Indy Car Featured Prominently, Highlighting Sport's Significance To Indiana
By Eric Powell
indy500.com
Thursday, August 8, 2002
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Tony George joined Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon, United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and popular Indy Racing League driver Sarah Fisher in unveiling a piece of American history Aug. 8 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The four dignitaries joined thousands of Indiana citizens - many of them children - in celebrating the release of the Indiana Quarter, the 19th state quarter in the 50 State Quarters® Program, which prominently features an open-wheel Indy race car circled by 19 stars atop an outline of the state.
"The Indiana Quarter is a testament to the historical and economic significance of Indy-car racing to the state of Indiana," George said. "The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been in existence for 93 years, exactly one-half of the time that Indiana has been a state. Clearly Indy-car racing in general, and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in particular, have had a tremendous impact on shaping the lives of Indiana's citizens and the many companies worldwide that have developed and promoted their products through racing."
Indiana was the 19th state to be admitted to the Union, on Dec. 11, 1816. A total of five quarters are released through the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program per year. The final releases will take place in 2008.
The Indiana Quarter design is based on a concept submitted by Josh Harvey of Centerville, Ind., and includes the state's motto, "Crossroads of America."
"We are very proud of this coin, and we think people around the country will instantly think of Indiana when they see it," O'Bannon said. "Our state played a significant role in the expansion and development of the United States as its crossroads, and this coin signifies that importance."
The unveiling ceremony began when Indiana First Lady Judy O'Bannon signaled the coin's arrival by offering the traditional, "Lady and gentlemen, start your engines!"
That fabled phrase prompted a short parade on the 2.5-mile oval from the fourth turn to the start/finish line including George, Fore, Bank One CEO and Chairman Lawrence A. O'Connor, National City Bank CEO and President Stephen A. Stitle, a Brinks armored car and Fisher driving Governor O'Bannon in a special two-seat Indy Racing League car. A number of state, local and federal leaders also attended the ceremony.
During the event, 2,000 free quarters were offered to children who attended. Special commemorative items also were sold, and a very limited number of those items will remain available for purchase at the Speedway's Hall of Fame Museum Gift Shops while supplies last.
The U.S. Mint, the Federal Reserve Bank, Brinks, National City Bank of Indiana and Bank One of Indiana coordinated with Governor O'Bannon to deliver the first shipment of Indiana quarters to Indiana (and specifically the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) before any other Midwestern state. The coins will be available on a limited basis in Indiana Friday and throughout the Midwest next week.
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