Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan announced that Mouser Electronics, Inc. and Molex, LLC will be co-primary sponsors of the No. 18 Honda driven by Sebastien Bourdais for the Honda Indy Toronto, the 12th race of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season, scheduled this weekend on the streets of Exhibition Place.
Both technology companies have been partners with team co-owners Jimmy Vasser and James “Sulli” Sullivan since the two were co-owners of KVSH Racing. Vasser and Sullivan aligned with Dale Coyne this season to form Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan and field Bourdais’ car.
“We’ve won the Indianapolis 500 together (with driver Tony Kanaan in 2013), we’ve won the Honda Indy Toronto together (with Bourdais in 2014), and now unveiling a Mouser and Molex primary car for the 2018 edition of the Honda Indy Toronto is the next big step in our longstanding relationship,” Sullivan said.
Mouser, a leading new product introduction distributor with a wide selection of semiconductors and electronic components, recently opened its customer service center at Kitchener-Waterloo in the Ontario technology corridor – about an hour’s drive from the Toronto track. The center is designed to support local electronic design engineers, buyers and hardware innovators, helping them locate the newest products for their designs. Mouser now has 23 offices worldwide, including five in North America.
“We are proud to cheer on Sebastien and the team as they take to the streets of Toronto in the Mouser machine this weekend," said Todd McAtee, Mouser Electronics' vice president of Americas business development. “The collaboration between this team, Mouser Electronics and Molex is a testament to our collective commitment to excellence.”
Molex brings together innovation and technology to deliver electronic solutions to customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a full suite of solutions and services for many markets, including data communications, consumer electronics, medical, industrial, automotive and commercial vehicle.
“All of us at Molex are honored to once again team up with Mouser to sponsor the No. 18 car this season,” said Fred Bell, Molex vice president of global distribution. “This sponsorship further demonstrates our commitment to our long-term relationship with Mouser, to our joint customers and to new innovations in the automotive industry.”
Bourdais is contesting his 13th Indy car season and ranks sixth all time in wins with 37. He is the only driver in Indy car history to capture four consecutive season championships (2004-07). In 13 previous starts at Toronto, the Frenchman has two wins (2004, ’14), four pole positions and eight top-five finishes.
“I recently spent time with the Mouser and Molex team members in Texas and can honestly say I was very much impressed with their people and operation,” Bourdais said. “Mouser, Molex and this Dale Coyne Vasser Sullivan team are identical in our pursuits of both speed and excellence. That’s what makes this partnership work.”
Practice for the Honda Indy Toronto begins Friday on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street circuit. Verizon P1 Award qualifying takes place Saturday. The 85-lap race airs live at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on NBCSN and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.