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The AARWBA “Jigger Award”. Plaque on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in May 2005.
(Johnson Photograph)

Indy 500 – Special Awards & Events

Over the years, numerous special awards have been presented to drivers and participants at the Indianapolis 500. The following is a list of some of the notable “special awards” (past & present) and the recipients throughout Indy history. In addition, numerous receptions and events (sometimes linked to the aforementioned special awards) have been held during the month of May as part of race-related festivities.

 

 

Scott Brayton Driver’s Trophy

Scott Brayton award trophy from 1998. On display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in May 2023
(Johnson Photograph)

Driver Scott Brayton arrived at Indy and first qualified in 1981. He won the pole position two times (1995 & 1996) and also set a 1-lap qualifying track record in 1985 (started 2nd). He had a best finish of 6th in both 1989 and 1993. During Time Trials in 1996, Brayton dramatically withdrew his already-qualified car and made a last-ditch effort in a back-up car for the pole position. Brayton won the pole, his second-consecutive Indy 500 pole. Six days later, Brayton was testing a Menard team back-up car. His car suffered a rapidly-deflated right rear tire, and crashed hard in turn two. Tragically, Brayton was killed of a basal skull fracture at the age of 37.

Following his tragic death, organizers wanted to establish an award in Brayton’s memory. Initially, the idea was made to rename the PPG Pole Award in Brayton’s honor. However, it was eventually decided to create a brand new award instead. Beginning in 1997, the Scott Brayton Driver’s Trophy was introduced, and presented to the driver who ‘best exemplifies the attitude, spirit, and competitive drive of Scott Brayton’. The prize was $25,000 plus a trophy, and could actually be given to a driver who missed the race. Royal Purple Motor Oil was the original sponsor. In the first three years, it was presented prior to the race during the Public Drivers Meeting, handed out by Scott’s father Lee Brayton. Starting in 2000, it was presented after the race at the traditional Victory Banquet. This way the award could take into account race performance. A driver could win the award only one time in his/her career.

Seven former or eventual Indy 500 winners won the Scott Brayton Award. But only one driver (Sam Hornish Jr.) won the award in the same year he won the race.

Several of the drivers won the award based on their determination and perseverance following injury. John Paul Jr., Eliseo Salazar, Davey Hamilton, and Kenny Bräck were all drivers who suffered major injuries in racing crashes, but recuperated and returned to the cockpit. After 2009, the award was quietly retired.

Jim Clark Award

In May 1969, the Britannia Club of Indianapolis created an award to honor the memory of the late Formula One World Champion and 1965 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Clark. In April 1968, Clark of Scotland was killed in a crash at Hockenheim, Germany. The award was to be presented to the driver or contributor (current or former) “by virtue of his example on and off the Indianapolis 500 Speedway, and his contributions to competitive motor racing, has best exemplified the spirit shown in his lifetime by Jim Clark”. For over a decade, the Jim Clark Award was held in high prestige, and the list of recipients include numerous “500” winners and future racing hall of famers.

The award was usually presented during the week leading up to the race at an reception or dinner, usually in conjunction with the Indianapolis Press Club. The honoree received a scroll and a special gift – a leather purse with 33 Churchill Crowns (representing the 33 starters). In addition, the honorees were given tartan sport jackets to wear during the ceremonies. The previous year’s winner would be invited to serve as the chairman of the selection committee, and all former winners customarily attended the annual reception. Other voters on the committee included members of the media from local newspapers, radio and television stations. Among the master of ceremonies for the popular event over the years were Chuck Marlowe, Donald Davidson, and Tom Carnegie.

The Britannia Club disbanded in 1976. Afterwards, the award was taken over by a standing committee, sponsored by Kroger. The ceremony moved to the Indianapolis Athletic Club, and lasted for several more years, often attended by celebrities and dignitaries. Previous winners of the award were added to the voting panel. The permanent perpetual trophy was housed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and winners were presented with a small replica of the trophy as a keepsake.

In 1975, chief mechanic George Bignotti accepted the award on behalf of Wally Dallenbach. The 1978 award winner A.J. Foyt left the track abruptly after Carburetion Day practice to return to his shop in Houston to repair a blown engine. His sponsor and partner Jim Gilmore accepted the award in his absence. The ceremony went on hiatus in 1979, but came back in 1980. In 1981, actor and singer Phil Harris started a semi-tradition by leading the signing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” each year at the reception. In 1990, the award was expanded to two designees, with Bob Collins, sports editor of the The Indianapolis Star, named honorary award winner. After 24 years and 25 recipients, the award was retired after the 1993 race.

Jim Malloy Memorial Award

Named in memory of driver Jim Malloy, who was fatally injured in a practice crash in 1972. Presented by Thermo King, it was a general sportsmanship award, typically handed out at the annual Public Drivers Meeting, and included a small cash prize ($500). The award was given for “perseverance, skill, determination, resourcefulness, and co-operation with the news media”. The winners’ names were affixed to a decorative plaque.

 

Sportsmanship Award

Norman Batten steers his flaming car to safety during the 1927 race
(Public Domain image)

In the late 1920s, a committee was formed to present an award for outstanding sportsmanship at the Indianapolis 500. Drivers, riding mechanics, crew members, officials, and other persons connected to the race were eligible for consideration. It was presented for “performing the outstanding act of courage, heroism, or unselfishness”. The criteria was broad, and it was usually given to a participant who went above and beyond to help in the safety of another driver(s) in some way. For instance, it may be given to a driver/riding mechanic who pulled over and stopped out on the track to aid another driver who had just crashed.

