Hornish, Panther take centre stage.

Sam Hornish Jr. and Panther Racing were the centres of attention last night, as they were awarded $1million and the Northern Light Cup at the 2001 Indy Racing League Championship banquet.

Hornish won his first Indy Racing Northern Light Series championship in just his second season of Indy Racing - and his first with Panther Racing - which joined Indy Racing in 1998. Hornish won the title with 503 points and three victories - including the season-ending Chevy 500 on Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Tony George, Indy Racing League president and chief executive officer, presented Hornish and the Panther team ownership group with the Northern Light Cup and a $1million championship bonus during the gala ceremonies at The Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

"It's been a great season," Hornish said, "The Pennzoil Panther guys have done a great job."

Hornish already is relishing his role and responsibilities as series champion.

"I'm very excited," he said, "It's a good thing. Since I came into the league, I've tried to show I'll do anything. I want the league to succeed. It means a better livelihood for me. It would mean I'm always going to be able to race and have a place to race. It has given me my first shot at a major open-wheel series and being able to run at the Indianapolis 500."

Hornish, 22, became the youngest driver to win a major-league open-wheel championship in modern American motorsports history when he landed the 2001 IRL title, and was a model of consistency, recording ten top-three finishes in 13 races.

"It's just been one of those years," Panther co-owner John Barnes smiled, "Somebody asked me earlier whether this reminded me of any other championship year? I think it can only compare to Al Unser Sr in 1970.

"We finished all but seven laps of all laps in competition. We led the most laps by probably two or three hundred. To take Sam in only his second year, actually year and a half, of IRL racing, it's just been tremendous to watch him."

Indianapolis television broadcaster and Indianapolis Motor Speedway public-address announcer Dave Calabro was the host of the banquet, which started with a special tribute of remembrance to the victims of the terrorist attacks of 11 September.

Performers from the award-winning Cirque du Soleil and musical group KC & The Sunshine Band provided entertainment during and after the ceremony.

The 2002 Indy Racing Northern Light Series season starts 2 March, 2002, with the Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and will be the first IRL schedule to boast a record 15 races.

"I know when it comes around to the beginning of March, we'll definitely be ready to go again," Hornish said, "I think we're going to have an even better year next year."

Other awards on the night were as follow:

Indy Racing League Achievement Award: Steve Keifer

Indy Racing League director of operations John Lewis presented this award to Indy Racing League transportation co-ordinator Keifer for his extraordinary and tireless contributions to the success of the Indy Racing League.

Indy Racing League Special Recognition Award: Dr Kevin Scheid

Scheid, an orthopaedic surgeon at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, earned this award for his outstanding work with injured Indy Racing drivers.

Chevy Rookie of the Year Award: Felipe Giaffone

Nate Love, regional marketing manager for Chevrolet Cars, presented the award and a $50,000 bonus to Giaffone for leading the rookie standings in the 2001 season with 304 points in his #21 Hollywood G Force-Oldsmobile entry. Giaffone finished sixth in the final Indy Racing point standings, the best result by a rookie since the league's inaugural season in 1996.

Pennzoil Chief Mechanic of the Year Award: Simon Morley

Jim Postl, CEO of Pennzoil Quaker State, presented Panther Racing chief mechanic Morley with a $25,000 bonus for winning this award. Morley's skill and leadership helped Panther Racing and driver Sam Hornish Jr win three races and the Northern Light Cup in 2001.

MBNA Season Pole Award: Greg Ray

Parish Henry of MBNA presented this $20,000 bonus to Ray, who earned four MBNA Pole Awards during the 2001 season, more than any other driver.

EMCO Gears Out Front Award: Sam Hornish Jr

Dan Cota of EMCO Gears presented this $10,000 bonus to Hornish, who led 765 laps this season in the #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara-Oldsmobile, more than 300 laps more than any other driver.

IRL Crew Most Popular Driver Award: Sarah Fisher

Carl Lundin of the IRL crew and last year's Most Popular Driver Award winner, Al Unser Jr, presented Fisher with this award after the driver of the #15 Walker Racing Kroger Special Dallara-Oldsmobile, was voted the most popular driver in crew and fan balloting throughout the season.

Championship Team Sponsor Award: Pennzoil

This award was presented to Jim Postl, CEO of Pennzoil, for the company's long-time primary sponsorship of Panther Racing, which won the Indy Racing championship this season with driver Sam Hornish Jr.

Championship Team Manager Award: Kevin Blanch

Panther Racing team manager Blanch accepted this award for his hard work in helping Panther and driver Sam Hornish Jr win the Northern Light Cup in 2001.

Promoter of the Year: Eddie Gossage

Director of Indy Racing Marketing Matt McCartin presented this award to Gossage, executive vice-president and general manager of Texas Motor Speedway. Texas has played host to nine Indy Racing events since 1997, more than any other track, and its innovative promotion strategies have helped TMS draw the largest crowds in the series outside of Indianapolis.

Engine Manufacturers Recognition: Oldsmobile

Indy Racing League president and CEO Tony George presented this award to Doug Stott, assistant brand manager for Aurora, in recognition of Oldsmobile's fifth consecutive engine manufacturers' championship and its long-time commitment to Indy Racing. Oldsmobile, withdrawing from motorsports after this season, powered the winner in twelve of 13 Northern Light Series races in 2001. Olds has won every manufacturers' championship since it debuted its normally aspirated Indy Racing League engine in 1997.

Manufacturer Awards:

These representatives accepted awards on behalf of their respective companies for achievement in Indy Racing:

John Biddlecomb G Force Technologies Ltd
Caterina Dallara Dallara Automobili
Peter Digby Xtrac Ltd
Bernard Dudot Infiniti Sports
Al Speyer Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc
Brad Stout Delphi Automotive Systems