NASCAR has named the late Steve Byrnes recipient of the 2016 Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

Byrnes, who died of cancer in April at age 56, worked for 30 years as a NASCAR broadcaster, most recently for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on FOX Sports 1. He also was co-host of the network's NASCAR Race Hub show.

Before that, Byrnes filled numerous other roles as a NASCAR broadcaster, including a 14-year stint as pit reporter for FOX Sports' NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage.

“For three decades, Steve’s hard work and humanity brought NASCAR fans closer to their favorite drivers,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said in the statement announcing the award. “His passion for the stories and people he covered was always reflected in his work. Steve was respected for his professionalism and adored for his easy demeanor.”

Byrnes will be honored during the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony on January 22, 2016, in Charlotte.

The Squier-Hall award is named in honor of longtime NASCAR broadcasters Ken Squier and Barney Hall, who were honored with the award after its creation in 2012.

The exceptional motorsport engineering career of Sir Patrick Head was recognized by the MIA at the House of Lords on June 30, 2015, with the presentation of its Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry.
 
This prestigious award was presented by the Rt Hon Lord Drayson of Kensington, at the MIA's annual summer reception, where 300 guests from government, parliament and the global motorsport industry were hosted by the MIA, as it also celebrated its 21st birthday.
 
Sir Patrick enjoyed a 45-year career in motorsport, during which time his cars won 114 Grands Prix, nine Formula One Constructors' and seven Drivers' World Championships and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
 
As co-founder and technical director of Williams Formula One, Sir Patrick led the team, alongside Sir Frank Williams through its most successful period to date, and was personally responsible for many innovations within Formula One.
 
His legacy is that he initiated the successful motorsport careers of many engineers, including multiple Formula One Constructors Championship winners, Ross Brawn and Adrian Newey.
 
Sir Patrick joins an elite group of previous MIA Award winners, including Malcolm Wilson OBE; Ron Dennis CBE; John Surtees OBE; Adrian Newey OBE; Ross Brawn OBE; Sir Frank Williams CBE; Sir Stirling Moss OBE; Sir Jackie Stewart OBE; and Bernie Ecclestone.
 
On winning his award, Sir Patrick said, "This award is much appreciated and it comes as a huge surprise. I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people, some fantastic engineers, in my career. Quite often, people are surprised because I'm not even the slightest bit interested in cars. I'm not sure I'm even that interested in race cars, but I'm very interested in engineering and I've always been fascinated by the process behind race cars and working with other engineers to get things sorted and get them working. I must say thank you very much to all of you for this award, it is a great privilege to accept it."
 
Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA, added, "Sir Patrick is the perfect winner of this Award on the MIA's 21st birthday. His determination to win, and technical leadership in seeking every advantage, has inspired generations of the very best engineers in motorsport. His contribution has literally changed the face of motorsport for the better, from which many have benefited. An outstanding individual in every way."

International Speedway Corporation saw attendance up for its NASCAR Sprint Cup races during the second quarter of this year compared to the same time a year ago, the company stated this week.

The company reported a 9 percent increase in attendance at Talladega Superspeedway in May and a second consecutive sellout for its Cup race at Auto Club Speedway (capacity 68,000) in March.

John Saunders, president of ISC, said Martinsville Speedway’s Cup race in March also saw an increase in attendance but didn’t reveal by how much.

He said attendance was down 3 percent for the June 14 Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. Saunders said ticket sales were trending up until forecasts of rain for the race. Saunders said attendance was down for Cup races at Richmond and Kansas, citing the weather but did not say by how much.

Saunders also said that Sunday night’s Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway, the August Cup race at Watkins Glen and the August Cup race Michigan race, are on track to meet or exceed attendance expectations.

Daytona’s grandstand renovation continues and there will be 52,000 seats available for the Cup race. Once the project is completed—in time for next year’s Daytona 500, the seating capacity will be 101,000.

Preliminary plans are being made for renovations at Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway and Darlington Raceway once the Daytona project is complete, Saunders said.

