tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306032632024-03-13T20:00:01.487-07:00SpinDoctor500blogMichael Knight's analysis motorsports industry, PR, journalism, politics, Wall St., topical roads not otherwise traveled. A Constitutionally-protected opinion. 2018 Angelo Angelopolous Indy 500 sportsmanship award. 2017 NMPA & AARWBA feature writing winner. Best of Internet, 2011 International Automotive Media Awards. Commentary Gold medal, 2010, 2011 IAMA. Best blog, 2007, 2008, 2009 AARWBA. 80 awards for PR, journalism, career achievement. Blogging since 2006. Twitter: @SpinDoctor500Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comBlogger579125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-90927199260297463982022-05-27T05:57:00.000-07:002022-05-27T05:57:47.278-07:00WALSH STOCK, SHUNCK WIN 2022 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PR<div class="AOLWebSuite AOLWebSuiteM3" data-dojo-attach-point="bodyCont"><div id="yiv0791683877"><div class="yiv0791683877userEdit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><p class="yiv0791683877MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><u>Friday, May 27, 2022, 8:30 a.m. EDT</u></b></span></p><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><u>WALSH-STOCK, SHUNCK WIN 2022 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD</u></span></strong></span></div><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;">FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS</span></u></strong></span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> INDIANAPOLIS -- Publicists Amy <span style="font-size: medium;">Walsh-Stock</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">and</span> Steve H. Shunck </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Friday were</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> announced as winners of the 2022 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s. Chapman died in October 1996 at age 80.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> The announcement was made at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Dex Imaging Media Center by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of national media members and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Both <span style="font-size: small;">Walsh-Stock and Shunck have</span> significant professional assignments at Sunday's 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. <span style="font-size: small;">Walsh-Stock</span> is the communications director for seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion Jimmie Johnson, scheduled to make his first start in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Shunck represents the Borg-Warner Corp., presenter of the world-famous trophy that goes to the race winner, as well as the traditional wreath placed over that driver's shoulders.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> It's the fifth time in award history that a tie vote has resulted in two recipients in the same year.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> "Both Amy and Steve are greatly deserving of this award, especially because they mirror Mr. Chapman's example of pro-actively working to have good relationships with the media," said Knight, the inaugural Chapman Award recipient in 1991 and now award rights-holder and non-voting chairman.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “Jim set the ultimate standard of professionalism, which forever elevated PR and media relations. His word and handshake were his bond. He only did things one way: First class. Most importantly, he knew that solid professional relationships with journalists was important in good times and absolutely essential in bad times.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> "Jim was a true ‘people person’ and knew nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face conversation, a shared meal, or the sound of another person’s voice.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> "If still with us, I'm certain he'd speak out about the highly impersonal way PR is now done by too many, who think social media messages equal relationship-building. He'd point out an E-mail isn't 'personalized' by addressing it to 'all.' Jim not only knew journalists, he knew them as people, because he reached-out and engaged them in conversation." </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> The Chapman Award has three major purposes: 1. To honor Chapman's unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR <em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal;">practitioner</span></em>s who work to Chapman's standard and in his spirit; 3. To provide learning and inspiration for newer and future PR representatives.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Walsh-Stock</span> began a career with NASCAR drivers, teams and <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">sponsors in 2000</span></span>. That list included Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Elliott Sadler. She spent 16 years with all-time NASCAR championship team Hendrick Motorsports as communications manager, senior media relations representative, account executive and brand and digital manager. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> She started representing Johnson with the media in 2014 and was part of his record-tying seventh Cup championship team in 2016 and final full-time NASCAR season i<span style="font-size: medium;">n 2020. <span style="font-size: small;">Walsh-Stock</span> <span style="font-size: small;">then</span> </span>continued with Johnson <span style="font-size: small;">to Chip Ganassi Racing </span>when he switched to select NTT IndyCar Series<span style="font-size: medium;"> races in <span style="font-size: small;">2021</span>, <span style="font-size: small;">also doing media for champion driver Alex Palou</span>. <span style="font-size: small;">She</span></span> also <span style="font-size: small;">works with Johnson at his select IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car appearances and </span>directs<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>communications for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Shunck has worked with sanctioning bodies, teams, tracks, network TV, drivers and corporations. His career began in 1988, when working in the University of Michigan sports information department, he helped with a press kit layout (on a then revolutionary Apple Macintosh computer) for 1985 Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan. He went on full-time positions with CART, NASCAR, Champ Car and IndyCar vice president of communications plus assignments with ABC Sports and several drivers. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> He's had his own PR business since 2012. Especially noteworthy has been Shunck's assistance with Indy winners Parnelli Jones, the late Al and Bobby Unser, and other legendary drivers. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Established in 1991 by media and publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally focused on achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was resumed in 2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia, started as sports editor or managing editor of several Southern newspapers before joining the <em>New York Times</em>. He entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Soon thereafter, Chapman hired Ruth as ambassador for the automaker’s sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball. They traveled together for more than two years for personal appearances and became close friends. Chapman was at Ruth’s bedside when he died in August 1948 and then officially announced Ruth’s death to the press corps that had maintained an around-the-clock vigil at New York’s Memorial Hospital.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.2in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman kept with him a money clip with a pockmarked silver dollar that Ruth used to carry during games for good luck. Chapman said Ruth had used the coin for target practice. He proudly showcased several photos of Ruth in his office. One was inscribed: "To a pal that is a pal." Chapman also displayed a framed letter, written on Ruth's personal stationery from Memorial Hospital, dated July 13, 1948, inviting him to the July 26 premier of the film, <em>The Babe Ruth Story.</em> That letter read, in part, "That evening would not be complete without your being my guest. To you, Jimmy, I say you must be with me that evening."</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> In 1950, Chapman left Ford to start his own PR firm. One of his first clients was Avis founder Warren Avis. Chapman devoted much of his time to financial PR, which he once called his “favorite form of PR,” and helped companies get recognition among analysts and even gain admission to the New York and American stock exchanges.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Chapman’s first venture into motorsports was in 1951, when he joined with NASCAR founder Bill France to promote the Motor City 250. The race was part of Detroit’s 250<sup>th</sup> birthday celebration, a Chapman client. In 1967, Chapman entered Indy Car racing with client Ozzie Olson’s Olsonite sponsorship of Dan Gurney’s team, which later featured Bobby Unser as driver.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “Jim was one of the most innovative and imaginative PR men ever to grace a pit lane,” said Gurney, the American racing great who died in 2018. “Jim practically invented most of what is now considered routine sponsor PR work. He was the first, as far as I know, who thought of putting up a sponsor hospitality tent alongside a racetrack (at the old Riverside International Raceway), filling it with extravagant race car ice-sculptures, beautiful food and beautiful people from the business, sports and movie industries. He started an ‘open house’ tradition in Ozzie’s hotel suite in Indianapolis, where journalists could rub shoulders with John Wayne or (astronaut) Scott Carpenter.”</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Chapman also directed Olsonite’s sponsorship of the Driver of the Year award. He orchestrated all the details, including the media panel voting, and an annual luncheon at New York City’s historic ‘21’ Club. That gathering was considered so prestigious it was routinely attended by leaders of all the major U.S. sanctioning organizations regardless of what series the Driver of the Year competed in.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Chapman’s greatest professional acclaim came from 1981-1992, as director of CART series sponsor PPG Industries’ program. Chapman was instrumental in raising PPG’s prize fund from $250,000 to more than $3.75 million at the time of his retirement in February 1993. The all-female PPG Pace Car Driving Team was another Chapman innovation, as were the PPG Editors’ Days, when he brought business and feature writers to the tracks for lunch, pace car rides, and driver interviews.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> In 1982, Chapman negotiated a landmark sponsorship for PPG with then- Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joe Cloutier, which formally made the Indy 500 a points-paying event in the PPG Indy Car World Series, an arrangement that continued through the 1995 season. “That was one of the most satisfying moments of my career,” Chapman recalled. “Roger Penske, among others, told me it was the best thing that had ever happened to CART.” In addition to a major contribution to the prize fund, PPG later became sponsor of the $100,000 Indy 500 pole award, and paid a special winner’s bonus in the early years of NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> In its obituary, the <em>New York Times</em> wrote that Chapman "served as a father confessor to many top racing drivers." Two-time Indy 500 winner and PPG Cup champion Al Unser Jr. said on behalf of his fellow drivers, "With Jim, when he says ‘jump,’ we just ask ‘how high? And we do it right then.”</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <em>Indy Car Racing</em> magazine named Chapman the sport’s “most influential” man of the 1980s, saying he turned “a public relations assignment into an art form.” After his retirement, Chapman continued to consult PPG, and agreed to Mario Andretti’s personal request that he serve as honorary chairman of Andretti’s <em>“Arrivederci, Mario”</em> farewell tour in 1994.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Chapman's professional achievements earned him vast recognition. The mayors of Detroit and Long Beach, Calif., presented him proclamations and the key to each city. In 1993, Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh named him Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor. He served as president and/or director of more than 30 Michigan and Detroit-area civic and charitable organizations. Chapman became active in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and represented the Detroit Urban League and United Negro College Fund in several controversial situations. He admitted to shedding "buckets of tears of joy" when Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> The permanent Jim Chapman Award is cast in bronze and features a classic photo of Jim wearing his favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the names of all the award recipients. The text under Jim’s photo reads:</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “James P. Chapman (1916-1996). A great man who deeply cared about country and church; family and friends. A legend in the public relations industry who set the ultimate standard of professionalism and excellence. A superstar who superstars like Babe Ruth wanted at their side. A pioneer in motorsports PR who practically invented most of what is now considered routine. A true 'People Person' who knew a mutually-respectful relationship with journalists was important in good times and essential in bad times. A mentor kind enough to help others achieve success. A gentleman who understood nothing could replace the sound of the human voice, a handshake, a face-to-face meeting, a shared meal, a hand-written note of thanks. </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “All who ever have, do, or will work in public relations stand on Mr. Chapman's shoulders.</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> </div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “The true honor of the Jim Chapman Award is not a plaque. The true honor is having one's name forever associated with that of the great James P. Chapman. A committee of journalists adjudged those named here worthy of this high honor.”</span></div><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">###</span></strong></div><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></strong></div><div align="center" class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></strong></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal"><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">JIM CHAPMAN AWARD HONOREES:</span></u></strong></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1991 – Michael Knight</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1992 – Tom Blattler</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1993-94 – Deke Houlgate and Hank Ives</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1995 – Kathi Lauterbach</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1996 – Marc Spiegel</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1997 – Mike Zizzo</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1998 – Tamy Valkosky</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1999 -- Carol Wilkins</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2000-2003 – (Award not presented)</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2004 – Doug Stokes</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2005 – Susan Arnold</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2006 – Kevin Kennedy</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2007 – Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2008 – Judy Stropus</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2009 – (Award not presented)</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2010 -- Jim Hunter</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2011 -- Bill York</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2012 -- Judy </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kouba Dominick </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and Nancy Wager</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2013 -- Anne Fornoro</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2014 -- Jon Edwards and Elon Werner</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- Linda Vaughn (honorary)</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- David Ferroni</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016 -- T.E. McHale and Dan Layton</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2017 -- Andy Hall</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2018 -- Dick Jordan</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2019 -- Dan Zacharias</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2020 -- (Award not presented)</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2021 -- Owen A. Kearns</span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2022 -- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif";">Amy Walsh-<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stock and Steve H. Shunck</span></span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></div><div class="yiv5085697138MsoNormal"> </div></div></div></div>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-20913688777548911192021-11-03T10:24:00.000-07:002021-11-03T10:24:04.481-07:00OWEN A. KEARNS PHOTO WITH 2021 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ueCAIXv_9zF4rBby4ImCl-BGdKnqosXmF8-KSrVDwcwhfPvwbJAencdBFkxb_aQFFsBxHTpudihkDXpghQ9lYDbWv1MsaSV7kNZ7llUOV1MKWT64nOvNz25rD_aI0YyuJvLu/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ueCAIXv_9zF4rBby4ImCl-BGdKnqosXmF8-KSrVDwcwhfPvwbJAencdBFkxb_aQFFsBxHTpudihkDXpghQ9lYDbWv1MsaSV7kNZ7llUOV1MKWT64nOvNz25rD_aI0YyuJvLu/" width="179" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-66942853611721488392021-11-03T10:18:00.002-07:002021-11-03T10:18:49.264-07:00OWEN A. KEARNS WINS 2021 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PR<p><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Owen A. Kearns, a Hall of Fame publicist, administrator, journalist and respected figure on the California racing scene for 50 years, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Wednesday was</span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> announced as winner of the 2021 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s. Chapman died in October 1996 at age 80.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The announcement was made by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of national media members and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration. Since COVID-19 led to different work restrictions in various series, making a 'level playing field' evaluation impossible, a sort of 'veterans committee' subset of the full panel nominated and voted for those either retired or active in a very limited way. </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"I know Jim would be delighted because Owen works in the 'old school' manner Mr. Chapman perfected during his iconic life and career," said Knight, the inaugural Chapman Award recipient in 1991 and now award rights-holder. "He'd also smile because both were newspaper reporters and editors, a business Jim revered. </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim set the ultimate standard of professionalism, class and dignity, which forever elevated PR and media relations. His word and handshake were his bond. He only did things one way: First class. Most importantly, he knew that solid professional relationships with journalists was important in good times and absolutely essential in bad times.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"Jim was a true ‘people person’ and knew nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face conversation, a shared meal, or the sound of another person’s voice.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"If still with us, I'm certain he'd speak out about the highly impersonal way PR is now done by too many, who think social media messages equal relationship-building. He'd point out an E-mail isn't 'personalized' by addressing it to 'all.' Jim not only knew journalists, he knew them as people, what was happening in their lives, so he could offer congratulations, sympathy or help." </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award has three major purposes: 1. To honor Chapman's unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR <em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal;">practitioner</span></em>s who work to Chapman's standard and in his spirit; 3. To provide learning and inspiration for newer and future PR representatives.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kearns motorsports' PR career began in 1967 at the Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway, while also writing a weekly racing column for the <em>Bakersfield</em> <em>News Bulletin</em> and the daily <em>Bakersfield Californian</em>. He went on to be a city-side reporter, editorial page editor and executive editor at the <em>Californian </em>before accepting a PR job with NASCAR in 1983.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kearns handled PR and administrative duties for what was then called the Winston West Series (now ARCA Menards Series West) and the 20-plus weekly tracks in eight western states. He was the founding communications manager for both the NASCAR Northwest and Southwest late-model stock car tours. In 1994, he became the first communications manager for the then NASCAR Craftsman (now Camping World) Truck Series, tasked with national PR outreach and liaison with its tracks, TV and radio partners.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kearns retired in 2014 but remains active as a West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Board member. He was inducted into that Hall in 2011.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Established in 1991 by media and publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally focused on achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was resumed in 2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia, started as sports editor or managing editor of several Southern newspapers before joining the <em>New York Times</em>. He entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soon thereafter, Chapman hired Ruth as ambassador for the automaker’s sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball. They traveled together for more than two years for personal appearances and became close friends. Chapman was at Ruth’s bedside when he died in August 1948 and then officially announced Ruth’s death to the press corps that had maintained an around-the-clock vigil at New York’s Memorial Hospital.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman kept with him a money clip with a pockmarked silver dollar that Ruth used to carry during games for good luck. Chapman said Ruth had used the coin for target practice. He proudly showcased several photos of Ruth in his office. One was inscribed: "To a pal that is a pal." Chapman also displayed a framed letter, written on Ruth's personal stationery from Memorial Hospital, dated July 13, 1948, inviting him to the July 26 premier of the film, <em>The Babe Ruth Story.</em> That letter read, in part, "That evening would not be complete without <span style="font-size: medium;">your</span> being my guest. To you, Jimmy, I say you must be with me that evening." </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1950, Chapman left Ford to start his own PR firm. One of his first clients was Avis founder Warren Avis. Chapman devoted much of his time to financial PR, which he once called his “favorite form of PR,” and helped companies get recognition among analysts and even gain admission to the New York and American stock exchanges.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s first venture into motorsports was in 1951, when he joined with NASCAR founder Bill France to promote the Motor City 250. The race was part of Detroit’s 250<sup>th</sup> birthday celebration, a Chapman client. In 1967, Chapman entered Indy Car racing with client Ozzie Olson’s Olsonite sponsorship of Dan Gurney’s team, which later featured Bobby Unser as driver.