to kick off with the Indy 500

Herbalife will sponsor HVM Racing for the remainder of the 2009 IndyCar Series season, starting with the Indy 500.

The nutrition company already had a personal endorsement deal in place with HVM's driver E.J. Viso, the 24-year-old Venezuelan, and has paid US$500,000 to expand the deal to the team as a whole and secure on-car sponsorship.

"Herbalife was a personal sponsor of E.J's and we worked to help them activate their sponsorship with him, and now we are very happy to have them join the official roster of the HVM team," said Keith Wiggins, HVM Racing team principal. "This three-way partnership is going to be beneficial to everyone, including our individual crew members who are working to improve their nutrition and fitness under Herbalife's guidance."

Viso added: "I am excited to expand our partnership with Herbalife. I have been using Herbalife products for more than 10 years. Having the company put its support behind me, and now my team, is great. I hope it will lead to even bigger things with me, HVM Racing and the entire IndyCar Series."