INDYCAR DRIVERS HAVE THEIR OWN FAVORITE MEMORABILIA
Verizon IndyCar Series drivers are often asked to sign items for fans’ memorabilia collections. But what kind of memorabilia do the drivers themselves cherish?
A sampling of drivers from the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May provided a wide array of answers when they were asked their most prized piece of memorabilia.
Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport:“ One of the coolest things I have is something my grandfather, Mario, gave me for my helmet collection: his retirement Speedway helmet, his‘ Arrivederci Speedway’ helmet from the last year he was in competition. I have a Michael Schumacher podium helmet, but Grandpa is definitely first. I’ d be in trouble otherwise.”( Marco is shown above with the retro-looking helmet he wore in this year ' s Indy 500, an homage to the helmet grandfather Mario wore when he won the race in 1969.)
Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne / Jonathan Byrd’ s Racing:“ I have a Bobby Unser painting that’ s signed by Bobby and Roger Penske. That’ s kind of cool. Something else I have from a U. S. serviceman, he sent me an American flag that flew over the air fields in Afghanistan.”
Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing:“ A signed Bruce McLaren picture. That’ s probably the coolest one. I don’ t know what year it’ s from. It’ s probably from the’ 60s.”
Alex Tagliani, A. J. Foyt Enterprises:“ A signed Scott Dixon helmet.”
By Phillip B. Wilson | IndyCar PR( Edited)
Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing:“ I’ ve got Tiger Woods’ first caddie jersey, I knew his caddie‘ Fluff’( Mike Cowan), and I have the caddie jersey bib that‘ Fluff’ gave to me, signed by Tiger to me, which is pretty unique.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport:“ I have a Michael Schumacher Nomex shirt that I like. I have a cool helmet collection with Will Power, James Hinchcliffe, Rubens Barrichello. They all have value to me.”
Carlos Munoz, Andretti Autosport:“ I had a picture from when I went to my first Indy car race at Fontana( California, Auto Club Speedway) in 2000. I went to that race and printed a picture with Michael Andretti and with Juan Pablo Montoya. I was a little kid. I look at that and it’ s good memories.”