When AutoWeek in 2006 ran an article featuring Stuttering Foundation friend and ambassador-at-large Jigger Sirois, the response was outstanding. During the past 9 years since the article ran, Jigger continues to educate the public on stuttering.

As a person who stutters, Jigger — well known in the world of car racing for some very fun reasons — spends his time these days advocating for public awareness of stuttering, education and early intervention.

It was his failed attempt to qualify his car at the Indy 500 in 1969 that ironically gave him his claim to fame.

He was mistakenly waved off a lap early in a run that would have been fast enough to qualify and won him the pole position.

The “Jigger Award,” that no driver really wants to win, is given annually before the Indy 500 to the driver with the worst luck that season.

Jigger credits therapy in 2000 with helping him overcome a life-long stuttering problem. Now he enthusiastically speaks out whenever and wherever he can to let people know there is help and hope.

Promoting the Stuttering Foundation in the article created a huge number of calls to the Foundation in 2006 and even today.

Jigger was born into a racing family in Shelby, Ind., and named Leon Duray after an Indy 500 driver his dad admired. He acquired his nickname after a Speedway mechanic, Jigger Johnson.

Jigger dreamed of winning the Indy 500, but today feels grateful for his “accidental fame” as it gives him an opportunity to reach more people on his favorite subject: help for those who stutter! 

Posted May 22, 2015