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim was one of the most innovative and imaginative PR men ever to grace a pit lane,” said Gurney, the American racing great who died in 2018. “Jim practically invented most of what is now considered routine sponsor PR work. He was the first, as far as I know, who thought of putting up a sponsor hospitality tent alongside a racetrack (at the old Riverside International Raceway), filling it with extravagant race car ice-sculptures, beautiful food and beautiful people from the business, sports and movie industries. He started an ‘open house’ tradition in Ozzie’s hotel suite in Indianapolis, where journalists could rub shoulders with John Wayne or (astronaut) Scott Carpenter.”</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman also directed Olsonite’s sponsorship of the Driver of the Year award. He orchestrated all the details, including the media panel voting, and an annual luncheon at New York City’s famed ‘21’ Club. That gathering was considered so prestigious it was routinely attended by leaders of all the major U.S. sanctioning organizations regardless of what series the Driver of the Year competed in.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s greatest professional acclaim came from 1981-1992, as director of CART series sponsor PPG Industries’ program. Chapman was instrumental in raising PPG’s prize fund from $250,000 to more than $3.75 million at the time of his retirement in February 1993. The all-female PPG Pace Car Driving Team was another Chapman innovation, as were the PPG Editors’ Days, when he brought business and feature writers to the tracks for lunch, pace car rides, and driver interviews.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1982, Chapman negotiated a landmark sponsorship for PPG with then- Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joe Cloutier, which formally made the Indy 500 a points-paying event in the PPG Indy Car World Series, an arrangement that continued through the 1995 season. “That was one of the most satisfying moments of my career,” Chapman recalled. “Roger Penske, among others, told me it was the best thing that had ever happened to CART.” In addition to a major contribution to the prize fund, PPG later became sponsor of the $100,000 Indy 500 pole award, and paid a special winner’s bonus in the early years of NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In its obituary, the <em>New York Times</em> wrote that Chapman "served as a father confessor to many top racing drivers." Two-time Indy 500 winner and PPG Cup champion Al Unser Jr. said on behalf of his fellow drivers, "With Jim, when he says ‘jump,’ we just ask ‘how high? And we do it right then.”</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><em>Indy Car Racing</em> magazine named Chapman the sport’s “most influential” man of the 1980s, saying he turned “a public relations assignment into an art form.” After his retirement, Chapman continued to consult PPG, and agreed to Mario Andretti’s personal request that he serve as honorary chairman of Andretti’s <em>“Arrivederci, Mario”</em> farewell tour in 1994.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman's professional achievements earned him vast recognition. The mayors of Detroit and Long Beach, Calif., presented him proclamations and the key to each city. In 1993, Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh named him Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor. He served as president and/or director of more than 30 Michigan and Detroit-area civic and charitable organizations. Chapman became active in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and represented the Detroit Urban League and United Negro College Fund in several controversial situations. He admitted to shedding "buckets of tears of joy" when Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991. </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The permanent Jim Chapman Award is cast in bronze and features a classic photo of Jim wearing his favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the names of all the award recipients. The text under Jim’s photo reads:</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“James P. Chapman (1916-1996). A great man who deeply cared about country and church; family and friends. A legend in the public relations industry who set the ultimate standard of professionalism and excellence. A superstar who superstars like Babe Ruth wanted at their side. A pioneer in motorsports PR who practically invented most of what is now considered routine. A true 'People Person' who knew a mutually-respectful relationship with journalists was important in good times and essential in bad times. A mentor kind enough to help others achieve success. A gentleman who understood nothing could replace the sound of the human voice, a handshake, a face-to-face meeting, a shared meal, a hand-written note of thanks. </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“All who ever have, do, or will work in public relations stand on Mr. Chapman's shoulders.</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“The true honor of the Jim Chapman Award is not a plaque. The true honor is having one's name forever associated with that of the great James P. Chapman. A committee of journalists adjudged those named here worthy of this high honor.”</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal"><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">JIM CHAPMAN AWARD HONOREES:</span></u></strong></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1991 – Michael Knight</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1992 – Tom Blattler</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1993-94 – Deke Houlgate and Hank Ives</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1995 – Kathi Lauterbach</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1996 – Marc Spiegel</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1997 – Mike Zizzo</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1998 – Tamy Valkosky</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1999 -- Carol Wilkins</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2000-2003 – (Award not presented)</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2004 – Doug Stokes</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2005 – Susan Arnold</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2006 – Kevin Kennedy</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2007 – Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2008 – Judy Stropus</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2009 – (Award not presented)</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2010 -- Jim Hunter</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2011 -- Bill York</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2012 -- Judy </span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kouba Dominick </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and Nancy Wager</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2013 -- Anne Fornoro</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2014 -- Jon Edwards and Elon Werner</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- Linda Vaughn (honorary)</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- David Ferroni</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016 -- T.E. McHale and Dan Layton</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2017 -- Andy Hall</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2018 -- Dick Jordan</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2019 -- Dan Zacharias</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2020 -- (Award not presented)</span></p><p class="yiv3594875377MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2021 -- Owen A. Kearns</span></p> Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-72762879799368355272019-12-30T08:22:00.002-08:002019-12-30T08:22:27.545-08:002019: THE MAN OF THE YEAR IN MOTORSPORTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The one on the left. An absolute, 100 percent, no-brainer choice for what he accomplished on-and-off the track. Congratulations, Roger Penske. @Team_Penske <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo courtesy of Bruce Martin.)</span></i></b>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-44640636278222204292019-11-08T13:19:00.000-08:002019-11-08T13:19:17.595-08:00DAN ZACHARIAS WINS 2019 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PUBLIC RELATIONS<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dan Zacharias, for 20 years the lead trackside media relations representative for Ford at NASCAR races, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Friday was</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> announced as winner of the 2019 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s. Chapman died in 1996 at age 80.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The announcement and presentation were made at the ISM Raceway media center by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of national media members, many of who knew Chapman, and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> "I know Jim is smiling because of the mutual connection he and Dan share with Ford," said Knight, the award rights-holder. "That makes this most-appropriate recognition of Dan even more meaningful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim set the ultimate standard of professionalism, class and dignity. He knew that solid professional relationships with journalists was important in good times and absolutely essential in bad times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"That’s too often missing today in a communications age where an E-mail or text message or over-reliance on social media is incorrectly considered ‘relationship-building.’ Jim was a true ‘people person’ and knew nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face conversation, a shared meal, or the sound of another person’s voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"For two decades Dan has been a trusted and reliable resource for journalists reporting on NASCAR, helpful with requests small and large. In that way, Dan has truly worked to the standard, and in the spirit, of Mr. Chapman."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Zacharias has been with the Campbell Marketing and Communications agency, representing Ford, for more than two decades. He began his duties in NASCAR in 1998 with responsibility to work with all forms of media and provide pertinent race weekend information. It's estimated Zacharias has worked with the media at some 600 race weekends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He also has been a key team member in launching Ford's NASCAR race cars, including Taurus, Fusion and most recently, Mustang.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award has three major purposes: 1. To honor Chapman's unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR <em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal;">practitioner</span></em>s who work to Chapman's standard and in his spirit; 3. To provide inspiration for newer and future PR representatives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The permanent Jim Chapman Award, currently displayed in the ISM Raceway media center, is cast in bronze and features a classic photo of Jim wearing his favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the names of all the award recipients. The text under Jim’s photo reads:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">"James P. Chapman (1916-1996). A great man who deeply cared about country and church; family and friends. A legend in the public relations industry who set the ultimate standard of professionalism and excellence. A superstar who superstars like Babe Ruth wanted at their side. A pioneer in motorsports PR who practically invented most of what is now considered routine. A true 'People Person' who knew a mutually-respectful relationship with journalists was important in good times and essential in bad times. A mentor kind enough to help others achieve success. A gentleman who understood nothing could replace the sound of the human voice, a handshake, a face-to-face meeting, a shared meal, a hand-written note of thanks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“All who ever have, do, or will work in public relations stand on Mr. Chapman's shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“The true honor of the Jim Chapman Award is not a plaque. The true honor is having one's name forever associated with that of the great James P. Chapman. A committee of journalists adjudged those named here worthy of this high honor.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Established in 1991 by media and publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally focused on achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was resumed in 2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia, started as sports editor or managing editor of several Southern newspapers before joining the <em>New York Times</em>. He entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soon thereafter, Chapman hired Ruth as ambassador for the automaker’s sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball. They traveled together for more than two years for personal appearances and became close friends. Chapman was at Ruth’s bedside when he died in August 1948 and then officially announced Ruth’s death to the press corps that had maintained an around-the-clock vigil at New York’s Memorial Hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Chapman kept with him a money clip with a pockmarked silver dollar that Ruth used to carry during games for good luck. Chapman said Ruth had used the coin for target practice. He proudly showcased several photos of Ruth in his office.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">One was inscribed: "To a pal that is a pal." Chapman also displayed a framed letter, written on Ruth's personal stationery from Memorial Hospital, dated July 13, 1948, inviting him to the July 26 premier of the film, </span><em style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">The Babe Ruth Story.</em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> That letter read, in part, "That evening would not be complete without your being my guest.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">To you, Jimmy, I say you must be with me that evening."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1950, Chapman left Ford to start his own PR firm. One of his first clients was Avis founder Warren Avis. Chapman devoted much of his time to financial PR, which he once called his “favorite form of PR,” and helped companies get recognition among analysts and even gain admission to the New York and American stock exchanges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s first venture into motorsports was in 1951, when he joined with NASCAR founder Bill France to promote the Motor City 250. The race was part of Detroit’s 250<sup>th</sup> birthday celebration, a Chapman client. In 1967, Chapman entered Indy Car racing with client Ozzie Olson’s Olsonite sponsorship of Dan Gurney’s team, which later featured Bobby Unser as driver.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim was one of the most innovative and imaginative PR men ever to grace a pit lane,” said Gurney, who died last year. “Jim practically invented most of what is now considered routine sponsor PR work. He was the first, as far as I know, who thought of putting up a sponsor hospitality tent alongside a racetrack (at the old Riverside International Raceway), filling it with extravagant race car ice-sculptures, beautiful food and beautiful people from the business, sports and movie industries. He started an ‘open house’ tradition in Ozzie’s hotel suite in Indianapolis, where journalists could rub shoulders with John Wayne or (astronaut) Scott Carpenter.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman also directed Olsonite’s sponsorship of the Driver of the Year award. He orchestrated all the details, including the media panel voting, and an annual luncheon at New York City’s famed ‘21’ Club. That gathering was considered so prestigious it was routinely attended by leaders of all the major U.S. sanctioning organizations regardless of what series the Driver of the Year competed in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s greatest professional acclaim came from 1981-1992, as director of CART series sponsor PPG Industries’ program. Chapman was instrumental in raising PPG’s prize fund from $250,000 to more than $3.75 million at the time of his retirement in February 1993. The all-female PPG Pace Car Driving Team was another Chapman innovation, as were the PPG Editors’ Days, when he brought business and feature writers to the tracks for lunch, pace car rides, and driver interviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1982, Chapman negotiated a landmark sponsorship for PPG with then- Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joe Cloutier, which formally made the Indy 500 a points-paying event in the PPG Indy Car World Series, an arrangement that continued through the 1995 season. “That was one of the most satisfying moments of my career,” Chapman recalled. “Roger Penske, among others, told me it was the best thing that had ever happened to CART.” In addition to a major contribution to the prize fund, PPG later became sponsor of the $100,000 Indy 500 pole award, and paid a special winner’s bonus in the early years of NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In its obituary, the <em>New York Times</em> wrote that Chapman "served as a father confessor to many top racing drivers." Two-time Indy 500 winner and PPG Cup champion Al Unser Jr. said on behalf of his fellow drivers, "With Jim, when he says ‘jump,’ we just ask ‘how high? And we do it right then.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><em>Indy Car Racing</em> magazine named Chapman the sport’s “most influential” man of the 1980s, saying he turned “a public relations assignment into an art form.” After his retirement, Chapman continued to consult PPG, and agreed to Mario Andretti’s personal request that he serve as honorary chairman of Andretti’s <em>“Arrivederci, Mario”</em> farewell tour in 1994.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Chapman's professional achievements earned him vast recognition.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">The mayors of Detroit and Long Beach, Calif., presented him proclamations and the key to each city.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">In 1993, Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh named him Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor. He served as president and/or director of more than 30 Michigan and Detroit-area civic and charitable organizations.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Chapman became active in the civil rights movement in the 1950s and represented the Detroit Urban League and United Negro College Fund in several controversial situations.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">He admitted to shedding "buckets of tears of joy" when Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991.</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">JIM CHAPMAN AWARD HONOREES:</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1991 – Michael Knight</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1992 – Tom Blattler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1993-94 – Deke Houlgate and Hank Ives</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1995 – Kathi Lauterbach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1996 – Marc Spiegel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1997 – Mike Zizzo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1998 – Tamy Valkosky</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1999 -- Carol Wilkins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2000-2003 – (Award not presented)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2004 – Doug Stokes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2005 – Susan Arnold</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2006 – Kevin Kennedy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2007 – Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2008 – Judy Stropus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2009 – (Award not presented)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2010 -- Jim Hunter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2011 -- Bill York</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2012 -- Judy </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kouba Dominick </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and Nancy Wager</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2013 -- Anne Fornoro</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2014 -- Jon Edwards and Elon Werner</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- Linda Vaughn (honorary)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- David Ferroni</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016 -- T.E. McHale and Dan Layton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2017 -- Andy Hall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2018 -- Dick Jordan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2019 -- Dan Zacharias<u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span> </span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-90950374118691590582018-11-18T06:15:00.000-08:002018-11-18T06:15:04.326-08:002018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WObFa_di5GAiIZIfyKftCBEalkrAti2T6978ursjF9WOTU9HpqvnlGzfbdcFVlmI0zomuXJCU0AXlHHYp8JCw58DX8nmJIwFnUHIFIzz4_DtETo7kfU_6sWLSaofwgHQ3ClV/s1600/MKAA02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WObFa_di5GAiIZIfyKftCBEalkrAti2T6978ursjF9WOTU9HpqvnlGzfbdcFVlmI0zomuXJCU0AXlHHYp8JCw58DX8nmJIwFnUHIFIzz4_DtETo7kfU_6sWLSaofwgHQ3ClV/s320/MKAA02.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">A HUMBLING MOMENT:</span> Receiving the Angelo Angelopolous Award, which dates to the early 1960s and is presented for sportsmanship at the Indianapolis 500, at my 40th I-500, May 2018. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Dan R. Boyd photo.</i>)</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few months ago, Jack Arute referred to me on SiriusXM NASCAR radio as <i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>"the Godfather of motorsports PR."</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it made me feel a little old. But there's an honor here, and I appreciate it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personal circumstances require me to write this annual year-in-review earlier than normal. Personal circumstances allowed me to write only occasionally this year, something I regret most sincerely. Writing this, another adventure awaits, only two days away. So, full disclosure, the honest truth is it's highly likely I will be able to write just occasionally again in 2019. As has been the case for more than a decade, I write not just to write and fill-up a spec of space on the Internet. I write when I feel I have something more-than-important to say. Something that it's worth the use of your valuable time to read. That will continue to guide me and what is or isn't posted here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, I cannot allow 2018 to end without pointing out a terrible issue that continues to take hold within the motorsports industry. To be more than candid, it sickens me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What will I remember most, business-wise, from this calendar year?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The full-fledged arrival of <b>Fake PR.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've heard a lot about Fake News in the last two years. No matter which side you are on in our deep and troubling and only-getting-worse-and-someday-will-explode Great Political Divide, the Truth is Fake News is real and comes from both the Left and the Right. The Left's is more well-practiced, more reactionary, more personally destructive, more ridiculous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"CNN. The Most Trusted Name in News."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Yeah, right, we believe that when every anchor on the network begins a broadcast with anti-POTUS "news" with some, like Erin Burnett and dumb-as-they-come Don Lemon, visually dripping with hate. So CNN's slogan goes right to the top of Fake PR.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I see it in the racing world at nearly every turn. Before I go there, let me say the most enjoyable time I spent at a racetrack in 2018 was at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Ace PRer Andrew Booth was there for me throughout my stay and could not have been nicer, more helpful, or more professional. Ditto Nate Siebens of IMSA. I was glad to be there to witness Roger Penske's return to Big Time Sports Car racing, Christian Fittipaldi win one more time, and Scott Pruett bid farewell. Rolex smartly hosted a very nice media reception, otherwise known as a relationship builder. The race I enjoyed the most this year was the USAC Silver Crown 100 at Lucas Oil Raceway the Friday night before the Indianapolis 500. There was action all race long, especially in the middle part of the top 10, and the most enjoyable part was actually being able to see the drivers drive. It was elbows-up with the man behind the wheel making the difference. Great, wonderful stuff. What a pleasure to watch with USAC's Dick Jordan (who won the Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports PR earlier that day) and <i>Speed Sport's</i> Ralph Sheheen. