It’s not the Met Gala, but consider this our own little gossip column.
A handful of motorsports celebrities have shown their face at the Runoffs this weekend, including notable fried chicken fanatic and newly crowned IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou. The 24-year-old Spaniard claimed the title a week ago at Long Beach and is on a champions tour of Indianapolis — with a twist. During the Runoffs lunch break today, Palou and the infamous Chicken Limo of Indianapolis took a lap of the 2.5-mile oval, followed by a lap of the 2.592 mile Runoffs road course.
Al Unser, Jr. is no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, either. The two-time Indy 500 champion was spotted on pit lane working with Rob Radmann and his Formula Atlantic car.
And then, there’s Boris Said. The three-time Runoffs Champion and former Trans Am Champ became one of the most recognized NASCAR “road course ringers” of the 2000s, but this week has been spotted laying in the IMS grass underneath a Spec Miata. The superstar has been promoted to lead mechanic on son Boris Jr.’s race car.
A number of IndyCar luminaries could make an appearance throughout the week. The 2021 IndyCar championship banquet takes place this weekend, and series regular Graham Rahal is a Runoffs champion. Team owners Bobby Rahal, Chip Ganassi, Michael Andretti and Jimmy Vasser all have past Runoffs appearances under their belts, to say nothing of four-time Runoffs champion Roger Penske — who now, of course, owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Their appearances at the Runoffs are unconfirmed as of now.
Lastly, famed motorsports journalist Robin Miller has a special place in the annals of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and a small gathering of friends and family will be celebrating his life in the city this weekend. Though Miller’s motorsports exploits were well chronicled, he got his start behind the wheel with SCCA in 1972 running in a Formula Ford.
Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” Day
Wednesday at the Runoffs is Hawk “Brake-Through Performer” day. The driver who shows the biggest qualifying position improvement from Tuesday in each of 26 different car classes gets a set of Hawk brake pads for their racecar, tow rig or street car, while also treating all of the behind-the-scenes folks to lunch.
For over 25 years, championship winning drivers and teams have demanded Hawk Performance motorsport brake pads. Now, Hawk’s advanced technology is available for daily cars, trucks and SUVs with Hawk Street Performance products. There’s the improved HP-Plus pad for that hybrid street and track feel, super-duty pads for tow vehicles, and the new Talon rotors.
Hawk Performance — the Official Brake Products of SCCA since 2003 — leverages its experience on the track and technology used in aerospace and the military to make the best brake pads and rotors for every vehicle's needs. The company’s extensive Research & Development department, including a PhD in friction and 23 dynamometers, produces first-class products in the USA. Visit hawkperformance.com to learn more.
Charity Golf Cart Parade Wednesday
Back by popular demand, the 2nd annual Charity Golf Cart Parade will make its Runoffs return Wednesday evening at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The procession will step-off from grid at approximately 6:30 p.m. and pass by Victory Circle where “expert” cart announcers will make the parade call for all to hear. It will then weave its way throughout the paddock while SCCA Block Party festivities take place around the grounds.
As usual, the goal of this year’s Charity Golf Cart Parade is to have fun while raising money for good causes. Proceeds generated will benefit Indianapolis’ Riley Children’s Foundation, as well as Lemons of Love — an organization that provides care packages to people affected by cancer.
How is money raised during the Charity Golf Cart Parade? Drivers, workers, crews, friends and family “vote” for their favorite parade carts with their dollars. Donations can easily be made online. Voters just need to note the number displayed on the side of their favorite cart in the “Vote for a Cart: Enter Cart # Here” field.
So, if you’re onsite at IMS Wednesday evening enjoying the Block Party atmosphere, keep an eye out for your favorite, decked-out golf cart trundling around. And for Charity Golf Cart Parade contestants, get those creative juices flowing! The cart that raises the most money will be crowned the 2021 Charity Golf Cart Parade Champion and win a $500 Tire Rack gift certificate. It’s not too late to join in the fun! Teams can still register online, then swing by the SCCA Staff Office on the Pagoda Plaza to pick up your cart number.
2021 Formula Vee Hall of Fame Ceremony
The Formula Vee Project has announced its 2021 Hall of Fame inductees, all of whom will be formerly recognized Wednesday evening at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Pagoda Plaza North Chalet area approximately 30 minutes after Runoffs qualifying concludes for the day.
The 2021 Formula Vee Hall of Fame class includes Roger Siebenaler, Dave Carr and Hubert Brundage. Siebenaler is a three-time SCCA Runoffs champion. Carr, owner of Autowerks, has built racecar powerplants for decades, and his engines have powered drivers to six Runoffs championships. Brundage, already a member of SCCA’s Hall of Fame, is widely recognized as the founder of Formula Vee. He also founded the well-known BRUMOS Porsche racing team.
Graham Loughead, founder of The Formula Vee Project, said, “The committee really enjoyed picking these three individuals with help from our public submissions. I love our balance of driver, builder and founder. It is an honor to recognize them.”
The Formula Vee Project celebrates those who contribute to motorsport through their legacy in the FV class. Many builders, drivers, officials, and crew go unrecognized through their entire career in racing, but The Formula Vee Project aims to remedy that situation. Visit their website to learn more about the organization’s mission and read in-depth biographies of all Hall of Fame inductees.
Photo caption: SCCA National Championship Runoffs flaggers watch as newly crowned IndyCar Champion Alex Palou takes a victory lap in the Chicken Limo.
Photo by Jon Krolewicz / SCCA Staff
