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IRL: Ray, Team Menard to receive top honors at awards gala

13 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS- Indy Racing drivers and teams will be honored in style for their achievements during the 1999 season at the annual Pep Boys Indy Racing League Awards Ceremony Saturday evening. And theyll also leave the ceremony with heavier wallets.

The black-tie gala will start with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 7:45 p.m. at the Murat Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.

ABC/ESPN television personality Bob Jenkins will serve as host. More than $2.8 million in points fund money and designated awards will be distributed to League teams and drivers during the ceremony, increasing the total prize fund for the season to more than $20 million.

1999 season champion Greg Ray and Team Menard figure to earn the biggest portion of that loot. Ray and team owner John Menard will split the $1 million Pep Boys Million championship bonus for winning the championship by 37 points over Kenny Brack.

Ray and Menard also will receive the Pep Boys Indy Racing League Championship Trophy from Tony George, founder of the Indy Racing League and president & chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Its the second time that Menard has won the coveted trophy, as he and driver Tony Stewart were champions in the 1996-97 season.

Teams and drivers also will receive a variety of designated awards. The winner of the Indy Racing League Special Achievement Award also will be revealed. Leo Mehl, executive director of the Indy Racing League and vice president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will bestow the award to a person who has made extraordinary contributions to the success of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League.

Ray won three races in the Glidden-Menards Dallara/Aurora/Firestone en route to his first Indy Racing championship. He clinched the title by finishing third in the season-ending Mall.com 500 on Oct. 17 at Texas Motor Speedway. The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Awards Ceremony will be broadcast at 1 p.m. (EST) Dec. 5 on ESPN2.

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