Darren Hagen, Brad Kuhn, Lee Kunzman, Henry Pens and Glenn "Bud" Trainor are the newest inductees into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026.

The announcement was made during the Firemen's Nationals USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship event at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the home of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Darren Hagen's USAC Midget resume includes the 2012 national title, plus pavement crowns in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as the dirt title in 2012. The Riverside, California native owns 25 USAC National Midget wins, including the 2006 Hut 100 and the 2011 and 2013 Night Before the 500. The 2012 USAC Indiana Midget Week champ also scored 15 POWRi wins, and found victory lane with USAC's regional series, Badger, and even was a Speedcar winner in Australia.

Brad Kuhn's midget racing success runs the gamut. He was the 2009 USAC national champ, and also added four Badger titles in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013, plus 2006 and 2009 POWRi crowns. In 2005, he conquered the USAC Speedrome championship and was named the National Midget Driver in 2005 and 2006. His tally includes 25 Badger wins, 23 POWRi victories, and 10 with USAC. The 2010 USAC Indiana Midget Week champ also grabbed Chili Bowl prelims in 2008 and 2009.

Lee Kunzman collected 16 USAC National Midget wins between 1968-1972. He was a winner in his first career USAC start in 1968 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in his home state of Iowa. He reigned victorious at the 1969 Astro Grand Prix held indoors on the dirt at the Houston Astrodome. In 1970, he earned another signature win in the Night Before the 500 at IRP. He fought back from severe burns and broken bones to win in his first USAC start back at Tri-County Speedway in 1971.

Henry Pens was a standout across multiple midget racing divisions. The auto body shop owner captured 24 career United Auto Racing Association (UARA) victories between 1963-1971, 10 of which came at his hometown track, Joliet Stadium in Illinois. Additionally, Pens was also a 16-time winner on the USAC National Midget trail from 1965-1970, including a victory in the 1969 Night Before the 500 at Indianapolis Raceway Park for car owner and fellow Hall of Famer Howard Linne.

Glenn "Bud" Trainor was a longtime mechanic, car owner, and series founder on the southwest midget racing scene. In 1952, he accrued success with an Arizona Midget Owners and Drivers Club championship as the head wrench for driver Art Bisch. By 1972, he founded Mighty Midgets of Arizona, and his Arizona Hard Chrome Special cars scored five entrant titles. He was honored as the 1983 MMOA Mechanic of the Year and also served as the MMOA president.

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

In a statement posted to social media, Maple Grove Raceway, the 1/4-mile dragstrip in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, has announced it will be reopening and released a schedule of events for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Last month, the track made a surprise announcement that the facility would be "closed and the race schedule suspended for strategic refocusing, restructuring and regrouping," according to the statement.

The track is reported to be officially owned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and Darryl Cuttell as of December last year. However, the track's official website, maplegroveraceway.com, features a "Darana Raceway Maple Grove Park" logo. Darana Motorsports Holdings, LLC, is owned by and associated with IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell. The track's closure came amid several IHRA series cancellations.

However, the recent announcement of the track's reopening included a schedule of 12 events through the remainder of 2026, beginning with a Friday Night Test-N-Tune on September 18.

See the full schedule below. For more information, visit maplegroveraceway.com.

2026 PRI Show exhibitors looking to increase brand visibility and generate year-round media coverage can connect directly with leading automotive and motorsports media at the MPMC Media Trade Conference, taking place February 2-4, 2027, in Orlando, Florida. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the conference remains the industry's premier business-to-media networking event, providing manufacturers with dedicated opportunities to share product innovations, company developments and technical expertise with influential media professionals. 

Since 1998, the Media Trade Conference has helped manufacturers connect with journalists, editors, podcasters, broadcasters, influencers and content creators who shape purchasing decisions and industry conversations. Participating manufacturers are provided a hotel suite that serves as their meeting space throughout the event and can host up to 42 pre-scheduled, 30-minute meetings over three days. 

