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Actor, IRL team owner Paul Newman dies at 83
by FOXSports.com
Paul Newman (1925-2008)
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Paul Newman was a fixture in the racing world as both an owner and driver. Look back at his career at the track.
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Newman was born Jan. 26, 1925, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and is best known as an Academy Award-winning actor with roles in movies such as "The Hustler," "Cool Hand Luke," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Color of Money," and the auto racing movie "Winning," among others. He also starred in other sports related movies, playing a hockey coach in "Slap Shot" and lending his voice to the animated feature "Cars."
In the racing world, he was part owner of the Newman/Haas/Lanigan IndyCar Series Racing team. Before joining the IRL this season, the team was a powerhouse organization in the Champ Car World Series and captured eight series championships.
"On behalf of Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, my wife Bernadette and myself, I want to express our most sincere condolences to Joanne and the entire Newman family on the loss of a great human being," said co-owner Carl A. Haas. "Paul and I have been partners for 26 years and I have come to know his passion, humor and above all, his generosity. Not just economic generosity, but generosity of spirit. His support of the team's drivers, crew and the racing industry is legendary.
"His pure joy at winning a pole position or winning a race exemplified the spirit he brought to his life and to all those that knew him. We will truly miss him."
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| Paul Newman (left) seen here with Carl Haas (center) and Graham Rahal (right) at Indy 500 qualifying in May. (Gavin Lawrence / Getty Images) |
The roster of drivers that raced for Newman included Mario Andretti, Bobby Rahal, Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy and current Formula One driver Sebastien Bourdais. Currently, Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson drive for the two-car organization.
"I had the pleasure of driving for Mr. Newman in 1981 and I was richer for the experience," Rahal said. "He was a man of class and he was also deservedly very highly regarded for his driving skills. The world is a poorer place today for his passing."
The movie icon spent several years behind the wheel, beginning his professional auto racing career in 1977 and competing in several high level events, including the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1977, where he finished fifth, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where his team took second place.
"I was never a very graceful person. The only time I ever really feel coordinated is when I dance with Joanne," he once told The Associated Press, referring to his wife, Joanne Woodward. "And that's not my doing. But when I'm behind the wheel of race car, I feel competent and in charge. It's something I really enjoy."
In 1995, Newman made history of his own as part of the 24 Hours of Daytona race winning team. Driving a Jack Roush fielded Mustang, Newman teamed with Michael Brockman, Trans-Am Champion Tommy Kendall and NASCAR star Mark Martin to win top honors in the GTS-1 division.
"Winning with Paul Newman was wonderful," Roush told writer J.J. O'Malley for the book "Daytona 24 Hours." "Paul hadn't been in a car for a while, and he was 70 years old and nervous about whether he would be the reason why we couldn't win, realizing the streak we had (of nine consecutive victories). With about four hours to go, Paul got out of the car and said 'That's it. I've done my part. I'm done.' I said, 'No, Paul, this is your race car, this is your program, this is your name we're under, you got to be in it for the last hour when we finish.'"
"So he reached down, and did something that an American hero would do, sucked it up and got back in the car for the last hour."
Newman drove his last race as a professional in the 2005 Daytona 24-Hours and even ran some hot laps around his beloved Lime Rock Park in August.
As the years went on, people kept asking him when he was going to quit racing. His reply was standard.
"That's what Joanne keeps asking me," he said.
Away from the limelight, Newman was also heavily involved in philanthropic activities. Most notably, he donated all the profits from his food company Newman's Own, which produces and sells products ranging from salad dressing to pasta sauces.
"Paul Newman was a phenomenal individual who made a profound impact throughout his life," said NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. "His acting skills are well-known, but equally impressive was his desire to give back and help those who just didn't get the same shake out of life that we did. I got to know him through our time helping build Victory Junction Gang Camp and during my handful of races in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. We connected as racers, but Paul's ideas of what we should do for charity is what really resonated with me the most.
"He set the bar, not only with his giving, but in how he gave. Whether it was through his own line of food products — Newman's Own — or his work in helping create the Hole in the Wall Camps, Paul did it right, and he did it with class. He'll be terribly missed."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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