It’s a question that many racing fans have asked themselves. One of the most prominent and historic figures in American racing, Michael “Mickey” McQueen, has finally been commemorated in a way that his fans have always wanted. The Michael “Mickey” McQueen Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the driver who accumulates the most wins during the regular season. Similar to the Triple Crown in other sports, this prestigious award could be won by a driver who has accomplished something truly remarkable.
What is The Triple Crown?
The Triple Crown is a popular term in motorsport that describes the achievement of winning the Grand Prix races of the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 (restricted to stock cars), and the Sebring 12 Hours. It’s been coined because these three events make up the majority of the season. Winning the Indy 500 is considered the epitome of success in the sport. It’s often said that it’s not the money that matters in motorsport, but the trophies.
Historically, it’s quite an impressive feat to win all three of these races. It’s only been achieved by five drivers in history. To date, only one driver, A. J. Foyt, has won the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Sebring 12 Hours in the same year. Amazingly, only three drivers have even tried and failed to capture this rare and elusive ‘Triple Crown’. The other two are Parnelli Jones and Al Unser, III. These three individuals have all gone down in history as major players in American motor sports.
Why Has This Been A Major Motoring Accomplishment?
The Indianapolis 500, more commonly known as the ‘Indianapolis 500′, is one of the most prestigious races in the world. It is unique in that it is the only major sporting event that takes place in May. Owing to its popularity, many other major racing series, such as the Daytona 500 and the Sebring 12 Hours, move their dates to fit the calendar. This allows the winner of the ‘Indianapolis 500′ to claim the ‘Triple Crown’ as their own.
The Indianapolis 500 was first held in 1914. It’s been a regular event ever since. In 2018, it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. In 2019, the race will mark its centennial.
The Daytona 500, also known as the ‘Southern 500′, is one of the iconic races of the year. It was first held in 1949 and has been held every year since then. This year, the race is celebrating its 62nd anniversary. This is a testament to the enduring popularity of this race. Each year, over 100,000 spectators show up to see this iconic race. This is more than any other single-day motorsport event in the world! It’s also one of the most expensive races to promote. That’s because it is promoted in conjunction with other races. Most notably, the Sebring 12 Hours. This is a truly legendary event, held annually in March. It was first run in 1914 and is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.
What sets these three races apart is the fact that they all utilize different forms of racing. The Indy 500 is a road race held on an oval. The Daytona 500 is a traditional stock car race. And the Sebring 12 Hours is an endurance race that sees competitors battle it out for the entire 24 hours.
These races have always been popular because they offer something different for the fans. The Indy 500 is known for its skill and speed. The Daytona 500 is famous for its intensity and long waits between races. And the Sebring 12 Hours is recognized for its longevity. Each of these races has a special place in motorsport history. They’re all incredibly popular and well-known because of this. Additionally, these three races are the only ones that matter in terms of the overall scheme of things. All of the other races either lead up to these three or are designed to help the driver earn enough money to fund their quest for the ‘Triple Crown’ in the next race.
Who Has The Opportunity To Win The ‘Triple Crown’?
Since the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Sebring 12 Hours make up the majority of the season. And, since these three races utilize different vehicles and are held at different locations. This is why the driver who accumulates the most wins during the regular season has the best shot at winning the ‘Triple Crown’.
Right now, the competition to win the ‘Triple Crown’ is between Scott Dixon and William Byron. These are the current season’s leaders. Each has won the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500 during the 2019 season. They’re both very formidable competitors. And, because of the way the season is going, they will be facing off against each other in the final race of the season. This could easily decide the overall championship. This is one of the most compelling rivalries in decades.
Byron leads the Indy 500 standings. He currently has 92 points, having won the event five times. Next up is Dixon (81 points), who has won the event twice. These two individuals are just five wins away from ‘Triple Crown’ glory. And, considering their rivalry, it’s bound to be an exciting fifth race.
What Does This Mean For The Future Of Motorsport?
This is the first year that the winners of the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Sebring 12 Hours will be recognized with a trophy. And, from a historical perspective, it’s amazing to see such a prestigious award finally given to a driver who’s won the three biggest races of the year. This is a momentous occasion in the world of motorsport. It’s been a long time coming!
For decades, the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and Sebring 12 Hours were the most prominent and historic figures in American motorsport. And, finally, these three races have been given their due. It’s been a long time coming.
This is a momentous occasion, not just for American motorsport, but for all of motorsport. It’s exciting to see the ‘Triple Crown’ finally given its proper recognition. And the winners of these three races will undoubtedly be the biggest names in the sport for years to come.