A new event was added to the 2016 IndyCar schedule—the Grand Prix of Boston—a street race that will be contested on an 11-turn, 2.25-mile temporary course that surrounds the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

It will be the first time IndyCar has competed in Boston.

“This is an exciting time in Boston and as we explore new ways to grow and attract visitors here, we’re engaging in strong dialogue with organizations like the Grand Prix of Boston,” said Boston Mayor Martin Walsh. “This event has great potential to bring an influx of tourism and support our local businesses during what is traditionally a challenging holiday weekend for hospitality. I’m excited to begin this process and hear from our residents and business owners as we move forward.”

It’s another street race for the series that has one of the most diverse schedules in motorsports with temporary street circuits, permanent road courses, short ovals and superspeedways.

“The level of enthusiasm we have received from the Boston community has been phenomenal and we look forward to showcasing the Verizon IndyCar Series on Labor Day weekend in 2016,” said Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles, the overall head of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Establishing IndyCar racing in the Northeast is an integral part of our strategy.

“It’s important on a lot of levels. First of all, obviously it’s a great thing for the Verizon IndyCar Series to be in a big city, big market in the Northeastern part of the United States. When you think about particularly our street races, you go from Boston to St. Pete to Long Beach to Detroit to Toronto. We’ve now really kind of blanketed the country. It’s a great part of our circuit, a great style of racing. To be in Boston kind of completes the geography of the strategy in developing the series. The other thing is this layout. Can’t wait for Verizon IndyCar fans to see the place. It is very special. I’m sure it will be competitive racing. It’s in a dynamic area. The South Boston waterfront has experienced huge investment. It is right there surrounded by water. Reminds us of some other great racing venues. It’s surrounded by world-class hotels, bars, restaurant, all the amenities.

“On so many levels this is really key to us. We’re delighted to have an anchor for the Labor Day weekend for the series and looking forward to getting there.”

Team Penske driver Will Power is one of IndyCar’s best street racers and applauded the layout of the race course.

“It looks like a very well laid-out track for passing,” Power said. “That’s what’s important for a street course. I think street course racing is really awesome. It brings the racing to the people. Just the fact that you’re racing these super fast cars with a lot of horsepower around the streets, I think people are going to love it.

“To have a race there on the East Coast I think is very important for the series. I think the city is right behind it. They’re talking about repaving it and all that. I think when you get that sort of support behind it; it’s always a successful event.

“As a driver, I love going to new street courses because I usually win when I get to the first one. I don’t want to jinx myself.”

IndyCar President of Competition Derrick Walker indicated the layout would be unique for many reasons.

“There’s actually two unique features about this race track,” Walker said. “One you’ve seen before, and that is a section of the racetrack goes under the hotel complex there. So it’s the sort of mini Monaco feel to it for anybody that has been in Monaco.

“The most unique feature, which I don’t think I’ve seen before, which is a Tony Cotman design, I believe, is the pit lane is actually on both sides of the pits. There are pits either side, and there are two lanes down the middle. You can see what’s going to happen. Pit stops come in, they emerge, they’ve got two lanes, and it will blend into one as they go out. I think that’s going to add a completely different dimension to pit stops, so that is very unique to this Boston track.”

Miles made a surprising announcement, however, when he said it may not be the final race of the season. That would move away from his previously stated goal of concluding the Verizon IndyCar Series on Labor Day Weekend to get it out of the way before the National Football League and College Football begins.

“We haven’t confirmed that yet,” said Miles. “It’s Labor Day. We won’t announce whether that, in fact, is the finale of the championship until we announce the full season.”

Charlotte Motor Speedway officials announced that Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc. has been named the entitlement sponsor of the premier grassroots racing series, the 21st annual Summer Shootout Series.

“We look forward to partnering with Bojangles’ to promote the world’s very best Legend Car and Bandolero racing,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “U.S. Legend Cars International sells these race cars worldwide in more than 15 countries, but the top drivers still compete every year at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s a summer tradition of family racing entertainment, and we are proud that Bojangles’ will help us showcase it.”

Racing in Legend Cars has been a building block for NASCAR stars such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace, who have all competed in the Summer Shootout Series.

“The Bojangles’ Summer Shootout is lots of fun for the entire family and we are pleased to partner with Charlotte Motor Speedway on this exciting family-friendly event,” said Bojangles’ Senior Vice President of Marketing, Randy Poindexter. “Legends racing is an exciting sport that has its roots right here in Charlotte, just like we do. Our Bojangles’ fans are incredibly loyal, and many of them love gathering together to enjoy the Summer Shootout Series every Tuesday night. This new partnership is a great way for us to continue to connect with those fans.”

The Bojangles’ Summer Shootout Series begins on June 9 and will run for 8 weeks each Tuesday night through July 28.

