Zak Brown, left, with J.C. Argetsinger, holding the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award. (Chris Walters image)

by racedaysaeditor 

CORNING, N.Y. _ Native Californian Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing’s globe-trotting empire, is the latest recipient of the International Motor Racing Research Center’s prestigious Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for outstanding contributions to motorsports.

Brown was honored Thursday during the 10th annual IMRRC gala on its return to the Corning Museum of Glass, site of the inaugural award presentation to multi-race team-owner Chip Ganassi in 2014.

Brown _ whose full legal name is Zakary Challen Brown _ was presented an etched glass trophy by J.C. Argetsinger, founding member and past president of the IMRRC. Motorsports TV broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch served as Master of Ceremonies, a role “Doc” has held for nine of 10 years.

“It is such a wonderful thing that Zak has brought back the Formula 1 McLaren team to its pre-eminence in racing,” said Argetsinger, Cameron’s eldest son and a retired Schuyler (N.Y.) county judge. “For that alone, he is so well-deserving of this award. There were other great constructors and owners (in the early days of F1), along with Bruce McLaren, John Cooper, Colin Chapman, Jack Brabham _ all giants. Zak is filling the same role today. He’s a businessman and leader. We are thrilled that Zak would take time out of his busy schedule to be with us.”

A series of video shout-outs were shown, sharing congratulatory and often humorous messages from racing and entertainment industry celebrities including David Hobbs, Al Unser Jr., Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, IMSA’s John Doonan, Emerson Fittipaldi, United Autosport’s Richard Dean and musicians John Oates and Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band.

Also acknowledging Brown’s accomplishments as a businessman and a race-car driver were INDYCAR Arrow McLaren’s Sam Schmidt, along with INDYCAR and F1 McLaren Racing drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, Alexander Rossi, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. O’Ward is a native of Mexico with family ties to San Antonio, Texas.

Bobby Rahal, winner of the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and former chairman of the IMRRC Governing Council, conducted a spirited interview with Brown while also fielding questions from the audience.

“It is my honor and privilege to introduce all of you to my friend Zak Brown,” said Rahal, who as co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing competes against Brown and Arrow McLaren in the NTT IndyCar Series. “The thing that first struck me about Zak is that he’s a racer. There is no doubt of that. That’s what drives the energy of his commitment, which is unbelievable. I don’t know how he does it. It’s really amazing to have witnessed what he’s done over the years.”

Brown was touched by the kudos he received during the evening. “It’s unbelievable to be with all of you here to watch the videos with all those legends and to be hanging out with Bobby,” said Brown, 52, born and raised in Los Angeles and currently residing in England. “I appreciate everyone showing up tonight and thank you so very much. It’s an honor and privilege and a surprise to win this very prestigious award. The legends that have won this award are some of my heroes growing up. I’m so happy to be able to work in this awesome sport of ours and with McLaren specifically.”

Located in Watkins Glen, N.Y., the International Motor Racing Research Center collects, shares and preserves the history of motorsports. Spanning continents, eras and race series, the Center’s extensive historical collection embodies the speed, drama and camaraderie of amateur and professional motor racing throughout the world. The Center welcomes serious researchers and casual fans alike to share the stories captured on its shelves and walls, and brought to life through a regular calendar of public lectures and special events. Further information is available online at www.racingarchives.org.

John Saunders, chairman of the IMRRC Governing Council, elaborated on the IMRRC’s mission to help preserve the important legacy of motorsports, while David Suess spoke on behalf of Diamond Sponsor The Esses. Sahlen’s, a continuing supporter of CRA Award dinners since the first year, also was a Diamond Sponsor.

“Presenting the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award serves the dual purpose of honoring an outstanding contributor to motorsports while also providing an enjoyable evening for guests and sponsors who appreciate the mission of the IMRRC,” said Mark Steigerwald, executive director of the organization. “They in turn participate in one of the IMRRC’s most significant annual fund-raising events.

“The dinner was a resounding success. Zak Brown’s generosity enhanced the live auction portion of the evening. Many of our event sponsors have been with us since the beginning, a further endorsement of our mission to preserve motorsport history.”

A 60″x42″ acrylic painting created during the reception by famed motorsports artist Bill Patterson was auctioned at the end of the evening. It depicted the 1991 Monaco-winning McLaren F1 car driven by three-time World Driving Champion Ayrton Senna of Brazil, with a current McLaren F1 car in the background.

Also auctioned was a specially-commissioned Corning Museum of Glass-created glass sculpture of a McLaren racing car, plus a driving suit worn by Piastri during practice at Saudi Arabia in 2024 (donated by McLaren Racing). An on-line silent auction also was conducted, with all proceeds going to the IMRRC, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Two vintage McLaren race cars were on display at the entry _ a restored 1975 McLaren M23 now owned by Greg Galdi, the F1 car driven to victory in the Argentinian Grand Prix that year by two-time World Driving Champion Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil. Also on display was Rob Dyson’s 1974 McLaren M16C/D Indy-car that Hobbs, David “Salt” Walther and Jerry Karl raced domestically. Three “street” McLarens, driven by event guests, also were featured at the entry.

Established in 2014, the CRA Award has been presented to motorsports legends Ganassi, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, “King” Richard Petty, the France Family, Rahal, Lyn St. James, Mike Helton and Richard Childress. Lesa Kennedy and Ben Kennedy of the France family were present, along with Rahal, St. James and Childress.

The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, who often is referred to as “The Father of American Road-Racing.” Argetsinger was a visionary who, in 1948, conceived, organized and drove in the first post-World War II road-race in America through the narrow streets of the Village of Watkins Glen. Argetsinger also brought the FIA Formula 1 World Championship to WGI in 1961. The famed Finger Lakes circuit hosted the United States Grand Prix for 20 years. Argetsinger served as president of the IMRRC for five years, until his death in 2008.

Sponsors and supporters of the Cameron R. Argetsinger Award dinner included Sahlen’s, The Esses, NASCAR/WGI/IMSA, SCCA Inc., SCCA Foundation, Hilliard Corporation, Hendrick Motorsports, The Gorsline Company Inc., Larry and Karen Kessler, Williams Toyota of Elmira, Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, Global Prairie, Charles W. Grimm Construction Inc., Glenora Wine Cellars, Greg Galdi, Welliver and Women in Motorsports North America.