Hildebrand Takes Home Some Hardware as Series Champ

10.23.2009

Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand - along with other drivers, teams and manufacturers - were recognized during the Indy Racing League Championship Celebration poolside at the W Hotel on South Beach.

Hildebrand accepted the mini Firestone Firehawk Cup along with a $10,000 award for the Raybestos Road and Street Course Challenge for scoring the most points on road and street courses, a $5,000 prize as the winner of the Lucas Oil Frequent Pole Sitter Award, a $5,000 "Securing Tomorrow Award" from Gregory & Appel Insurance for winning the most races, the $5,000 Palmer Family Frequent Podium Award and the $10,000 Sunoco Most Improved Driver Award.

"Winning this championship is at the top of the list of career achievements," said Hildebrand, who drove the No. 26 ARPRO car for Andretti Green Racing/AFS Racing. "To be able to win the championship at this level is I think the best thing that a driver can do to be able to move up and that's all of all of our ultimate goals. It means a lot to be here as the 2009 champion."

Hildebrand also won the Greg Moore Legacy Award in honor of the rising open-wheel racing star who died during a race 10 years ago.

Jayson Madison, chief mechanic for Hildebrand's car, accepted $5,000 as Mo's Gold Chief Mechanic of the Year.

Sebastian Saavedra of AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing won $10,000 as Mesco Building Solutions' "Building for the Future" Rookie of the Year, while Mario Romancini of RLR/Andersen Racing claimed the Force For Earth Hard Charger Award and its $5,000 prize for improving the most total positions during the season.

Firestone Indy Lights award winners
Championship driver (mini Firehawk Cup): J.R. Hildebrand
Herff Jones Championship Driver Award (ring valued at $4,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Ritmo Mundo Championship Driver Award (watch valued at $25,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Championship team (mini Firehawk Cup): Andretti Green Racing/AFS Racing
Mo'sGold Chief Mechanic of the Year ($5,000): Jayson Madison
Second place championship driver: James Davison
Second place championship team: Vision Racing
Third place championship driver: Sebastian Saavedra
Third place championship team: AFS Racing Inc./Andretti Green Racing
Firestone Painting Award: J.R. Hildebrand
Force for Earth Hard Charger ($5,000): Mario Romancini
Gregory & Appel "Securing Tomorrow" Award ($5,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Lucas Oil Frequent Polesitter Award ($5,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Mesco Building Solutions "Building for the Future" Rookie of the Year ($10,000): Sebastian Saavedra
National City Community Leader Award ($5,000): Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Palmer Family Frequent Podium Award ($5,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Raybestos Road & Street Course Challenge (10,000): J.R. Hildebrand
Sunoco Most Improved Driver ($10,000): J.R. Hildebrand