Distinguished Engineering Alumnus
Award Recipient
Herbert A. Fishel — 2005
This distinguished alumnus earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1963. A native of Winston-Salem, NC, he is CEO of the Business of Motorsports and is recognized as one of the dozen most influential people in racing.
He began his career at General Motors and in 1969 joined the Chevrolet Product Performance Group.
In 1991 he was named Executive Director of GM Racing. His leadership in 1996 helped form the new open wheel series in racing known as the Indy Racing league.
Under his guidance, in 2001 GM became the first automaker in more than three decades to win racing's Triple Crown in the same year: the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, and the GTS class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He retired from GM in 2003.
In 2001 he participated in the Italian Mille Miglia driving a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM. He was awarded the Spirit of Le Mans award from the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and drove the pace vehicle in the Indy 500 in 2003. He was inducted into the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Hall of Fame in 2005.
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Also awarded in 2005
Herbert A. Fishel