Sahlen’s Joins Supporters of Argetsinger Award Dinner Honoring Mario Andretti
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Sahlen’s, familiar to race fans in the Northeast, is the latest industry leader to join the International Motor Racing Research Center’s Cameron R. Argetsinger Award dinner honoring Mario Andretti.
A family-owned producer of quality meat products since 1869 in Buffalo, N.Y., Sahlen’s has signed on as sponsor of the reception at the Aug. 31 event at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y.
“We at Sahlen’s are proud to support the IMRRC dinner honoring America’s iconic racing legend. Mario Andretti and his accomplishments are known worldwide, and we're honored to be part of this gala evening," Joe Sahlen, company president, said.
Sahlen’s also was a platinum sponsor of the 2016 Argetsinger Award dinner, at which Roger Penske was honored.
Sahlen’s has been the corporate sponsor since 2003 of the annual Six Hours of Watkins Glen IMSA race in June.
“As a longtime sponsor, competitor and race fan from Western New York, The Glen has been my ‘home’ track for over four decades," added Sahlen, who, as a driver, has raced in four different classes of Grand-Am/IMSA competition, DP, GT, GS and ST. “To have an entity such as the IMRRC in Watkins Glen is a tremendous resource for people to appreciate the history of motorsports."
The IMRRC, a research and archival library focused on the history of all types of racing and all race tracks worldwide, is presenting Andretti with its annual Cameron R. Argetsinger Award for Outstanding Contributions to Motorsports.
Andretti is considered by many to be the greatest driver in the history of the sport, posting victories at virtually every level of racing in a career that spanned five decades.
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| Mario Andretti 1969 |
NASCAR, the International Speedway Corp., Watkins Glen International and IMSA are the presenting sponsors for the sold-out gala dinner. It precedes the Verizon IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen weekend at WGI.
The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, founder and organizer of the first races at Watkins Glen almost 70 years ago. It was established to honor a person who is recognized universally for having advanced and improved the sport, who brings prestige to motorsports and who demonstrates commitment to the future of racing.
Chip Ganassi was the inaugural award recipient, and Richard Petty was the 2015 honoree.
The dinner serves as a key fundraiser for the Racing Research Center. The IMRRC, opened in 1999, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
Other event supporters are Corning Incorporated, Bosch, Firestone, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Penske, Sports Car Club of America, Smithfield Foods, AmeriCarna, WELK Vintage Motorsports, Williams Auto Group, the Hilliard Corp., Elmira Savings Bank, Welliver, Corning Automotive Glass Solutions, Lotus WNY, Glenora Wine Cellars, Larry Kessler, Bob Newman and Archie Urciuoli.
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About Sahlen’s
The family-owned and operated Sahlen Packing Company was founded in 1869 in Buffalo, N.Y. Today, in addition to being the name behind the Buffalo area’s favorite hot dogs and holiday hams, Sahlen’s has grown from its Western New York roots to offer products in more than 15 states. It is the official hot dog of the Buffalo Bills football team, Buffalo Sabres hockey team, Buffalo Bisons baseball team, Western New York Flash women’s soccer team, the Charlotte (N.C.) Knights baseball team and the Florida Panthers hockey team. Sahlen's has been the corporate sponsor of the Six Hours of Watkins Glen IMSA race since 2003. Team Sahlen competes in amateur racing endurance events.