FONTANA, Calif. -- The Indianapolis 500 and Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach are among the world’s 10 best motorsports races, according to an online poll conducted by USA TODAY and 10Best.com.
Results of the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Motorsports Race were released June 26.
The 99th Indianapolis 500 was won by Juan Pablo Montoya on May 24. Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing won the 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19.
“It is extremely gratifying to know that motorsports fans around the world see our event as one of the best in the world,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. “Our thanks to them for voting for us in the poll, and we look forward to once again delivering a world-class event next April.”
USA Today readers voted online from among 20 nominated races.
Jaques Lazier in radio booth
Jaques Lazier, who has started 56 Verizon IndyCar Series races in his career with a 2001 win at Chicagoland Speedway, returns to the broadcast booth for the MAVTV 500 as an analyst for the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
“I did it a couple years ago for IMS Radio, really enjoyed doing it,” said Lazier, who lives in Southern California with his family. “This is my back yard and Wally (Leavitt, the radio network director) gave me a call and said, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you do the color commentating for the Fontana race.’ I said absolutely. It’s fun, I love being out here, spent a lot of time racing here and love the track, love the series.”
Lazier, 44, finished second at Auto Club in 2002. He hasn’t been in a race since the 2009 season finale, spending most of his time now managing the Lazier family’s commercial properties in Vail, Colo.
“On top of that, I am doing anything and everything to get back (to drive) for the 100th running of the Indy 500,” Lazier said. “Everybody says that’s the biggest race in the world and by far the 100th running is going to be that much more special, that much more historic. It’s going to be a really big deal.”
Of note
Scott Dixon is carrying a special orange and black livery on the No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend to promote Unilever’s Degree brand and the Degree Get Moving Challenge. The #GetMoving program challenges consumers for six weeks with fitness activities ranging from cardio kickboxing to full-sprint workouts. Participants can earn prizes. The program kicks off July 1 at www.degreegetmovingchallenge.com. ... Monster Jam World Finals champion Todd LeDuc is the honorary starter of the MAVTV 500. ... Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power of Team Penske has finished in the top five in 45.6 percent of his 149 Indy car starts. ... Paul Tracy, driver analyst for the NBCSN telecast of the MAVTV 500, turned the first practice lap on the Auto Club Speedway oval in 1997.
She said 'Yes'
Linda Chavez corralled Michael Andretti's autograph in the Andretti Autosport garage area and then received a proposal of marriage from Shannon Gaffney, who cooked up the unique event with the assistance of team public relations personnel.
The Orange County residents have been dating for 15 years. Through tears, she said "Yes."
"It took awhile, but I couldn't find anyone to happier with in the world," Gaffney said.
