Ganassi honored at Pittsburgh’s Dapper Dan Dinner

IZOD IndyCar Series team owner Chip Ganassi received the first sports leadership award at the 75th Dapper Dan Dinner & Sports Auction at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh on Feb. 9.

In 2010, Ganassi became the first car owner to win the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year and only the second owner to win both in a lifetime. He added a Brickyard 400 win later in the year.

"I've always believed my Pittsburgh roots have played a large role in my work ethic and whatever success I've had in sports," said Ganassi, a Pittsburgh native and resident. "Maybe it was the tremendous upbringing at the hands of my parents. Maybe it was the success of the sports teams of the 1970s in this town that made me expect to win. Or maybe it was just the good old work ethic that this town has.

"It was probably a combination of all three."