Double i defending the IndyCar champion title Alex Palou Montalbo signed international shipping giant DHL as its main sponsor for the 2024 season with Chip Ganassi Racing. In the past, DHL offered a rainbow color scheme the world famed Indy 500 racewithin its “Delivered with pride” initiative. The painting has evolved quite a bit since its introduction and this is the best example so far, and since DHL has moved on from Romain Grosjean (who has yet to achieve finish line of the Indy 500 race) To 2023 Indy 500 pole sitter Palou (which has been in the top ten for the past three years). maybe it will actually attract some attention!
Although it would be uncomplicated to ignore it because another example of so-called rainbow washingit appears that DHL and CGR’s support for LGBT fans is more than superficial. Previous versions of the “Delivered with Proud” livery featured matching team merchandise that brought in profits support GLSEN’s effortsan educational organization that works to end discrimination, harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Not only is this a great cause worth supporting and I hope the merchandise sells out, but the color scheme itself is a real kick in the ass. The DHL livery has already shown significant improvement when this season it was transferred to the Chip Ganassi car in the established yellow with red side skirts. Replacing the red side sills with rainbow ones just adds an extra level of fun and color to a car that will be zooming by at over 250 miles per hour.
It’s great that the series and its sponsors are there expands its reach to more than just an ancient boys’ club. Motorsports in general isn’t always the friendliest place unless you’re a wealthy, white, cis-gender male, and Indy has had a troubled history. It’s vital that all our racing fans have the chance to enjoy the sport. It shouldn’t matter who you love or what’s in your pants, as long as it’s you I love seeing cold cars going really damn quickyou are part of the family.
I, for one, hope the rainbow car wins because I am a gasoline ally.
