Performance Tech: Centinel Spine Advances Patient Education Through Move to Title Sponsor

Performance Tech Motorsports’ partner Centinel Spine, LLC, is moving into the role of Title Sponsor for the team in the 2019 season of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship after a successful 2018 program.

Centinel Spine is the largest privately-held spine company focused on anterior column reconstruction and, in 2018, the company partnered with Performance Tech to support the creation of a platform to educate the public on spinal disease and options that allow individuals to continue to function at a high level.  

One of Centinel Spine’s patients also happens to be Performance Tech driver and spine surgeon, Dr. Robert Masson, who had Centinel Spine’s prodisc® C Total Disc Replacement product implanted in his neck several years ago after a wakeboarding incident. Masson now is an athlete ambassador for Centinel Spine, showcasing the endurance of the prodiscdevice medical device while also utilizing the product with his own patients.   Masson first introduced Team Principal Brent O’Neill to Centinel Spine Chairman & CEO John Viscogliosi at the start of 2018.

O’Neill and Viscogliosi quickly understood the opportunity a partnership would provide. A physical sport such as racing often leaves its veterans with long lasting injury, including spinal disease. Centinel Spine provides hope of continuing competition in the sport they’ve made a career. Together, Performance Tech and Centinel Spine set out to educate the paddock and fans about the options available to those suffering from spine disease. 

In 2019, on the heels of the company’s 10thanniversary celebration of its founding, Centinel Spine plans to continue this important educational effort. In doing so, Performance Tech will take on a noticeably different, and more gold, appearance. The Roar Before the Rolex 24 saw a rebrand of the Performance Tech crew and driver suit, trading out red for a bright yellow-gold, mimicking Centinel Spine’s signature gold logo. This rebranded look will carry over to all of Performance Tech’s equipment including the team transporters and the No. 38 ORECA LMP2.

“We are excited to advance our partnership with Performance Tech and continue to educate surgeons and patients that Centinel Spine has the most robust and clinically proven motion-preserving and fusion solutions to address spine disease and allow individuals regain their lives and function at a high level,” says Viscogliosi. “Similar to Centinel Spine, the Performance Tech team is a committed partner, always working to achieve the highest level of excellence.  We are excited to enter our second year of partnership in support our enduring mission of raising awareness that spinal injury or disease does not need to result in a change in lifestyle and our products allow patients to regain their lives.”

“The partnership has really performed well,” O’Neill said. “Even at Petit last year, we didn’t have the ideal result for the Centinel team, but the program went great. The Centinel partners all enjoyed being a part of our team. That’s what we try to do, bring them alongside us rather than keep them on the outside. We love to get people involved; it’s part of how we welcome people. 

“It’s a great opportunity for us as well. It helps us bring other partners to the table. We will have more announcements coming down the pipeline. It’s great to continue this program with Centinel Spine and to see that they’re as excited as we are to continue. There is a big kudos due to them for jumping in with two feet and learning how to connect with clients through our sport.”

The Centinel Spine gold makes its race debut on the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA in the LMP2 class Jan. 26-27 for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The 24-hour endurance event is Round One of the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race season. The race is broadcasted on NBCSN, IMSA.tv and NBC Sports. Catch the Season Preview Show Thursday, Jan. 24 or its re-air Jan. 26 before the start of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. For a detailed broadcast schedule check your local listing.