Weidinger invests in Kelley.

Indy Racing League team owner Tom Kelley has revealed that communications industry leader Rick Weidinger has invested in, and acquired, a minority interest in Kelley Racing ahead of the 2004 IndyCar season.

"We're very excited that Rick is joining our team," Kelley said, "This is no ordinary business relationship, but an extraordinary partnership. I believe that Rick's
background and experience as a successful entrepreneur will be extremely beneficial to Kelley Racing. His enthusiasm for the IRL IndyCar Series and our tradition of racing is a great combination for success in 2004 and beyond.

"Rick's background is in fibre networks, but his future is in racetracks."

A successful businessman, Weidinger was chairman, CEO and president of Pontio Communications, which was acquired by a Fortune 100 company in November 2000. Prior to that he was vice-president of corporate development for MFS Communications, where he was one of the chief architects for MFS growth and acquisition strategy and had a key role in building it to a multi-billion dollar company. Weidinger joined MFS at its foundation in 1989.

"Tom Kelley is a leader in professional motorsport and has been involved at its highest levels since the beginning of the IRL," Weidinger said, "I am proud to call him, not just a partner, but also a mentor.

"Tom and I share the same vision for the team; World class on track performance, first-class hospitality and best-in-class ratings for our sponsors. Looking at it from the outside, the IRL's success has been outstanding and there is an enormous upside in growth and value, I like the business model."

Passionate for the sport and its people, Weidinger plans to spend the majority of his time working with Tom and the Kelley Racing team.