During the second quarter, ISC saw retention rates for ticket sales go from 55 percent to 58 percent.

“So, we’re getting a significant number of first timers,’’ Saunders said. “And I will tell you that in our consumer strategies, we very much segment how we promote to those first timers versus returning guests, or tenured guests. But we’re seeing the retention rate grow which is good, but we are seeing new entrants into the sport.’’

All's fair in love and business, right?
 
That's why you should check on your three biggest competitors on the Internet at least once a week.
 
Who are their customers? What marketing campaigns are they using? Is their website more compelling than yours? Who's coming in? Who is leaving? How many branches do they have? How about warehouses? What projects did they get that you did not?
 

Have a friend or employee go to their place of business, or go incognito yourself. How does it look? What are they offering that you are not? What amenities do they have? 
 

Create a "Google Alert" with their names as keywords so you can stay informed. Follow their Twitter feed. Where do they have their banner ads? Where are they advertising and where should you advertise, too?  Read their SEC filings, if they're available. 


The Internet allows us to spy on our competitors and vice versa. If you are not checking them out, I can assure you they are most likely checking you out.
 
 
Christine Corelli of Christine Corelli & Associates in Chicago, Illinois, is best known as the author of the popular book, “Wake Up and Smell the Competition.” She has been an acclaimed speaker at numerous industry events, including the PRI Trade Show and the SEMA Show. Contact her at 847/581-9968.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced that Peter Clifford, the organization’s longtime executive vice president and general manager, has been promoted to president.

Clifford succeeds Tom Compton, who announced his retirement from the NHRA following 15 years as president.

Dallas Gardner, chairman of the NHRA board of directors, made the announcement and introduced Clifford as president to NHRA employees assembled at the organization’s headquarters in Glendora, California.

“Peter Clifford will be an outstanding president of the NHRA,” Gardner said. “Peter’s faithful and effective service to all constituents of the NHRA family will ensure a spectacular new era for everyone who loves our sport, and he brings a passion for the NHRA that is unmistakable. Peter is most deserving of his new appointment, and we know he is more than up to the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”

“I’m honored to accept the privilege and responsibility of leading the NHRA today and well into the future,” Clifford said. “I have an incredible passion for the sport and will bring a great work ethic to my new role, at or away from the track. My complete focus is to build our future. Our best stories are still to be told.”

As NHRA’s executive vice president and general manager, Clifford has had broad responsibilities across the entire organization. Clifford played a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning and the organization’s current growth initiatives. Clifford oversees NHRA’s owned race tracks and its relationships with its partner national event facilities and member tracks, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service, and human resources.
 


A member of the NHRA board of directors, Clifford also serves the organization as its chief financial officer. During his tenure with NHRA, Clifford has been the driving force behind the automation of systems within the company, including its IT functions, accounting, and competition systems. He also has streamlined the business relationships between NHRA and its national event facilities.

Prior to joining NHRA in 1997 as vice president and chief financial officer, Clifford worked in finance and business planning with Hewlett-Packard, TNT Express Worldwide, and Emcom. Clifford received his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a master’s of business administration in finance from the University of Southern California.

Gardner also thanked Compton today for his years of service to the organization, which he joined in 1993 as vice president and chief financial officer.

“Today the NHRA announces Tom Compton’s retirement,” Gardner said. “The NHRA thanks Tom for leading it during 15 years of progress, growth, and success.

“Tom was named president in 2000 and since then has advanced our organization and sport in ways that will provide lasting benefit for our teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Just as important, the NHRA has an immensely bright future with exceptional opportunities that we are ready to explore. As the NHRA embarks on its next chapter, we wish Tom and his family all the best.”

“This decision comes after much thought and careful consideration of my own interests, those of my family, and those of the NHRA itself,” Compton said. “The more than 22 years I spent helping to build the great team, strong partnerships, and robust operations the NHRA now enjoys makes this decision a difficult one.