"I am a huge fan of the Media Trade Conference," said Trent McGee of Centerforce Clutches. "It's really expanded because media outlets used to be traditionally print; the whole media landscape has completely changed. As a result, it's very much a moving target. The Media Trade Conference really gives you an opportunity to expand your reach or make connections that you probably otherwise wouldn't have." 

For PRI Show exhibitors, the event offers a strategic opportunity to build relationships with the storytellers who can deliver product features, technical articles, podcast appearances, video content and ongoing editorial coverage throughout the year. The conference's unique format encourages quality conversations in a focused setting, while networking events provide additional opportunities to strengthen industry relationships. 

To learn more and to register, visit mediatradeconference.com. 

Registration is now open for the 2026 PRI Show, the premier trade event for the global motorsports industry. Taking place December 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the PRI Show brings together the companies, professionals, and decision-makers driving the future of racing. Register for the 2026 PRI Show.

Qualified motorsports industry professionals can now register for the PRI Show without a PRI membership. The PRI Show remains a trade-only event for qualified industry professionals. New for 2026, attendee registration follows a tiered pricing structure, starting at $45 through October 2, increasing to $55 through December 9, and $65 during the Show.

More than 920 exhibiting companies have already secured more than 360,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, creating a show floor packed with the latest racing technology, performance products, manufacturing equipment, simulation tools, trailers and business solutions. From grassroots racing to professional motorsports, the PRI Show remains the industry's most important marketplace for discovering new products, building relationships, and conducting business ahead of the racing season.

"The PRI Show is where the business of motorsports comes together," said PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan. "Every December, manufacturers, race teams, distributors, engine builders, fabricators, track operators, and industry leaders gather in one place to strengthen partnerships, discover new innovations, and create opportunities that move racing forward. We look forward to welcoming the industry back to Indianapolis."

The PRI Show continues to serve as a driving force behind an industry that generates more than $69.2 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 318,000 American jobs, and produces more than $22.1 billion in wages and benefits, according to the PRI Motorsports Economic Impact Study. By bringing together every segment of the racing industry under one roof, the Show helps fuel innovation, investment, and long-term business growth.

New for 2026, the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium will debut during the Show, bringing together race engineers, manufacturers, technical leaders, and university engineering programs for a full day of education and collaboration focused on advancing motorsports technology and performance.

The 2026 PRI Show will feature a wide range of experiences and activations, from networking opportunities such as the Grand Opening Breakfast and PRI Full Throttle Social to education programming, specialty exhibit areas, and product discovery destinations including T.O.P.S. HQ, the Trailer and Motorcoach Exhibits, PRI Paddock, Machinery Row, NextGen Connect, and more.

"The PRI Show continues to evolve alongside the racing industry," said PRI Show Director Karin Davidson. "Whether attendees are sourcing products, learning from industry experts, exploring new technologies, or connecting with business partners, the 2026 Show is designed to deliver meaningful value at every stage of their business."

Each year, the PRI Show welcomes attendees from all 50 states and around the world, including race teams, retailers, engine builders, manufacturers, fabricators, distributors, media, sanctioning bodies, and track operators. Early registration allows attendees to receive their credentials in advance beginning in October, helping them save time and get straight to business when they arrive in Indianapolis.

To register, book hotel accommodations, and learn more about the 2026 PRI Show, visit PRI2026.com/Attend.

For additional information or questions regarding registration, please contact PRI Show Manager Nicole Harless, at nicoleh@performanceracing.com. 

The PRI Show is the industry's premier opportunity to connect with the hundreds of journalists attending the event in search of stories, innovations and industry developments that will help shape the future of racing. 

If you're making an announcement at the PRI Show, whether it's a new product, groundbreaking technology, partnership, expansion, acquisition or major company milestone, don't just share it––broadcast it.

