INDYCAR to play key role in Phoenix Car Week activities

The car collector world turns its attention to the Phoenix area Jan. 23-31 for its annual Classic Car Week.

INDYCAR will be in the thick of the auction and car show excitement on the brink of a historic 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season that includes the legendary 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the return of Indy car racing to Phoenix International Raceway.

The most versatile racing series on the planet will be on display at three key events over the course of the week:

• Six past Indianapolis 500 winners will conduct a roundtable discussion focused on May's 100th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" Jan. 23 at the Arizona Concours d'Elegance celebration of vintage automobiles at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. In addition, a small fleet of Indy 500 race cars, ranging from a 1914 Duesenberg to the 2014 race-winning Honda/Dallara, will be on display at the Concours that runs Jan. 23-24.

• That same Dallara, belonging to Andretti Autosport and driven to victory by Ryan Hunter-Reay in the 98th running, will be go to the highest bidder at the Gooding & Company auction Jan. 29-30 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with the stipulation that the buyer won't take possession until after the car's racing days are complete, likely following the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

• A special new-generation 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS coupe, the first off the production line with VIN No. 001, will be part of the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale on Jan. 30, with all proceeds benefitting Kettering University to provide opportunities for students in engineering, science, math and business. CFH Racing driver Josef Newgarden will take part in the charity auction festivities.