“I want to thank everyone, including the NHRA, its partners, sponsors, track owners and operators, and all other NHRA-affiliated individuals and organizations for their generous and much-appreciated contributions to the success we’ve all enjoyed together. I am honored to have been an integral part of this collective effort, am proud of our collaboration and achievements, and am confident in the continued success of the NHRA in the years ahead.”

NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD. announced the closing of its acquisition of Wells Manufacturing, L.P. and the Wells Vehicle Electronics business from UCI Holdings Limited. Wells is a global manufacturer and supplier of advanced vehicle electronics components for automotive original equipment and replacement applications.
 
“Wells, like NGK, is a highly respected and trusted source of quality products for millions of vehicles and other applications,” said Wells President David Peace. “This acquisition significantly strengthens the reach of our respective product portfolios and positions our combined organization for continued growth within the North American market and around the world.”
 
Founded in Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1903, Wells offers more than 38,000 parts, including distributor caps and rotors, ignition coils, control modules, sensors, wire and cable sets, emissions components, switches, fuel system components, voltage regulators, and diagnostic solutions. The company operates a state-of-the-art headquarters and electronics manufacturing facility in Fond du Lac, an additional manufacturing plant in Reynosa, Mexico, and a product distribution center in Centerville, Iowa.

The AMP EFI Clinic presented by DIYAutoTune and Throttles Performance is a hands-on, two day tuning course for end users, dealers and professional tuners teaching installation, configuration, and calibration of a modern engine management system in a 'real world' environment with professional, competition experienced instructors.

Scott Clark, Larry Larson's World's Quickest Street Car tuner, and Engine Masters Challenge builder Mark Dalquist will facilitate the course using an actual Engine Masters competition engine. Each participant will put their hands on, configure and tune their own ECU (a full-featured MS3-Pro EMS), and will test their calibrations on a live running engine.

This course ranges from basic configuration and start up to the most advanced features and power management. It's limited to 30 participants and includes a BONUS session on Ground-Breaking Cam Specing Tech with David Vizard.

This learning environment provides each participant:

*Hands-on training with Scott Clark, tuner for Larry Larson's 'World's Quickest Street Car'

*Hands-on training with Engine Masters multi-year contender Mark Dalquist

*Access to a personal classroom Engine Simulator Workstation with a full-featured MS3-Pro EMS

*Tuning demo of a full instrumented Engine Masters Engine provided by Throttles Performance

*Access to an MS3-Pro controlled car on chassis dyno provided by Throttles Performance

*A BONUS session with David Vizard "Ground-Breaking Cam Specing Tech"

Light breakfast, refreshments, drinks and lunch will be provided.

Laptops are required for this course.

Price: $799 per person

Date: September 5–6, 2015

Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location:
TPI Specialties
4255 Creek Rd.
Chaska, MN 55318

Luken Communications' latest network offering, Rev'n, announced the addition of Valvoline Racing Radio to its programming lineup. Valvoline Racing Radio on Rev’n, a NASCAR talk show produced by Whitfield Media Group, will be found on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Eastern and Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Eastern starting July 8, 2015.
 
Valvoline Racing Radio, often billed as “the fastest hour in radio”, is a long-time favorite in the Chattanooga market and was founded by Shawn Whitfield in February of 2001. During the past 14 years, the show has been presented on local country and alternative rock stations, ESPN radio and FOX and NBC affiliated television stations. Currently, the show calls Chattanooga’s ROCK 105 its radio home.
 
Valvoline Racing Radio features Executive Producer and Host Shawn Whitfield, Host Casey Orr and Producer “Big Daddy” Kyle giving all of the updates and stories pertinent to NASCAR fans. Wednesday’s episodes feature a recap of the racing action and points standings from the previous weekend while Saturday’s episodes look ahead to that weekend’s race.
 
Whitfield said, “We are more geared towards the casual NASCAR enthusiast. We give them the updates and details that bring them up to speed on any of the action or news they may have missed.”

