Argent Mortgage to sponsor Kansas.

The Argent Mortgage Company has confirmed that it will serve as the title sponsor of the Indy Racing League's race at Kansas Speedway on 4 July, the first time it has backed an event in the IndyCar series.

The Fourth of July weekend race will be known as the Argent Mortgage Indy 300, and will mark the fourth consecutive year the IndyCar Series will compete on the fast 1.5-mile high-banked tri-oval.

"We're excited to team up with Argent Mortgage for our event," circuit president Jeff Boerger admitted, "The company has proven time and again that it understands motorsports, and the involvement with the IRL certainly proves that. Kansas Speedway has had some exciting IndyCar events over the past three years, and this year's Argent Mortgage Indy 300 will prove to be no exception."

Argent is the co-primary sponsor, along with Pioneer Electronics, on Team Rahal's IndyCar Series entry driven by Buddy Rice, and was the primary sponsor on the team's second Indy 500 entry in 2003, with driver Jimmy Vasser driving. The company is also linked to Rahal's Toyota Atlantic squad, where it supports Danica Patrick.

"We are pleased to be working with Team Rahal and to be the title sponsor of this exciting Kansas Speedway IRL event," said president Wayne Lee, "Our auto racing programmes with Team Rahal have allowed us to showcase the traits of a winner. Teamwork, determination and performance under pressure are essential both on the track and when working with the independent mortgage brokers we serve.

"I can think of no better place for Argent to celebrate the Fourth of July than at Kansas Speedway."