Join the Official PRI Show Press Conference Schedule 

Exhibiting companies have the opportunity to host a 30-minute press conference in their booth as part of the official PRI Show Press Conference Schedule. This schedule is shared with attending media, helping journalists discover the biggest news and innovations taking place on the Show floor. 

Participating in the official press conference program can increase your visibility and create valuable opportunities to connect directly with industry media. 

To secure a spot in the Official PRI Show Press Conference Schedule, contact Marissa Guajardo at marissag@sema.org or 909-979-0782. 

Upload a Press Release 

Looking for even more exposure? Use the PRI Show Exhibitor Press Release Tool to build pre-Show buzz, reach attending media, and increase your chances of being featured in official PRI Show coverage. 

Post your Show-related press releases here. 

With this tool, exhibitors can highlight product launches, booth attractions, announcements, celebrity appearances, and more, helping journalists and attendees discover what your company has planned before and during the Show. 

For questions about the Exhibitor Press Release Tool or other PRI Show public relations resources, contact Juan Torres at juant@performanceracing.com.

Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) has named Kelvin Fu as its next president, succeeding David Salters.

Salters became president of then-Honda Performance Development (HPD) in 2020 and will leave HRC US to join a technology startup outside the motorsports industry.

Salters joined HPD in 2015 as chief engineer and engine technical leader before becoming technical director in 2019. Prior to joining HPD, he held a series of roles in other high-profile racing programs, including head of internal combustion engine power unit development for the Ferrari Formula 1 program, head of Formula 1 engine development at Mercedes-Benz High-Performance Engines (formerly Ilmor) and development and design engineer for the CART Indy car program at Cosworth Racing Ltd.

During his tenure, Salters oversaw three NTT INDYCAR SERIES manufacturers' championships and five drivers' titles, in addition to securing the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams', drivers' and manufacturers' titles.

Salters also pioneered the development and modernization of two electrified HRC US racing programs: the Acura ARX-06 IMSA LMDh car, launched for the 2023 season, and the current hybrid-powered Indy car, which debuted in 2024.

Additionally, Salters oversaw the launch of the new HRC US business division, which includes apparel, performance parts and a recently announced heritage racing business that connects motorsports collectors with Honda and Acura heritage race cars.

Fu has long served in senior roles at HRC US, most recently as vice president, and helped lead the organization to four of its 17 Indianapolis 500 victories while in that position.

Prior to joining Honda, Fu worked primarily in aerospace. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, followed by a PhD and postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, Berkeley, and another postdoctoral appointment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Fu then moved to Los Angeles to join the defense and aerospace company HR Textron.

At HR Textron, Fu served as a research and development engineer and advanced to product manager before moving to ITT Aerospace, where he became director of engineering.

Kelvin Fu joined HRC US, then known as HPD, in 2015, managing chassis design, aerodynamics and the performance engineering group. He was named director of programs in 2020 before being promoted to vice president in 2021.

Fu's role as HRC US president will be effective September 12, 2026.

For more information, visit hondaracing-us.honda.com.

Image courtesy of HRC US

Registration is now open for the 2026 PRI Show, the premier trade event for the global motorsports industry. Taking place December 10-12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the PRI Show brings together the companies, professionals, and decision-makers driving the future of racing. Register for the 2026 PRI Show.

Qualified motorsports industry professionals can now register for the PRI Show without a PRI membership. The PRI Show remains a trade-only event for qualified industry professionals. New for 2026, attendee registration follows a tiered pricing structure, starting at $45 through October 2, increasing to $55 through December 9, and $65 during the Show.

More than 920 exhibiting companies have already secured more than 360,000 net sq. ft. of exhibit space, creating a show floor packed with the latest racing technology, performance products, manufacturing equipment, simulation tools, trailers and business solutions. From grassroots racing to professional motorsports, the PRI Show remains the industry's most important marketplace for discovering new products, building relationships, and conducting business ahead of the racing season.