The Indianapolis Real Estate Board first commissioned the prize beginning in 1927, sponsoring it through 1930. In 1932 it was renamed for Julius C. Walk & Son, an Indianapolis-area jeweler, and went under that name for a time. Later it was called the Carl Wallerich award. The prize the first year was a trophy and a check, but in subsequent years it was usually a fancy stopwatch. Customarily, it was handed out at the annual Victory Banquet. The award had a somewhat intermittent history, as in some years it was not presented, ostensibly because it failed to attract a sponsor. The award was briefly revived after World War II, sponsored by W.J. Voit Rubber Corporation and then Mobilgas.

Driver Norman Batten was the first recipient (1927). He was recognized for bravery and for risking his life to protect others. On lap 24, his car caught on fire down the mainstretch. Rather than stop along the crowded pit area, close to spectators, and near the stored tanks of gasoline, Batten stayed with the car and somehow guided it down toward turn one. Standing up in the car due to the intense heat, he steered it to safety, but not before he had suffered bad burns.

Tony Hulman Award

Sponsored by the National Association of Auto Racing Fan Clubs (NAARFC). For “unselfish devotion to the sport of auto racing”. A plaque is periodically on display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fame Museum. This award is not to be confused with another prize of the same name, the “Tony Hulman Award” handed out at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours.

The Tony Hulman Award perpetual trophy. On display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
(Johnson Photograph)
  • 1977 — George Carpenter
  • 1978 — June Swango
  • 1979 — Pat Vidan
  • 1980 — Tom Bigelow
  • 1981 — John Cooper
  • 1982 — no award
  • 1983 — Donald Davidson
  • 1984 — Mary F. Hulman
  • 1985 — Tom Binford
  • 1986 — Tom Carnegie
  • 1987 — Robert Rowe
  • 1988 — no award
  • 1989 — Joseph R. Cloutier
  • 1990 — Derrick Walker
  • 1991 — Jim Chapman
  • 1992 — Tony Hulman George
  • 1993 — Dr. Terry R. Trammell, M.D.
  • 1994 — Mel Kenyon
  • 1995 — Mario Andretti
  • 1996 — Rita Crafton
  • 1997 — Leo Mehl
  • 1998 — Foar Score Club, Inc. (50th Anniversary, 1948-1998)
  • 1999 — Mari Hulman George
  • 2000 — Dr. Pat Sullivan
  • 2001 — Vito LoPiccolo
  • 2002 — Hoosier Auto Racing Fans (50th Anniversary, 1952-2002)
  • 2002 — Central Auto Racing Boosters (50th Anniversary, 1952-2002)
  • 2003 — Brian Barnhart
  • 2004 — Bob Jenkins
  • 2005 — Bill Stone
  • 200? — A. Lee Holst
  • 2008 — Dr. Henry Bock
  • 2012 — Steve Sapp
  • 2017 — A.J. Watson

11th Row Society / Last Row Party

Since 1973, the Indianapolis Press Club has sponsored the Last Row Party to honor the drivers who qualify in the 11th and final row (starting positions 31st–32nd–33rd). The event serves as a fundraiser benefitting the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, which provides scholarships, awards, and fellowships for journalism students at Indiana colleges and universities.

The event is held as a dinner reception, and serves as a roast for the three drivers. They are inducted into the “11th Row Society” and are traditionally presented with checks of 31¢, 32¢, and 33¢, respectively. Each driver is given a commemorative blazer and sometimes other gifts, and endure some good-natured jokes in a fun and laid-back environment. A collectible T-shirt is created annually featuring a caricature of the three drivers.

Each year, a member of the media serves as emcee/host and “roast-master” for the event. The three drivers who participate are usually (but not necessarily) the three slowest cars in the field. In some years, drivers/cars are moved to the back of the starting grid due to driver and/or chassis switches. In some years these substitute drivers were counted as honorees, but in other years only the three drivers who “earned” their spot in the 11th row were recognized. The party is normally held on a weeknight during the week leading up to the race.

The late Robin Miller, former sportswriter and columnist for The Indianapolis Star, was the Master of Ceremonies and “roastmaster” for the Last Row Party nearly every year from 1978 to 1997. Miller was noted for his often brutal insult comedy and skewering of the drivers. Donald Davidson once described Miller as “lethal…but funny” and “no holds barred”, and complemented him on his material. Due to the entertaining nature of the event, the Last Row Party often attracted many celebrities and drivers, even those who were not part of the 11th row. The Last Row Party reception was a sharp contrast from the aforementioned reception for the “Jim Clark Award”, and the brief tenured “Front Row Party”, both of which were more formal and swanky.

