Fifth Third Bank Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship Agreement with Kalitta Motorsports

Bank expands its motorsports practice and solidifies its position as the leading financial institution in racing through this partnership

POMONA, Calif. (February 8, 2020) – Kalitta Motorsports is pleased to welcome Fifth Third Bank, National Association, to the team as the Bank has signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement. The longtime financial partner with Kalitta Air and Kalitta Charters will join NGK Spark Plugs, Mobil 1 and Osborn as new sponsors to Kalitta Motorsports in the past sixty days.
 
“Fifth Third Bank is looking forward to extending our brand into what has historically been a very popular sport with a hugely loyal and active fan base – and to do so with a top-flight team like Kalitta Motorsports is a significant win,” said David Girodat, eastern Michigan regional president for Fifth Third Bank. “We are excited to enhance our motorsports practice through this strategic partnership.”
 
Fifth Third Bank will be featured on the Top Fuel dragsters and fire suits of Doug Kalitta and Shawn Langdon, drivers of the Mac Tools and DHL dragsters respectively. They will also be incorporated into the dynamic Kalitta Motorsports trackside business to business program hosting guests and VIPs at select NHRA races across the country.
 
“We are very happy to have the opportunity to introduce Fifth Third Bank to the world of NHRA,” said Connie Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air and Kalitta Motorsports. “Fifth Third has been a trusted business partner of the Kalitta Companies for quite some time and we look forward to helping Fifth Third Bank utilize this partnership to grow their business platform. I feel our business to business program will complement their existing motorsports programs perfectly.”
 
Through its new partnership with Kalitta Motorsports, as well as existing partnerships in NASCAR and INDYCAR, Fifth Third Bank further demonstrates its commitment to supporting the sport and providing the financial expertise – garnered through its extensive involvement in racing over the years – to benefit racing businesses, including suppliers, teams, tracks and other corporate sponsors connected to the sport.
 
“I have worked with Fifth Third Bank for many years on the aviation side of my business,” said Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster. “I am very excited to introduce them to the world of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing. This will be an exciting partnership and great addition to our existing and new sponsorship team.”
 
About Kalitta Motorsports:
Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The team was founded and is owned by drag racing icon Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. For more than 60 years, Connie has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner and team owner. Kalitta Motorsports is one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing with seven world championships and over 100 national event titles in five different professional drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.
 
About Fifth Third Bancorp
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of December 31, 2019, Fifth Third had $169 billion in assets and operated 1,149 full -service banking centers and 2,481 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2019, had $413 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $49 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.