry KOOL's new 'Menthol Authority' look "
Paul Tracy agreed that the new team livery was attention grabbing. "It's a great look for the team and it's probably a really good thing for Dario. Now he won't have to worry about being mistaken for me by CART officials ever again."