Year Host 31st 32nd 33rd
1973 Bob Collins Bob Harkey Sam Sessions Jim McElreath
1974 Bob Collins Bob Harkey Jan Opperman (R) Larry Cannon (R)
1975 Wayne Fuson Mike Hiss Eldon Rasmussen (R) Tom Bigelow
1976 John Totten David Hobbs Tom Bigelow Jan Opperman
1977 Bill Pittman John Mahler Eldon Rasmussen Bubby Jones (R)
1978 Robin Miller Gary Bettenhausen Jerry Sneva Mario Andretti (W)
1979 Don Hein Spike Gehlhausen John Mahler Eldon Rasmussen
1980 Robin Miller Tom Bigelow Gary Bettenhausen Tom Sneva
1981 Robin Miller Jerry Karl Mario Andretti-x (W) Tim Richmond-x
1982 Robin Miller Tom Bigelow Pete Halsmer Josele Garza-x
1983 Robin Miller Steve Krisiloff Chet Fillip Dennis Firestone
1984 Robin Miller Johnny Rutherford (W) George Snider Dennis Firestone
1985 Robin Miller Derek Daly Kevin Cogan-x Rich Vogler (R)
1986 Robin Miller Gary Bettenhausen George Snider Mario Andretti (W)
1987 Robin Miller Ed Pimm-x George Snider Steve Chassey
1988 Robin Miller Ludwig Heimrath Jr. Rich Vogler Howdy Holmes
1989 Robin Miller Davy Jones Pancho Carter Rich Vogler
1990 Robin Miller Billy Vukovich III John Paul Jr. Rocky Moran
1991 Robin Miller Randy Lewis Pancho Carter Gordon Johncock (W)
1992 Robin Miller Tom Sneva (W) Gordon Johncock (W) Ted Prappas (R)
1993 Robin Miller Jim Crawford Didier Theys Eddie Cheever
1994 Robin Miller John Paul Jr. Mike Groff Marco Greco (R)
1995 Robin Miller Scott Sharp Stefan Johansson Davy Jones
1996 Robin Miller Hideshi Matsuda Joe Gosek (R) Scott Harrington (R)
1997 Robin Miller Alessandro Zampedri Claude Bourbonnais (R) Paul Durant
1998 Dave Wilson Stephan Gregoire Mike Groff Billy Roe
1999 Jack Miller Robbie Buhl Raul Boesel
2000 Dick Rhea
Big John Gillis		 Billy Boat Lyn St. James Andy Hillenburg (R)
2001 Cory Witherill (R) Billy Boat Felipe  Giaffone (R)
2002 Bob Jenkins Greg Ray George Mack (R) Mark Dismore
2003 Bob Jenkins Robby McGehee Jimmy Kite Airton Dare
2004 Bob Jenkins P.J. Jones (R) Marty Roth (R) Robby McGehee
2005 Bob Jenkins Jeff Ward Jimmy Kite Felipe Giaffone
2006 Bob Jenkins Arie Luyendyk Jr. (R) P.J. Jones Thiago Medeiros (R)
2007 Bob Jenkins Roberto Moreno Richie Hearn Phil Giebler (R)
2008 Bob Jenkins A.J. Foyt IV Buddy Lazier (W) Marty Roth
2009 Bob Jenkins Nelson Philippe (R) Ryan Hunter-Reay Alex Tagliani (R)
2010 Dave Wilson Takuma Sato (R) Tony Kanaan Sebastian Saavedra (R)
2011 JMV Pippa Mann (R) Ana Beatriz Ryan Hunter-Reay
2012 Laura Steele Bryan Clauson (R) Simona de Silvestro Jean Alesi (R)
2013 (not held) Conor Daly-x (R) Buddy Lazier-x (W) Katherine Legge-x
2014 Bob Jenkins Sage Karam (R) Sebastian Saavedra Buddy Lazier (W)
2015 Curt Cavin
Chris Hagen		 Ryan Briscoe Tristan Vautier James Davison
2016 Curt Cavin
Chris Hagen		 Jack Hawksworth Buddy Lazier (W) Alex Tagliani
2017 Lindy Thackston Sebastian Saavedra Zach Veach (R) James Davison
2018 Lindy Thackston Jack Harvey Alexander Rossi (W) Conor Daly
2019 Lindy Thackston Sage Karam James Hinchcliffe Kyle Kaiser
2020 (not held) Sage Karam-x J.R. Hildebrand-x Ben Hanley-x
2021 (not held) Sage Karam-x Will Power-x (W) Simona de Silvestro-x
2022 Lindy Thackston Christian Lundgaard (R) Jack Harvey Stefan Wilson
2023 Michael Young Christian Lundgaard Sting Ray Robb (R) Jack Harvey
2024 Marshall Pruett Katherine Legge Marcus Ericsson (W) Graham Rahal
2025 Marshall Pruett Rinus Veekay Josef Newgarden (W) Will Power (W)

x – Denotes that the honoree did not attend the reception.
(R) – Denotes Indy 500 race rookie.
(W) – Denotes Indy 500 former winner.

In the very early years, a kitschy plaque was created to commemorate the event. It featured a piece of an exhaust pipe, jesting that the honorees got in [to the starting field] “by a piece of their tailpipe“. The names of each year’s honorees were affixed to the base for about decade. In some years, the chief mechanic for the 33rd position car was presented with the amusing “bucket of bolts”.

In many cases, the “Last Row Society” members are lesser-known, and somewhat obscure drivers, and not uncommonly are race rookies. However, twelve former or eventual Indianapolis 500 winners have participated in the honor at some time during their career. Mario Andretti (1978) was the first former “500” winner to be part of the Last Row Party. Other former or eventual Indy winners include Johnny Rutherford, Gordon Johncock, Tom Sneva, Eddie Cheever, Buddy Lazier, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Takuma Sato, Will Power, Alexander Rossi, Marcus Ericsson, and most-recently Josef Newgarden.

In 1997, original founders Gerry LaFollette, Art Harris, and David Mannweile, along with many-time emcee Robin Miller, organized the event for the final time. Starting in 1998, the event was moved to the Speedway Motel (“Brickyard Crossing”) and would feature a rotating host. Later it was moved to a suite in the Pagoda, and in 2023–2024, it was held inside the Hulman Terrace Club & Suites. In recent years, it has had a decidedly more family-friendly and less biting nature to the jokes. Miller quipped that during its heyday, the party was not “condoned” by USAC nor the 500 Festival Committee, and maintained that the 1997 edition was the last of the ‘original ones’. Nevertheless, the party continues to this day.

