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Chip Ganassi to be honored with 1st Argetsinger Award

Presentation set for Aug. 7 at Corning dinner

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, July 3 -- Chip Ganassi, who fields teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Verizon INDYCAR and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship series, will be honored on Aug. 7 by the International Motor Racing Research Center at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Ganassi will receive the inaugural Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for his outstanding contributions to motorsports. Often referred to as the father of American road racing, Argetsinger was a visionary who, in 1948, conceived, organized, and drove in the first post-war road race in America through the roads of Watkins Glen. He brought Formula 1 to Watkins Glen International in 1961 and the circuit hosted the United States Grand Prix for 20 years. He was president of the IMRRC for five years, until his death in 2008.

NASCAR, International Speedway Corporation (parent company of Watkins Glen International), and WGI are the presenting sponsors of the first IMRRC Award Dinner, the proceeds of which will benefit the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to be the world-class leader in the collection of materials representing the documentary heritage of amateur and professional motor racing.

"We are privileged to have NASCAR, ISC and WGI support the IMRRC Award Dinner honoring Chip Ganassi," said IMRRC President J.C. Argetsinger. "NASCAR and its partners have done a tremendous job in promoting world-wide awareness of the sport we've loved for so long. And Chip himself has put his heart and soul into the success of every team he owns, and it shows."

To date, Ganassi's teams have won 17 championships in his 24 years of ownership, including four Indy 500 titles. In 2012, the Duquesne University graduate and former part owner of his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, was named one of the "50 most influential people in the Auto Industry" by Complex Magazine.

"Chip Ganassi's accomplishments and successes as a car owner have transcended across a wide spectrum of motorsports," said Mike Helton, NASCAR President. "His contributions have positively impacted NASCAR, IndyCar, the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and beyond. Chip is an outstanding competitor, savvy team owner and is passionate about his work. The France Family and all of NASCAR congratulate Chip on being the first recipient of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for outstanding contributions to motorsports."

"Chip Ganassi is a titan in the racing community. His leadership and business acumen have grown Chip Ganassi Racing from a one-car team to a powerhouse in the industry," said John Saunders, President, International Speedway Corporation. "Owning multiple teams across different racing series is no small task, yet he continues to find success at the upper echelons of professional motorsports. Congratulations to Chip on this prestigious honor and on behalf of International Speedway Corporation, I wish him many more years of continued success.”

Added Michael Printup, President, Watkins Glen International, “Chip Ganassi is a competitor in the truest sense of the word. You always know that Ganassi teams will be a factor in any race and in any series in which they compete. It’s remarkable to think of the success they’ve found at some of the most historic and prestigious venues in the world. Yet, Chip has done more than just build winners, he has also built professionals. His teams and employees are among the best in the garage to work with and we’re always excited to see them compete at Watkins Glen International. On behalf of the entire team at Watkins Glen International, I’d like to congratulate Chip on this most deserving honor.“

The IMRRC Award Dinner will be held on the Thursday prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen International. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person. To purchase tickets, tables, or sponsorship packages, go to http://www.racingarchives.org/special_event.php, or call 607-535-9044. Seats are limited, so it is recommended that reservations be made soon.

Other event supporters include Sahlen Packing Co. Inc., Corning Incorporated, Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., Chevrolet, SCCA, Welliver and Glenora Wine Cellars.

About the IMRRC:
The Racing Research Center is an archival library dedicated to the preservation of the history of motorsports, of all series and all venues, through its collections of books, periodicals, films, photographs, fine art and other materials. For more information about the Center’s work and its programs, visit www.racingarchives.org or call (607) 535-9044. The Center also is on Facebook at International Motor Racing Research Center.

Photo in text: Chip Ganassi with some of the trophies he has won as a racing-team owner. (Photo provided)