Dan Gurney, whose two-decade success as a race car driver preceded his achievements as a race car designer, team owner and entrepreneur, will be the recipient of the Edison-Ford Medal on Oct. 29 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.
The award, established by the museum in 1989, recognizes individuals who “fully leverage the creative, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that resides in every one of us.” Gurney, 83, is the second person to receive the medal.
Among his 51 victories as a driver were the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix in a Formula One car designed and built by his own company, California-based All American Racers. Gurney, Mario Andretti and Juan Pablo Montoya are the only drivers to record victories in four major motorsports categories: Indy car, F1, NASCAR and sports cars). Gurney, a seven-time Indy car race winner, was the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race runner-up in 1968 and 1969.
He was instrumental to bringing Ford Motor Co. together with the designer of Lotus cars, Colin Chapman, a move that began the rear-engine revolution to the Indianapolis 500. Gurney’s company designed and built the Eagle Indy cars, which were successful in the Indianapolis 500 (winning with Bobby Unser in 1968 and Gordon Johncock in 1973). Gurney’s team also handled Toyota’s American racing interests for several years, winning three championships.
Hunter-Reay among inductees into Hall of Fame
Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion and 2012 Verizon IndyCar Series titlist Ryan Hunter-Reay is among six athletes who will be inducted Oct. 28 into the Broward County (Fla.) Sports Hall of Fame.
Hunter-Reay, a Fort Lauderdale resident and graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School in the city, shares the honor with Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross (track and field) and Howard Davis Jr. (boxing), Miami Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson, swimming coach Jay Fitzgerald and longtime track and field official William T. Reeves.
The Broward County Sports Hall of Fame recognizes coaches, athletes and pioneers who are, or have been, county residents.
Indiana Racing Memorial Association event is Oct. 25
Fans are invited to meet two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Jr. as well as USAC champions Tom Bigelow, Dave Darland, Jack Hewitt and Mel Kenyon Oct. 25 (5-10 p.m.) at the Indiana Racing Memorial Association event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
The not-for-profit group seeks to place markers throughout the state to recognize Indiana's significant role in motorsports history. IMS historian Donald Davidson will give a brief tribute to the late Wilbur Shaw, who will be honored with IRMA’s second marker on Nov. 1 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. For information, visit www.IndianaRacing.org.
Bell hosts weekly series of athlete tests
Indy car racer and NBCSN Verizon IndyCar Series analyst Townsend Bell is the host of "What’Cha Got” -- seven weekly episodes airing Sundays during ESPN FC on ESPN2.
The short episodes feature six MLS players swapping their daily rides for a turn behind the wheel of a Lamborghini on a circuit in the parking lot of an MLS stadium. The Eastern and Western Conference players with the best time will compete in the final, airing Dec. 7, with a year-long lease of the Lamborghini as the prize.
Of note
Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves and Sebastian Saavedra, along with 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion Gabby Chaves, are the early entrants in Montoya's annual charity karting event Nov. 29 in Colombia. ... Castroneves' partner, Adriana Henao, will run Nov. 2 in the New York Marathon as part of fundraiser to support relief efforts of Haitians affected by the 2010 earthquake and more recent storms. To contribute, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/thelongrunforhaiti