In 2013, the three drivers were named, but no reception was held. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no reception was held for 2020 or for 2021. After several years being hosted at the IMS Pagoda or at the Hulman Terrace, in 2025 the event moved around the block to the Dallara factory on Main Street in Speedway.

Driver Felipe Giaffone (right) shows off his “Last Row Party” jacket on Legends Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005.
(Johnson Photograph)

Front Row Party

In 1985, local restaurateur Chip Laughner decided to organize a reception to honor the three drivers who qualified for the front row of the Indianapolis 500. Laugher, manager of Jonathon’s Restaurant and Pub on the north side of Indianapolis, was interested in doing something for the race, but could not afford to sponsor one of the cars. At the time, there existed the classy “Jim Clark Award” reception, the more relaxed (and often irreverent) “Last Row Party”, as well as the annual Old Timers’ Barbeque. Laugher was surprised to find out that there was no banquet or function for the front row drivers. The only official recognition for the top three qualifiers (besides cash prize bonuses) was the front row photo shoot (usually held behind-closed-doors on the morning after Pole Day). The pole position winner usually enjoyed a considerable amount of attention and media engagement in the days leading up to the race, but the 2nd and 3rd place qualifiers typically received much less accolades.

Laughner arranged for an invitation-only dinner party – dubbed the “Front Row Party” – hosted at Jonathon’s, during the week leading up to the race. The three front row drivers, their families, and their crew members, would enjoy a multi-course dinner, and the three drivers were presented with a special gift. Race officials and other dignitaries also were known to attend, while members of the media or broadcasting typically served as emcee and auction hosts. In addition, Laughner started a tradition in which a front row driver of the past would be honored along with the current year’s front row drivers.

The chefs at Jonathon’s were known for preparing lavish meals, along with spectacular Indy 500 themed cakes. The reception was put on hiatus from 1988 to 1991, then returned in 1992. In some years, an auction was held as a fundraiser for a special cause. As a private, invitation-only event, tickets would become highly-sought after, and it became a popular engagement on race week. All three drivers of the front row usually attended, however, in some years, one or two of the honorees was absent due to scheduling conflicts.

In 1995, Jonathan’s was sold and converted to a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. For 1995, the Laughners (with new co-host T.P. Donovan) moved it to the Ritz Charles. In 1996, pole position winner Scott Brayton was tragically killed in a practice crash on Friday May 17. The starting grid was revised, elevating Tony Stewart to the pole, Davy Jones up to second, and Eliseo Salazar moving from 4th to the outside of the front row. The Front Row Party was amended to honor the three updated drivers, but Stewart and his Team Menard crew were unable to attend, due to attending Brayton’s funeral in Michigan.

Starting in 1997, the party was moved to the pavilion at the Brickyard Crossing Inn (formerly the Speedway Motel), which allowed for a much larger audience, albeit one that was less exclusive, and less opulent. The party was quietly retired after 2000. One year later, in 2001, car owner Fred Treadway was reportedly upset when he heard that the event had been permanently cancelled. Treadway, at the time a co-owner of Average Joe’s Sports Bar in nearby Broad Ripple, arranged for a casual party for that year’s front row drivers. The impromptu 2001 Front Row Party is considered an unofficial extension of the original concept.

Year Front Row Drivers Past Honoree Emcee/Auctioneers
1985 Pancho Carter
Scott Brayton
Bobby Rahal		 Mark Donohue Paul Page
1986 Rick Mears
Danny Sullivan
Michael Andretti		 Parnelli Jones
1987 Mario Andretti
Bobby Rahal
Rick Mears		 Johnny Rutherford Jack Arute
Derek Daly
1992 Roberto Guerrero
Eddie Cheever
Mario Andretti		 A.J. Foyt Jack Arute
Tom Griswold
Robin Miller
1993 Arie Luyendyk
Mario Andretti
Raul Boesel		 Rick Mears Dave Wilson
Robin Miller
1994 Al Unser Jr.
Raul Boesel
Emerson Fittipaldi		 Tom Sneva Jack Arute
Derek Daly
Dave Wilson
1995 Scott Brayton
Arie Luyendyk
Scott Goodyear		 Mario Andretti Jack Arute
Gary Lee
Dave Wilson
1996 Tony Stewart
Davy Jones
Eliseo Salazar		 Al Unser Sr.
1997 Arie Luyendyk
Tony Stewart
Vincenzo Sospirir		 Rodger Ward Dave Calabro
Shelley Shane
1998 Billy Boat
Greg Ray
Kenny Brack		 Gordon Johncock
1999 Arie Luyendyk
Greg Ray
Billy Boat
2000 Juan Pablo Montoya
Greg Ray
Eliseo Salazar		 Arie Luyendyk

Angelo Angelopolous Memorial Award trophy on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in May 2006. (Johnson Photograph)

Angelo Angelopoulos Award

Presented by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcaster Association Inc. (AARWBA), the Angelo Angelopolous Award is named in honor of former Indianapolis News sports writer Angelo Angelopolous. First recognized in 1963, it is presented to the race participant “who best Exemplifies the Creed of Good Sportsmanship!”.

