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The
community is invited to see racing legends Danny Sullivan and Michael Andretti
be inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame on Thursday, April 15, 11:00 am
on South Pine Avenue in front of the Convention Center, along the route of the
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Both men have won the Toyota Grand Prix of
Long Beach during their illustrious careers.
"I'm
delighted that we are adding two more legendary drivers to the Motorsports Walk
of Fame – Danny Sullivan and Michael Andretti," said Mayor Bob Foster, who
will be presenting the medallions to the honorees. "Every year the Walk
of Fame kicks off a great week of Grand Prix events that brings thousands to
Long Beach."
“Both
of these driving legends certainly left their mark here at Long Beach and we
are delighted to welcome them into the pantheon of existing honorees,” said Jim
Michaelian, President/CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, which is
honoring the drivers along with the City of Long Beach.
Danny Sullivan raced 11 times at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, winning
in 1992 when he set a record with an average speed of 91.945 mph. In
1985, he made world-wide headlines for his incredible “spin and win” victory at
the Indianapolis 500, where he spun around 360 degrees going 200 mph and went
on to win one of the most memorable victories at the Brickyard. In addition, he
was the 1988 CART World Series Champion and the Can-Am Rookie of the Year in
1980. Throughout his career he took a total of 17 checkered flags. He continues
to contribute to the sport by helping to develop the next generation of Formula
1 drivers.
Michael Andretti has carved out a very impressive career as both a driver and
owner. Andretti's first checkered flag was the 1986 Toyota Grand Prix of Long
Beach, and his final victory as a driver was also in the Toyota Grand Prix, in
2002. Along the way he became the winningest driver in CART history, with 42
victories, including the season championship in 1991. He received the
Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1984. After leaving the cockpit in
2003, Andretti went on to become the winningest owner in Indy Racing League
history, with Indy 500 victories in 2005 and 2007, 34 IndyCar Series wins as
well as consecutive IndyCar Series championships in 2004 and 2005.
The Walk of Fame medallions include renditions of the racers’ cars and their
major achievements in motorsports.
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