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The Gentleman Racer
By Andrew Cutler September 27 2008
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of a man who, in addition to being a world-class actor and humanitarian, was also one of the motorsports world's most high-profile and respected fans and participants. Paul Newman died on Friday at his Connecticut home; he was 83.

Newman first came into contact with the racing world during the filming of the 1969 movie "Winning", where he played a driver trying to qualify for/race in the Indianapolis 500. He quickly became hooked, calling racing; "the first thing that I ever found I had any grace in".

His first professional race came in 1972, with some two decades of racing Nissans in Can-Am & SCCA-style events to follow. He also made an appearance at the 24 Hours Of Le Mans in 1979, finishing second in class in a Porsche 935. His last major race came the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1995 where, at age 70, he became the oldest driver to ever be part of a winning team at an offically sactioned motorsports event.

Paul also made a strong impact on the team owner side of the business, joining forces with Carl Haas, a former Can-Am rival. Newman-Haas Racing became a team to be reconed with in the CART/CCWS ranks, winning over 100 race victories and championships with Mario Andretti ('84), Michael Andretti ('91), Nigel Mansell ('93), Christiano Da Matta ('02) & Sebastien Bourdais ('04-'07).

With the demise of the CCWS, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (Mike Lanigan had become an equal partner in 2007) entered the IndyCar Series for 2008. While they were edged out by the KVT squad for best results in '08 by a former CCWS team, NHL did manage to score two victories; one apeice by drivers Graham Rahal & Justin Wilson.  

 

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Re: The Gentleman Racer
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 07/10/2008 00:24

Sad and a loss to mankind as well as the racing world.
He'll be missed.

Sessions

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