    • 1963 — Allen Crowe
    • 1964 — Bob Christie
    • 1965 — Jim Hurtubise
    • 1966 — Joe Leonard
    • 1967 — none
    • 1968 — none
    • 1969 — Arnie Knepper
    • 1970 — none
    • 1971 — Gary Bettenhausen
    • 1972 — none
    • 1973 — Wally Dallenbach
    • 1974 — none
    • 1975 — none
    • 1976 — none
    • 1977 — David “Salt” Walther
    • 1978 — Mike Hiss
    • 1979 — none
    • 1980 — Johnnie Parsons
    • 1981 — Lindsey Hopkins
    • 1982 — none
    • 1983 — none
    • 1984 — J.C. Agajanian
    • 1985 — none
    • 1986 — Bob Laycock
    • 1987 — Johnny Rutherford
    • 1989 — Bill York and Bill Pittman
    • 1990 — George Moore
    • 1991 — Jim Gilmore
    • 1992 — Wayne Fuson
    • 1993 — A.J. Foyt
    • 1994 — Dick Simon
    • 1995 — Jep Cadou
    • 1996 — Scott Brayton
    • 1997 — Bob Clidinst
    • 1998 — Harvey Duck
    • 1999 — Arie Luyendyk
    • 2000 — Chris Economaki
    • 2001 — Norma “Dusty” Brandel
    • 2002 — Leon Duray “Jigger” Sirois
    • 2003 — Dick Mittman, John Paul Jr., and Bill Marvel
    • 2004 — Shav Glick
    • 2005 — Robbie Buhl
    • 2006 — Kay Totten and Tim Sullivan
    • 2007 — Davey Hamilton
    • 2008 — Jim Wilson
    • 2009 — Al Speyer
    • 2010 — John Barnes
    • 2011 — Sarah Fisher
    • 2012 — Jack Martin
    • 2013 — Jan Shaffer
    • 2014 — Sam Schmidt
    • 2015 — Charles “Chucky” Lynn
    • 2016 — James Hinchcliffe
    • 2017 — Fred Nation
    • 2018 — Michael Knight
    • 2019 — Paul Page
    • 2020 —
    • 2021 — Dan Luginbuhl

Louis Meyer Award

Named in honor of Louis Meyer, the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (1928, 1933, 1936). It is “Presented to those individuals who have contributed significantly to the continuing success of the [Indianapolis Motor] Speedway”. It is a prestigious lifetime achievement award presented in conjunction with the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers club. A plaque is on permanent display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. In some years, multiple recipients have been named. In those situations, it was sometimes a former driver along with a non-driver (“contributor”).

Louis Meyer Award plaque. On display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 2006.
(Johnson Photograph)

1991: Mari Hulman George, A.J. Foyt
1992: Duke Nalon, Johnny Rutherford
1993: Roger McCluskey, Tom Carnegie
1994: Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr.
1995: Mario Andretti, A.J. Watson
1996: Emil Andres, Chris Economacki
1997: Herb Porter, Dick Simon
1998: Thomas W. Binford, Arie Luyendyk
1999: Jim Rathmann, George Bignotti
2000: Rodger Ward, Ron Burton (artist)
2001: Parnelli Jones, Jack L. Martin (IMS Museum director 1979-1987)
2002: June K. Swango (secretary of Tony Hulman), Wilson D. “Bill” York (IMS media center manager)
2003: Johnny Boyd, Rolla Vollstedt
2004: Anton “Tony” Hulman George
2005: Roger Penske, Peggy Swalls
2006: Michael Andretti, Dan Luginbuhl
2007: John Barnes, Roger Bailey
2008: Helio Castroneves, Lloyd Ruby
2009: Louis “Sonny” Meyer Jr.
2011: Charles L. Walker Jr.
2018: Bobby Unser
2019: J. Doug Boles, John Andretti
2023: Mike Hull, Sam Schmidt

This award should not be confused with a different “[Winners Drink Milk] Louis Meyer Award” which has been sponsored by the American Dairy Association. That award is a small trophy/plaque usually handed out at the Public Drivers Meeting (or sometime during the month of May) to the previous year’s Indy 500 winner, in recognition of the winner drinking milk in Victory Lane.

Mechanical Achievement Award

Originally presented in 1959, this award lasted for 28 years, and went to the outstanding chief mechanic of the year. It was sponsored by Premier Industrial Corporation, and over time, it went under several different names (e.g., “D-A Lubricants Award” ca. 1983). It also had various different formats over the years. In some years, the award was a peer-based prize, voted on by the fellow chief mechanics. In other years, it was presented to the chief mechanic of the pole position winner. The award did not necessarily go to the eventual race winner, and in fact, was often voted on prior to race day. The person who won was presented with a cash prize, and a replica plaque of the permanent trophy. The award was retired after the 1986 race and effectively replaced with the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award starting in 1987 (see below).

The winner are listed below. The respective team/driver(s) is in parenthesis.

1959 — Jean Marcenac
1960 — Danny Oakes
1961 — A.J. Watson
1962 — Mickey Thompson
1963 — Johnny Pouelsen
1964 — A.J. Watson
1965 — Clint Brawner
1966 — Jerry Eiser
1967 — Bill Fowler (Dan Gurney)
1968 — Jud Phillips (Bobby Unser)
1969 — Jim McGee (Andy Granatelli; Mario Andretti)
1970 — George Bignotti (Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing; Al Unser Sr.)
1971 — Karl Kainhofer (Penske Racing; Mark Donohue)
1972 — Phil Casey
1973 — Smokey Yunick (Jerry Karl)
1974 — A.J. “Tony” Foyt Sr. (A.J. Foyt Enterprises; A.J. Foyt)
1975 — Grant King (Bentley Warren)
1976 — Chuck Looper (Lindsey Hopkins; Roger McCluskey)
1977 — Dave Klym (Jim McElreath)
1978 — Jim McGee (Penske Racing; Mario Andretti)
1979 — Grant King (Phil Threshie)
1980 — Steve Roby (Chaparral Racing; Johnny Rutherford)
1981 — Wayne Leary (Mike Mosley)
1982 — John R. “Jack” Starne (A.J. Foyt Enterprises; A.J. Foyt)
1983 — Barry Green (Forsyth Racing; Teo Fabi)
1984 — Tony Van Dongen (Bignotti-Cotter, Tom Sneva)
1985 — Mike Delves (Galles Racing; Pancho Carter)
1986 — Peter Parrott (Penske Racing; Rick Mears)