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">But all that week, earlier that day, and the next day and then Race Day, to spend hours in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center and, with only one exception, have no one from the Speedway communications team do any communicating, staying mostly in their glass office and restricted area, well, that is Fake PR.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">When I've gone to NASCAR and IndyCar events and the fingers on one hand are enough to count the team and sponsor media reps who actually visit the media center, walk around and talk to people, meet and exchange contact information with new journalists on the scene, that is Fake PR.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">When drivers come into the media room with only one thing in mind, to drive their own racing political agenda with two word or two sentence answers to routine questions, that's rude. It's also Fake PR. The people being paid to work with, and guide, these drivers who then just stand-off to the side and let them behave badly, including insulting reporters, that is absolutely Fake PR. When a media relations person says they will do something, such as checking a fact or confirming an obscure detail mined from an interview, and then they don't do what they promised to do, that is Fake PR. (And worse.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And so it goes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is no question whatsoever as to the most damning and damaging episode of Fake PR I encountered in 2018. It will have consequences into 2019, at least . . .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">At my local NHRA national event, at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, I had a conversation with the PRer for Don Schumacher Racing, the usually dominant team in drag racing, and one of racing's best and most successful organizations. Said person had been around for a short while but was in her first season with Shoe Racing. She had removed me from her news release distribution list (how does that benefit the team's sponsors?) in retaliation for some criticisms I had made in my old drag racing column or on social media.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This was her suggestion: In return for placing me back on the press release list, she wanted me to promise to refrain from any future criticism.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let me spell this right out, Big, Bold and Plain: A paid publicist for one of the sport's most prominent teams -- </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: yellow;">Allison McCormick</b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> -- was </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">asking a journalist to give up his <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Constitutional First Amendment rights.</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Later, when I recounted this experience to the NHRA on-site rep, she, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: yellow;">Jenn Goethel</b><span style="background-color: white;">, </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">defended McCormick.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dear reader, I'm not smart enough to make up such a bizarre occurrence. This is what we have come to: A PR rep trying to negotiate away a journalist's Constitutional First Amendment freedom. And, seemingly, be oblivious to it. And the sanction's person-on-the-scene speaking in defense of that obscenity of a suggestion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The series' took a hit. The team's image took a big hit. The team's paying sponsors were ill-served. The PRers involved were exposed as unprofessional to a stunning degree, making one wonder how employers justify continuing to provide employment. <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Oh, they aren't paying attention ... ???</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Indeed: 2018 was the Year of Fake PR. Everyone in the motorsports industry lost because of it. As best I am able to see, more lies ahead.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>[ Follow Michael Knight on Twitter: <span style="color: red;">@SpinDoctor500</span> ] </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-14946711600138086602018-09-14T09:47:00.001-07:002018-09-14T09:47:33.262-07:0010 YEARS LATER: REMEMBERING THE END OF RACING's SPONSORSHIP BOOM<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">By
MICHAEL KNIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Monday,
Sept. 15, 2008 was a bad day for motorsports.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
very bad day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s
when the cash well that fuels drag – and all other types of racing --
officially went dry. At least for the foreseeable future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The fundamental underpinnings of Wall Street were so shaken by the
collapse of Lehmen Bros., bailout of AIG and overall lack of confidence in the
system, well, you’d have thought 1,000 dragsters had zoomed past the New York
Stock Exchange. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Billionaire investor Warren Buffett called it an “economic <st1:place w:st="on">Pearl Harbor</st1:place>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Others
said it was the financial world’s Sept. 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In
a number symbolically significant to every racer, the <i>New York Post</i> reported that, in the aftermath, the market was “<b>500 </b>trades away from Armageddon.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So
here’s the new reality: Brian France, Tony George and Tom Compton are no longer
the most important men in racing. Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke are.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Treasury secretary and Federal Reserve chairman have been injecting more money
into the markets than nitro into Tony Schumacher’s engine in an attempt to keep
the economic wheels turning. While the health of the speed industry is far from
their highest priority, the success – or failure – of Paulson’s and Bernanke’s
efforts will determine whether throttles stay flat, or flat-line.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Team
owners – whose own net worths likely have plunged like cliff divers in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Acapulco</st1:place></st1:city></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">-- have
discovered just hanging on to existing sponsors is tougher than beating
Schumacher for the Powerade championship. Kenny Bernstein will toast his 30<sup>th</sup>
consecutive season with Budweiser in 2009, but I understand the actual scope of
that great promotional opportunity is on hold, pending a budget review as InBev takes over Anheuser-Busch. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for signing new sponsors? To quote Al Michaels: Do you believe in miracles?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“The economy stinks,” five-time Top Fuel champion and businessman
Joe Amato said recently. “People are cutting back all around. I don’t care if
you have a good story or not, it’s hard to get people to throw millions of
dollars at sponsorship . . . I know people who have parked (their race cars)
because they can’t afford the gas and the hotel bills. Forget what it costs to
run the car.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">While
we’ve been down this road before, Gary Scelzi said of his decision to stop
after Pomona: “With the economy in the state that it is, business being off in
these tough times . . . I feel it is in my best interest . . . to go back to
work at Scelzi Enterprises.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
economic downturn comes as competitors continue to struggle with issues ranging
from safety to the price of nitro. Plus, those accustomed to winning Wallys in
Top Fuel and Funny Car will have to spend against Alan
Johnson and His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani’s <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Qatar</st1:country-region></st1:place> petro-dollars. <br />
<br />
Al-Anabi Racing could do to NHRA what <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Toyota</st1:place></st1:city>
did in NASCAR. Overnight, it became more expensive for everyone else to
compete. <br />
<br />
Now, there’s even greater pressure on NHRA and the agencies it hired earlier
this year to sell sponsorships and generate national media attention. More than
before, they need to produce additional revenues for the teams, and make the
series increasingly valuable to corporate customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And Full Throttle, which takes over from
Powerade, better live up to its promise to more aggressively activate its title
role and promote drag racing with, well, energy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>Follow Michael Knight on Twitter: @SpinDoctor500</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(as published on DragRacingOnline.com, October 2008.)</span></i><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-47506418727536902512018-07-10T12:41:00.001-07:002018-07-10T12:41:37.477-07:00THE 12th ANNIVERSARY BLOG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1jJ7X3PQEiLrOJlzUHrhneoZ5xrjwReAIUCHpXo_57QNXsi36HmpMWP6KXdpHudUufHBJnC384RGD0I3rZDRUVqFakQhkhvgWZl-UFyylenfLfVnPTs2yEnxzBteW6i417do/s1600/mkjca2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1323" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1jJ7X3PQEiLrOJlzUHrhneoZ5xrjwReAIUCHpXo_57QNXsi36HmpMWP6KXdpHudUufHBJnC384RGD0I3rZDRUVqFakQhkhvgWZl-UFyylenfLfVnPTs2yEnxzBteW6i417do/s320/mkjca2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: red;">40th INDY 500:</span></b> <b>Making remarks about the current state of motorsports PR not being in the tradition of Jim Chapman, Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center, May 25, 2018.</b></span> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Dan R. Boyd photo.) </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I first posted here in 2006,<b>12 years ago this week</b>, I wrote that I hoped this would be a "Great Adventure" (which is what Paul Newman called Nigel Mansell's 1993 arrival in CART as world Formula One champion) and that we'd learn together. I also said my goal was to combine the knowledge and experience gained from journalism and various roles (mainly media/public relations) at the highest levels of motorsports to offer insights and perspectives not found elsewhere. I thought that could be useful to those who worked within the industry (which has been my primary audience) and to open-minded fans who wanted to better understand their favorite sport. As I have said countless times, you can't be a fan in-the-know without understanding the Business and Politics of Racing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is still my wish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, personal issues and higher priorities have forced me to write only occasionally these past couple of years. I apologize to those who regularly took the time to come here. Everyone's time is valuable so I considered it a compliment from those who weekly read what I offered, agree or disagree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since Twitter has made everyone an opinionist -- please note I didn't say "journalist" -- there is a ton more out there in the cyberworld for those who wish to digest it. Going back to my <i>Philadelphia Daily News </i>days I have never had a desire to write just for the sake of writing. I want to write when I think I have something important or useful to communicate. Honestly, I have had a few blog posts semi-ready to publish in 2018, but as I had to admit to myself they didn't fit my standard, I deleted them. These included two from the Indianapolis 500, which was my 40th time at the "Greatest Spectacle," and as I told friends privately and said publicly in accepting the Angelo Angelopolous Award for sportsmanship (photo below) and presenting the Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports PR (to USAC's Dick Jordan), I expect it was the concluding chapter in my own I500 story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That last sentence deserves an explanation. My intent is to do so here in the upcoming weeks. But, as I'm on a countdown to another Great Adventure of the life kind, I don't expect to write much more than that. I do want to do my traditional end-of-year column, although it will have to happen sooner than usual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been called many things over the decades (<span style="color: red;">!</span>) and I'll save some of you the trouble and call myself out here and now as something of a hypocrite. I was an early critic, and late adopter, of Twitter. My casual surveys of the T scene led me to think it was unserious and, thus, a waste of my time. A big problem I had with it, based on my formal journalism education and professional experience, had to do with context: How can you possibly put any meaningful information into proper context in 180 characters? Near impossible, I felt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually, I was guided by some people I respect, and shown how Twitter can be a communications tool. Not a full tool box, but a tool. And that's the mindset I try to lock-into. Given my inability to write blogs to whatever length I feel necessary, I use Twitter as a way to express a basic point. I'm not much into breaking news these days, but I was able to use Twitter to get out there first the true news that ISM Raceway in Phoenix would not host IndyCar in 2019. I'm able to use it to share quick thoughts and viewpoints, photos, and to provide links to my <i>Arizona Republic</i> stories and articles written by others that I believe are worth your attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In short (pun intended), Twitter has become the best way I have to contribute to the much-more-vast conversation in the areas in which I am engaged the most: Motorsports, sports-in-general, politics, Wall St./business, media, and medicine/science. I have been doing that on a regular basis this year and intend to continue to do so in the months ahead. If you are interested, I'm <span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>@SpinDoctor500</b></span> . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As far as the 2018 racing scene is concerned, the only things that have energized my interest are: Courtney Force winning races and leading the NHRA Funny Car points; Ferrari and S. Vettel taking the fight to Mercedes-Benz and L. Hamilton in Formula One; IMSA seemingly on the right course with its DPi class, which now includes Acura Team Penske, J.P. Montoya and H. Castroneves; and the Grand Reopening of ISM Raceway in November after a $178 million transformation that will make it second only to Daytona as the USA track with the best/nicest spectator, corporate hospitality and competitor facilities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NASCAR has deeper problems than most of those not directly involved realize. With Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch it's only true national stars as the series awaits breakthroughs from Elliott, Bowman, Suarez, Wallace, Byron, etc., the sanction's strength comes from its multi-billion dollar TV contracts. The lack of household and media-known starpower is at the core of IndyCar's failures at Phoenix and Watkins Glen. And, for those of you believing NBC taking over the full TV package next year will be IC's savior, you might look at how the network dumbed-down the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby and Olympics with its choice of so-called "talent." Watch out for the new "shoulder" programming on cable at the Indy 500. I laid down a marker on this with Mark Miles in May. He admitted to not having approval rights on announcers but can "consult" so we'll see what he allows to happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My overall interest in NHRA has faded significantly. Believe it or not -- and believe it because I couldn't possibly dream of making this up -- the new PR rep for one of its major multi-car teams took me off her news release distribution list because of criticism from me and offered to reinstate me only if I promised no more criticism. <b><span style="color: red;">Yes, you read that right, a media relations director specifically demanded a journalist give up his First Amendment rights.</span></b> The World of Outlaws has had tragedy, rain, and no one who knows how to professional beat the publicity drum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for hanging in there with me. Hopefully, we'll "talk" again soon.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">THANK YOU:</span> With my individual and the permanent Angelo Angelopolous Award, which is displayed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center. The Angelo dates back to 1963 -- so I guess you can consider it an Indy "tradition" -- and is "Presented to the 500 Mile Race Participant Who Best Exemplifies the Creed of Sportsmanship." Angelopolous was an <i>Indianapolis News</i> writer who loved sportsmanship in sports. As I joked (?) in accepting, there must be at least 500 IMS <span style="color: #f1c232;">Yellow Shirts</span> (past and present) who went into shock at the news of me receiving an award for "sportsmanship." Regardless, having my name added to some truly great ones on the permanent award was a humbling and nice way to exit the Speedway.</span></b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Dan R. Boyd photo.)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-14762952608636382402018-05-25T08:31:00.000-07:002018-05-25T08:31:03.973-07:00HINCH, KNIGHT RECEIVE TRADITIONAL INDY 500 AWARDS
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Driver James Hinchcliffe
and longtime publicist/journalist Michael Knight were honored with traditional
Indy 500 awards Friday in a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media
center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hinchcliffe was announced as recipient of
the Jigger Award, presented by the American Auto Racing Writers and
Broadcasters Association, to an Indy 500 competitor who experiences
misfortune/bad luck. Hinchcliffe, who survived near-fatal injuries in a 2015
practice session accident at IMS only to return a year later and win the pole
position, didn’t qualify for Sunday’s 102d running of “The Greatest Spectacle
in Racing.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The award is named for Jigger Sirois, who
missed being the pole winner in 1969 when his crew waved-off a qualifying run
which would have been the only one completed before rain prevented any more
track activity. Under rules then in effect, Sirois would have been on the pole,
but never did qualify for the race. Sirois accepted the award for Hinchcliffe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Knight accepted the Angelo Angelopolous
Award, given since 1963 “to the 500 Mile Race Participant Who Best Exemplifies
the Creed of Good Sportsmanship.” Angelopolous was an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indianapolis</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">News</i> writer
who loved the 500 and fair play and sportsman-like acts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Knight covered the race for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philadelphia Daily News </i>before a
quarter-century career as a publicist for CART and numerous drivers and teams,
including the Newman/Haas, Treadway, Robby Gordon and Sam Schmidt teams and
drivers such as Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Arie Luyendyk and
Gordon. In recent years he’s reported for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arizona Republic. </i>He is a lifetime member of the 500 Oldtimers and
is attending his 40<sup>th</sup> Indy 500, which he said will likely be his
last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-30154490346108770422018-05-25T08:28:00.001-07:002018-05-25T08:28:22.604-07:00Dr. JERRY PUNCH WINS BOB RUSSO FOUNDERS AWARD<div class="aolmail_MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dr. Jerry Punch, who combined careers in broadcasting and medicine to become one of the most respected people in all of motorsports, was honored Friday with the Bob Russo Founders Award for dedication to auto racing.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The award was presented to Dr. Punch by Russo Award Chairman Paul Page, the 2012 honoree, in a ceremony in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's media center.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Russo, the much-admired and honored motorsports <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>journalist/publicist/historian, founded the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association in 1955. Russo helped racing gain early national media attention in the 1950s via his stories in <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speed Age</em> magazine. He consulted IMS owner Tony Hulman on the future direction of the sport when AAA stopped sanctioning races, which led to the formation of the U.S. Auto Club. Among Russo's successes in public relations were the legendary Mobil Economy Run and with NHRA and Riverside International Raceway. Russo was the Miller Brewing Co.'s media representative for its primary sponsorship of Danny Sullivan when he won the 1985 Indy 500. His historical research and archives benefitted the sport overall, including the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He died in 1999 and age 71.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Russo Award, as stated on the plaque, is presented "to an individual who has demonstrated profound interest, tireless efforts and undying dedication to auto racing as exemplified by Russo throughout his lifelong career.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dr. Punch, who will be a pit reporter for ABC's Indy 500 race telecast, was a driver and mechanic on the Carolinas short-track circuit and in 1975 began substituting for NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett as track announcer at Hickory (N.C.) Speedway. He joined the Motor Racing Network radio team at the 1980 Daytona 500 and started with ESPN in 1984 as a pit reporter for NASCAR telecasts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Over the years, Punch has also served as host and play-by-play voice not only in numerous racing series, but college football and basketball as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dr. Punch received his medical degree from Wake Forest University in 1979 and worked 14 years as emergency room services director at a Florida hospital. In 1988, he revived Rusty Wallace, who was not breathing after a crash during practice at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. A few months later, Punch joined the rescue effort to save driver Don Marmor, who crashed in an ARCA race.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Among Punch's many honors are the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Performance Award, 1990 NASCAR Team Player of the Year and the Lindsey Nelson Broadcasting Award. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Previous Russo Award winners include: 2005 – Michael Knight; 2006 – Wally Parks; 2007 – Chris Economaki; 2008 – Bob Jenkins; 2009 – Shav Glick; 2010 -- Bill York; 2011 -- Bill Marvel; 2012 -- Paul Page; 2013 -- The Hulman-George and France Families; 2014 -- Donald Davidson; 2015 -- Dick Jordan; 2016 -- Dan Luginbuhl; 2017 -- Holly Cain. A permanent plaque with all winners’ names is on display in the Speedway media center. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The award is sponsored by Collene and Gary Campbell, the sister and brother-in-law of the late Mickey Thompson. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br /> </span></span></span></div>
Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-30419238580363044812018-05-25T08:28:00.000-07:002018-05-25T08:28:03.122-07:00DICK JORDAN WINS 2018 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PR<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: red;">LEGENDS BOTH:</span> Babe Ruth and Jim Chapman</strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dick Jordan, who has served the U.S.
