Vanderbilt Cup Recreated
for U.S. 500 Winner
America's newest racing tradition will be symbolically linked with the sport's past when the winner of the Inaugural U.S. 500, May 26th is awarded a recreation of the famous Vanderbilt Cup, motor racing's most sought-after prize at the turn of the century. A rendering of the recreated Cup was previewed at a fund-raising luncheon today at the Plaza Hotel in New York City by IndyCar for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.The rendering was unveiled by IndyCar President and CEO Andrew Craig and auto-racing superstar Mario Andretti while U.S. 500 General Manager Rena Shanaman served as the day's host.
"The U.S. 500 represents both the present and future strength of IndyCar racing," said U.S. 500 General Manager Rena Shanaman. "Now, the partnership with the Vanderbilt Cup ensures we will have direct roots to the sport's glorious past as well. We couldn't be happier."
Introduced in 1904, the original Vanderbilt Cup was conceived by William Kissam Vanderbilt, Jr., a great grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt (founder of the New York Central railroad). "Willie K," as he was fondly called by his racing buddies, commissioned the trophy from Tiffany & Co. as the grand prize for an annual motor-racing event designed to introduce the world's best manufacturers and drivers to America at a time when the automobile was still considered a plaything of the rich in this country.
"The U.S. 500 mirrors the American ideal of opening the door to all so the world's best can compete," said IndyCar President and CEO Andrew Craig. "Nearly one century ago, William K. Vanderbilt had a similar vision with the introduction of the Vanderbilt Cup. We are honored to have the opportunity to rekindle Mr. Vanderbilt's vision with the recreation of his famous Cup as the grand prize for the Inaugural U.S. 500."
Mr. Vanderbilt conducted 11 Vanderbilt Cup races between 1904 and 1916 (no races were run in 1907 or 1913). His nephew George Vanderbilt rekindled the family tradition with a pair of races for the Cup in 1936 and 1937, but the U.S. 500 will mark the first time in nearly 60 years that a Vanderbilt Cup trophy will be presented to the winner of an international automobile race.
The world's top IndyCar drivers will compete for the Vanderbilt Cup in the Inaugural U.S. 500 including Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Bobby Rahal, Paul Tracy, Jimmy Vasser, Scott Pruett, Robby Gordon, Christian Fittipaldi, Raul Boesel, Jeff Krosnoff, Gil de Ferran and more. All will attempt to join the list of Vanderbilt Cup winners that includes auto racing legends like Ralph DePalma, Bernd Rosemeyer, Tazio Nuvolari and Dario Resta.
The U.S. 500 is being televised live on ESPN beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, May 26. The U.S. 500 qualifying will also be shown live on ESPN the weekend of May 11-12. The winner of the race will take home a minimum of $1 million of the $3.6 million purse.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets to the U.S. 500 can order tickets by phone at 1-800-452-0950; by mail by writing to: U.S. 500 Tickets, P.O. Box 500, Brooklyn, MI 49230; by fax at 517-592-8445, or via TicketMaster outlets throughout the Midwest.
Source: IndyCar Website
Used by permission
