Bluffton native Dan Luginbuhl received the annual Bob Russo Founders Award from the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. The presentation was made on May 28.

Luginbuhl is a 1963 Bluffton High School graduate. His sister is Becky Cox of Bluffton.

The presentation came at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in advance of Sunday’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Prior to retirement, Luginbuhl created and implemented communication strategies for decades in business and motorsports for Roger Penske. He began his association with Penske as an agency representative, then as a full-time employee.

He developed countless media friends working on all of Penske’s racing endeavors, including IndyCar, NASCAR, the SCCA Can-Am and Trans-Am road racing series and Formula One.

The Rosso Award honors the late racing journalist, publicist and historian who founded the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.

The permanent Russo Award is displayed in the Speedway media center. Russo and Luginbuhl worked together on Danny Sullivan’s 1985 Indy 500 victory.

The plaque’s inscription states that recipients “demonstrate profound interest, tireless efforts and undying dedication to auto racing, as exemplified by Russo throughout his career.”