BROWNSBURG, Ind. (August 14, 2020) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Nissin Cup Noodles® will return as an associate sponsor of the team’s Indianapolis 500 entry for Takuma Sato, winner of the 2017 Indy 500.
“It’s great to have Cup Noodles return to the team for the Indy 500,’ said Takuma Sato, driver of the No. 30 Panasonic / PeopleReady Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. “I enjoyed visiting their facility in California, where they were very enthusiastic about Indy car racing. We finished third together last year and the goal is to finish two places higher this year, of course.”
Nissin Foods’ 2019 involvement was the first motorsports sponsorship for the company its 50-year history in the U.S. and they wanted to celebrate this partnership through the promotion of one of their flagship brands, Cup Noodles. The logo can be found on the Sato’s side tire ramps and his race suit.
“Thanks to the fan excitement we received on our first collaboration with RLL, it was a no-brainer for Cup Noodles to continue racing with Takuma Sato,” explained Michael Price, President & CEO, Nissin Foods USA.
All on-track action from the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 can be seen on NBC Sports Gold, NBCSN or NBC. The first day of practice will be Wednesday, August 12 and qualifications for the race will be held on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16. The 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will air live on NBC beginning at 1 p.m. E.T. on Sunday, August 23. For more information on the team or to view the preparations for the Indianapolis 500 from the team’s Digital Ally garage cameras, please visit www.rahal-staging.ktnlcqy7-liquidwebsites.com.
About Nissin Foods USA
Nissin Food Products was started by Momofuku Ando in 1948, the inventor of the first instant ramen noodles. In 1970, they established Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc. in Gardena, California introducing ramen noodles to U.S consumers. In 1971, the company invented Cup Noodles, and revolutionized the industry by making it possible to package, prepare, and serve noodles all in the same container.
Nissin Foods fulfills its mission to make people happy by creating delicious, convenient, and value-oriented Asian-inspired meal solutions with products including Top Ramen® Bowl Noodles, Cup Noodles® Stir Fry, Hot & Spicy®, Chow Mein, and RAOH®.
About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and Brownsburg, Ind., is co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. In 2020, the team will compete in their 29th year of open wheel competition and attempt to add to their 28 wins – including the 2004 Indy 500 from pole with Buddy Rice — their 32 poles, 102 podium finishes and 1992 series championship. The team also competed in the American Le Mans Series from 2009-2013 as BMW Team RLL where they won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category in 2010 and swept all three GT titles in 2011 – Manufacturer, Team and Driver. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. Since 2014, BMW Team RLL has competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two-car program and has brought their total to 21 wins – including the 2019 and 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races, 28 poles and 79 podium finishes as well as a second place finish in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017.