Auto Club in public/media relations and publicity capacities for almost 50
years and a member of the National Sprint Car and Midget Halls of Fame, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Friday
was<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> announced as winner of the 2018 Jim
Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest
honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the
legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named
Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s. Chapman died in 1996 at
age 80.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The announcement and presentation were made
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection
committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is determined by a
vote of national media members, many of who knew Chapman, and is authorized by
the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are
eligible for consideration.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"Dick has been a friendly and reliably helpful presence at USAC
races for almost a half-century," said Knight. "Dick knew Mr. Chapman
and so he well understands the meaning of this high honor.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim set the ultimate standard of professionalism, class and dignity. He
knew that solid professional relationships with journalists was important in
good times and absolutely essential in bad times.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"That’s too often missing today in a communications age where an
E-mail or text message or over-reliance on social media is incorrectly
considered ‘relationship-building.’ Jim was a true ‘people person’ and knew
nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face conversation, or the sound of
another person’s voice.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award has three major purposes: 1. To honor Chapman's
unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR <em><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">practitioner</span></em>s who work to
Chapman's standard and in his spirit; 3. To provide inspiration for newer and
future PR representatives.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jordan attended races with his parents in the early 1950s and saw his
first Indy 500 in 1956. He was hired by USAC in December 1968 and has worked
for the sanctioning organization continuously since, publicizing its drivers,
series and races, developing relationships with journalists around the country,
maintaining extensive statistics, writing race reports and mentoring young
racers in how to deal effectively with the media.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Now USAC's vice president of communications, Jordan's schedule has
routinely had him at more than 100 races a year. It's believed he has witnessed
more USAC events than anyone. He has been called "USAC's greatest
champion" as defined as "someone who fights for a cause."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The permanent Jim Chapman Award, currently
displayed in the IMS media center, is cast in bronze and features a classic
photo of Jim wearing his favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the
names of all the award recipients. The text under Jim’s photo reads:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“James P. Chapman
(1916-1996). A great man who deeply cared about country and church; family and
friends. A legend in the public relations industry who set the ultimate
standard of professionalism and excellence. A superstar who superstars
like Babe Ruth wanted at their side. A pioneer in motorsports PR who
practically invented most of what is now considered routine. A true 'People
Person' who knew a mutually-respectful relationship with
journalists was important in good times and essential in bad times. A mentor
kind enough to help others achieve success. A gentleman who
understood nothing could replace the sound of the human voice, a
handshake, a face-to-face meeting, a shared meal, a hand-written note of
thanks. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“All who ever have, do, or will work in
public relations stand on Mr. Chapman's shoulders.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“The true honor of the
Jim Chapman Award is not a plaque. The true honor is having one's name forever
associated with that of the great James P. Chapman. A committee of journalists
adjudged those named here worthy of this high honor.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 1em 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Established in 1991 by
media and publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally
focused on achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was
resumed in 2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia, started as sports editor or
managing editor of several Southern newspapers before joining the <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York
Times</span></em>. He entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director
for Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soon thereafter, Chapman hired Ruth as consultant to the automaker’s
sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball. They traveled together for more
than two years for personal appearances and became close friends. Chapman was
at Ruth’s bedside when he died in August 1948 and then officially announced
Ruth’s death to the press corps that had maintained an around-the-clock vigil
at New York’s Memorial Hospital.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman
kept with him a money clip with a pockmarked silver dollar that Ruth used to
carry during games for good luck. Chapman said Ruth had used the coin for
target practice. He proudly showcased several photos of Ruth in his
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was inscribed: "To a
pal that is a pal." Chapman also displayed a framed letter, written on
Ruth's personal stationery from Memorial Hospital, dated July 13, 1948,
inviting him to the July 26 premier of the film, <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Babe Ruth Story.</span></em>
That letter read, in part, "That evening would not be complete without
your being my guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To you, Jimmy, I
say you must be with me that evening." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1950, Chapman left Ford to start his own PR firm. One of his first
clients was Avis founder Warren Avis. Chapman devoted much of his time to
financial PR, which he once called his “favorite form of PR,” and helped
companies get recognition among analysts and even gain admission to the New
York and American stock exchanges.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s first venture into motorsports was in 1951, when he joined
with NASCAR founder Bill France to promote the Motor City 250. The race was
part of Detroit’s 250<sup>th</sup> birthday celebration, a Chapman client. In
1967, Chapman entered Indy Car racing with client Ozzie Olson’s Olsonite
sponsorship of Dan Gurney’s team, which later featured Bobby Unser as driver.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim was one of the most innovative and imaginative PR men ever to grace
a pit lane,” said Gurney, who died earlier this year. “Jim practically invented
most of what is now considered routine sponsor PR work. He was the first, as far
as I know, who thought of putting up a sponsor hospitality tent alongside a
racetrack (at the old Riverside International Raceway), filling it with
extravagant race car ice-sculptures, beautiful food and beautiful people from
the business, sports and movie industries. He started an ‘open house’ tradition
in Ozzie’s hotel suite in Indianapolis, where journalists could rub shoulders
with John Wayne or (astronaut) Scott Carpenter.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman also directed Olsonite’s sponsorship of the Driver of the Year
award. He orchestrated all the details, including the media panel voting, and
an annual luncheon at New York City’s famed ‘21’ Club. That gathering was
considered so prestigious it was routinely attended by leaders of all the major
U.S. sanctioning organizations regardless of what series the Driver of the Year
competed in.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s greatest professional acclaim came from 1981-1992, as director
of CART series sponsor PPG Industries’ program. Chapman was instrumental in
raising PPG’s prize fund from $250,000 to more than $3.75 million at the time
of his retirement in February 1993. The all-female PPG Pace Car Driving Team
was another Chapman innovation, as were the PPG Editors’ Days, when he brought
business and feature writers to the tracks for lunch, pace car rides, and
driver interviews.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1982,
Chapman negotiated a landmark sponsorship for PPG with then- Indianapolis Motor
Speedway President Joe Cloutier, which formally made the Indy 500 a
points-paying event in the PPG Indy Car World Series, an arrangement that
continued through the 1995 season. “That was one of the most satisfying moments
of my career,” Chapman recalled. “Roger Penske, among others, told me it was
the best thing that had ever happened to CART.” In addition to a major contribution
to the prize fund, PPG later became sponsor of the $100,000 Indy 500 pole
award, and paid a special winner’s bonus in the early years of NASCAR’s
Brickyard 400.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In its
obituary, the <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</span></em> wrote that Chapman "served as a father
confessor to many top racing drivers." Two-time Indy 500 winner and PPG
Cup champion Al Unser Jr. said on behalf of his fellow drivers, "With Jim,
when he says ‘jump,’ we just ask ‘how high? And we do it right then.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indy Car Racing</span></em> magazine named Chapman the sport’s “most
influential” man of the 1980s, saying he turned “a public relations assignment
into an art form.” After his retirement, Chapman continued to consult PPG, and
agreed to Mario Andretti’s personal request that he serve as honorary chairman
of Andretti’s <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Arrivederci, Mario”</span></em> farewell tour in 1994.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman's
professional achievements earned him vast recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mayors of Detroit and Long Beach, Calif.,
presented him proclamations and the key to each city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1993, Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh named him
Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor. He served as president
and/or director of more than 30 Michigan and Detroit-area civic and charitable
organizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapman became active in
the civil rights movement in the 1950s and represented the Detroit Urban League
and United Negro College Fund in several controversial situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He admitted to shedding "buckets of
tears of joy" when Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver
to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">To allow
those in the media and industry not at IMS to see the permanent Chapman Award,
Knight announced it will be relocated to the new ISM Raceway media center in
Phoenix this November, and be displayed there throughout the 2019 season.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">JIM CHAPMAN AWARD HONOREES:</span></u></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1991 – Michael Knight</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1992 – Tom Blattler</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1993-94 – Deke Houlgate and Hank Ives</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1995 – Kathi Lauterbach</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1996 – Marc Spiegel</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1997 – Mike Zizzo</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1998 – Tamy Valkosky</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1999 -- Carol Wilkins</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2000-2003 – (Award not presented)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2004 – Doug Stokes</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2005 – Susan Arnold</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2006 – Kevin Kennedy</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2007 – Dave Densmore and Bob Carlson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2008 – Judy Stropus</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2009 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Award not
presented)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2010 -- Jim Hunter</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2011 -- Bill York</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2012 -- Judy Kouba Dominick and Nancy Wager</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2013 -- Anne Fornoro</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2014 -- Jon Edwards and Elon Werner</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- Linda Vaughn (honorary)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- David Ferroni</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016 -- T.E. McHale and Dan Layton</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2017 -- Andy Hall</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2018 -- Dick Jordan</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-56953322538293934032018-05-22T12:34:00.004-07:002018-05-22T12:34:43.813-07:00AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS FRIDAY<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is where you will find the full news releases on the winners of the Jim Chapman, Bob Russo, Jigger and Angelo Angelopolous Awards. These will be announced Friday, 10:15 a.m. EDT, in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you.</span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-61171369856404259012018-01-28T12:32:00.002-08:002018-01-28T12:35:01.116-08:00LOOKING DOWN THE LONG and WINDING ROAD<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUSINESS IS GOOD.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's a -- if not the -- Big Headline to come out of last weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, which I attended for the first time since 1991. <span style="font-family: "arial";">It was, as usual, the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series. Unofficially, and with all due respect to the Chili Bowl, it signals to most the real beginning of the American motorsports season.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I've been a sports car fan from my earliest days as a racing fan. The Shelby Cobras, original Ford GTs and various Jim Hall Chaparrals will always remain among my favorites. I'm not sure anything, however, will top the Porsche 962 turned-out in Lowenbrau colors as driven and fielded by my dear friend Al Holbert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This gathering of international racing elite, as appropriate, brought thoughts of Dan Gurney to all. Scott Pruett raced his last and exits as America's greatest sports car driver and a true gentleman. IMSA and Daytona played the Fernando Alonso card much as Indy did last year and it must be said Fernando was kind -- even generous -- with his time to the media.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">As has been the case with the various sanctioning organizations over the decades, though, the cars (right or wrong) took the spotlight. Although I personally find the large stability fins to ruin the look (Mazda the worst), IMSA clearly appears to be on the right track with its DPi class. It's going to be a huge story to see if the Lords of Le Mans grasp this and embrace the formula. Daytona saw the formal debut of the two Acuras as fielded by none other than Roger Penske (an original sports car-er himself), Mazda's partnership with Joest, Year 2 of Cadillac plus Nissan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">To repeat one of my strongest-held beliefs, to be successful, IMSA needs a robust Prototype class. Endurance racing without Prototypes would be like an NHRA event without nitro cars. It looks to be in a positive mode.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I found Rolex to be impressive in positioning its event sponsorship, which included strategic placement of the classic gold-face public clocks, and a very nice media reception. One disappointment was to not observe such from WeatherTech, which clearly needs a Jim Chapman.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's election as POTUS, former motorsports marketer and now McLaren boss Zak Brown offered an opinion that Trump represented a headwind for those seeking sponsorship at a major level. Given the historic rise in the U.S. stock markets, less regulation, the tax cut legislation and improved consumer confidence, I asked Brown for an updated analysis. He said he had been at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland a few days earlier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"Commercially, the world seems to be in a pretty good place," he said. "Companies are doing well. People are bullish. Everyone I talk to, I ask, 'How's business?' They go, 'Business is pretty good.' You're not seeing the layoffs like before. You can have a great, booming sport that people want to sponsor, but if the world's 2008 again . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"Everything is bullish. Companies are happy. Earnings are good. It's a good environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"The Trump stuff, some people tend to laugh it off a bit in Europe. But, in general, people see America is getting stronger and the world sees that as a good thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">"People are bullish on the world economy. It has its issues in certain parts of the world. Comparing to 2008, no matter what was going on, people weren't spending money. People are starting to spend money."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I spent 20-some minutes talking with Penske in his trackside office Friday morning. He told me his team has seen increased interest from sponsors. He said IMSA has "really stepped-up its game" with more manufacturer participation. I had not been to Daytona since the $400 million "rising" project, so Joie Chitwood III, International Speedway Corp. chief operating officer, kindly and proudly took me on a private tour. Quite Amazing. Yes, it really is the first and only motorsports stadium. The guest relations staff -- save for one punk kid and a security officer -- were the best trained and most courteous I've ever encountered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">ISC is now completing its $178 million renovation of ISM Raceway (Phoenix). My antenna picked up a signal that a sponsorship announcement for Scott Dixon's IndyCar is forthcoming. So a lot of the "smart money" (I'm afraid of jinxing it) seems bullish on the Business of Racing. At least in some series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">As one who has lived through many of these cycles, I'm thinking it would be nice to wind-down my time during good times. I don't have a specific timeframe in mind. The Rolex 24 was one step in that direction. God willing, May will be my 40th Indy 500, and that might be a good number on which to stop. I'd like to see the modernized Phoenix oval unveiled. We will see how this story unfolds because I, myself, don't know the final chapter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The 24 holds a memorable place for me. As I've noted several times before, I was on the 1990 Castrol Jaguar team, which finished 1-2 in what was then the SunBank 24. I was up for 39 hours straight as we worked Davy Jones hard with interviews after the checkered flag. It was good to see friends after a long stretch, people who come together at marque events, including a recovering Gordon Kirby (whose new book on Wally Dallenbach, <em>Steward of the Sport</em>, will be out in May), Nigel Roebuck, Andrew Marriott, David Phillips, J.J. O'Malley and Steven Cole Smith. And, of course, DPi co-winner Christian Fittipaldi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The 24 at night is a magnificent sight. The change in atmosphere in the pits and garage after the long night turns to Sunday morning is quite something. Crew fatigue sets in among those teams who had overnight problems. Adrenaline fuels those still in contention. You can see it. You can feel it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's special to me to say I was able to go to victory lane at Daytona in 1990. And, now, thanks to PR pros like Daytona's Andrew Booth and IMSA's Nate Siebens who went above and beyond to be welcoming and accommodate my limitations, it's special to say I experienced one more Rolex 24. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>P.S. --</strong> <span style="color: blue;">I Tweeted a number of news items and observations and photos from Daytona. Take a look <span style="color: red;"><strong>@SpinDoctor500</strong></span> .</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>[ <em>more soon . . .</em> ]</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong></strong></span><br />Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-66140243849973464882017-12-28T08:57:00.001-08:002017-12-28T09:04:32.140-08:002017<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There goes another one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do I make of 2017?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, the biggest laugh I had was when a Trump Administration official talked about having <i><b style="background-color: yellow;">"alternative facts"</b></i> on a certain issue. The kook-left news media, led by a fundamentally dishonest CNN, went bonkers. The Mainstream Media arrogantly think they -- and ONLY they -- are the possessors and guardians of The Truth. Let us remember the several wrong reports from the <i>New York Times, Washington Post</i>, CNN, ABC, <i>et al</i>, which required corrections or retractions -- and then were immediately forgotten as the righteous keyboarders and microphone-holders pro-actively fought on against the 45th and legally elected President of the United States of America with, they tell themselves, God and Country on their side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: red;">It says here that, as a matter of ethics, integrity and credibility, when media use Anonymous Sources as the basis for a story, and that story is proven to be untrue, that the originating media organization identify those lying and agenda-driven sources. Yes, the public has a right to know!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: yellow;">"Alternative facts?"