Playa Del secures FedEx backing.

Aspiring IRL IndyCar Series team Playa Del Racing have secured sponsorship from FedEx for next weekends Indianapolis 500.

The two-car team co-owned by Gary Sallee and Susan Schafer have already secured a deal with the burgeoning electronic gambling industry game Videopoker.com and their two Panoz-Honda entries will now boast FedEx Kinko's colours as well.

FedEx, who have shifted their sponsor focus away from open-wheel racing towards NASCAR in recent years, also partnered with the ambitious Play Del squad in their inaugural Indy 500 attempt last season.

Having expanded to two cars this year for original driver Jaques Lazier and former IRL regular Roger Yasukawa, Playa Del have enjoyed a successful build-up to the 90th running of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' with Lazier and Yasukawa qualifying 24th and 28th for Sunday's race.

FedEx Kinko's is involved with the transfer and printing of information logistics, and is currently operating more than 1,300 stores nationally.

"FedEx Kinko's is so happy to once again be involved with the Playa Del Racing IndyCar team for the 2006 Indy 500," said Joe Rutter, Senior Centre Manager for FedEx Kinko's in Indianapolis. "They are true professionals who run a first-class operation. There are big things in store for this team, and I'm really excited to be a part of their growth."

"We are so proud to be associated with FedEx Kinko's and their new explosion in growth," added team co-owner Schafer. "We are honoured to be working with Joe (Rutter) and his group at the downtown Indianapolis location and feel there are enormous synergies to both their business and our team in the future. I think this is the start of something quite wonderful and mutually beneficial as we progress in the future."

Although the Indianapolis 500 is the only IRL IndyCar Series race currently on Playa Del's schedule, the team hope to become a full-time IRL outfit in 2007.