Racing world mourns loss of Paul Newman, 83

Hollywood was not the only world to mourn the loss of actor Paul Newman, 83, who passed away Saturday from cancer. The world of auto racing also grieved when it learned of Newman's passing. Newman, a champion sports car driver, was also a successful co-owner of the Newman/Haas/Lanigan IndyCar race team.

Tony George, chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder and CEO of the Indy Racing league, issued the following statement on Newman's passing.

"On behalf of my mother Mari Human George and the entire Hulman-George family at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series, our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of Paul Newman.

``To all his fans world-wide and those close to him in our racing community, we share a deep sense of loss, but cherish the many fond memories we will forever carry with us."

Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner and co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing, issued the following statement on behalf of his team.

``We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Newman,'' Rahal said. ``He was a man of great courage, determination and integrity and gave a lot not only to the world of auto racing, but to the world around us. His generosity knew no bounds and his work with helping children as well as what he achieved with aiding the environment will prove to help people for many years to come.”

“I had the pleasure of driving for Mr. Newman in 1981 and I was richer for the experience. He was a man of class and he was also deservedly very highly regarded for his driving skills. The world is a poorer place today for his passing.”

Tony Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and IRL IndyCar Series champ, also expressed his sadness over the loss.

“Paul Newman was a phenomenal individual who made a profound impact throughout his life,'' Stewart said. ``His acting skills are well-known, but equally impressive was his desire to give back and help those who just didn’t get the same shake out of life that we did.

“I got to know him through our time helping build Victory Junction Gang Camp and during my handful of races in the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona. We connected as racers, but Paul’s ideas of what we should do for charity is what really resonated with me the most.

“He set the bar, not only with his giving, but in how he gave. Whether it was through his own line of food products – Newman’s Own – or his work in helping create the Hole in the Wall Camps, Paul did it right, and he did it with class. He’ll be terribly missed.”