</span> Nothing new about this! </b>As I Tweeted ( <b><span style="color: #073763;">@SpinDoctor500</span></b> ) at the time, <b>NASCAR has been feeding AF's to the media for decades!</b> And, I will cheerily admit here and now, <b>so did I </b>back when I was seeding the motorsports public relations fields. Candidly, this is nothing more than taking the hard and real facts and presenting them in a different -- <span style="color: blue;"><b>as in more favorable to the boss or client</b></span> -- way. It's an attempt to <b>Frame the Issue </b>so the folks see things your way. Misbehaving children try this with their parents every day of the week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's quite remarkable -- and sad -- what a stinking sewer CNN has become. So much so it's fallen behind the woefully misbegotten MSNBC in some audience measurements. <b>The CNN bunch are no longer journalists. They are political activists.</b> If she were honest, Erin Burnett -- whose otherwise beautiful eyes drip rage, would open every show with: <i>"Good evening. I'm Erin Burnett. I hate Donald Trump." </i>White House beatman Jim Acosta easily wins the Ass of the Year Award, routinely acting for the cameras during press briefings, rudely interrupting other speakers, and injecting negative opinions into what are supposed to be "straight" news reports. Look no further than the background of CNN CEO Jeff Zucker to understand why the network has become "the most untrusted name in news." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's an on-point example of how bias is planted in what supposedly is an "objective" report: ABC network TV news said the controversy over NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem was <i><b><span style="color: red;">"ignited"</span></b></i> -- that's the word used, <b><i><span style="color: red;">"ignited"</span></i></b> -- by President Trump. Factually wrong. It was set off by Colin Kaepernick</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, not Donald Trump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall, I think White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders does a good job, unafraid to jab back when necessary. I have to admit, though, that sometimes I wish I had her job. I know exactly what I'd do to hold the media accountable and I'd have the situation much more firmly in professional line within six months. And doing so while understanding and respecting and facilitating the media's role within our great Constitutional Republic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, what is obvious to me, and very troubling, is the sports media think the overwhelmingly negative view of the press reflected in every public opinion poll doesn't apply to them. Oh, how mistaken they are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One newspaper writer referred to NASCAR as an<i> "insular oddity."</i> I bet you can guess who was the one out-of-touch with reality on that one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, by far, the TV guy apparently watching from another planet was NBC football's Cris Collinsworth. Asked by Al Michaels to comment on the NFL-National Anthem controversy, Collinsworth said he wished President Trump would <i>"apologize"</i> to the players. If you want to see a guy existing within the bubble of his own overly-inflated ego, Collinsworth is your man!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most important U.S. Business and Politics of Sports story, though, was the Bad News Central otherwise known as ESPN. Hundreds were laid-off, thousands of households cut the cable cord, and network President John Skipper resigned suddenly, citing substance addiction. What a mess. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps the worst day in ESPN history came Monday, Sept. 25, when the network offered-up one Talking Head after another, and none of them agreed with President Trump's stance on the anthem controversy. ESPNers repeatedly outright rejected criticism of liberal bias. (One talking point was that Fox Sports was stirring this pot. Maybe. That doesn't make it not true.) I can only assume none of them bothered to watch the 6 p.m. <i>SportsCenter</i> or <i>Pardon The Interruption</i>, to cite only two examples. The Heads have become all-too predictable: Every perceived wrong somehow gets back to racism or sexism, they say. Whoever replaces Skipper will automatically become one of the top 2018 stories and two things I will be watching for are to see if he/she steers editorial content more toward the middle and allows journalists to be just that -- journalists -- not performers. Probably unlikely . . . but there's always hope?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elsewhere, too many media people -- especially in NASCAR -- increasingly became slaves to social media. Unhappily, some of those who didn't play that game as aggressively as others were caught in the latest wave of media layoffs. The writers at FoxSports.com were wiped out and even NASCAR.com downsized. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't help but think of my friend Leon Mandel, the late <i>AutoWeek</i> editor/publisher, when a current writer keyboarded about NASCAR's stage racing and playoff format: <i><b><span style="color: red;">"I'll sacrifice some integrity for entertainment."</span><span style="color: #f4cccc;"> </span></b></i>This fellow is fortunate Mandel is no longer with us, otherwise, he would have been told to hit the road. Pronto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mandel was one who did know about the Business and Politics of Racing. I had many moments this year of shaking my head at those who pretended to know what they were talking/writing about when it came to BaPoR issues. Their knowledge base was exposed to be, well, not much. The Smithfield foods sponsorship moving from Richard Petty Motorsports to Stewart-Haas Racing, and Subway terminating its deal with Joe Gibbs Racing, were good examples of this. So was all the yap about how Fernando Alonso at the Indy 500 would boost the TV ratings. It did . . . in Spain. IndyCar sponsors don't care about TV ratings in Spain. They care the USA numbers were down -- again. Others claimed Alonso-at-Indy was the biggest story in racing. No, it wasn't. Liberty Media taking ownership of Formula One and ousting Bernie Ecclestone was No. 1, by miles. Alonso made for good copy but the F1 goings-on translated to billions of dollars across the industry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gimmicks increasingly became part of "news" coverage. The most disgraceful was NBC using its announcers -- mainly The Buffoon, who also cost Gibbs that sponsorship -- to rev-up grandstand fans by interviewing NASCAR winners at the start/finish line. The same questions were then again asked in victory lane. And again on the post-race show. Enough. Here's an idea: How about NBC hiring a <b>real</b> journalist and allowing that person to work as a <b>real</b> journalist, not a performer, on the race telecasts? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Racing PR continued its downward slide. (One more congrats, though, to ESPN's Andy Hall for winning the Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.) Count me among those disenchanted with how the Dale Earnhardt Jr. farewell was handled. To show how basic common sense is too often in the museum alongside a '57 Chevy, consider the PRers who don't even think to offer a seat to a journalist forced to use a cane and wear a back brace, as he interviews her/his driver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The human element has all-but disappeared, and as I've said before, part of the blame belongs to the ill-conceived NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications structure. Talk about setting a bad example.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Tweet or Text is now considered sufficient to establish a professional PRer-journalist "relationship." Texting reminds me of how Voice Mail was used in its early days. If someone really didn't want to speak to someone else, but had to provide a reply, the VM would intentionally be left during the lunch hour or after 5 p.m. when the other party likely wasn't at his/her desk. That's how it is with texting: Use that, instead of a phone call, if you really don't want to speak to the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NASCAR gave us the dumbest word ever to enter racing lingo: <b><i style="background-color: white;">"<u>Encu</u></i></b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white;"><u>mbered.</u>" </i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One more thing: There are countless person-to-person acts of kindness within every racing series. I know that from first-hand experience. But it's crap when the TV Heads say, now as a cliche, how those in any garage area are a <i>"family."</i> I tell you that also from first-hand experience. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a hard and bitter truth when you empty your heart on behalf of another and, well . . . Response sent, of course, via Text. There is no humanity in a Text.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll end with this: Thank you for those who have offered encouragement this year as I worked through health and personal challenges. As I've said to all, I'm not seeking sympathy, because millions have it worse than I. I would like to think I'll post more frequently here in 2018, but I can't make specific promises. After missing NASCAR-at-Phoenix last November, plans are in the works for me to resume writing for the <i>Arizona Republic</i>. I have, however, discontinued my CompetitionPlus.com column.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I likely will have more to say about my future plans in the upcoming weeks. The first to know will be readers of this blog. Again and again and again, I say to you a most sincere <b>Thank You.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>[<i> more soon . . .</i> ]</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-63141429648787772172017-07-10T10:22:00.000-07:002017-07-10T10:22:13.398-07:00THE 11th ANNIVERSARY BLOG<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7ieD-qbFQbYmi3LuWc6vszDflsn03VCoyDyacjSQ57C3KjMPeese_KwP13HvUia_KyEtS1B0UCkN1yLrhfL8IuWKrRLl1X1RObtrrRQzLcBzKi2kg1EJ7V5NTpiqPJekiO2k/s1600/mkjca17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7ieD-qbFQbYmi3LuWc6vszDflsn03VCoyDyacjSQ57C3KjMPeese_KwP13HvUia_KyEtS1B0UCkN1yLrhfL8IuWKrRLl1X1RObtrrRQzLcBzKi2kg1EJ7V5NTpiqPJekiO2k/s640/mkjca17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;">AT THE MIKE:</span> Making introductory remarks before presenting 2017 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations to ESPN's Andy Hall in IMS Media Center last May.</b><i> (Photo: Dan R. Boyd).</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I certainly wasn't smart enough to have fully imagined the extent of the communications revolution on its way when this blog debuted 11 years ago today, July 10, 2006. The whole thing has been<i> "The Great Adventure" </i>I described, in ways good and bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At least, back then, facts were generally accepted as just that -- FACTS -- and while it was fair to disagree with a story, nobody was calling it "FAKE news." In IndyCar and Champ Car, which had not yet reunified, the specialist media writers had taken sides and mostly wrote what was good about "their" series or blasting the other with negatives. Nobody was truly happy with this approach to "journalism" -- most especially, the few non-partisan reader fans still around. Reminds me of the way CNN "reports" on President Trump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for there being such a thing as an alternative set of facts, well, NASCAR has been doing that for decades!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seriously, a Big Problem is the elimination of layers of editors and fact-checkers, combined with too many front-line biased reporters feeling pressure they must have the news first, has led to more-and-more mistakes. With strong opinion having all-but overtaken solid factual reporting as the media's Coin of the Realm, it's understandable so many news consumers have trouble making out the difference between the two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps the most shocking new media business reality these days is the sanctioning bodies outright paying for coverage. That, for the unknowing, is what NASCAR.com is and it certainly isn't alone. Since, in the wake of FoxSports.com firing its writers and editors and turning the site into a promotional video catalog to promote its on-air personalities (in an unrelated move, Fox Sports President Jamie Horowitz was himself fired soon thereafter, leaving the whole division a smoldering mess), it has been implied to me that change is coming to NASCAR.com, I'd like to see the Charlotte and Daytona Beach Powers-That-Be take a page from MLB.com, which is the gold standard location for baseball news. Credit goes to the generally unloved former commissioner, Bud Selig, who enjoyed reading the baseball writers on a daily basis and considered it free promotion for his sport. Here's a praise-worthy disclaimer routinely found at the end of MLB.com articles, which are penned with editorial independence, and I'd like a NASCAR version of this applied to that sanction's site. Although, no doubt, it would be a tough sell with Brian France:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">"This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs." </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262525; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">Every public opinion survey I've seen rates trust and confidence in the media very low. The narrow motorsports media, as well as the sports media community at-large, seriously err when they think this doesn't apply to them. I was in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center for 10 days leading up to what was my 39th Indy 500, and I can say some of the nonsense that went on there was unacceptable. Well, I guess acceptable given what sadly are apparently the new standards, but I can also say it wasn't that many years ago when the attitude and antics of the self-anointed Media Biggies would have been more than unacceptable. It simply would not have been tolerated. The qualifications to be issued an I500 press pass would have been adjudged to be absent. <b>Journalists</b> have given way to Big Ego <b>Personalities</b> . . . </span><span style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><i>Sigh</i></span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; line-height: normal;">, I fear it will only get worse . . . </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #262525; font-style: italic; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most damaging negative to the whole social media whirlwind was spot-on explained by <i>San Jose Mercury-News</i> columnist Mark Purdy, in writing why he is about to leave the profession. This is straight from that column:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"I won’t lie. The changes in my profession, given the advent of 24/7 online journalism, have also been a challenge to manage. It’s become pretty weird out there. There seems to be a diminishing demand for step-back perspective and primarily an appetite for whatever has been hot in the past five minutes or what might be hot in the next five minutes — with all of it downloaded instantly onto mobile apps.<br /><br />"Nothing wrong with that. But it’s been an adjustment and I’m not sure for the better. A good example was my recent strange experience after a Warriors’ playoff victory.<br /><br />"During a televised post-game news conference, I engaged in a back-and-forth with Draymond Green that I regarded as a productive professional exchange. I asked Green how he was keeping his temper under control against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Green somehow took the question as an insult. and chastised me. I responded by politely pressing him for an answer. Green finally offered a sincere one with insight. It allowed me to write a better column. That has happened to me and other writers many, many times over the years with various players in various sports.<br /><br />"The difference was, because this is 2017, the exchange with Green was broadcast live and subsequently shared online in a video clip, accompanied by blog posts or Twitter memes about Green 'getting into it with a reporter.' The clip suddenly became the story. It drew more internet traffic than my eventual piece about how Green was not allowing any tantrums to sidetrack the Warriors’ championship path as had occurred a year earlier. In other words, the process of reporting to help form a perspective . . . had actually superseded the perspective itself."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>In other words, too many people cared more about the heat than the light. And that's more than sad. It's a very poor reflection of where we are as a culture and as a society. This worries me more than I can convey in this spec of cyberspace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this 11th anniversary, and with great appreciation and thanks to those who have used their valuable time over these years to read what is posted here, a few words of explanation are owed to you: Personal and health issues have led to higher priorities for me and, thus, fewer blogs. And, especially with so much content already available, I simply refuse to write when I don't have something of substance to say and can't put what I consider to be the imperative of a full and proper effort into presenting that information to you. Going forward, I will provide new offerings here as I can, using the above as my guide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This isn't to say I'm not still following the industry closely. So, here are a few quick observations:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* NHRA </b>and it's TV boss, Ken Adelson, owe an apology for opening last Sunday's Route 66 Nationals with this: <b style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now."</span> </b>Using a religious icon to hype your race is nothing less than<b> outrageous. </b>Count me among the offended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* It's a Gimmicks' World.</b> Often, stupid gimmicks. Like NBC interviewing the NASCAR winner once on the track, second in victory lane, third on its post-race show set. Ridiculous and accomplishes nothing other than feeding an ego or two. The same questions are asked and nothing new is learned. And then there's Larry Mac: <i>"America's Crew Chief."</i> Oh, <i>please . . . </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* Political Correctness</b> has taken over the broadcast booth. They can't even be honest enough to say track action has been delayed by rain. No, the delay is because of <i><span style="color: #134f5c;">"weather."</span></i> Note to the microphone holders: Bright sunshine and 80 degrees is ALSO weather! And when a driver makes a mistake, it's just that -- a MISTAKE -- not a<i><span style="color: #444444;"> "tough break."</span></i> A legitimate tough break is when someone spins right in front of another driver and the second one has no time or space to avoid a crash.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* How important are sponsors?</b> NBCSN waited all of <span style="color: purple;">FOUR MINUTES</span> on its Iowa Speedway IndyCar qualifying show before a puff interview with the head of the race sponsor corn growers association. The producer gave real news the backseat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* This is so obvious</b> and yet it continues: People with ZERO media experience, usually marketing or sales executives, being placed in overall charge and supervision of PR/media relations departments. The fact these people don't know anything about PR and media is apparent by the frequent lack-of-successful results from the staff they hire or retain. One such series exec, who has never thanked me for my extensive and high-profile coverage, hassled me not long ago about something I was doing but which he knew nothing about -- something that was fully approved by his boss, who actually wrote me a thank you note for what I did. Still waiting for an apology . . . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>* With corporate pressure</b> for maximum Return on Investment, it's incredible the lack of attention sponsor managers pay to how they are being represented with the media. Too often, very poorly. The days of the great sponsor managers I worked with -- Jim Melvin, Ron Winter, Barry Bronson, Mike Hargrave -- seem to be gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That said, and in conclusion, the overall state of PR/media relations continues to decline. For every bright spot that comes along, like Amy Walsh at Hendrick Motorsports, there seems to be multiple setbacks. I was especially distressed to hear this regarding departure interviews with Dale Earnhardt Jr., that requests<i style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b> "</b></span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: yellow; color: #b45f06; font-style: italic;">even</b><b style="background-color: yellow; font-style: italic;"> </b><b style="background-color: yellow;">(from)</b><b style="background-color: yellow; font-style: italic;"> </b><b style="background-color: yellow; color: #b45f06; font-style: italic;">all of the media members who regularly cover our sport and with whom we have great relationships"</b><span style="background-color: white;"> won't be honored.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">That's exactly how you turn friends into, well, something else. Junior won't be the loser here. <b>The NASCAR Industry will be the loser.</b> And I say that as the person who ran PR for the Mario Andretti, Arie Luyendyk and Joe Amato retirements and (Nigel) Mansell Mania. I have the hands-on experience to know of what I write.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you for reading this and what else I've offered here the last 11 years. As for the future, as many of us believe, it's God Willing . . . </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-30683343983033638282017-05-26T11:33:00.000-07:002017-05-26T11:33:19.434-07:00ANDY HALL WINS 2017 JIM CHAPMAN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MOTORSPORTS PR<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Andy Hall, a veteran publicist who has worked for NASCAR
and IndyCar and currently ESPN, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Friday was<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> announced as winner of the 2017 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in
motorsports public relations.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award is considered by many in
the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in
memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with
Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s.
