Andretti’s Harcus wins 2023 Robin Miller Award
Retiring longtime Andretti Autosport chief mechanic and staff supervisor Paul “Ziggy” Harcus was offered with the 2023 Robin Miller Award at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.
The award, named within the honor of the legendary late RACER journalist whose profession on the Speedway spanned 5 a long time, salutes “an unheralded particular person who’s devoted a good portion of their life to IndyCar racing whereas bringing unbridled ardour and unrelenting work ethic to complement the game.” Miller himself gained the inaugural award in 2019, adopted by Bob Jenkins and a joint award to Judy Dominik and T.E. McHale. Harcus is the primary non-media member to win the award.
“Everyone within the paddock is aware of Ziggy,” stated IndyCar president Jay Frye. “Nobody is aware of his first identify, however all of them know him. He’s been a mentor and buddy to all of us in IndyCar, particularly this group clearly. We will’t thanks sufficient for being you and all that you just’ve finished for us.”
The award was offered by Miller’s sister, Diane Zachary.
“This implies a lot to my household and I that I get to come back every year and have a second and say one thing to the recipient and be right here with all of you, and I can’t thanks sufficient,” she stated.
“Robin was very lucky. He obtained fairly just a few accolades and awards throughout his profession, however all of them paled compared to this. He was so humbled by this award as a result of this got here from his residence, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and his household, IndyCar. They have been every little thing to him.
“He had the identical type of ardour that you just (Harcus) do, and he had the identical type of tales that we will’t all share. However you liked what you probably did, and also you began from the underside and also you labored your means up. He was out right here when he was 19, jumped the pit fence, obtained an interview, stole a press move from the Star and submitted an article. They have been mad as might be that he did it, however they stated, you realize, it’s not half unhealthy, we’re going to run it. And that was the start of Robin Miller’s profession.
“The night time that Robin obtained the award I used to be at his condominium, and I caught him holding it and simply shaking his head, and he stated, ‘I simply can’t consider they considered me this fashion, and I’m holding an award with my identify on it.’ He stated, ‘It’s from my folks, my associates, my household. It’s the most effective day of my life.’
“Ziggy, I couldn’t consider a greater recipient than you. Robin cherished you dearly. The tales he informed about you… I do know they’re true.”
Whereas Harcus tried — half-heartedly — to argue in any other case, his primary focus was on the accolade. “That is fairly an honor,” he stated.
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