Continuing its partnership with MAVTV, the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout will once again be televised during 30-minute weekly highlight shows. More details on the television schedule will be announced at a later date.

“A lot of guys that are racing Bandoleros and Legend Cars are looking for exposure and MAVTV is a great way to get it,” said Carson Ferguson, a Legend Car Pro Series division driver and 2014 Bojangles’ Summer Shootout champion. “It will also draw attention to the drivers and series, and draw more fans out to the race track.”

In addition to Legend Cars and Bandoleros, fans can enjoy weekly exhibition races including the principal school bus race, mascot racing and fireworks. Adult admission is $8 and children ages 13 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Legend Car racing is divided into four categories based on a driver’s experience. The Pro division features veteran drivers, while the Semi-Pro category is for those with limited Legend Car experience. The Young Lions division is for those new to Legend Car racing and the Masters division is for drivers 40 years of age and older.

Bandolero cars are divided into three divisions with competitors grouped by age. The Bandits division is for racers 8 to 11 and the Outlaws category features drivers 12 and older. The Beginner Bandits is for racers in their first year of competition.

NASCAR has announced the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

The five-person group—the seventh in NASCAR Hall of Fame history—consists of Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac, Terry Labonte, O. Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner. In addition, NASCAR announced that Harold Brasington won the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

Next year’s Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, broadcast on NBCSN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, live from Charlotte, North Carolina.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met in a closed session in Charlotte to debate and vote upon the 20 nominees for the induction class of 2016 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton announced the class and Landmark Award winner, respectively, in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Great Hall.”

The Class of 2016 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and, for the second year, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion (Kevin Harvick). In all, 57 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Voting was as follows: O. Bruton Smith (68%), Terry Labonte (61%), Curtis Turner (60%), Jerry Cook (47%) and Bobby Isaac (44%).

The next top vote-getters were Red Byron, Benny Parsons and Rick Hendrick.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in alphabetical order, were Buddy Baker, Alan Kulwicki, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin and Benny Parsons.

The five inductees came from a group of 20 nominees that included, in addition to the five inductees chosen: Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Ray Evernham, Ray Fox, Rick Hendrick, Harry Hyde, Alan Kulwicki, Mark Martin, Hershel McGriff, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Larry Phillips, Mike Stefanik and Robert Yates.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Brasington, H.Clay Earles, Raymond Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier. It is awarded to competitors or those working in the sport who have acted as a NASCAR ambassador through a professional or non-professional role. Anne B. France won the inaugural award last year.

Class of 2016 Inductees:

Jerry Cook

Jerry Cook made his name in modifieds, winning six NASCAR Modified championships, including four consecutively from 1974-77. All the while, he was vying with another driver from his hometown of Rome, New York, nine-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans, for supremacy in NASCAR’s open-wheel realm. After retiring from racing in 1982, Cook stayed with the sport and helped shape the series known today as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Cook served as the series’ director when it began in 1985 and remains with NASCAR as competition administrator.

Bobby Isaac

Bobby Isaac’s uncanny skill at drawing speed from a race car puts him on a short list of NASCAR legends. His 49 career poles ranks 10th all time. Maybe more impressive: Isaac captured 19 poles in 1969, which still stands as the record for poles in a single season. Isaac began racing in NASCAR’s premier series in 1961. He finished runner-up in the series standings in 1968 behind NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson. In 1969, he finished sixth in the standings after posting 17 wins and those 19 poles. In 1970, Isaac won the championship posting 11 victories, 32 top fives and 38 top 10s in 47 starts. Isaac won 37 races in NASCAR’s top series, ranking 19th on the all-time list.

Terry Labonte

Terry Labonte is a two-nickname NASCAR star. Early in his career he was known as the “Iceman” for his coolness under pressure. But his demeanor belied his determination.  Later in his career he became known as the sport’s “Iron Man” thanks to 665 consecutive starts in NASCAR’s premier series, a record which stood until 2002. Winning two premier series championships, in 1984 and ’96, is impressive; the 12-year gap distinguishes Labonte further. No other driver has won his first two championships that far apart and Labonte is one of only six drivers with championships in two decades. Labonte’s stellar career is tucked between perfect bookends—his two Southern 500 wins, in 1980 and 2003. His 361 top-10 finishes ranks 10th all time.

O. Bruton Smith

O. Bruton Smith, executive chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., promoted his first stock car race in Midland, North Carolina at the age of 18. Smith’s early endeavors included operating the National Stock Car Racing Association—seen as an early competitor to NASCAR—and building Charlotte Motor Speedway. CMS became the foundation of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which currently owns eight NASCAR tracks hosting 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and additional high-profile motorsports activities. Smith took SMI public in 1995, the first motorsports company to be traded at the New York Stock Exchange. He was inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame and National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, both in 2006; and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.

