Indy Speedway starts Mike Harris scholarship

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Executive Vice President, Communications Fred Nation announced in the Media Center today the creation of a scholarship in the name of retiring Associated Press auto racing writer Mike Harris. The scholarship will be available to college students attending the Indiana University School of Journalism's new National Sports Journalism Center, location of the Associated Press Sports Editors headquarters, and the winner of the annual scholarship will also have the option to serve as an intern with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Indy Racing League.

Indy Racing League Vice President, Public Relations John Griffin and IMS Director, Public Relations Ron Green also presented Harris with a helmet signed by all 33 starting drivers for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

Contributions to the Mike Harris Scholarship can be made to:

Indiana University Foundation

Mike Harris Scholarship
c/o Fred Nation
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W. 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222

MIKE HARRIS: "The scholarship is certainly one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me, I think that's wonderful. I like the idea of giving back to journalism in some way and I think I'll probably do a little contributing myself to that one. Thanks, everybody, for all the things that have been going on recently. It's kind of embarrassing to have this many people saying nice things about me."