FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Indy DownForce, the official fan club of the IZOD IndyCar Series, will again serve as a primary sponsor of the “Rumble in Fort Wayne,” marking the third consecutive year of the Indy Racing League’s involvement with the indoor racing event.

“This is a great opportunity for us to support grassroots racing with our official fan club,” IRL marketing coordinator Jason Penix said.

“We really enjoy participating in this event. It’s just a great way for everybody to get together in the winter and do some ‘bench racing,’ and it’s a great opportunity for us to reach out and touch the grassroots racing fan.”

Now in its 12th year, the “Rumble in Fort Wayne” has become one of the nation’s top indoor races, with six classes of cars competing in two action-filled days on a racy, 1/6-mile track. The event is Saturday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 27 at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center with complete programs each day.

NASCAR’s Tony Stewart, a former IndyCar Series champion, and East Coast standout Lou Cicconi Jr. won the midget features last year. Winged outlaw modified midgets, MiniCup stock cars, karts, Jr. Sprints and JEGS quarter midgets round out the program.

“I have been a lifelong fan of the Indy 500 and of the IndyCar Series since its inception,” Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst said. “I feel it is the fastest, most exciting racing on the planet right now. It is an honor to be associated with the series and the DownForce fan club.

“The leaders of the club are fine people who organize many events for the members at races. It is fun to visit with them at our event in our Fan Zone display area that features race cars and simulators.”

Membership in Indy DownForce is open to all fans. The club organizes bus trips to races, offers pre-race parties and behind-the-scenes access to drivers, and sponsors fantasy racing contests and an online forum. Members receive discounts on race tickets and merchandise.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of our fans to be involved with the IndyCar Series,” Penix said.

The IZOD IndyCar Series, which will feature 17 races in 2010, highlighted by the 94th Indianapolis 500 on May 30, is coming off one of the closest championship battles in racing history. Dario Franchitti won the season finale to edge Scott Dixon by 11 points and Ryan Briscoe by 12.

Tickets for the “Rumble in Fort Wayne” are available at the Memorial Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, at ticketmaster.com or by calling 317-418-3216. Further information, including race headquarters hotel rates, is available at rumbleseries.com or by contacting Barhorst at tbracefest@aol.com.

More information about Indy DownForce is available at downforce.indycar.com.