Clint Brawner Award

The Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award was established in 1987 and named in honor of the famous car builder and chief mechanic. Brawner was the winning chief mechanic for the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winning team (Mario Andretti), six national championships, and 51 total AAA/USAC Championship Car race victories. Brawner died in 1987 after a ten-year battle with cancer. The award is presented to one of the chief mechanics/crew chief participating in the race. The award goes to the one who “exemplifies the mechanical and scientific creativity, ingenuity, perseverance, dedication, enthusiasm and expertise of Clint Brawner”. The award does not necessarily go a member of the race-winning team or pole position winning team. The award often reflects accomplishments in time trials, and in most if not all years, it has been selected and announced prior to race day. In some cases, the award highlights a mechanic who led a team to successfully qualify for the race after struggling during the month or suffering setbacks along the way, or otherwise overcoming noticeable challenges. The first recipient, John Buttera, in fact won the award despite his car not qualifying for the race. As of 2024, the award has notably never gone to the chief mechanic of that year’s race winning team/driver.

The Clint Brawner Award essentially replaced the former Mechanical Achievement award which was handed out from 1959 to 1986. The award was originally sponsored by a foundation created by chief steward Tom Binford, Jim Gilmore, and Charles C. Hahn III.

The award is currently sponsored by Firestone, and features a $5,000 cash prize. The respective team/driver(s) is in parenthesis.

1987 — John Buttera (Machinists Union; Sammy Swindell)
1988 — Phil Krueger (Kent Baker; Phil Krueger)
1989 — Galen Fox (Gohr Racing; Tero Palmoroth)
1990 — Dale Coyne (Dale Coyne Racing; Dean Hall)
1991 — Darrel Soppe (Team Menard; Gary Bettenhausen & Kevin Cogan)
1992 — Bernie Meyers (Dale Coyne Racing; Eric Bachelart & Brian Bonner)
1993 — Phil Casey (Hayhoe Racing; Jimmy Vasser)
1994 — Craig Baranouski (A.J. Foyt Racing; Bryan Herta)
1995 — Greg Beck (Beck Motorsports; Hideshi Matsuda)
1996 — Billy Bignotti (Blueprint Racing; Johnny Parsons)
1997 — Mark Weida (Team Scandia; Vincenzo Sospiri)
1998 — Brad McCanless (Team Scandia; Jimmy Kite)
1999 — Kevin Hertle (Cahill Racing; Donnie Beechler)
2000 — Paul Murphy (PDM Racing; Sam Hornish Jr.)
2001 — Tom Bose (Curb/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports; Billy Boat)
2002 — Jamie Nanny (310 Racing; George Mack)
2003 — Dan Miller (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing; Sarah Fisher)
2004 — Butch Winkle (Roth Racing; Marty Roth)
2005 — Rick Duman (Roth Racing/PDM Racing; Marty Roth)
2006 — Brad Brewer (PDM Racing; Thiago Medeiros)
2007 — John Jones (Chastain Motorsports; Roberto Moreno)
2008 — Andrew O’Gara (Sarah Fisher Racing; Sarah Fisher)
2009 — David Janquart (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Richard Petty Motorsports; John Andretti)
2010 — Don Lambert (Bryan Herta Autosport; Sebastien Saavedra)
2011 — Brian Fellows (HVM Racing; Simona de Silvestro)
2012 — Brad Larsen (Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing; Josef Newgarden)
2013 — Dennis Lacava (Lazier Partners Racing; Buddy Lazier)
2014 — Mark Shambarger (Bryan Herta Autosport; Jack Hawksworth)
2015 — Roy Wilkerson (Dale Coyne Racing; Pippa Mann)
2016 — Tim Whiting (Dale Coyne Racing; Pippa Mann)
2017 — Adam Rovazzini (Michael Shank Racing with Andretti Autosport; Jack Harvey)
2018 — Richard Jones (Juncos Hollinger Racing; Kyle Kaiser)
2019 — Richard Jones
2020 — Blair Julian (Chip Ganassi Racing; Scott Dixon)
2021 — Ricky Davis (Chip Ganassi Racing)
2022 — Nick Allen (Andretti Autosport; Colton Herta)
2023 — Greg Senerius (Able Motorsports; R.C. Enerson)
2024 — Austin Shepherd (Ed Carpenter Racing; Rinus Veekay)

Permanent plaque for the Clint Brawner Award on display at the IMS Museum in May 2023.
(Johnson Photograph)

Water From Wilbur

In 1933, and again in 1936, race winner Louis Meyer famously drank a bottle of buttermilk in Victory Lane as a refreshment after a long, hot day. It was the origin of one of the most famous and most popular Indianapolis 500 traditions. Other winners were reported as drinking the milk from 1937 to 1941, and again in 1946. However, the Victory Lane bottle of milk did not become a firm annual tradition until 1956. Between that time, another short-lived custom was part of the victory lane celebration. Beginning in 1947, Speedway president (and three-time Indy 500 winner) Wilbur Shaw presented a silver chalice filled with ice water to the race winner for refreshment. Dubbed Water From Wilbur, it was part of victory lane for eleven years. According to historian Donald Davidson, Shaw was of the opinion that after a grueling 500 miles, winners would prefer water over milk.

