Special Awards Honor Memory of Tony Renna and Greg Moore
by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com
 Al Speyer (L) and Roger Bailey unveil new Firestone Firehawk Cup trophy. Photo: ShawnPayneIRL
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The Firestone Indy Lights Series introduced a new trophy and the continuation of two distinguished awards last week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Headlining the news from the developmental series that leads to IndyCar was a new Firestone Firehawk Cup: one with a striking new vertical design topped by the familiar 'Firestone' winged 'F' symbol on its fine silver top.
The new cup was created by Bruce Fox and towers on its pedestal over man and machine. It will bear the names of all previous winners of the Firestone Indy Lights championship dating back to 1991.
The giant trophy weighs nearly seventy pounds, and is composed of two weights of silver, carbon fiber and special resins.
The previous trophy was a traditional 'cup' design, approximately twenty inches in diameter, sitting upon a wooden base.
The presentation of the grand new design was made by Firestone's Al Speyer, the Executive Director of Firestone Racing, to Roger Bailey, Executive Director of the Indy Lights series.
"Firestone Indy Lights has been a great proving ground for talented young drivers," said Speyer. "Just look at the names that have honed their skills there before moving onto the IndyCar Series: Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon, Oriol Servia, Townsend Bell, A.J. Foyt IV, Alex Lloyd. All are past Firestone Indy Lights champions."
"We race on ovals, road and street courses providing the essential preparation for drivers to graduate to the IndyCar Series," added Bailey. "I think we've already contributed to the future of the sport."
Pair of Past Greats Are Feted with NameSake Awards
Two former Indy Lights series drivers are the namesakes of the additional awards Firestone announced. Greg Moore, who lost his life while competing in a racing event in 1999, is remembered with the Greg Moore Legacy Award (continued from its previous CART and Champ Car affiliation). A cash prize of $5000 will be presented in the late driver's name to the Indy Lights driver with outstanding talent combined with strong personality traits.
Moore was Indy Lights champion in 1995.
Tony Renna was a rising star in the IndyCar Series when he lost his life while testing in practice after the conclusion of the 2003 season.
He is remembered by the Tony Renna Rising Star Award, which carries a cash prize of $5000 to the Indy Lights driver whose spirit of teamwork, physical conditioning and adaptability to situation is judged exemplary.
"Greg and Tony were tremendous racers and even better individuals," said Speyer. "Firestone is proud to keep their memories alive in our hearts and to help inspire the next generation of drivers to greater heights."
- 1991-Eric Bachelart
- 1992-Robbie Buhl
- 1993-Bryan Herta
- 1994-Steve Robertson
- 1995-Greg Moore
- 1996-David Empringham
- 1997-Tony Kanaan
- 1998-Cristiano da Matta
- 1999-Oriol Servia
- 2000-Scott Dixon
- 2001-Townsend Bell
- 2002-A.J. Foyt IV
- 2003-Mark Taylor
- 2004-Thiago Medeiros
- 2005-Wade Cunningham
- 2006-Jay Howard
- 2007-Alex Lloyd
- 2000-Helio Castroneves
- 2001-Dario Franchitti
- 2002-Patrick Carpentier
- 2003-Sebastien Bourdais
- 2004-Ryan Hunter-Reay
- 2005-Oriol Servia
- 2006-Justin Wilson
- 2007-Justin Wilson
- 2004-Vitor Meira
- 2005-Patrick Carpentier
- 2006-Marco Andretti
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