Sunday Group Management: Promotions and New Additions Ahead of the 2024 Season

Indianapolis, Ind. (5 March 2024) – Sunday Group Management is growing once again, and is pleased to announce a key promotion as well as a new team member joining the Indianapolis-based motorsports marketing agency.

Maddie Komar has been promoted to Senior Account Manager of Communication and Partnerships as she prepares for her eighth season with Sunday Group. Komar spearheads the communications and commercial partnership management efforts for long-time Sunday Group client Meyer Shank Racing (MSR).

Having gained experience providing media relations and social media support for several of Sunday Group’s IMSA clients, Komar was appointed as the lead PR representative for MSR in 2018. Her roles and responsibilities have grown in concert with the expanded scope of support that Sunday Group Management provides MSR, which has experienced significant growth built on the extensive record of on-track success that the team has established.

In addition to its record that includes multiple IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championships with Acura as well as victories in some of IMSA’s biggest events, the team has also built its INDYCAR program. From a one-off entry in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 , MSR now runs a full-time two-car campaign that will feature a third Indianapolis 500 entry in 2024 for four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves.

Meyer Shank Racing has been a cornerstone client for Sunday Group, with the firm entering its 21st season of supporting the Ohio-based team. Komar’s role has expanded in parallel with the team’s growing scope, starting with a focus on the PR and social media efforts to managing the commercial partnerships on behalf of the team as well as consulting on the team merchandising program.

“Maddie has done an outstanding job for us and continues to take on more and more responsibility across a wide range of our business,” said team co-owner Mike Shank. “So this is a well-deserved recognition of the role she plays, and having Sydnee (Drust) joining the effort for us will be absolutely key in terms of continuing to grow our partnerships.  We are really looking forward to getting things going in St. Pete this weekend, and having Bon Jovi there will make it all the more exciting for everyone.”

Komar’s commitment towards managing and elevating Meyer Shank Racing’s public facing image in addition to the management of the partners that drive the team has been invaluable to both Sunday Group and MSR. Sunday Group is excited to announce Komar’s promotion to Senior Account Manager of Communication and Partnerships as she continues to build on MSR’s already strong program.

“I’m super excited to continue my role with both Sunday Group and Meyer Shank Racing going into the 2024 season,” said Komar. “Working with SGM and MSR for nearly eight years now, I’ve been lucky to see – and be a part of – the growth of the team. This role has, and continues to, challenge me in new ways which have grown my skill set more than I could have ever imagined. I came into SGM with a focus on PR, but working with MSR has opened my role to a wider range of communications as well as the partnership side of the program, which I have come to love to be a part of. I am fortunate to have this position as it’s truly my passion and one that I hope to grow from every day.”

In addition, Sunday Group has welcomed Sydnee Drust who joins the team as Client Services Manager for MSR. With a strong background in events,  most recently working with The Academy in California, Drust is eager to make the transition into Motorsports working to manage MSR’s growing list of partnerships.

Drust has a passion for Motorsports and has attended races all her life. With a father that was a racer in the 80s, Drust grew up attending the Long Beach Grand Prix which has transitioned into attending several Formula 1 races as a fan. Now, Drust looks forward to getting a different take on racing as she will put her attention to detail to work behind the scenes with Meyer Shank Racing.

Drust will work hand-in-hand with Komar on all partnership activations on and off track, in order to fulfill the obligations of MSR’s large list of sponsors which include; AutoNation, SiriusXM, Arctic Wolf, Cleveland-Cliffs, and Clopay.

“Joining Sunday Group Management has been an incredible journey so far and I am very much looking forward to getting to St. Pete and kicking things off for real,” said Drust. “I grew up with a love of motorsports and have spent my career in the various sectors of event work, and being able to combine the two has been a dream come true. I am excited to not only bring my experience to the team and its partners, but also to learn and support the team to be the best there is.”

The 2024 INDYCAR Series season will kick off this weekend at St. Pete with the Firestone Grand Prix.

Sunday Group Management is proud to also work with Lime Rock Park, Whelen MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin, The Heart of Racing, Ferrari North America, Sean Creech Motorsport, Mike Marsal Racing, Jak Crawford, PT Autosport, RealTime Racing, and Racing to End Alzheimer’s.