DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Patrick Long was named the 2024 recipient of the RRDC Bob Akin Award. He was honored at the annual Road Racing Drivers Club members dinner on January 22.

Each recipient of this honor, considered the top prize in motorsports for amateur, vintage/historic or semi-professional drivers, is selected by Akins son Bobby, RRDC members Brian Redman and Judy Stropus, and approved by RRDC president Bobby Rahal.

The distinctive trophy was conceived by the RRDC in 2003 to honor the memory of longtime RRDC member and past president Bob Akin, who lost his life following a testing accident in 2002.

It was designed by Steuben Glass in Corning, New York, and is given to a driver who best exemplifies the extraordinary qualities and characteristics that Akin represented, including a passion for motorsports and automobiles, a high level of sportsmanship and fair play, and who has contributed to the sport of motor racing and the community at large.

The primary award, etched with the names of the recipients, is displayed at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, N.Y. Each honoree receives a smaller replica.

Im super honored and humbled, said Long. When I got this phone call from Bobby [Akin], I was emotional and it led me into a little bit of reflection. Everything that Ive always known about Bob Akin is what a gentleman he was, what a competitor he was, what a leader he was, what a family man he was. All these things that you would aspire to be recognized for one day.

When Bobby told me Id be receiving this award, I felt a sense of relief and a sense of pride that the last four years have been a reset button for me. Its been about being present, about being conscious, about being a leader and a family man, and everything that my ability didnt allow me to do when I was a Works driver because I was just completely on edge and would do anything to put it on pole or bring a car across the finish line.

I am very, very honored to accept this award and my pledge going forward is to think about who Bob Akin was as a character and to make myself available to the next generation and to lead my team in business, and my family, as Bob Akin wouldve done. Thanks for having me.