Sunday, June 19, 2016

'24' TRIUMPH PUTS INDYCAR TEAM OWNER ON TOP OF THIS WEEK's 'MOST INFLUENTIAL' LIST

POWER PLAYERS for the week of  June 19:This week's 10 most influential
people in the Business and Politics of Motorsports, as selected by long-time journalist/publicist and industry insider Michael Knight. 

   1. Chip Ganassi -- Lead team owner of Ford's new GT sports car program adds Le Mans to his victory list on first try and 50 years after automaker's famed victory over Ferrari.

   2. Joe Gibbs -- His team has turned-around Toyota's multi-year NASCAR frustrations and now fields THE cars in the Sprint Cup and Xfinity series.

  3. Bernie Ecclestone -- Not a single Formula One sponsor was asking for marketing or publicity opportunities in Azerbaijan yet F1's commercial boss let the series perform on a narrow and inadequate street course so he could put multi-million$ more into F1's bank account. 

   4. Jeff Gordon -- The Fox portion of the NASCAR season ends Sunday in Sonoma. Will it be Gordon's last chance to shape public opinion before he goes mainstream as new co-host on "Live With Kelly" as TV industry reports have suggested?

  5. Mike Hull-- Ganassi's managing director unsung key player in Le Mans victory as he has been in IndyCar, having called strategy for virtually all of Scott Dixon's triumphs.

  6. Ken Adelson -- TV production veteran, now NHRA VP for broadcasting and digital content, leading drag racing's presentation to significantly increased viewership on FS1.

  7. Sebastien Bourdais -- Co-drives Ford GT to Le Mans victory. Now onto Road America for IndyCar's return to the great road course.
   
  8. Chris Gayle -- How many different drivers (it was Sam Hornish Jr. last Sunday) can win in crew chief's No. 18 Xfinity series Toyota?

  9. Townsend Bell -- Was a threat to win Indy 500 and did win his class at Le Mans before returning to NBCSN IndyCar TV booth for rest of the season. 

 10. Jason Line -- Same old story. Wins at Bristol to keep his and Summit Camaro teammate Greg Anderson undefeated in NHRA Pro Stock this season.

SPECIAL 10th ANNIVERSARY BLOG COMING JULY 10.

more next week . . . ]