The Sports Business Journal has named Indy Racing League® founder and CEO Tony George and IndyCar® Series owner Roger Penske among its 20 most influential people in motorsports.
George, the highest-ranked open-wheel person on the list, is sixth on the list, which is headed by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. The magazine cited George's leadership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IRL for his inclusion on the list.
Penske, who owns teams which run in the IndyCar Series and in NASCAR, is 10th on the list. The magazine cited Penske for being ''a major player on multiple fronts,'' for his inclusion on the list.
Penske's teams have won the 13 Indianapolis 500 races, including the last three events.
Dixon on Cold Pizza:
2003 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon will appear on ESPN2’s Cold Pizza on Feb. 20. Dixon’s appearance on the network's morning show will take place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Dixon posted the fastest time at the IndyCar Series’ Open Test at Phoenix International Raceway on Feb. 12.
Dixon wins honor in home country: Readers of Stuff.co.nz have voted Dixon as their 2003 Sportsman of the Year.
Dixon, who won the IndyCar Series championship in his first year in the series, gained 51 percent of the 1283 votes, with America's Cup yachtsman Russell Coutts coming in second with 23 percent. Greg Murphy, Ben Fouhy and Wade Cunningham were the other finalists for the award.
Castroneves In People En Espanol's 25 Hottest Bachelors Issue:
Marlboro Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves is featured in People En Espanol's special ''25 Hottest Bachelors'' issue on newsstands now. The 28 year-old Brazilian is featured along with 24 other Latino bachelor's including Wilmer Valderrama, Adam Rodriguez and Jeff Garcia.
“What an honor to be considered one of the 25 hottest bachelors,'' the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner said. ''I guess when you do something that you love, you have passion. And when you have passion, that's sexy.''
Chicagoland Track Packs on sale:
Chicagoland Speedway's Track Pack season ticket package is now available to the general public. The package, which ranges from $195 to $260, includes admission to five races, including the Indy Car Series' Delphi Indy 300 on Sept. 12 and the Menards Infiniti Pro Series' Chicagoland 100 on Sept. 11.
Track Packs can be purchased at the Chicagoland Speedway Ticket Office, by phone at 815-727-7223 or online at chicagolandspeedway.com.
The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series season begins with the Toyota Indy 300 at 2 p.m. (EST) on Feb. 29, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN and the IMS Radio Network.
