Dale and Gail Coyne Bestowed Boy Scouts of America Highest Honor

Dale and Gail Coyne receive applause after being awarded the Silver Buffalo by the Boy Scouts of America

At the annual Boy Scouts of America 2011 National Council Recognition Dinner held Friday night in San Diego, Dale & Gail Coyne, owners of Dale Coyne Racing, became the first couple since Ronald and Nancy Reagan to receive the prestigious “Silver Buffalo" award, the Boy’s Scouts of America highest commendation.

The Coynes received the “Silver Buffalo" award for their outstanding support of America’s youth through their generous contribution and engagement of Scouts and Leaders across America. Past recipients include: President Teddy Roosevelt, Bob Hope, President George Bush, Sr., President Bill Clinton and last year’s recipient Bill Gates.

The #19 Boy Scouts of America IndyCar, which has raced the past two years in the IZOD IndyCar Series, has brought thousands of youth firsthand experience into the science, technology, engineering and math aspects of this exciting and relevant field.

“I cannot begin to state the impact that Gail and Dale Coyne’s IndyCar Series program has had on our nearly 4 million members," commented Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca. “We are thrilled to have their generous support, and I am honored to know them personally. I cannot think of more deserving winners of the Silver Buffalo Award for all they have done and continue to do for the Boy Scouts of America."

The Boy Scouts of America, the world’s largest youth organization in the world, celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2010. The #19 Boy Scouts of America car finished an impressive fourth-place in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and look to improve upon that in this year’s race. The Coyne’s have brought an exciting new focus to area scouts in each of the 17 racing venues the IZOD IndyCar Series participates in throughout North America.

“We are both humbled and honored to be receiving this award," commented Dale Coyne. “It is the Boy Scouts of America that drive us and it is truly them, and their families that deserve this award for all that they are doing to build the future of this great country."