people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports, as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight.
1. Josef Newgarden, James Hinchliffe, et al -- Help organize the PR Move of the Year, as IndyCar drivers go into Texas Motor Speedway grandstands to thank fans waiting out Saturday night's long rain delay. Most of the time when we hear about athletes going into the stands it's to take on a fan. If the IndyCar organization plays this right, it could be a turning point for how the mainstream media, general public and corporate America view the series.
(See my long Twitter stream on this subject last Saturday night.)
3. Dave Pericak and Doug Fehan -- Ford's racing director and boss of the Chevy Corvette team fly the USA flag at Le Mans, including the return of the Ford GT.
5. Daniel Suarez -- Grad of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity and NEXT programs becomes first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race, in the Xfinity series at Michigan.
5. Daniel Suarez -- Grad of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity and NEXT programs becomes first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR national series race, in the Xfinity series at Michigan.
6. Bernie Ecclestone -- Formula One's commercial boss scores again with mega-dollar and maximum-activation sponsorship with Heineken.
7. Donny Schatz -- Gets World of Outlaws points lead in Knoxville doubleheader, including ninth win of the season.
8. Bryan Clauson -- Scores 40th career USAC national sprint car victory, tying Gary Bettenhausen for seventh on the all-time series wins list.
9. Greg Anderson -- The Ken Black-owned Summit Camaro team goes 10-for-10 in NHRA Pro Stock this season, with Anderson's "major" win in Englishtown, N.J.
10. Ron Capps -- The Made-for-the-Media driver wins Englishtown, his second consecutive NHRA Funny Car win, and takes the class points lead. Capps celebrated by pouring Mello Yello over his Wally trophy.
SPECIAL 10th ANNIVERSARY BLOG COMING JULY 10.
[ more next week . . . ]
