---

IRL, Indy 500: Drivers, Mechanics Honored for Excellence at Speedway

30 May 1999

INDIANAPOLIS-- Many Pep Boys Indy Racing League drivers and crew members were honored with special awards Saturday during the driver's meeting for the Indianapolis 500 in Victory Circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The awards, with winners:

Scott Brayton Driver's Trophy: Eliseo Salazar, Nienhouse Motorsports. Salazar earned $25,000 and crystal trophy designed and produced by Tiffany's for exemplifying the character and racing spirit of late driver Scott Brayton.

PPG Pole Award: Arie Luyendyk, Treadway Racing Luyendyk earned $100,000 and a trophy for winning the pole. PPG Industries, Inc. also presented a commemorative gold ring to all 33 starters. True Value Pole Winning Chief Mechanic Award: Skip Faul, Treadway Racing.

Faul earned $10,000 for helping to tune Arie Luyendyk to the pole. Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award: Kevin Hertle, Cahill Racing. Hertle, chief mechanic for Donnie Beechler, earned $5,000 and a trophy from Firestone for showing the mechanical skill, perseverance, dedication and enthusiasm of legendary Indy 500 mechanic Brawner.

Snap-on/Championship Association of Mechanics Top Wrench Award: Rob Stark, TeamXtreme.

Stark, chief mechanic for rookie John Hollansworth Jr., earned $5,000 for displaying mechanical excellence during practice and qualifications this month.

STP Unsung Hero Award: Leo Mehl, Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president and Pep Boys Indy Racing League executive director.

1998 Indianapolis 500 champion Eddie Cheever Jr. received a miniature replica of the Borg-Warner Trophy from the Borg-Warner Automotive Company and a plaque featuring a replica of the winner's bottle of milk from the American Dairy Association.

Luyendyk received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Indiana state Senator Murray Clark, on behalf of Governor Frank O'Bannon. The award is the highest honor bestowed to a citizen by the Indiana governor.

Tom Carnegie, in his 54th year as public-address announcer at the Speedway, was presented the same PPG commemorative ring given to each of the 33 starters in honor of his contributions to the race and the Speedway.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

.