IndyCars ready to partner with Izod next season

Nov 4, 2009 - 10:33 PM By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS(AP) -- IndyCar officials are expected to announce Thursday that clothing maker Izod will become the series' title sponsor next season.

A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the move Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced. The league has scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon.

It would be the first time since 2002 that the IndyCar series has had a title sponsor, and it comes at a time when some companies have been tightfisted because of the tough economy.

Speculation has grown this week that Izod, which became a key player in the series last year, would take on a bigger role in the series in 2010.