Dixon, Dallara inducted into IMS Hall of Fame

On Thursday evening in a ceremony held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Scott Dixon and Giampaolo Dallara were inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame.

In an evening hosted by president of the Museum, Michael Good, and emceed by the Speedway’s track announcer, Allen Bestwick, Dallara was inducted by Tony George, while Dixon received his honor from his employer for the last 25 years.

George credited sportscar star and team owner Andy Evans with recommending Dallara to him, when he was seeking a chassis builder to support his breakaway Indy car series, the Indy Racing League, which in 1996 used old CART cars. George admitted too, that when he first visited Dallara Automobili in Varano de' Melegari, in Parma, Italy, he questioned whether the company would be able to supply enough chassis in the timeframe. 

Of course, Dallara not only answered the bell, it eventually became the chassis of choice to the extent that since 2008, IndyCar has used Dallaras exclusively. George described Giampaolo as “a man of great character and integrity and that was what was most important to me.” He continued: “What has endured is a steadfast commitment to safety and excellence. And my hope is that the new [2028] IndyCar will do nothing but help solidify another 30 years of a great partnership.”

Dallara declared his induction as “a true privilege and deeply moving moment… an honor, a personal milestone.” He also gave credit to those who have worked for his company, which in 2012 expanded to Speedway, Indiana, where it produces not only the current Indy cars, but also chassis for other racing series. Dallara said that being partners with the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway had pushed the company to constantly improve and innovate.

Chip Ganassi, meanwhile, said of Dixon: “We all know Scott as the driver, the champion, the winner, the guy who makes impossible things look routine, but after all these years together I still feel there’s another layer to Scott. Every season, there’s another layer of focus, another layer of class, and another level of greatness. In a sport filled with legends, Scott stands apart because he’s never chased attention: he’s only chased excellence. And that’s why tonight the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame welcomes him as one of the great drivers of all time and one of the finest people the sport has ever known.”

Dixon himself said he “got” the Speedway from the very first laps he turned there ahead of his Indy 500 debut in 2003. “I felt the weight of history, the legends who came before us, the fans who fill the grandstands every single year, and the magic that only the Indianapolis 500 can create. It truly is special.”

The 45-year-old veteran has scored six IndyCar championships and 59 race wins, and has led more laps in the 500 than any driver in history, yet has conquered the Speedway only once (so far), in 2008. But he said that it was a privilege to have worked with great people in a great team like Chip Ganassi Racing which he regards as family, highlighting their pursuit of perfection and work ethic. He gave a special shout out to the team’s managing director, Mike Hull, who has called strategy for his No. 9 car for over two decades.

Dixon also paid tribute to his family, and described wife Emma as “my best ever teammate,” following up with a “Sorry Dario!” 

Jim and Joan Voyles were also 2026 honorees, receiving the Sexton Award for Distinguished Service. Jim is a renowned criminal defense attorney while Joan – the daughter of 1950 Indy 500 winner Johnnie Parsons – is a community philanthropist. They have long been supporters of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum as ambassadors and advocates, and are members of the Chairman’s Council, whose purpose to advance the Museum’s mission to celebrate the past while inspiring and educating future generations.