[MotorSports News]

LEXINGTON, Ohio - In 1962, Les Griebling and a group of Mansfield-area businessmen opened the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course as a weekend destination to showcase sports cars and driving abilities. The first event to take place was a driving school.
In 1980, Johnny Rutherford won the first Championship Car race at Mid-Ohio, driving a Chaparral-Cosworth. In 1981, TrueSports Inc., which included an Indy car team that won two races, the Rookie of the Year award and placed second in championship with Bobby Rahal behind the wheel, purchased the facility.
In 1986, TrueSports won the Indianapolis 500 and CART championship with Rahal and Mid-Ohio celebrated its 25th year of racing.
Michelle Trueman Gajoch has seen it all at the bucolic facility because she's been involved in multiple capacities since her father, Jim, completed the purchase. Trueman Gajoch is in her 20th year as president of Mid-Ohio.
For the third consecutive year, ticket-holders for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights event weekend filled the spectator mounds and camping areas - again contributing to the largest auto racing weekend in Ohio. On a day interspersed with meetings, spectator/sponsor greetings and general managerial meanderings, Trueman Gajoch picks up an errant gum wrapper and water bottle.
"It's challenging and fulfilling," Tureman Gajoch said of running the facility that hosts other racing events and a driving school from May to November. "There's never a dull moment. I have a tremendous group of people who work very hard to bring this together because putting event on like this weekend in particular is what they all take great pride in. I think we've done an excellent job."
In tribute to victory at The Glen
Dale Coyne Racing's transporter showed up to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a new look. In honor of the team's first win at Watkins Glen International in July, Coyne had it outfitted with a♫vinyl wrap design that includes a large photo of the entire team, including Justin Wilson's daughter Jane, celebrating in Victory Lane.
"The trailer was looking old and tattered and we knew a wrap would freshen it up," team owner Dale Coyne said. "We've been meaning to wrap it but it's been a busy schedule and we haven't been in the shop long enough to do it. After Watkins Glen, we thought it would be a good tribute to the team and everybody that's been with us to do one like this. I've never seen one like this and I don't think anyone has.
"So we came up with this idea and put the design together and got it done."
According to Coyne, the photo honors not just the current team members but every person that has worked for Coyne over the years. The transporter will keep its current look for the remainder of the season.
Wheldon travels with a part of the Guard
Panther Racing driver Dan Wheldon placed the patch of the Ohio National Guard's Bravo Company, 2-19 Special Forces Battalion (Airborne) in the No. 4 National Guard car for the race. The unit patch was presented to Wheldon on Aug. 6 when he and team owner John Barnes attended a "Welcome Home Ceremony and Freedom Salute" for the unit.
Ohio National Guard Adjutant General Gregory L. Wayt, who invited Barnes and Wheldon to attend the ceremony, attended the race.
Meira still aiming for Miami
A.J. Foyt Racing driver Vitor Meira, who suffered fractured vertebrae in the Indianapolis 500 in May, was re-evaluated last week by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell. Meira said he should be cleared to drive in the season finale Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. … Sarah Fisher was awarded the $10,000 Firestone "Tire-ific" Move of the Race award from the Kentucky race. ... Scott Dixon lead a field-high 51 or 85 laps. He had led only three laps on road/street courses previously this season. ... Oriol Servia finished 11th in his first race this season with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. ... Thirteen different drivers have finished on the podium in 13 races.


8/09 :: Full house