2022 Induction
Racing Category
While the story of Corvette Racing is ultimately about a team that never gives up, it begins with two men, Gary Pratt and Jim Miller.
Gary credits his father for giving him a love of cars. His competitive nature combined with his love of building and racing cars, along with his commitment to quality, got the attention of people like Bob Riley, Jack Roush, John Greenwood, and a man named Jim Miller.
Jim was successful in business, with a competitive spirit. By 1982, he was sponsoring some of his brother’s racing activities and getting some time behind the wheel. By 1984, as a businessman racer, he got into the Trans-Am Series in a Pontiac Trans-Am.
That’s when he met Gary Pratt.
Jim was impressed with Gary’s reputation as a builder and leader, known for his peerless quality. Gary saw Jim as a visionary, who knew how to make things work financially. Jim and Gary would join forces in 1989 to form Pratt & Miller Engineering & Fabrication.
Their work together eventually got the attention of Herb Fishel, Director of Racing for GM, and Doug Fehan, who would become the Program Manager of the team. As a factory effort, the Pratt & Miller led Corvette Racing team would open marketing doors; create excitement for race fans world-wide; provide a valuable technology transfer link between the race group and production group; while taking over 120 victories worldwide (one of those being the overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona), 14 Manufacturers Championships, and 8 class wins at Le Mans.
Together with their team of competitive professionals, along with GM support, and their incredible fan base, the names Pratt & Miller will be forever etched in Corvette history.