Orr added, “We’re like the NASCAR multi-vitamin. We fill in all of the gaps for fans who aren’t able to sit and watch every race in its entirety.”
 
Matt Golden, Luken’s Vice President of Programming, said, “We’re excited to welcome Shawn, Casey and Kyle to the Rev’n family. Their knowledge of and insight into NASCAR make them the perfect fit for Rev’n, and we’re thrilled to share them with the entire country.”

On September 25–26, 2015, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) will reintroduce the San Antonio Nitro Jam Nationals to San Antonio Raceway. The facility reopened as an IHRA member track with its recent purchase by local businessman/promoter, Iain Grae, from foreclosure proceedings back in January of 2015.
 
"Mr. Grae has done a very impressive job of revitalizing the dragstrip with a huge amount of restoration and improvements prior to its reopening in June." Scott Gardner, President of the IHRA stated. "The IHRA has hosted many years of great Nitro Jam events at San Antonio Raceway. Iain's motivation to give the San Antonio region the high-quality track it deserves is the start of a great partnership with the IHRA."
 
The San Antonio Nationals Nitro Jam will feature all professional classes including AMSOIL Nitro Funny Car presented by Aeromotive, Crower Pro Modified, U.S. Bounty Hunters Pro Stock, Nitro Harley and Jet Car competition.
 
"Due to the previous scheduling of the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am event at San Antonio Raceway for August 14–16, we did not want to force Pro-Am competitors to reschedule their racing weekends," stated Skooter Peaco, IHRA Vice President of Race Operations. "The Nitro Jam event will include a bracket racing program during the event to accompany the professional competition."
 
2015 Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series Schedule:
 
July 10–12 IHRA Nitro Jam Nationals presented by Good Vibrations, Spokane, Washington
 
July 17–19 IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Good Vibrations, Edmonton, Alberta
 
August 7–8 IHRA Nitro Jam Northern Nationals presented by Aeromotive, Martin, Michigan
 
August 15–16 IHRA Mopar Nitro Jam Nationals, Grand Bend, Ontario
 
September 11–12 IHRA Nitro Jam Nationals, West Salem, Ohio
 
September 25–26 IHRA Nitro Jam San Antonio Nationals, San Antonio, Texas
 
October 9–10 IHRA Summit World Finals featuring Nitro Jam, Millington, TN

The Sauber F1 Team announced the appointment of Mark Smith as its Technical Director. The 54-year old Briton will start on July 13 at the Sauber F1 Team headquarters in Hinwil. He will fit into the technical committee’s existing structure.

The technical committee, which consists of the heads of car performance, aerodynamics and the design groups, will keep its current structure. The transparent and efficient working function of this form of organization has proved itself. In his position, Smith will also take responsibility for overlapping tasks, as well as leaving members of the technical committee the space to fully focus on their working areas.

“When I saw the facilities for the first time in Hinwil,” said Smith, “I immediately realized the possibilities I would have. The wind tunnel, the supercomputer and the machine shop—everything is on a very high technical level. And not to forget the competence of the team. These facts were compelling reasons and arguments for me changing to Hinwil. The potential of Sauber is enormous, which is not self-evident in a constantly changing Formula One world. The factory in Hinwil has all the requirements to be competitive in Formula One.”

Smith has worked for several Formula One teams as Technical Director: At Caterham F1 Team (2011-2014), at Force India (2010-2011), at Red Bull Racing (2005-2008) and at Jordan (2004-2005).

Currently he is preparing his relocation from Oxfordshire to “Zürcher Oberland.” Smith is married and has two children.

CEO and Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn is pleased about the appointment of Mark Smith and stated: “After talks with the technical committee, we have searched for a Technical Director for the Sauber F1 Team—and found Mark. Mark Smith is an engineer with a lot of experience in Formula One. Above all, he knows the environment in which privateer teams must work and the challenges that are there—and how important it is to keep calm and keep things in perspective. With us he finds technical possibilities on a very high level. We wish Mark a good start for which he has our full support.”