LEHMAN MEETS RACING LEGEND AT CORVETTES OF CARLISLE 2009

                                   Lehman & Mr. Mario Andretti

Racing Legend Mario Andretti and Texas/Louisiana Native Christopher Lehman share a moment at the AUG. 2009 Corvettes of Carlisle, “car extravaganza”.   Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is a retired Italian-born American automobile racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR (the other being Dan Gurney). He also won races in midget cars, sprint cars, and drag racing.

During his career, Andretti won four IndyCar titles (three under USAC-sanctioning, one under CART), the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI.   To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship, and, along with Juan Pablo Montoya, the only driver to have won a race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Formula One, and an Indianapolis 500.  No American has won a Formula One race since Andretti's victory at the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix.  Andretti had 109 career wins on major circuits.

Chris and Mr. Andretti were attending the largest Corvette event in the nation, Corvettes of Carlisle; having event grounds exceeding 100 acres, each year it fills to capacity with every make and model of Corvette from 1953 to present; a complete weekend full of entertainment, education, vendors, activities and even a parade.  Last year, Chris’s 1963 Corvette Stingray was chosen amongst a nationwide search to exhibit with a select group of 15 Corvettes during the show.   An honor fewer that three hundred individuals have shared in the past 28 years of the exhibit; headlined as “Chip’s Choice. 

In retrospect, in 1990 Chip Miller, one of the event co-founders created “Chip’s Choice” to showcase  his personal favorite cars; each year a new theme is presented to the viewing public.  This year pushes the exhibit stats of Corvette devotees to nearly 1 million throughout its 28 year run.  With Chip’s son, Lance Miller now managing the event, he continues his late father’s legacy; bringing together the best corvettes in the Nation and putting on a World Class event.   Chris states:  actually meeting Lance Miller and getting to know him, only adds to the Class in which the show is presented and personally recommends that if ever possible, that you attend one of the several shows presented throughout the year; simply go to the Corvettes of Carlisle’s website for more information.

                                  Chris & Lance Miller (Corvettes of Carlisle Co-Founder)

Chris’s car, also went on to become a featured car in Vette Vues Magazine, Dec 2008, volume 37.   His car presented with a 1963 authentic corvette look, but has been highly modified to include components such as a 502 cubic inch motor, performance suspension and upgraded 5 speed transmission.   He credits Vocational Training (in Auto Mechanics) while growing up in Jennings, LA as the catalyst that initiated his interest early-on, then specialized engineering training while in the Navy.   Additionally, spending time with Southeast Texas car enthusiasts who also shared his interest; to include, spending summers in Houston growing up as a kid, admiring all the cool cars around town.  

Chris served both Texas and Louisiana as a Navy Recruiter in Charge at local recruiting stations in the early 90s.   Chris retired from the Navy with twenty plus years of service aboard ships and nuclear submarines in 1997.   He earned a B.S. from Excelsior University Albany, New York and now resides in Fort Washington MD, and is married to Angela Stevens Lehman of Columbia MD.  He currently works as a government civil servant, assigned as a Logistics Director PMS385, at Naval Sea System Command, Washington Navy Yard Washington, DC. 

Chris Lehman’s car on display at 2008 Corvettes of Carlisle, “Chip’s Choice”

...... Just another happy customer with one of our Corvette brake kits by Hot Rods USA