Hulman George (l) was a favorite among many drivers in the IndyCar paddockGETTY IMAGES
IMS Chair of the Board Emeritus MARI HULMAN GEORGE, who had a "deep and abiding impact" inside the track and was "known for her generous heart and welcoming spirit," died Saturday at 83, according to a front-page piece by Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Hulman George was IMS chair from '88-'16, and was "known around the world as the woman who called on Indianapolis 500 drivers, 'Gentlemen, start your engines.'" Hulman George was 10 years old when her father "bought IMS after World War II in November 1945, when the possibility of demolition of the racetrack seemed imminent." She was a "motor sports trailblazer in her own right, co-owner of a team that raced at the highest levels of Midwestern auto racing, a rarity for a woman at the time." IMS often served as "center stage for Hulman George's philanthropic efforts." She created a program that "saw thousands of Indiana kids visit the Speedway each May to learn about the connections between education and motor sports." IMS "thrived during her tenure." The Indy 500 "grew in popularity worldwide and IMS expanded to host the Brickyard 400, the United States Grand Prix and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP." Her contributions to IMS and motorsports "led to Hulman George's induction" into the IMS Auto Racing HOF in '15 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/4).
NOTHING BUT RESPECT: Acting NASCAR Chair & CEO JIM FRANCE called Hulman George a "true inspiration" with a passion for "tireless philanthropy." France: "Her leadership and grace impacted us all" (NASCAR). IMS in a statement said Hulman George over the years generously contributed to "projects regarding arts, healthcare and animal care" while always remaining a "constant fixture at the track with her family during racing events" (IMS). NBCSPORTS.com's Jerry Bonkowski wrote Hulman George was "one of the most respected individuals in motorsports, and was one of the first women to be involved in operations and management of such a major facility as IMS." One of Hulman George’s "greatest achievements" was her "determination to constantly enhance safety." She "led the move for IMS to become the first major racing facility in the world to install the energy-absorbing SAFER Barrier" in '02 (NBCSPORTS.com, 11/3).