Chapman died in 1996 at age 80.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The announcement and presentation were
made at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Michael Knight, chairman of the
selection committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is
determined by a vote of national media members, most of who knew Chapman, and
is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of
motorsports are eligible for consideration.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The respect Andy has earned with
journalists covering many different racing series over many years makes him a
very deserving recipient of an award named for Mr. Chapman," said Knight.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim set the ultimate standard of
professionalism, class and dignity. He knew that solid professional
relationships with journalists was important in good times and absolutely
essential in bad times.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"That’s too often missing today in a
communications age where an E-mail or text message or over-reliance on social
media is incorrectly considered ‘relationship-building.’ Jim was a true ‘people
person’ and knew nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face
conversation, or the sound of another person’s voice.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Chapman Award has three major
purposes: 1. To honor Chapman's unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">practitioner</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">s who work to Chapman's standard and in his spirit;
3. To provide inspiration for newer and future PR representatives.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Hall, a graduate of James Madison
University, joined ESPN’s communications department in September 2006, just
prior to the network’s return to live NASCAR race coverage that ran from
2007-2014. He was part of a team that received several prestigious
communications industry awards for the network’s NASCAR launch campaign. In
addition to NASCAR, Hall also has worked on PR for ESPN and ABC’s IndyCar series
coverage, which continues today, and its current IHRA and former NHRA drag
racing coverage.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">After two years as a newspaper
sportswriter in Virginia, Hall began his motorsports PR career in 1982 as a
NASCAR PR assistant, first on the then-entitled Busch Series and national short
track program. He was named director in 1994. In 1998, he joined the Indy
Racing League, focusing on marketing and administration. He returned to PR in
late 2000 and spent part of five seasons as head of communications for the
former American Le Mans Series. From 2005 until he joined ESPN, he did contract
PR work for clients including ESPN, BASS and Dodge. In addition to his work
with ESPN’s motorsports coverage, Hall also works with <i>SportsCenter, Outside
the Lines, E:60</i> and ESPN news platforms and handles PR for the network’s
golf coverage. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The permanent Jim Chapman Award, currently
displayed in the IMS media center, features a classic photo of Jim wearing his
favorite navy blue double-breasted blazer and the names of all the award
recipients. The text under Jim’s photo reads:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“James P. Chapman (1916-1996). A great man
who deeply cared about country and church; family and friends. A legend in the
public relations industry who set the ultimate standard of professionalism and
excellence. A superstar who superstars like Babe Ruth wanted at their
side. A pioneer in motorsports PR who practically invented most of what is now
considered routine. A true 'People Person' who
knew a mutually-respectful relationship with journalists was
important in good times and essential in bad times. A mentor kind enough to
help others achieve success. A gentleman who understood nothing could
replace the sound of the human voice, a handshake, a face-to-face meeting, a
shared meal, a hand-written note of thanks. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“All who ever have, do, or will work in
public relations stand on Mr. Chapman's shoulders.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“The true honor of the Jim Chapman Award
is not a plaque. The true honor is having one's name forever associated with
that of the great James P. Chapman. A committee of journalists adjudged those
named here worthy of this high honor.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Established in 1991 by media and
publicists within the CART series, the Chapman Award originally focused on
achievement in CART. After a hiatus of several years, the award was resumed in
2004, with eligibility expanded to anyone working in racing PR.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman, who was born in Macon, Georgia,
started as sports editor or managing editor of several Southern newspapers
before joining the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i>. He
entered the PR business in 1946, as regional PR director for Ford Motor Co. in
Detroit.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soon thereafter, Chapman hired Ruth as
consultant to the automaker’s sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball.
They traveled together for more than two years for personal appearances and
became close friends. Chapman was at Ruth’s bedside when he died in August 1948
and then officially announced Ruth’s death to the press corps that had
maintained an around-the-clock vigil at New York’s Memorial Hospital.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman
kept with him a money clip with a pockmarked silver dollar that Ruth used to
carry during games for good luck. Chapman said Ruth had used the coin for
target practice. He proudly showcased several photos of Ruth in his office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was inscribed: "To a pal that is a
pal." Chapman also displayed a framed letter, written on Ruth's personal
stationery from Memorial Hospital, dated July 13, 1948, inviting him to the
July 26 premier of the film, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Babe
Ruth Story.</i> That letter read, in part, "That evening would not be
complete without your being my guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
you, Jimmy, I say you must be with me that evening." </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1950, Chapman left Ford to start his
own PR firm. One of his first clients was Avis founder Warren Avis. Chapman
devoted much of his time to financial PR, which he once called his “favorite
form of PR,” and helped companies get recognition among analysts and even gain
admission to the New York and American stock exchanges.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s first venture into motorsports
was in 1951, when he joined with NASCAR founder Bill France to promote the
Motor City 250. The race was part of Detroit’s 250<sup>th</sup> birthday
celebration, a Chapman client. In 1967, Chapman entered Indy Car racing with
client Ozzie Olson’s Olsonite sponsorship of Dan Gurney’s team, which later
featured Bobby Unser as driver.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jim was one of the most innovative and
imaginative PR men ever to grace a pit lane,” said Gurney. “Jim practically
invented most of what is now considered routine sponsor PR work. He was the
first, as far as I know, who thought of putting up a sponsor hospitality tent
alongside a racetrack (at the old Riverside International Raceway), filling it
with extravagant race car ice-sculptures, beautiful food and beautiful people
from the business, sports and movie industries. He started an ‘open house’
tradition in Ozzie’s hotel suite in Indianapolis, where journalists could rub
shoulders with John Wayne or (astronaut) Scott Carpenter.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman also directed Olsonite’s
sponsorship of the Driver of the Year award. He orchestrated all the details,
including the media panel voting, and an annual luncheon at New York City’s
famed ‘21’ Club. That gathering was considered so prestigious it was routinely
attended by leaders of all the major U.S. sanctioning organizations regardless
of what series the Driver of the Year competed in.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman’s greatest professional acclaim
came from 1981-1992, as director of CART series sponsor PPG Industries’
program. Chapman was instrumental in raising PPG’s prize fund from $250,000 to
more than $3.75 million at the time of his retirement in February 1993. The
all-female PPG Pace Car Driving Team was another Chapman innovation, as were
the PPG Editors’ Days, when he brought business and feature writers to the
tracks for lunch, pace car rides, and driver interviews.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in 13.5in 14.0in 14.5in 15.0in 15.5in 16.0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In 1982,
Chapman negotiated a landmark sponsorship for PPG with then- Indianapolis Motor
Speedway President Joe Cloutier, which formally made the Indy 500 a
points-paying event in the PPG Indy Car World Series, an arrangement that
continued through the 1995 season. “That was one of the most satisfying moments
of my career,” Chapman recalled. “Roger Penske, among others, told me it was
the best thing that had ever happened to CART.” In addition to a major
contribution to the prize fund, PPG later became sponsor of the $100,000 Indy
500 pole award, and paid a special winner’s bonus in the early years of
NASCAR’s Brickyard 400.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In its
obituary, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i> wrote
that Chapman "served as a father confessor to many top racing
drivers." Two-time Indy 500 winner and PPG Cup champion Al Unser Jr. said
on behalf of his fellow drivers, "With Jim, when he says ‘jump,’ we just
ask ‘how high? And we do it right then.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indy
Car Racing</i> magazine named Chapman the sport’s “most influential” man of the
1980s, saying he turned “a public relations assignment into an art form.” After
his retirement, Chapman continued to consult PPG, and agreed to Mario
Andretti’s personal request that he serve as honorary chairman of Andretti’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Arrivederci, Mario”</i> farewell tour in
1994.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Chapman's
professional achievements earned him vast recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mayors of Detroit and Long Beach, Calif.,
presented him proclamations and the key to each city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1993, Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh named him
Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor. He served as president
and/or director of more than 30 Michigan and Detroit-area civic and charitable
organizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapman became active in
the civil rights movement in the 1950s and represented the Detroit Urban League
and United Negro College Fund in several controversial situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He admitted to shedding "buckets of
tears of joy" when Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver
to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">JIM CHAPMAN AWARD HONOREES:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1991 – Michael Knight</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1992 – Tom Blattler</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1993-94 – Deke Houlgate and Hank
Ives</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1995 – Kathi Lauterbach</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1996 – Marc Spiegel</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1997 – Mike Zizzo</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1998 – Tamy Valkosky</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1999 -- Carol Wilkins</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2000-2003 – (Award not presented)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2004 – Doug Stokes</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2005 – Susan Arnold</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2006 – Kevin Kennedy</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2007 – Dave Densmore and Bob
Carlson</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2008 – Judy Stropus</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2009 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Award not presented)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2010 -- Jim Hunter</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2011 -- Bill York</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2012 -- Judy Kouba Dominick and
Nancy Wager</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2013 -- Anne Fornoro</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2014 -- Jon Edwards and Elon
Werner</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- Linda Vaughn (honorary)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2015 -- David Ferroni</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016 -- T.E. McHale and Dan
Layton</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2017 -- Andy Hall</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-90643274031081416882017-05-26T11:26:00.000-07:002017-05-26T11:26:26.656-07:00HOLLY CAIN WINS BOB RUSSO AWARD FOR DEDICATION TO RACING<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Holly Cain, who has been a respected motorsports journalist for
more than 25 years and shown courage and provided inspiration in the face of
personal adversity, Friday was honored with the Bob Russo Founders Award for
dedication to auto racing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Cain currently writes
for NASCAR.com .<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The award was presented
to Cain by Russo Award Chairman Bill Marvel, Russo's longtime friend and 2011
honoree, in a ceremony in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's media center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Russo, the much-admired
and honored motorsports<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>journalist/publicist/historian, founded the American Auto Racing Writers
and Broadcasters Association in 1955. Russo helped racing gain early national
media attention in the 1950s via his stories in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speed Age</i> magazine. He consulted IMS owner Tony Hulman on the
future direction of the sport when AAA stopped sanctioning races, which led to
the formation of the U.S. Auto Club. Among Russo's successes in public
relations were the legendary Mobil Economy Run and with NHRA and Riverside
International Raceway. Russo was the Miller Brewing Co.'s media representative
for its primary sponsorship of Danny Sullivan when he won the 1985 Indy 500.