Shaw was killed in a plane crash in October 1954. The Speedway continued to present the “Water From Wilbur” goblet in victory lane through 1957. By that time, the bottle of milk had already replaced the water as the more prominent tradition. The silver cup The drivers who were presented with the “Water From Wilbur” are as follows

1947 — Mauri Rose
1948 — Mauri Rose
1949 — Bill Holland
1950 — Johnnie Parsons
1951 — Lee Wallard
1952 — Troy Ruttman
1953 — Bill Vukovich
1954 — Bill Vukovich
1955 — Bob Sweikert
1956 — Pat Flaherty
1957 — Sam Hanks

In 1950, winner Johnnie Parsons reportedly was offered a carton of milk in victory lane by an unknown party, but brushed it off saying “Please, I don’t want that”, as the milk spilled. “Please, water!” he proclaimed and he was handed the goblet from Shaw. In 1955, after Shaw’s death, Tony Hulman presented the water for a few additional years. Pat Flaherty, the winner in 1956, is believed to be the first to partake in both the water and the bottle of milk. The last winner to receive the “Water From Wilbur” goblet was Sam Hanks in 1957.

The “Water From Wilbur” cup on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in May 2006. (Johnson Photograph)

After several years in storage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway offices, the “Water From Wilbur” cup was given to Bill Shaw, son of Wilbur Shaw. It appeared in a Wilbur Shaw exhibit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the 2000s, then was sold at auction in 2013.

Movie stars kissing the winner in Victory Lane

From 1947 to 1959, a popular female movie star was invited as a special guest to greet and kiss the race winner in Victory Lane.

Race winner in parenthesis

1947 — Carole Landis (Mauri Rose)
1948 — Barbara Britton (Mauri Rose)
1949 — Linda Darnell (Bill Holland)
1950 — Barbara Stanwyck (Johnnie Parsons)
1951 — Loretta Young (Lee Wallard)
1952 — Arlene Dahl (Troy Ruttman)
1953 — Jane Greer (Bill Vukovich)
1954 — Marie Wilson (Bill Vukovich)
1955 — Dinah Shore (Bob Sweikert)
1956 — Virginia Mayo (Pat Flaherty)
1957 — Cyd Charaisse (Sam Hanks)
1958 — Shirley MacLaine (Jimmy Bryan)
1959 — Erin O’Brian (Rodger Ward)

In 1950, Barbara Stanwyck was at the track also filming scenes for the film To Please a Lady. In 1950 Dinah Shore also performed “Back Home Again in Indiana” during the pre-race ceremonies. Beginning in 1960, the tradition of kissing the winner in victory lane was assigned to the 500 Festival Queen.

It was a custom at one point for the invited movie star to make a handprint in a block of concrete, which was displayed somewhere on the Speedway grounds. These blocks were removed and likely lost to history.

50th Anniversary

The “Golden Brick” ceremoniously installed in 1961. On display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2005
(Johnson Photograph)

In 1961, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first “500” (1911). Ray Harroun, winner of the 1911 Indianapolis 500 – at 79 years of age,  was on-hand for the Golden Anniversary. He participated in pre-race ceremonies, driving his 1911 Marmon “Wasp” around the track for ceremonial laps, and joined Tony Hulman to install a “golden brick” at the start/finish line. Harroun, the winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 also became the first “500” winner to live to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first Indy victory. After receiving relatively little fanfare over the years for winning the first race, Harroun was recognized and celebrated after long last in 1961.

In subsequent years, when a race winner reached the milestone of fifty years since their [first] Indy 500 victory, honors and accolades were planned with the driver often the guest of honor during pre-race ceremonies.

In 1936, the Borg-Warner Trophy was unveiled as the prize for the Indianapolis 500. Winners would be presented the trophy in victory lane. After the race, the winner would take home a replica of the trophy which was an embossed relief, mounted on an upright wooden plaque. In 1988, Borg-Warner decided to revamp the winner’s prize, and introduced the BorgWarner Championship Driver’s Trophy®, better known as the “Baby Borg”. It is an 14-inch tall free standing trophy made of silver, which is essentially a miniature of the actual Borg-Warner Trophy. Rick Mears (the 1988 winner) was the first driver to be presented with a “Baby Borg”.

When Parnelli Jones (the 1963 winner) reached his 50th anniversary milestone, officials with BorgWarner presented Jones with a Baby Borg. It was the beginning of a new tradition in which living former winners who did not receive the newer Baby Borg (they were presented with the older plaque only), were “upgraded” and would be presented with one on or around the 50th anniversary of their first victory.

Mario Andretti’s 50th anniversary celebration (2019)

The following is a list of Indianapolis 500 winners who lived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first victory.

  • 1911‒1961: Ray Harroun (attended 1961 race)
  • 1913‒1963: Jules Goux
  • 1914‒1954: Rene Thomas (attended 1973 race at age 87)
  • 1925‒1975: Peter DePaolo (attended the race regularly until his death in 1980)
  • 1928‒1978: Louis Meyer (attended the race regularly until his death in 1995)
  • 1960‒2010: Jim Rathmann (attended the race regularly until his death in 2011)
  • 1961‒2011: A.J. Foyt (presented with Baby Borg in 2022; also won a Baby Borg as an owner in 1999)
  • 1963‒2013: Parnelli Jones (presented with Baby Borg in 2013)
  • 1968-2018: Bobby Unser (presented with Baby Borg in 2018; attended the race regularly until his death in 2021)
  • 1969‒2019: Mario Andretti (presented with Baby Borg in 2019)
  • 1970-2020: Al Unser Sr. (presented with Baby Borg in 2021; attended the race regularly until his death in 2021)
  • 1973‒2023: Gordon Johncock (presented with Baby Borg in 2023)
  • 1974‒2024: Johnny Rutherford

Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991), Tom Sneva (1983), Danny Sullivan (1985), and Bobby Rahal (1986) are the remaining living former Indy 500 winners who did not receive a “Baby Borg” for the year of the first victory. Mears, however, did receive a Baby Borg for his third (1988) and fourth (1991) victories. Likewise, Rahal has subsequently received two Baby Borgs as a winning owner (2004, 2020).

