Team owner, track owner, administrator, driver

If inductees Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi form the head of American open-wheel racing, Dale Coyne might be the backbone. The Illinois native has been a constant presence for more than 30 years as a driver then team owner. Without big budgets or the best equipment, he has steadily developed a squad that vies for wins and podiums. In 1988, as his driving career wound down, Coyne formed Payton Coyne Racing with NFL superstar Walter. Dale Coyne Racing won its first race in 2009 with the late Justin Wilson. It added five more wins through 2021. Coyne has played a key role in spotting and developing young drivers like Paul Tracy, Alex Palou, and Michael Jourdain, Jr. He’s also helped run the sport. In the ‘90s, Coyne was the only owner to serve on both the CART and USAC boards simultaneously and was selected by fellow team owners to serve as CART’s interim CEO in 1994-95. Coyne later built Chicagoland Raceway with Tony George and inductee Bill France, Jr.