"The PRI Show is where the business of motorsports comes together," said PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan. "Every December, manufacturers, race teams, distributors, engine builders, fabricators, track operators, and industry leaders gather in one place to strengthen partnerships, discover new innovations, and create opportunities that move racing forward. We look forward to welcoming the industry back to Indianapolis."

The PRI Show continues to serve as a driving force behind an industry that generates more than $69.2 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 318,000 American jobs, and produces more than $22.1 billion in wages and benefits, according to the PRI Motorsports Economic Impact Study. By bringing together every segment of the racing industry under one roof, the Show helps fuel innovation, investment, and long-term business growth.

New for 2026, the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium will debut during the Show, bringing together race engineers, manufacturers, technical leaders, and university engineering programs for a full day of education and collaboration focused on advancing motorsports technology and performance.

The 2026 PRI Show will feature a wide range of experiences and activations, from networking opportunities such as the Grand Opening Breakfast and PRI Full Throttle Social to education programming, specialty exhibit areas, and product discovery destinations including T.O.P.S. HQ, the Trailer and Motorcoach Exhibits, PRI Paddock, Machinery Row, NextGen Connect, and more.

"The PRI Show continues to evolve alongside the racing industry," said PRI Show Director Karin Davidson. "Whether attendees are sourcing products, learning from industry experts, exploring new technologies, or connecting with business partners, the 2026 Show is designed to deliver meaningful value at every stage of their business."

Each year, the PRI Show welcomes attendees from all 50 states and around the world, including race teams, retailers, engine builders, manufacturers, fabricators, distributors, media, sanctioning bodies, and track operators. Early registration allows attendees to receive their credentials in advance beginning in October, helping them save time and get straight to business when they arrive in Indianapolis.

To register, book hotel accommodations, and learn more about the 2026 PRI Show, visit PRI2026.com/Attend.

For additional information or questions regarding registration, please contact PRI Show Manager Nicole Harless, at nicoleh@performanceracing.com. 

The Wheel Group (TWG), a designer, developer and owner of aftermarket wheel, tire, accessory and off-road brands, announced an expanded leadership structure focused on accelerating growth and strengthening its national accounts strategy.

The expanded roles bring together three experienced TWG leaders: Joe Podlovits, vice president of marketing and national accounts; Jill Hepp, director of marketing; and Brian Campbell, director of national accounts. This structure creates tighter alignment between TWG's product and brand strategies, how programs are brought to market and the needs of its largest customers.

"What's exciting about this team is that we aren't looking at National Accounts as simply a sales channel," said Podlovits. "We're looking at the bigger picture. How do we bring the right products, positioning and programs together to help our customers sell more?"

Podlovits brings 16 years with The Wheel Group and experience across multiple roles within the company, providing a broad understanding of TWG's brands, products, customers and operations. In his expanded role, he will lead both marketing and national accounts.

Campbell, director of national accounts, brings extensive automotive aftermarket and enthusiast-market experience along with years of working directly with aftermarket customers. Since joining TWG, Campbell has developed strong customer relationships and helped build and execute programs focused on growth.

Hepp, director of marketing, brings more than a decade of automotive aftermarket marketing experience. Her background includes brand strategy, product launches, dealer programs and integrated marketing. At TWG, she plays a key role connecting product development, sales, brand strategy and customer-facing initiatives.

For more information, visit thewheelgroup.com.

John F. "Fritz" Kayl, the co-founder of Katech Engineering based in Clinton Township, Michigan, has passed away. He was 80 years old.

Katech shared the following announcement following his passing:

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of John F. "Fritz" Kayl, co-founder of Katech and a man whose vision helped shape nearly five decades of Katech performance and motorsports history. In 1977, Fritz Kayl and Warren Frieze founded Katech with a shared passion for engineering and racing. From the beginning, the mission was clear: solve the difficult problems, push beyond what was thought possible and build engines capable of performing when everything was on the line.

