The Taranaki ex-pat mechanic behind Scott Dixon’s racing success has been awarded one of IndyCar’s most prestigious awards, 23 years after beginning his motorsport career as a cook.
Blair Julian has been selected as the newest recipient of the Clint Brawner Mechanical Excellence Award.
Presented annually since 1987 the award is handed out at the Indianapolis 500, and acknowledges the ingenuity, creativity, dedication and expertise of an Indy 500 chief mechanic.
Julian started in IndyCars in 1997, not as a mechanic but in hospitality, driving the Bettenhausen Motorsports team bus and helping cook food. He began working with Dixon’s team in 2001.
He told American motor sports magazine Racer that receiving the Clint Brawner award was a surprise.
“I’m very honoured to receive it, and you immediately think about all your crew guys who put you in that position to be considered for an award like this.”
Julian oversees Dixon’s No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and has been beside Dixon for all his 48 wins, and was with him when he was denied a second Indy 500 win on Monday.
“It’s nice to have everyone’s work on the No. 9 car recognised, and to be recognised individually.”
The award is named after Clint Brawner, one of racing’s most successful chief mechanics, winning 51 races in the National Championship race series from 1953 through 1969.
“I certainly don’t think of myself anywhere near like Clint Brawner, but it’s cool to be mentioned in the same breath,” Julian said.