His historical research and archives benefitted the sport overall, including
the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He died in 1999 and age 71.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Russo Award, as
stated on the plaque, is presented "to an individual who has demonstrated
profound interest, tireless efforts and undying dedication to auto racing as
exemplified by Russo throughout his lifelong career.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Cain's career includes
award-winning tenures at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tampa
Tribune, Seattle Post-Intelligencer</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas
Morning News</i>. She also wrote for AOL Fanhouse and FoxSports.com and
authored the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rusty's Last Call</i>,
on driver Rusty Wallace's last NASCAR season. She has been a NASCAR.com senior
writer since 2012.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Cain has earned
numerous journalism honors, including awards from the Associated Press Sports
Editors and Society of Professional Journalists. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Cain was diagnosed with
breast cancer in July 2014 and has written candidly about her experiences
battling the disease. She also speaks to public groups and helps in cancer
research fundraising activities. Despite her illness, Cain has continued with
insightful motorsports coverage, and in 2015 won the NMPA's Spirit Award in
recognition of her positive attitude and achievement in the face of adversity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Cain is the first
female to win the Russo Award on an individual basis.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Previous Russo Award
winners include: 2005 – Michael Knight; 2006 – Wally Parks; 2007 – Chris
Economaki; 2008 – Bob Jenkins; 2009 – Shav Glick; 2010 -- Bill York; 2011 --
Bill Marvel; 2012 -- Paul Page; 2013 -- The Hulman-George and France Families;
2014 -- Donald Davidson; 2015 -- Dick Jordan; 2016 -- Dan Luginbuhl. A
permanent plaque with all winners’ names is on display in the Speedway media
center. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The award is sponsored
by Collene and Gary Campbell, the sister and brother-in-law of the late Mickey
Thompson. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="aolmailmsonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-85001738324684628722017-05-25T07:09:00.004-07:002017-05-25T07:09:39.879-07:00LINDA VAUGHN STATEMENT ON HER HEALTH & MISSING INDY 500<strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;">STATEMENT FROM LINDA VAUGHN, MISS HURST GOLDEN SHIFTER, ON MISSING INDIANAPOLIS 500 FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER A HALF-CENTURY DUE TO ILLNESS:</span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong>"I am so sorry to tell my racing family and wonderful fans that, due to illness, I will not be at Sunday's Indy 500. This is the first time I will miss the race in 55 years. I have so many great memories of the Speedway, especially the Hurst Oldsmobile pace car programs I did with James Garner, and it saddens me not to be there for more memories. Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with me, especially my best friend Nancy George, who came to California to be with me in the hospital. I will miss you all. May the Racing Angels be the wind beneath your wings. God Speed."</span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-85791935824419917152017-05-21T17:23:00.001-07:002017-05-21T17:23:23.316-07:00ALONSO ALLURE ISN'T MANSELL MANIA<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank God someone told the truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday evening, while driving from the Indianapolis International Airport (which offers no baggage assistance on weekends!) I heard Donald Davidson on a local radio station. He was asked if Fernando Alonso's participation in the 101st Indy 500 <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was as big</span> as Nigel Mansell's arrival in 1993.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Davidson, the highly respected and unchallenged expert on all-things Indy history, complimented Alonso but correctly said Mansell Mania drew a lot more attention and was bigger for the I500 spectacle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Let me be clear: I consider myself something of an Alonso fan, especially because of his charging starts in a subpar Ferrari, and I greatly respect the methodical and disciplined approach he's taken to the Brickyard. (Second and third qualifying laps were faster than his first.) And . . . Full Disclosure: I was Newman/Haas Racing's PR rep and worked with Mansell in 1993 and 1994.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ever since IndyCar announced Alonso's McLaren-Honda-Andretti entry, the attempt to peg the hype-factor gauge by cheerleading has not been the media's finest moment. Yes, Alonso's presence is great for the event. I'm glad he's here for what will be my 39th Indy 500. I hope he has a great race. In fact, I hope he wins, as I'll explain below. But the near-constant yap on prominent motorsports websites, by supposedly knowledgeable "expert" reporters (loved on the fan sites), and on apps and various publications and certainly in the 317 area code <span class="st"><span style="color: black;">Hallelujah Media Chorus, is simply flat-out nonsense.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here are some things you haven't been told:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>Alonso's participation works perfectly for IndyCar CEO Mark Miles' years-long desire for higher-paying international races. Why do you think he blew the horn so loudly about Alonso and promptly went to Europe for a round of media interviews? To promote the international race agenda -- even though virtually all of his team owners (few as they are) continue to say they are opposed, that their sponsors want U.S. market races, not overseas.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">All the stars aligned for Alonso to do Indy. That's not a criticism. It's a statement of fact. If Ron Dennis still ran McLaren, if McLaren had a major Formula One sponsor (which it hasn't since Vodafone ended its deal a few years ago), if the Honda F1 engine wasn't such an unreliable boat anchor, if Honda didn't have a competitive IndyCar engine and a willing partner entrant in Michael Andretti, if new McLaren boss Zak Brown wasn't American sports marketing tuned-in and looking to keep superstar Alonso happy, if all of those things didn't happen at the same time, there is no way Alonso would have been allowed to skip Monaco,</span> <span style="color: blue;">Grand Prix's greatest sponsor hospitality showcase, to turn left at IMS.</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And here are a few other reasons why Alonso Allure Isn't Mansell Mania:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>1.</strong> Mansell came to Indy as the reigning world champion. Not his fault, but Alonso isn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>2.</strong> Mansell came to Indy has, arguably, the most popular driver in the world. "The People's Champion" is how <em>AutoWeek </em>headlined him. Alonso is popular, but, not the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>3.</strong> Mansell, due to back surgery, didn't have the benefit of a private pre-May test, or the rookie orientation program, or -- <span style="background-color: yellow;">and note this since others appear not to remember</span> -- <strong><span style="color: red;">simulators</span></strong>. If you don't think that's important, you don't know modern racing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>4.</strong> Mansell was committed to the full PPG Indy Car World Series schedule. Alonso is a one-off. And this is why I hope he wins -- so leadership will hear it from the rest of their race promoters, who won't have the Indy 500 winner to help sell tickets and do local media interviews. In a lot of ways a lot of people aren't thinking about, an Alonso win would serve IndyCar right. And not for the "right" reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>5.</strong> IMS had to knock down a wall in its old media center to make room for the international journalists. No need in today's media center, built to spec for Bernie Ecclestone some years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>6.</strong> Andretti Autosport didn't have to issue special and very limited "restricted access" media passes. We did at Newman/Haas, so major media photographers could get the Mansell images they needed and their bosses demanded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">More reasons? Sure. But I hope, most respectfully, you get my point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Go Fernando! But this ain't Mansell Mania. No way. Not even close.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>[ <em>more coming this week. Announcement of the 2017 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations coming here this Friday afternoon</em>. ]</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-77410347535368012222017-03-26T17:02:00.002-07:002017-03-26T17:17:14.819-07:00OF F1's UGLY WINGS AND NASCAR's WESTERN SWING<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The "new era" of Formula One opened at the Down Under Grand Prix while NASCAR's "Western Swing" ended with the Fontana 400 and I have a few comments on both.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, F1:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Australia officially began the post-Bernie Ecclestone chapter of the GP Sport/Big Business. Liberty Media's purchase of the commercial rights was finalized some months ago and now it's all on that entity to re-energize F1's worldwide appeal after recent seasons of declining television audience. I would love to see this happen, as I became a race fan because of Jimmy Clark and Colin Chapman and Lotus, and the unmatched spectacle Grand Prix racing has been for decades at exotic locations like Monaco and classic circuits like Spa and Monza.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, to be honest, I'm in full Wait-And-See Mode.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars no-doubt spent to create and develop the latest quicker cars, their appearance leaves me shaking my head and saying again: F1 still doesn't get it. Those horrid front wings have more elements than the table I had to memorize in my high school chemistry class. The aero shark fins and stabilizing boards and ridiculous T wings atop or aft of the engine covers may well help the cars turn, but to the public, they are a turn-off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm all in favor of wider tires and tons of horsepower, but the cars look horrible, and the series' Technical Working Group and FIA can't act fast enough to knock some sense into the designers so there's a full field of sexy-looking machines. And I think it's fair to be alarmed at the comments from many drivers that this new aero package creates so much dirty air the trailing driver stalls-out and makes overtaking that much more difficult.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sound familiar?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These regulations, to be fair, were in the works before Liberty. But that doesn't mean, as one of its first bold actions, new ownership shouldn't insist on something better. Much, MUCH better. The Liberty execs can talk all they want about more social media engagement and a bunch of week-long Super Bowl-like events in America -- good luck with that -- but that's all meaningless unless people like what they see. I don't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, Liberty did have one piece of good news. VERY good news. Because, anytime Ferrari wins, which Sebastian Vettel did over the Mercedes of world champion Lewis Hamilton, the unrivaled passion that unleashes and the headlines it generates are GOOD for F1.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for NASCAR, let me pose this question to the Powers-That-Be in Daytona Beach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Imagine, for a moment, if someone came along and re-opened the oval adjacent to Disney World and got a Cup date. Then imagine if three consecutive races were scheduled in Daytona, Orlando and Homestead-Miami. Does that sound like a ticket-selling winner?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And neither is this Las Vegas-Phoenix-California stretch. For all the happy yap about fans being able to see a three-pack of racing, cold and hard reality says there are not that many who have the time or money to do so. Most people have to make a choice, and common sense says Vegas is going to cash-in more often than not. Why force fans in the same general geographic region to make such a choice? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I know, having been employed by one racing series, and paid to represent another, I understand how difficult scheduling can be. But, surely, the Western Swing as currently done isn't doing anything to boost stock car racing's popularity. There's not a single media person from one of those markets covering all three events, as I'm sure, NASCAR had once hoped. The number of retirees in their RVs making that tour cannot possibly be enough to make a meaningful difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Vegas getting its long-sought second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series date next year, it's time to again re-shuffle the schedule, into something that makes more early-season economic sense for those with thousands of grandstand seats to fill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But this should be obvious: NASCAR needs to showcase very early in the season the kind of multi-groove racing we saw last weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Fontana needs to go sooner, not later, on a revised schedule.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>P.S. --</b> In case you missed it, I think it's worth repeating the lead on my <i>Arizona Republic</i> story of a week ago, after Phoenix.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Before the NASCAR season started, who did seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson expect to be a week-in-week-out contender for wins and a Cup title?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">“Kyle Larson,” Johnson told azcentral sports during a Valley visit just before the Daytona 500. “Now that he’s got a taste of winning, I think he’ll be tough.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-2559293108798941742017-01-29T12:24:00.005-08:002017-01-29T12:44:09.612-08:00THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS IN THE BIZ OF RACING<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">History will record January 22-29, 2017 as one of the most important weeks in the Business of Racing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consider:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Liberty Media</b> concluded its (reported) $8 billion acquisition of Formula One. The first order of business? Relieve Bernie Ecclestone of his iron-fisted control of the sport's commercial activities. Only the Bill Frances, Sr. and Jr., stand on the same podium with Ecclestone for their one-man decades-long control of a series and building it to unthinkable riches and prestige.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For now, new CEO Chase Carey is best known for his prominent mustache, as Ecclestone was for his slight stature. I rolled my eyes at Carey's pronouncement that more U.S. street venues, such as New York City, Los Angeles or Las Vegas, are a priority and should be week-long Super Bowls for F1.<i> <span style="color: #666666;">Really?</span></i> A review of the long and unsuccessful (Long Beach being the one exception and gold standard) history of such ventures -- IndyCar's Boston fiasco last year being the most recent example and <i><span style="color: #666666;">Whatever Happened to the Northern New Jersey deal?</span></i> -- suggests otherwise. Unless Liberty Media is willing to dig very deep into its own pockets. Or find more tax revenue-hungry politician dupes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>NASCAR</b>, now controlled by Brian France, announced its new "segments" race format. It's the sanction's latest attempt to improve the entertainment value of its racing and regain lost popularity. At least as measured by TV and at-track audience. Most significant was what was said to be the unprecedented collaboration with drivers, teams, OEMs, track operators and the <span style="color: #274e13;">$$$</span> Fox and NBC TV partners. A stark contrast to France Sr. and Jr.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NASCAR's new buzzword is </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"enhancements."</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As in the segments racing rules being competition</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> "enchancements."</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I won't be using that in my stories as it sounds too much like something having to do with ED medications. An unfortunate choice of words by NASCAR IMC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of this happened at the annual Charlotte Motor Speedway media tour, no longer including a visit to CMS or anything specifically regarding CMS and no longer a "tour." To save money, drivers were brought to one location, instead if busing media to the various race team shops. And it was drivers only. No team owners. No crew chiefs. This in the days immediately after the "segments" announcement and driver-after-driver telling reporters it will be interesting to see what decisions crew chiefs make to try to gain those points. Not making crew chiefs available created a massive media void. Sure didn't make sense to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Various team sponsor</b> announcemements were made. Nice, but no blockbusters. The BIG sponsor-related news was Nature's Bakery apparent backing-away from its primary deal for Danica Patrick's Stewart-Haas Racing (now) Ford. Danica without strong corporate funding? <i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;">My, how things have changed.</span></i> What domino's could this trigger? SHR's four-car lineup (including a not fully-funded No. 14 with Clint Bowyer in for Tony Stewart) couldn't exist without mega-rich Gene Haas, who can fill the funding shortfalls with Haas Automation. But for how long? Is it possible lack of NASCAR sponsorship could lead Patrick elsewhere, even back to IndyCar? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Oh, in case</b> you didn't pick up on this, NASCAR has officially retired the "Chase." Now it's the "playoffs." The reason for this change is so obvious it makes you wonder why it wasn't done years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Carl Edwards</b> to run for the U.S. Senate from Missouri? Hey, it makes as much sense as anything else I've read to try to explain his out-of-left-field decision to stop racing. And we thought it would be Jeff Burton who would become a senator. If it happens, I'd like to think Edwards could help <i><span style="color: #666666;">speed up</span></i> action in the slow-moving upper legislative chamber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>IMSA</b> opened its new DPi era with the traditional Rolex 24 at Daytona. I'll congratulate the sanction on an excellent race with three exciting class finishes. The controversial non-call by Beaux Barfield gave IMSA the best outcome for its short-term national profile as it helped put Jeff Gordon into victory lane with the emotional Taylor family and Max Angelelli in his retirement drive in one of the new Cadillac DPi entries. That was the best story for mainstream media who often only care about IMSA for this one day a year and also the specialist racing media and, for sure, NASCAR fans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I've said before, sports car racing must feature a robust Prototype class to be successful. Sorry, but I don't see the DPis, featuring a great sponsor ID billboard but untraditional and eyeball-unpleasing stability fins, satisfying that imperative. At least not right now. I continue to be disappointed overall in what IMSA, as the authority for the combined ALMS/Grand-Am series, has accomplished since the merger. I should say what IMSA -- and I'm talking Jim France, Ed Bennett </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and Scott Atherton -- have NOT accomplished. Yes, I know, it's not easy. Let's be clear and honest: No matter the hype you hear from various entities (including the participating OEMs), sports car racing (which I love) has a LONG way to go to even be an * on the USA sporting scene.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice to see the new Rolex all-auto racing theme TV spot, featuring sports car, land-speed record and F1 images. And a SPECTACULAR still-frame from the 1960s of Jackie Stewart's BRM four-wheels in the air!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The SCCA Runoffs</b> -- an often wonderful and always underappreciated event in U.S. motorsports -- set Sonoma Raceway as its 2018 host. This year the amateur national championships will be decided at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Tickets</b><span style="background-color: white;"> for the July 15-16 FIA Formula E New York City ePrix went on sale, according to a news release. The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal was site of a photo-op. </span><i style="background-color: red;"><b>Stop me if you've heard this one before: A race on the streets of New York City.</b></i><span style="background-color: white;"> I'll believe it when I see it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bottom Line results from this unbelievably newsworthy and historic week in the Business of Racing likely won't be known for years. But they will be worth watching and certainly most consequential.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No comment: Ryan Ellis, a Cup series driver as recently as last November, is now PR man for</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "libre franklin" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 32 GoFas Racing team.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000; font-family: "libre franklin" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b>What's the Big Controversy in Washington, D.C., about "alternative facts?" PR people have been presenting AFs to the media for decades! Trust me, I know!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>With Motorsports 2017 officially underway, I'm going to make two points that I feel very strongly about, and will be a recurring theme for me throughout the year:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. It's time for Public Relations People to Act Like "Public Relations" People. I attended the NASCAR awards in Las Vegas last December and watched so-called PR representatives walk past journalists who had written positive stories about their clients without saying a word. Others stayed in their seats, not bothering to get up and greet reporters who were just a few tables away. More apparently haven't bothered to update their media lists for years. There's one prominent NASCAR supplier who has been sending media material to a decreased reporter, to another who no longer covers the sport, but has yet to send Word 1 to the appropriate journo who has been writing for a decade. A partial ditto for a championship team in more than one series. There are plenty of PRers who don't bother to visit the media center on race weekends to say hello and introduce themselves to media types they don't know. Shame on the supervisors who allow their entities to be represented in such an unprofessional manner. ENOUGH. This year, I'll be naming names, as required.