© The Official Newsletter Of The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association Sept. 2017 Vol. 50 No. 9 Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Verizon Team Penske IndyCar Chevrolet V6, celebrates winning the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Championship with a second place finish Sunday, September 17, 2017 during the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California. Newgarden edged out teammate and 2016 Champion Simon Pagenaud, driver of the #1 DXC Technology Team Penske IndyCar Chevrolet V6, who won the race. (Photo by Michael L. Levitt/LAT for Chevy Racing) Simon Pagenaud, driver of the #1 DXC Technology Team Penske IndyCar Chevrolet V6, celebrates his victory Sunday, September 17, 2017 during the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway in Sono- ma, California. Pagenaud, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series Champion, finishes second this year to team- mate Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 hum by Veri- zon Team Penske IndyCar Chevrolet V6, who finished second in the race. (Photo by Phillip Abbott/LAT for Chevy Racing American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” While the city limits of Monterey, California is bulging with automo- bile aficionados of every stripe; and jaw-dropping motorcar events at every hotel and golf course, something truly unique is happening this year. As hard as the organizers tried to keep this exclusive reception hush-hush; leaks today are commonplace. Word of this invitation-only event was bound to be discovered. Says Dr. John Baeke, one of the event organizers, "Arguably the most famous Corvette of them all, the 1965 L88 #58053 of Zora Arkus Duntov ("Father of the Cor- vette") will be exhibited and its never-before told story presented in amazing detail. Retired GM engineer Kenneth Many know the performance specs of the L88 Cor- W. Kayser shall spearhead the presentation tell- vettes, and their rarity; but few know the behind-the- ing the exciting history of the prototype L88, in- scenes story of intrigue and subterfuge that was re- ternally called, "The Pilot" car. This car was the quired for these cars to ever become reality. Proceed- lightweight L88 racer, also referred by Chevrolet ing down the path of developing the 427cid, >600 hp engineers as the "Lightened Sebring". Years re- L88 , continually jeopardized Zora's career at GM. searching GM Heritage archives, as well as other Anyone of Zora's minions at Chevrolet Engineering troves from Duntov himself (even clips from a Center could have blown the whistle on the project, home movie) has culminated in this anticipated revealing the clandestine operation to GM brass. The event. mere existence of any L88 today, is a lasting tribute to how a group of like-minded workers remained loyal to one man... and tightlipped. The owners of #58053 have painstak- ingly preserved all manners of detail to maintain the originality of this, the grandest of all Corvettes. This car rep- resents the genesis of all L88 Cor- vettes and still retains its unique experimental engine, chassis, suspen- sion and body. The car shall be on display, along with cut-away mechani- cal components and many archival photos and drawings. Guests should expect to be overwhelmed with the volume of information and fascinating stories Kayser will cram into a limited amount of time. All guests will be invit- ed to inspect the car. Truly, Zora's Corvette is a National Treasure." Herb Fishel, GM retired racing boss, Ken Kayser, retired GM engineer, owner Nick Idioni and AARWBA member Joe Phillips All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005 American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 2 Feeling Up about Falling Down Kent lunghuhn A note we received from Bruce Bennett: For those of us who worked at The IMS, particu- larly in the media or photo departments, I read to- “Have you ever wondered if racing photographers day of the passing of Kent Iunghuhn, age 58, the have more balls than brains? I might have an an- former Director of Marketing at the Speedway. swer for you. A wonderful gentleman and friend originally from Terre Haute. He brought great talent coupled with a warm, witty, relatable personality. He was won- derful to work with and recognized in people their ability to do their job and the first to defer to someone’s experience or judgement as to how or what was needed. Gentle guidance comes to mind. His professionalism and experience in pro- duction and photography was respected by those of us who had the honor of working with him. He was missed after he left the Speedway and will be missed until we meet again. - Kay Camden Nichols “My family and I like to vacation in Aruba. It has perfect weather year-round, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, great restaurants. What it doesn't have, unfortunately, is oval track racing. So what does one do for excitement? Well, you can jet ski, snorkel, parasail, or rent ATVs and go careening through the desert. But as they say, been there, done that. So this year I tried some- thing new. I jumped out of a plane. Not alone, mind you - I'm foolish, not stupid. I did a tandem jump with an experienced skydiver. You wouldn't believe the view at 120 mph, freefalling from 10,000 feet. Especially for someone with a fear of heights. Photo: Kent, Mike Helton (NASCAR), “I think I'll go back to shooting races for relax- Mari Hulman George (IMS) ation.” IMS Photo by Kay Nichols. Regards, Donations in Kent’s honor are suggested to Bruce A. Bennett the Alzheimer's Foundation: https://alzfdn.org. A celebration of life will be at a later date. Online Obituary: http://obituaries.tribstar.com/story/kent-iunghuhn- 1959-2017-978222501 All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005 American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 3 To AARWBA Members and Friends: Bob Falcon was known for years in the racing circles and he Invented the Shoehorn back board to help get drivers It's unusual these days for there to be positive out of the car after a crash. He had a stroke a few years news that we all can embrace with pride and ago. No one knew where he was until recently when Pete V sent this note to Dusty: enthusiasm. Happily, all AARWBAers can share in the joy of this recent announcement: Dusty: President Dusty Brandel will be honored by Those of us who've the NASCAR Hall of Fame with the Squier-Hall been trying to figure Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. out Bob's where- abouts and his current condition ever since he disappeared, can finally relax because he's been found. I only knew that he moved somewhere north, possibly Oregon, Washington or maybe even Alaska. And because of his health he moved "UP THERE" to be near his daughter, who lives wherever THERE is. Well, it turns out that Bob is in Kodiak Alaska in an assisted living center called,”Bayview Terrace Assisted Living Facility". Phone: 907-486-6181. Thanks to Alice Hanks, and Matt Gandel, Earl Gandel's son, who lives Don't doubt for a second that this is a HUGE in Kodiak, Matt was able not only to honor. Very few awards carry such prestige, find Bob, but to spend some time with in part, because it's named in recognition of him and even take a picture of him pioneering broadcasters Ken Squier and the with a happy grin on his face. Matt late Barney Hall. Of course, as you all know, also got a shot of Bob's signature lad- en invention, his “shoe horn"- his driv- Dusty is a motorsports media pioneer in her er safety extrication board. own right. Alice Hanks was at Bill Pollack's me- Dusty becomes the first female recipient -- morial, and knowing that she was as close to Bob as anyone, I thought Squier, Hall, Chris Economaki, Tom Higgins, maybe she had more specific geographical information Steve Byrnes and Benny Phillips are the previ- as to wherethehell he was, other than "up north some- ous winners -- and will be part of a display in place". She did and without hesitation confirmed that Bob the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. She was in Alaska, and more specifically Kodiak, to be closer will be presented with the award as part of the to his daughter. next Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Meanwhile, I hoped that Earl Gandel, who was with me at Bill's memorial, might be some help, since his son This brings great credit not only to Dusty, but lives in Kodiak. So, I grabbed him, and introduced him to also to AARWBA. I am proud of Dusty and this Alice. And that began the search: Alice to Earl to Matt to Bob's daughter to Bob. Ironically, Matt already knew latest -- maybe greatest -- accomplishment. Bob's daughter, Thia, because she happened to have given him one of her kittens!!! Thankfully, Kodiak is a If you haven't yet called or written Dusty with small town. your good wishes, it certainly is appropriate that you do so. The contact info we have for Bob is the phone number at Bayview Terrace (above). or through Bob’s daughter, Thia, who works at Kodiak College, 907-486-1213, or Congratulations, Dusty! [email protected].