DETROIT -- Occasionally you pick up the most interesting tidbits in the least likely places. Example: While on a brief tour of the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 16, Vice President Joe Biden fondly talked about a 1967 Corvette Stingray that was an engagement gift from his father, who managed two Chevrolet dealerships in Delaware.
He relayed that his sons replaced the clutch as a Christmas present in 2012 and he "just had to" try out the car though the vice president isn't supposed to drive.
"I said to the chief (Secret Service) agent, I said, 'Look, either get in the passenger seat with me or shoot me because I'm moving,' " Biden said.
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was voted North American Car of the Year. Biden climbed behind the wheel of the yellow and black Stingray on display, with new General Motors CEO Mary Barra in the passenger seat.
The Borg-Warner Trophy, which was moved from the Detroit Renaissance Center where it was the center of attention during the Baby Borg presentations Jan. 15, also caught the attention of the VP during his tour of the Chevy display.
During the presentation of the BorgWarner Championship Driver's Trophy to Tony Kanaan and BorgWarner Championship Team Owner's Trophy to Jimmy Vasser and Kevin Kalkhoven of KV Racing Technology at a dinner in conjunction with the Automotive News World Congress, the three recipients thanked Chevrolet for the power behind the No. 11 car.
Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, was on hand to represent Chevrolet and share in the accolades.
Tagliani documentary nominated for award
"Alex Tagliani: The man, the athlete" has been nominated for Best Documentary Series in the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards.
The three 30-minute episodes, which were broadcast on Sportsnet and TVA Sports during the 2013 IndyCar Series season, gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Tagliani's preparations for the Indianapolis 500. The Canadian Screen Awards gala will be held March 4 in Toronto.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Tagliani will join 2013 Indianapolis 500 rookie Conor Daly to co-drive a car in the Prototype Challenge class for RSR Racing in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26.
"It will be a whole new experience for me and I'm ready to work with the team to learn from the guys around me to get up to speed quickly," Daly said.
Of note
Tony Cotman, who served as vice president of competition at INDYCAR and Firestone Indy Lights race director from 2010-12, returns as race director for the 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. ... Four-time Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner A.J. Foyt marked his 79th birthday Jan. 16. ... Deltran Battery Tender, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency battery chargers, will be an associate sponsor on the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car.