TRACKS; Lingner Group to seve as producers/consultants at IMS events

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS - Lingner Group Productions, Inc., will serve in 2001 as executive producers and consultants for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s three world-class racing events, the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and SAP United States Grand Prix, IMS and LGP officials announced today.

“All of us at LGP are excited to assist IMS in creating even more exciting and entertaining events,” said Terry Lingner, president and chief executive officer of Lingner Group Productions. “We understand big events and the heritage of IMS, so this is a great match. With all the expansion and growth of the Speedway and its events, we feel our people’s understanding of the interface between television, radio and on-track activities will be of great value.”

The Speedway has charged LGP to assist in pre-race activities for the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400 and SAP United States Grand Prix, and to help in adding on-site entertainment value for spectators throughout each event.

“Terry Lingner and the entire LGP family have gained a wealth of event production knowledge thanks to their years in the broadcast productions business,” said Tony George, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Their background and creativity, coupled with the skill of our event productions staff, will add a great deal to the fan experience at our events.”

George also noted that LGP will produce the television broadcasts for the 2001 Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration and the Indy Racing Northern Light Series Awards Ceremony.

LGP produced the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration broadcast in 2000 and has produced the NASCAR Winston Cup Series awards broadcast from New York’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel for the past decade.

The company’s most recent work was “Dale Earnhardt Remembered,” a tribute to the stock car racing legend that aired on ESPN after Earnhardt’s tragic death due a final-lap accident at the Daytona 500.

Lingner founded LGP in 1989 and is a three-time Emmy Award and two-time Cable Ace Award winner. Lingner was named “One of 30 who made a difference for Stock Car Racing” by Stock Car Racing Magazine. LGP and its sister company, Innovative, are based in Indianapolis.

Lingner and LGP partner Randy Fishman were among the original ownership group of the Northern Light Series’ Pennzoil Panther Racing team.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.