Mike Harris one of the most prominent motorsports journalists in the United States will be honored, by the Speed Channel Driver of the Year Award panel, for his lifetime of service to the award, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, May 27th. Harris started with the Associated Press in 1969 and has been the motorsports writer since 1980 and a member of the Expert Panel for 25 years. Born in Wisconsin, Harris had a number of assignments including the Indiana Sports Editor of AP. When the motorsports position opened up Harris thought it would be for three years. Instead he’s remained on the beat up to the present day. Harris was a large part of the coverage that took auto racing out of the curiosity phase to mainstream media. One high point in his career came in 2001 when he won The Story of the Year and Deadline Writing APSE writing awards for his coverage of Dale Earnhardt’s death at the Daytona 500. He has appeared on radio shows and television interviews too numerous to count in addition to the annual Speed Channel Driver of the Year Show. Harris said “I’m very honored. The Driver of the Year Award is very special to me, and, it’s an honor to be thought of in that way by the panel.” As a token of esteem of the panel Harris will be presented a Maurice Lacroix Swiss wristwatch and a plaque in pre-race activities for the 89th running of the Indianapolis 500 in the Indy Racing League.(DOTY PR)(5-26-2005)
