ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- INDYCAR welcomed its new entitlement sponsor and launched its 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season during an event under the stars and alongside a parade route at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort.

Two weeks ago, INDYCAR announced a multi-year agreement with Verizon that aligns the fastest, most versatile motorsports series with a heritage of innovation with Verizon, whose technical expertise will be utilized to activate programs that will benefit fans, the series, teams, commercial partners and race venues.

"We really appreciate this new partnership. We've had the good fortune to be partners with the Penske organziation and the official wireless provider for the last four years for the series and we saw a lot of possibilities," said Dan Mead, President and CEO of Verizon Wireless. "We are going to be focused on the technology. We are going to be focused on the competition. Most importantly, we want to make this even more special for the consumers.

"In Verizon Wireless, we have a credo that our best was good for today but tomorrow we're going to do better, and that's our commitment."

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 30 (3 p.m. ET on ABC) kicks off the 18-race season that includes the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 10 and the 98th Indianapolis 500 on May 25.

"We have a great sport, we have great competition, we think we offer a great platform to Verizon and they're just the company to take advantage of that and help us take this sport to another level. It just works on so many levels," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co, the parent of INDYCAR. "The more we understood Verizon's vision for their own company -- really a technology company -- and the more they understood about what happens in our racing technically, the possibilities for improving things for fans and the broadcasts, it's just a perfect fit."

Lisa Boggs, Bridgestone's director of motorsports, presented Racing For Kids a $9,000 check on behalf of Firestone to aid their fund-raising efforts that support children's hospitals in North America. The organization is celebrating its 25th year. Earlier in the day, Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay visited with patients at All Children's Hospital as part of the Racing For Kids program.

View the entire photo gallery from the Verizon IndyCar Series Launch Party & Parade: