John Lajba
Encyclopedia
John Lajba, is an American
sculptor who lives in Omaha, Nebraska
. He is known for his work in creating sculptures of historical and sports figures, and creates the annual Harley J. Earl Trophies
presented to the winner of the Daytona 500
.
. Lajba also created a World War II
memorial sculpture for the city of Omaha, as part of the 50th Anniversary World War II Memorial, dedicated in 1995 in the city's Heartland of America Park. Lajba sculptures are also found in Omaha's Durham Western Heritage Museum, representing travelers on the Union Pacific Railroad
.
Perhaps his most widely known work is the creation of a miniature replica of the Harley J. Earl Trophy
for awarding to the annual winner of the Daytona 500
, the season-opening and premier race of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Sprint Cup Series. Each trophy, weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kg), takes six weeks of twelve-hour workdays to create. Lajba also created a sculpture of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and his wife, Ann France, for display at NASCAR corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida
, as well as a sculpture of Dale Earnhardt which stands outside of the Daytona International Speedway. Another Lajba sculpture in Daytona Beach stands on the campus of Bethune-Cookman College
, a likeness of college founder Mary McLeod Bethune
commissioned for the college's 100th anniversary.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sculptor who lives in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. He is known for his work in creating sculptures of historical and sports figures, and creates the annual Harley J. Earl Trophies
Harley J. Earl Trophy
The Harley J. Earl Trophy is the trophy presented to the winner of the premier, and season-opening, event of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing , the Daytona 500. It is named after influential automobile designer Harley Earl, who served as the second commissioner of NASCAR...
presented to the winner of the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
.
Work
The owner of the John E. Lajba Sculptor Corporation, located in Omaha, Nebraska, Lajba's work includes a number of sports-related sculptures. This includes The Road to Omaha, a sculpture celebrating the NCAA College World Series, located outside Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Lajba also created a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
memorial sculpture for the city of Omaha, as part of the 50th Anniversary World War II Memorial, dedicated in 1995 in the city's Heartland of America Park. Lajba sculptures are also found in Omaha's Durham Western Heritage Museum, representing travelers on the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
.
Harley J. Earl Trophy
The Harley J. Earl Trophy is the trophy presented to the winner of the premier, and season-opening, event of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing , the Daytona 500. It is named after influential automobile designer Harley Earl, who served as the second commissioner of NASCAR...
for awarding to the annual winner of the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
, the season-opening and premier race of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's Sprint Cup Series. Each trophy, weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kg), takes six weeks of twelve-hour workdays to create. Lajba also created a sculpture of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and his wife, Ann France, for display at NASCAR corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, as well as a sculpture of Dale Earnhardt which stands outside of the Daytona International Speedway. Another Lajba sculpture in Daytona Beach stands on the campus of Bethune-Cookman College
Bethune-Cookman College
Bethune-Cookman University or B-CU is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida.- History :Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School in 1904...
, a likeness of college founder Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was an American educator and civil rights leader best known for starting a school for African American students in Daytona Beach, Florida, that eventually became Bethune-Cookman University and for being an advisor to President Franklin D...
commissioned for the college's 100th anniversary.