INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar officials were expected to announce today that clothing maker Izod will become the series' title sponsor next season.

A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the move Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced.

The league has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon.

It would be the first time since 2002 that the IndyCar series has had a title sponsor, and it comes at a time when some companies have been tightfisted because of the tough economy.

Speculation has grown this week that Izod, which became a key player in the series last year, would take on a bigger role in 2010.