Matt Brabham heads Coca-Cola's tribute to the Indy 500

IRTEK Team Murray driver, Matt Brabham had the honor of opening the first commemorative bottle of Coca-Cola celebrating the 100th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today.

The launch of the Coca-Cola bottle took place at the 2.5 mile Superspeedway in Indiana, coinciding with its first track action of the year with the regulars of the Verizon IndyCar Series completing an aero test.

Brabham, 22, who lives in Indianapolis - has been feverishly preparing for the month of May where he will pilot the #61 PIRTEK Team Murray Chevrolet under the watchful eye of Engineer, Andy Brown - who won the race as an Assistant Technical Director in 1992 with the Galles/KRACO team and Al Unser Jr.

Brabham has been joined this week by his father Geoff - a 10-start Indy 500 veteran - and team owner, Brett Murray - who will live in Indianapolis until the end of May.

“When you think of American icons Coca-Cola and the Indianapolis 500 come to mind immediately,” said Brabham. “To be chosen as the driver to open the first bottle of Coke to commemorate the 100th running means a lot.

“I’m sure the capacity crowd that will pack the Speedway come May will enjoy drinking from and collecting the 100th Indy 500 bottle. I know I will be having a few going straight to the man cave.

“I’m grateful to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for offering PIRTEK Team Murray and I this opportunity. It’s been awesome being here this week and seeing the teams prepare for the test - it excites me even more,” added Brabham - who was excluded from the test as he is a 500 Rookie.

The eight-ounce/237mL commemorative bottles are emblazoned with the Indianapolis 500 logo and will be packaged in limited-edition six packs.

“I know our fans can’t wait to get their hands on these commemorative Coca-Cola bottles celebrating the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President, Doug Boles.

“It’s great to have partners bringing the excitement of this year’s 100th Running to storefronts and people’s homes.

“The Brabham name has a long history with the Speedway, as does Coca-Cola, and it is a pleasure to have third generation racer, Matt Brabham, here with us today.”

Coca-Cola and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have a long history with early track owner Tony Hulman actually owning several Coca-Cola bottling plants across Indiana in the 1930s before they were consolidated into one facility in Indianapolis. The Hulman-George family remain the owners of the Speedway to this day.

PIRTEK Team Murray - which is backed by the US arm of global hydraulic and industrial hose giant, PIRTEK - is well and truly on the countdown to May.

The team’s CK Crew concept is rapidly gathering pace. The CK Crew will bring together Military Veterans and First Responders to be the PIRTEK Team Murray entry into the Tag Heuer Pit Stop Competition on Miller Lite Carb Day. It has been created in association with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment - who is supporting it through the release of American Sniper - the Chris Kyle Commemorative Edition Blu-Ray.

A further announcement will be made at next weekend’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - while Team Ambassador, Taya Kyle has been promoting the team and Indianapolis 500 whilst on a media tour of New York this week for the paperback of her memoir, American Wife.


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