IMS receives International Citizen of the Year award
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The International Center on Tuesday presented its annual International Citizen of the Year award to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The award is given to an individual or entity “whose work has achieved global impact and elevated Indiana on the world stage.”
The organization cited the Speedway’s history as an internationally known hub for multiple racing events, including the Indianapolis 8 Hour race, which is set to take place on Friday.
“Indianapolis Motor Speedway has made Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana synonymous with the auto racing industry,” Sarah Iglehart, board chair of The International Center, said in a news release. “The tradition and community that the Speedway upholds attracts spectators and businesses from around the world to Indiana – truly elevating our state on the world’s stage.”
The award was presented during The International Center’s annual fundraising event at the Speedway. IMS President Doug Boles told Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick the award makes him think of Carl Fisher, who co-founded the track.
“I think if he were here today and think about all of the international influence that we’ve been able to have, 37 different countries represented in the Indianapolis 500, all the different manufacturers and drivers from all over the world, it’s a pretty cool thing,” Boles said. “For us, we take an awful lot of pride and opportunity to put Indianapolis and central Indiana on an international stage every year.”
Boles said the global nature of the Speedway and the Indy 500 is oftentimes lost on people.
“Especially if you live here, it’s just sort of a Hoosier right to go to the Indy 500. But then, when you have an opportunity to step back and just see the influence that it has across the globe, the jobs that are created, not just here but all over the globe to support the teams and the manufacturers that race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’s pretty powerful.”
Previous International Citizen of the Year winners include racing-related individuals such as Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles and former IMS Chairman and CEO Tony George.
You can learn more about the award by clicking here.