TeamBlueOval
04-27-2010, 01:35 PM
Scott Dixon fell just short of winning last season's Izod IndyCar Series championship, but he was the most successful driver on the oval tracks with four wins.
From now on, there will be an award for such success.
IndyCar officials confirmed Monday that the top performers on the two types of tracks -- ovals and road/street circuits -- will be honored. The drivers scoring the most points in each category, regardless of where they finish in the overall standings, will receive a trophy named for a former champion and a cash bonus (amount to be announced later).
Honoring drivers for their specialties in a diversified series has long been discussed among fans. Randy Bernard embraced the idea shortly after becoming the Indy Racing League's chief executive officer in March.
Dario Franchitti was tops in points scored last season on road and street circuits, which led him to his second overall title. He finished second in oval points.
IndyCar will continue to crown an overall series champion, but having special designations could help drivers sell a partial schedule to sponsors.
Of the 17 events on this year's schedule, nine are on road/street circuits and eight are on ovals, starting this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Since road/street circuits were added to the schedule in 2005, no driver has scored the most points in both.
The name on the trophy for ovals -- likely A.J. Foyt -- will be revealed during the June 3-5 event at Texas Motor Speedway. The road course honoree will be named during the July 3-4 event at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100427/SPORTS0107/4270338/IndyCar-to-recognize-oval-road-overall-titlists
Why don't we just give them all a trophy to make sure everyone is a winner? :roll: I don't like this idea... winning a championship is supposed to be a huge deal, and I think this takes away from the overall championship by adding the other awards... jmo.
From now on, there will be an award for such success.
IndyCar officials confirmed Monday that the top performers on the two types of tracks -- ovals and road/street circuits -- will be honored. The drivers scoring the most points in each category, regardless of where they finish in the overall standings, will receive a trophy named for a former champion and a cash bonus (amount to be announced later).
Honoring drivers for their specialties in a diversified series has long been discussed among fans. Randy Bernard embraced the idea shortly after becoming the Indy Racing League's chief executive officer in March.
Dario Franchitti was tops in points scored last season on road and street circuits, which led him to his second overall title. He finished second in oval points.
IndyCar will continue to crown an overall series champion, but having special designations could help drivers sell a partial schedule to sponsors.
Of the 17 events on this year's schedule, nine are on road/street circuits and eight are on ovals, starting this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Since road/street circuits were added to the schedule in 2005, no driver has scored the most points in both.
The name on the trophy for ovals -- likely A.J. Foyt -- will be revealed during the June 3-5 event at Texas Motor Speedway. The road course honoree will be named during the July 3-4 event at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100427/SPORTS0107/4270338/IndyCar-to-recognize-oval-road-overall-titlists
Why don't we just give them all a trophy to make sure everyone is a winner? :roll: I don't like this idea... winning a championship is supposed to be a huge deal, and I think this takes away from the overall championship by adding the other awards... jmo.