The original Borg-Warner Trophy replica (plaque) which was handed out to winners through 1987. On display at the IMS Museum
(Johnson Photograph)

Memorabilia Show

A traditional month of May event in Indianapolis has been the annual auto racing memorabilia show. Traditionally held the day before the race (in some years across multiple days during the week leading up to the race), this event features vendors from the area and from around the country selling various collectibles and memorabilia pertaining to the Indianapolis 500, Championship/Indy car racing, other forms of racing, and all things surrounding the “500”, the 500 Festival, as well as other events held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The new and used merchandise include such things as Bronze/Silver badges, programs, books, yearbooks, magazines, ticket stubs, credentials, pins (cloisonné) and pin trading, patches, die-casts and models, autographed items, trading cards, hero cards, race-used or race-worn paraphernalia, photographs, posters, artwork, films/videos, decals, t-shirts, hats, uniforms, and countless other wares. Silent auctions and door prizes are sometimes part of the event. In some years, former drivers are invited to sign autographs and meet with fans. On special occasions, there have also been racing estate sales featuring rare, one of a kind collections.

An annual memorabilia show was first held in 1979. The event has been organized by a couple different groups and has been hosted at various different locations over the years. Originally organized by the National Association of Auto Racing Memorabilia Collectors, and led by Ken Breslauer, the “Day Before the 500” exhibit and ‘swap meet’ convention was held downtown at the Howard Johnson’s on Washington Street for its first several years (near where the present day JW Marriott is located). Later, it moved more or less across the street to the new Indiana Convention Center, just blocks away from the 500 Festival Parade route. The new venue allowed for expansion and an increased number of vendors. For a brief time it would be held in conjunction with a bigger event called the “Indy Motorsports Expo” at the adjacent Hoosier Dome. Sometimes it was billed under the moniker “Nostalgia Show”, and other years it was simply called a “Memorabilia Show”. Regardless, in almost every case, the nickname “Day Before the 500 show” was widely used. By the 1990s, it was being organized as the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show (“NARM”).

After many years at the Indiana Convention Center, the NARM show moved in the mid-2000s to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. For a time, it was hosted at the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion, and held alongside the Hoosier Hundred. In 2011, the Indianapolis 500 celebrated its 100th Anniversary (1911‒2011). In that year, the third year of the three-year-long Centennial Celebration, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted a memorabilia show at a pavilion in the Pagoda Plaza as part of the official Legends Day festivities (the day before the race). Dubbed the Indianapolis 500 Centennial Collectors Celebration, it was led by John Darlington, the president of the National Indy 500 Collectors Club (NI500CC), and memorabilia dealer Ted Knorr. This brand new show actually competed head-to-head with the existing NARM show which was still being held at the fairgrounds. It was reported than some vendors skipped the fairgrounds show in favor of the new show at the track, electing to take advantage of an expected larger crowd.

The 2016 memorabilia show at the Pagoda Plaza
(Johnson Photograph)

The NARM show continued for a couple more years at the fairgrounds, but it eventually ceased. In 2012 it boasted its status as the second oldest continuous sports memorabilia show in the country. It appears that 2012 was the final NARM show, and for 2013, a different show took its place at the fairgrounds. The newer memorabilia show, now being billed as Indy Memorabilia, was held each year on Legends Day through 2019. Most of the vendors shifted over to the new show, but it was not without its growing pains. The pavilion in the Pagoda Plaza had somewhat limited exhibit space, and with the large Legends Day crowd, it often resulted in a crammed and crowded venue. It was also only open for one day (Saturday) as opposed to two or even three days, which had been the case with the former NARM show. The memorabilia show was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then was not brought back to the track for 2021, presumably due to continuing COVID protocols and ostensibly due to the new Penske management.

For 2021, the event was revived and moved to the Embassy Suites Event Center in nearby Plainfield, Indiana (near the Indianapolis International Airport). Billed as “The World’s Largest Racing Memorabilia Show”, the Plainfield version was presented by Ripley Auctions in 2023, and featured over 170 vendors. A semi-continuous lineage of the event now spans over 40 years, and has inspired similar shows (for instance an occasional August show during Brickyard week). Smaller independent shows have also been held over the years during race week and during other times of the year. The Plainfield location is roughly 14 miles from the track (about a twenty minute drive), but has nevertheless proven to be an increasingly popular event. Since Legends Day activities at the Speedway have been reduced or phased out under Penske management, the memorabilia show has thrived at its new location.

NARM “Day Before the 500” Memorabilia Show history

Legends Day / “Indy Memorabilia” show history

Additional works cited

  • Fox, Jack C., “The Illustrated History of the Indianapolis 500”, Fourth Edition, Carl Hungness Publishing, 1994.
  • Popely, Rick, “Indianapolis 500 Chronicle”, Publications International Ltd., 1998.
  • The Indianapolis Star via Newspapers.com
  • The Indianapolis News via Newspapers.com
  • “The Talk of Gasoline Alley”, 1070-WFNI-AM: May 11, 2017
  • Kevin Triplett’s Racing History – “Water From Wilbur”, March 31, 2016

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