As Katech's longtime CEO and Technical Director, Fritz helped establish the engineering philosophy and uncompromising standards that became the foundation of the company. Those standards carried Katech from IROC, Trans-Am and NASCAR to some of the most demanding endurance races in the world. Through Katech's historic relationship with Corvette Racing, Katech engines powered victories at Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring and beyond. Fritz believed horsepower meant little without durability, and winning required both. His relentless pursuit of better engineering and determination to solve the challenges others couldn't became part of Katech's DNA. His legacy is far greater than the engines, race cars, trophies and victories connected to the Katech name. It lives in the engineers who learned to think differently, the engine builders and machinists who were taught never to compromise, and the generations of people who continue to carry those standards forward.

Nearly 50 years after Fritz helped open Katech’s doors, his influence can still be seen in the way we engineer, build, test and race today.

Our deepest condolences go to Fritz's family, friends, former colleagues and the many people throughout the automotive and motorsports communities whose lives and careers he touched.

Thank you, Fritz, for the vision. For the relentless pursuit of performance. For setting a standard that still drives us today. Your legacy is in every engine we build, every challenge we take on, and every race still ahead. Your legacy will forever be part of Katech. With our deepest respect and gratitude, Mark & Lynn Rapson and the entire Katech Team.

For more information, visit katechengines.com.

Longtime motorsports journalist and key figure in the creation of the Motor Racing Network Jim Foster has been named recipient of the 2027 Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, becoming the 15th winner of the award.

Foster spent 15 years as a sports journalist, with a newspaper career that included stops at The Salisbury Post and The Greensboro Record, followed by seven years as sports editor of the Spartanburg Herald. It was there that Foster covered some of NASCAR's early years, including the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

After a brief stint in public relations with Chrysler's Dodge Division, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. hired Foster in 1967 as press director and assistant to the president. When France wanted the inaugural race at Talladega Superspeedway broadcast on radio in 1969, he turned to Foster to help make it happen. That effort ultimately helped spark the creation of the Motor Racing Network, with Foster playing a key role in assembling the team, which included legendary broadcaster and Squier-Hall Award namesake Ken Squier, that launched the network during Daytona Speedweeks in 1970.

"Jim Foster helped set a standard for NASCAR media coverage during the sport's formative years, bringing its stories and personalities to life for a growing audience of readers and, later, listeners," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR CEO. "From his years covering NASCAR for several newspapers in the Carolinas to helping establish the Motor Racing Network, Jim understood the power of connecting fans directly to the sport through vibrant storytelling. His vision and passion left a lasting impact on both the media landscape and NASCAR, and we're proud to recognize him with the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence." 

The Squier-Hall Award is voted upon by a panel of NASCAR and NASCAR Hall of Fame executives, active and retired media members, and former NASCAR competitors and industry leaders. Foster will be honored during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony festivities on January 22, 2027, and featured in an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence was named after legendary NASCAR media figures Ken Squier and Barney Hall, the first two recipients of the award.

The other seven nominees for the award were:

• Russ Catlin, one of the best-known early racing writers and historians; editor of Speed Age Magazine
• George Cunningham, long-time beat writer for The Charlotte Observer, Atlanta Constitution and NASCAR Scene; is the namesake for the annual NMPA award for Excellence in Writing
• Bob Montgomery, co-founder and announcer for the Universal Racing Network
• Bob Moore, spent more than 20 years as a NASCAR beat writer including stints with the Daytona Beach News-Journal and The Charlotte Observer
• Al Pearce, covered NASCAR for more than 50 years including 56 consecutive Daytona 500s, with a long tenure at AutoWeek
• Dr. Jerry Punch, veteran ESPN broadcaster whose NASCAR career spanned decades from pit road to the broadcast booth
• Hank Schoolfield, a jack of all trades bringing NASCAR racing to rans across the Southeast through newspapers, magazines and radio

For more information, visit NASCARHall.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR Hall of Fame