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. </b></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Text LESS, TALK more: </span>Yes, I understand, there is no putting this genie back in the bottle. But I will make this Common Courtesy/Common Sense point which I know, in my heart, the late + great PR legend and Gentleman Mr. James P. Chapman would be screaming from the mountaintop of manners:</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><u style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Texting is not the honest and sincere vehicle for anyone TRULY interested in what is going on in someone else's life. You can't hear the other person's voice with a text. The sound of that person's voice, it's strength or weakness, what is said or isn't said, is how you really find out what's going on.</u><span style="color: blue;"> </span>As Mr. Chapman knew, nothing will ever replace a face-to-face conversation, but a phone conversation is the next best/easiest option. (Skype would even be better.) I don't mind a text for anything routine, like a reminder of an appointment. But when someone sends a text <i>"I hope you are feeling well" </i>or <i>"feeling better"</i> or <i>"doing OK,"</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><u style="color: blue; font-style: italic;"> I don't consider that a sincere expression of honest concern.</u> It might even be considered a lazy way to ask. It's obvious to me some people use a text as the modern version of voice mail. Back in the day, if you had to answer someone but really didn't want to speak with him/her, the trick was to call and leave a voice message at a time the other person wasn't likely to pick up. A text now can serve the same purpose. Bottom line:</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>If you really CARE, </i>CALL!</span></b></u></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">John Haverlin, of PopularSpeed.com , recently wrote a very nice story about me and my career. Thank you to John and PS. Here's the link:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.popularspeed.com/a-career-in-motorsports-journalism-and-pr/" style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" title="http://www.popularspeed.com/a-career-in-motorsports-journalism-and-pr/">http://www.popularspeed.com/a-career-in-motorsports-journalism-and-pr/</a><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="color: blue;">This</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">will be a HUGE week in Arizona racing.</span><span style="color: blue;"> Official announcement and details of the $178 million Phoenix International Raceway rebuild on Monday. NASCAR testing at PIR Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the on-track return of Dale Earnhardt Jr., and debut of Daniel Suarez. Then NHRA nitro-class testing Thursday-through-Saturday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. I'll have a couple of stories starting Tuesday in the </span><i style="color: blue;">Arizona Republic</i><span style="color: blue;"> and AzCentral.com . More immediate newsworthy updates from me on Twitter:</span></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span style="color: #783f04;">@SpinDoctor500</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;">.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13;">Thank you.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>[ <i>more as I am able . . . </i>]</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-24791585226201187852016-12-13T09:28:00.000-08:002016-12-13T09:59:47.891-08:002016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmFJpcbqNN16ApvicPvfCJziZRSiFL_A8yAaaYy5kFkF3iqo0jECjrWVnXvwexePoEqFYa2daJ5Bn7XUgGXi3V2daVaAl8sru5ryGD3jwMPNj96q5aSKMun61nrC7cfjk0Coi/s1600/michaelmebernimario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmFJpcbqNN16ApvicPvfCJziZRSiFL_A8yAaaYy5kFkF3iqo0jECjrWVnXvwexePoEqFYa2daJ5Bn7XUgGXi3V2daVaAl8sru5ryGD3jwMPNj96q5aSKMun61nrC7cfjk0Coi/s320/michaelmebernimario.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>MEMORABLE MOMENT:</strong> <span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;"><strong>Michael Andretti (left), me, Berni Haas and Mario Andretti at Carl Haas' memorial service. Mario, Michael and I all had the honor of being speakers.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2016: What a challenging year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, personally, it was 12 months of emotional and physical pain -- grief, profound and prolonged sadness as a sole family caregiver, non-stop stress, attempts at heartfelt help for another seriously-ill loved-one, disappointment in the lack of understanding and support of "friends," maximizing my organizational skills in preparation for major surgery, embarrassment at being seen in public as physically compromised, and setbacks en route to what I hope will be a meaningful recovery by next spring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People keep saying they are sure I'll be glad when this year is over. What they seem to not grasp is the calendar will change, but not many of the issues and situations. As I always say, however, millions have it more challenging than I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In motorsports, the best example of overcoming challenge can -- once again -- be found at Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 48 Lowe's team. In the summer months, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus seemed to be nowhere on speed, and Rick Hendrick later admitted to pondering if it was time to split-up his six-time NASCAR champion driver-crew chief pairing. He didn't. After Homestead, they had gone from last-to-first and Cup title No. 7, tying Johnson with record-setters Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traditional and social media didn't even give the champions time to think about, appreciate or celebrate the seventh, immediately turning the conversation to the possibility of a historic eighth Cup championship. I have to say, in that sense, I felt sorry for Hendrick's Heroes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I apologize to loyal readers of this blog for being off-the-air so long in what was the 10th anniversary of these writings. Quite simply, I had higher priorities, and could not devote the time to think and write to produce a blog that I felt was worthy of your time. Thank you for your understanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me announce that, in the final tallying of the weekly "Power Players" rankings of racing's Most Influential People, the 2016 winner is Roger Penske. In his team's 50th anniversary season, Penske won another IndyCar championship and came close in Cup. Joe Gibbs, leading what at times was Toyota domination, was second. World of Outlaws champ -- for the eighth time -- Donny Schatz (25 A-main wins) completed the top three.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year I'm going to end with some awards, as determined solely by me, for whatever you may think they are worth. My hope is they will stimulate some thought:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Most Valuable Player:</strong> Jay Frye. Shifted from Hulman & Co. chief revenue officer to IndyCar's competition president, Frye got Phoenix back on the schedule, added Watkins Glen as a last-minute replacement for the Boston street race, established an effective and largely uncontroversial stewards' panel, began the process away from aero kits to a universal body for 2018, and -- perhaps most amazingly of all -- kept the notoriously unsettled paddock area relatively calm. Quite a job by the longtime NASCAR team boss. There will come a time when NASCAR is in need of a senior executive, and Frye's outstanding 2016 in IndyCar will put him on the short list of candidates. Well done. No. VERY well done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Most Loyal:</strong> Jeff Gordon, for agreeing to Hendrick's outreach for help and subbing for the concussed Dale Earnhardt Jr. Impossible not to admire Gordon's loyalty to the man who gave him what he needed for a historic Hall of Fame career. But . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Worst Idea:</strong> Gordon returning to the track after a season-long celebration of his greatness in 2015. It seemed so anti-climatic and a footnote to all that had been remembered and cheered the year before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Best Idea (co-winners):</strong> Gordon's authorized biography, <em>Jeff Gordon: His Dream, Drive & Destiny</em>. And Linda Vaughn's heavily-captioned picture book: <em>Linda Vaughn: The First Lady of Motorsports. </em>A long overdue tribute to a great lady. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Best Moment:</strong> Gordon and Tony Stewart's side-by-side celebration lap after the Brickyard 400. One for the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Feel Good Moment:</strong> Ron Capps finally -- FINALLY -- winning a much-deserved NHRA Funny Car championship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Most Inspirational Person:</strong> Holly Cain, the wonderful NASCAR.com writer, who reported and wrote greatly while dealing with everything one has to deal with as a cancer patient -- and more. All the while remaining a very nice person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Most Hype:</strong> The 100th Indianapolis 500. All the pomp and circumstance -- and an announced sell-out crowd that generated enormous profits for Hulman & Co. -- once again -- at least for one day -- made Indy <em>Indy.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Biggest Disappointment: </strong>The 100th Indianapolis 500. All credit to owner Michael Andretti and the fantastic strategy call of Bryan Herta to coach Alexander Rossi to the checkered flag. He might have been the most surprising race winner in decades. But it was a fuel mileage -- not flat-out speed racing -- finish. And, at year's end, nobody beyond IndyCar's most passionate fans can tell you who won the 100th Indy 500.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>No Hype (co-winners):</strong> Tony Stewart's final Sprint Cup season. Sprint's final season as Cup series title sponsor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Best Race: </strong>The 56th Knoxville Nationals, as Jason Johnson fought-off Schatz for his first victory in sprint car racing's and the World of Outlaws' most prestigious event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Worst Race:</strong> As usual, the meaningless NASCAR Sprint All-Star event. <strong> </strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Best Sight:</strong> IndyCars back on-track at Phoenix International Raceway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Best Decision:</strong> The International Speedway Corp. Board of Directors FINALLY authorizing the budget to modernize Phoenix International Raceway, which has fallen way behind other sports venues in the Valley of the Sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Keep Your Eyes On (co-winners):</strong> Alex Bowman, who qualified and raced very well -- he almost won Phoenix from the pole -- in the No. 88 as substitute for Earnhardt. And Austin Cindric, who showed plenty of talent in various series, and has a full-season ride in a Brad Keselowski NASCAR truck for 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Congratulations:</strong> T.E. McHale and Dan Layton, of Honda, winners of the Jim Chapman Award for Excellence in Motorsports Public Relations. Well deserved. The honor came on the centennial of Mr. Chapman's birth and unveiling of the permanent Jim Chapman Award, currently displayed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>Personal Thrill:</strong> Going 180 mph at Indy as Mario Andretti's passenger in the Honda IndyCar two-seater a few days before the 100th Indy 500, which was my 38th Indy 500. Thanks Mario, Jay Frye, Mark Sibla, Alivia Mattioli and the crew. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Greatly Missed:</strong> My longtime boss, Carl A. Haas. We won three PPG Cups together with Mario and Michael Andretti and Nigel Mansell. What an honor to speak at Carl's memorial service. Bill Alsup, a great guy and strong ally of mine when I was CART's communications director. Media guy Bob Margolis, quite a personality and another inspiration for his own lengthy fight against cancer. And, above all, my mother. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ <em>please check back here in January 2017. Thank you.</em> ]</span></strong></div>
Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-48691605658802295032016-09-11T11:54:00.000-07:002016-09-11T11:54:19.997-07:00BACK TO THE GARAGE AREA (and GIBBS TAKES TOP SPOT ON THIS WEEK's 'MOST INFLUENTIAL' LIST) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least in theory, this is</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the most exciting time of the racing year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Chase for the (last) NASCAR Sprint Cup championship begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. NHRA's version for all four of its Mello Yello pro classes, the Countdown, goes green Sunday at zMax Dragway, across the road from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Verizon IndyCar Series takes its season checkered flag with a double-points (I don't like that gimmick) finale at Sonoma Raceway -- not much excitement there as Simon Pagenaud should add to his and team owner Roger Penske's trophy cases. IMSA has just Circuit of the Americas and Road Atlanta events left. Mercedes' boys Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have the most work to do, seven more Grands Prix to determine the world champion. Difficult to see Donny Schatz not collecting another World of Outlaws' crown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, it's the time to be enthusiastically engaged in the action, not heading back to the garage area with the hood up. But that's what I have to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Circumstances are again directing me down one of life's roads that I didn't plan on traveling. So this will be the last blog for awhile as higher priorities demand my time and energy. Those who should know tell me 6-8 weeks from when some fixes get done later this month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I hope to do is Tweet a shortened version of "Power Players" <b><span style="color: red;">@SpinDoctor500 .</span></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However it all works out, I'll take this chance to say thanks to those who use a little of your valuable time to visit here each week. If nothing else, I plan to post my traditional end-of-year thoughts come December. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you and enjoy the championship runs. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">POWER PLAYERS for the week of September 11</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">:</span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This week's 10 most <u>influential</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports,</b> as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight</span><b style="background-color: #3d85c6;">.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong> 1. <u>Joe Gibbs</u></strong></span><strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">His Toyotas are the hot ticket in both Sprint Cup and the Xfinity Series. Could all four of his Cup drivers -- Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards -- qualify for the Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2. <u>Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Let's call them the Sprint Cup championship co-favorites as the Chase takes the green flag in Chicagoland.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">4. </b><u style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Antron Brown and Ron Capps</u><b style="background-color: white;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow;">The top seeds in Top Fuel and Funny Car, respectively, as NHRA's six-race Countdown begins at zMax Dragway.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <b>6</b></span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. <u>Simon Pagenaud</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All-but-disaster at Sonoma should clinch his first IndyCar championship in the season finale.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>7.</b> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg</u></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> --</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hamilton needs victory under the lights in Singapore to re-open points gap over his Mercedes-Benz teammate.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">9. <u>Cole Custer</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After controversial second-place finish to John Hunter Nemechek in last race, needs to win Chicagoland to clinch spot in Camping World Truck Series' first Chase.</span><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">10. <u>Rico Abreu</u></b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">World of Outlaws' win at California's Silver Dollar Speedway another notch for this rising star.</span><br />
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Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-9016211908368579982016-09-05T16:23:00.000-07:002016-09-06T08:21:30.671-07:00JUNIOR KO BLOW TO NASCAR INDUSTRY; MAKES HIM NO. 1 ON THIS WEEK's 'MOST INFLUENTIAL' LIST<span style="background-color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">POWER PLAYERS for the week of September 5</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">:</span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This week's 10 most <u>influential</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports,</b> as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight</span><b style="background-color: #3d85c6;">.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong> 1. <u>Dale Earnhardt Jr.</u></strong></span><strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Concussion KOs him for the rest of the season, and while Junior says he plans to return in 2017, the NASCAR industry and Hendrick Motorsports are forced to ponder what to do if their most popular driver can't make a comeback.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">2. <u>Tony and Don Schumacher</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">NHRA Top Fuel's winningest driver wins his record 10th U.S. Nationals while father and team owner doubles at Indy with Matt Hagen taking the Funny Car</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">4. </b><u style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Greg Zipadelli</u><b style="background-color: white;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow;">Stewart-Haas Racing's competition VP must fix the Kevin Harvick pit crew problem -- slow stops likely cost Harvick the Southern 500 win -- before the Chase begins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. <u>John Hunter Nemechek and Mike Helton</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow;">The driver set a dangerous new precedent by pinning Cole Custer against a wall to win the Truck series race in Canada. Upon review at NASCAR's weekly competition meeting, will the sanction's vice chairman let this stand?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">7. <u>Will Power</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After observation for concussion-like symptoms after Watkins Glen, will the only driver left who can beat Simon Pagenaud for the IndyCar championshp be able to participate in Thursday's test session at Sonoma, site of the season's final race?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>8.</b> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Nico Rosberg</u></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Italian Grand Prix victory pulls him closer to Mercedes' teammate Lewis Hamilton in world title standings.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">9. <u>David Gravel</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sweeps the World of Outlaws' doubleheader at Skagit Speedway</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">.</span><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">10. <u>Chris Windom</u></b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daring outside-line line pass of Jeff Swindell with three laps to go earns him first career USAC Silver Crown dirt win in Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">more next week . . .</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ]</span></div>
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Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30603263.post-40048340788170385782016-08-28T15:16:00.000-07:002016-08-28T15:16:11.803-07:00NASCAR's HISTORIC 3 LEAD THIS WEEK's 'MOST INFLUENTIAL' LIST<span style="background-color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">POWER PLAYERS for the week of August 28</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">:</span><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This week's 10 most <u>influential</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports,</b> as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight</span><b style="background-color: #3d85c6;">.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong> 1. <u>Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, Brett Moffitt</u></strong></span><strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </strong><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In a NASCAR first, the three earn their first NASCAR Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series wins on the same weekend, at Michigan International Speedway and Road America.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">4. </b><u style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold;">Graham Rahal</u><b style="background-color: white;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow;">In a spectacular last five laps, he leads only the last few hundred yards to win the restart of June's IndyCar rainout at Texas Motor Speedway. This weekend: Watkins Glen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. <u>John, Courtney and Brittany Force</u> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow;">It's NHRA's Big Go, the U.S. Nationals, where stars shine and legends are made. A Force victory, or Funny Car-Top Fuel double, would do much to get drag racing into the college football-crowded Labor Day weekend headlines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>8.</b> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Jeff Gordon</u></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's back in the No. 88 for Dale Earnhardt Jr., at Darlington, where Gordon is a seven-time Cup series winner at the track too tough to tame.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">9. <u>Sebastian Vettel</u></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; font-family: helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: start;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the Italian Grand Prix at mighty Monza, where fans treat Ferrari like a religion, with Vettel the best chance to beat the Mercedes-Benz duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.</span><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">10. <u>Kevin Thomas Jr.</u></b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> -- </b><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wins two of three at Kokomo Speedway to claim USAC's Sprint Car Smackdown V.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[ </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">more next week . . .</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ]</span></div>
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Michael Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674685620739867737noreply@blogger.com