Local Business Owner Janeen M. Sprague And Sprague Hotels Continues Longtime Family Tradition In Racing At The Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Janeen’s brother, the late restaurateur Jonathan Byrd of Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria, had a true passion for the racing and the Indianapolis 500. Jonathan became a Indianapolis 500 car owner beginning in 1985 and fielded cars in the race for most years up until his stroke in 2004. Janeen was an active supporter, attending races annually, and sponsoring his cars through her businesses beginning in 1994 and every year since.
Jonathan Byrd’s Racing has had great success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with notable drivers including Arie Luyendyk, Rich Vogler, Buddy Lazier, Stan Fox, Gordon Johncock, Scott Brayton, Bryan Clauson, among others. With Jonathan’s passing in 2009, Janeen’s nephews David and Jonathan Byrd II along with sister-in-law Ginny Byrd have continued on the Byrd family tradition. To date, Jonathan Byrd’s Racing has had 21 qualifying cars in the Indianapolis 500. In 2019, Jonathan Byrd’s Racing has teamed with Dale Coyne Racing and Belardi Auto Racing to run the No. 33 car for James Davison.
“It takes a lot of determination to put together a team for the Indianapolis 500, and my nephews and sister-in-law have done just that yet again.” Janeen said, “I am very proud of them and happy to once again support their efforts this year through my company Sprague Hotel Developers. I am looking forward to cheering them on when the green flag drops Sunday alongside my husband Richard and son Nicholas.”
The Indianapolis 500 begins this Sunday, May 26th with the green flag dropping at 12:45pm. The Coyne/Byrd/Belardi No. 33 car sponsored by Sprague Hotel Developers will be starting in the 15th spot in the fifth row.
About Sprague Hotel Developers
Sprague Hotel Developers is an award-winning hotel management and development company that operates hotels in central and southern Indiana. Its portfolio consists of Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn and Hilton Garden Inn hotels with Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Residence Inn by Marriott hotels currently under development. Sprague Hotel Developers is owned and operated by Janeen M. Sprague, and the hotels are certified Women's Business Enterprises (WBE) by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Sprague Hotel Developers prides itself on operating award winning properties that strive to be the best hotels in their respective brand. For more information about Sprague Hotel Developers please visit www.spraguehotels.com.