“When I found out that I was nominated, I realized how much this meant to my family and the 15,000 employees that work for my companies. Now I realize how much it means to me. It will truly be an honor to be remembered at the Hall of Fame along with people like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Glen Wood, Junior Johnson, Darrell Waltrip and so many others who helped build this sport. That’s what I’ve tried to do my entire life,” said Smith. “I’m a frustrated builder who had a knack for promoting races, and it’s been fun to always try to push the sport to greater heights for the fans. From the first World 600, I’ve always wanted the fans to leave with something spectacular to remember about their experience.  Even if they don’t remember who won the race, I want them to remember the pre-race show and having the time of their lives. I want fans to know we’re always working to build the best facilities for them and that’s who I really owe this recognition to. The millions of fans who’ve attended our race tracks all of these years are the ones who really deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. They’ve built the sport right along with us, and I want to sincerely say thank you to them and the voting committee.”

Curtis Turner

Called by some the “Babe Ruth of stock car racing,” Curtis Turner was among the fastest and most colorful competitors in the early years of NASCAR premier series racing. Turner competed in NASCAR’s first “Strictly Stock” race in 1949 in Charlotte and was the only driver to win a NASCAR premier series race in a Nash. He posted his first of 17 career victories in only his fourth start on Sept. 11, 1949, at Langhorne (Pennsylvania) Speedway. Although many of Turner’s victories came on short tracks and dirt ovals—much of his career pre-dated NASCAR’s superspeedway era—he won the 1956 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the first American 500 at Rockingham Speedway in 1965. He remains the only series driver to win two consecutive races from the pole leading every lap. He also won 38 of 79 races in which he competed in the NASCAR Convertible Division.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Harold Brasington

Harold Brasington, a South Carolina businessman, believed in Bill France’s fledgling NASCAR business, created the sanctioning body’s first superspeedway—a one-of-a-kind egg-shaped oval, paved on an old cotton and peanut field. Expecting 10,000 fans to show up at Darlington Raceway’s first competition on Labor Day of 1950, 25,000 spectators showed up for the inaugural Southern 500—NASCAR’s first 500-mile race.  Darlington’s success inspired Brasington to extend his reach north—to North Carolina. He employed his track building and promoting expertise, helping in the creation of Charlotte Motor Speedway and building North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.

Central New York Raceway Park Inc. has entered into an agreement with current Rolling Wheels Raceway Park owners to take over management of the five-eighths-mile oval.

As part of the agreement CNYRP will be responsible for the day to day management and event promotion for the 2015 racing season and beyond.

“As we wait for construction to be completed on the CNYRP facility in Brewerton, an opportunity became available to be involved with Rolling Wheels Raceway that we couldn’t pass up,” said CNYRP President Glenn Donnelly. “We have assembled a great management team in anticipation for the opening of CNYRP in 2016, and this same management team will oversee operations at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.”

CNYRP President Donnelly is familiar with Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, as he was a part owner of the facility from 1976 to 2004, when it was sold to World Racing Group. The first scheduled event this year is July 1, with a 50 lap modified $5000 to win feature highlighting the card.

Over the course of the next month Rolling Wheels will receive a face-lift, including the addition of SYNDI to the racing surface. SYNDI is a petroleum based synthetic wax additive that will be combined with clay to create a dustless but racy surface.

“Not only will the SYNDI surface cut back on track maintenance as well as save drivers money on tire wear, but will give fans a better experience at the track,” said Donnelly.

The balance of the 2015 schedule is still being created, but will feature several more big events for the Northeast divisions. Negotiations are in place to bring back Rush Hour on DIRT live television to broadcast all events at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.

Next year, Indianapolis Motor Speedway will celebrate its greatest milestone with the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, which will take place on Sunday, May 29, 2016.

In preparation for this historic event, IMS unveiled the logo that will provide a symbol for the year-long celebration.

“Each year we design a new logo for the Indianapolis 500, but this year’s effort has been given special consideration,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co. “The logo for the 100th Indianapolis 500 recognizes both our illustrious past and an even brighter future.”

This is a once-in-a-century milestone culminating next Memorial Day weekend with the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Somewhere along the line, the Indianapolis 500 became more than just a race. It has taken on a deeper meaning to competitors and fans alike, providing a spectacular example of human progress highlighting the imagination, innovation and drive required to stake a claim in sporting history.

The Indianapolis 500 also means a tremendous amount to the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana, and has become a part of the lives of so many of its residents.

“The Indianapolis community has shown time and time again that we rise to the occasion and get behind historical opportunities to generate results that surprise even ourselves,” said Allison Melangton, senior vice president of events, Hulman Motorsports Corporation.

As usual the FIA European Drag Racing Championship kicks off with The Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway this weekend. From there the teams will travel to Tierp Arena, Alastaro, Hockenheim and again Tierp Arena, to come back for the big final, the European Finals at Santa Pod.

Series classes include Top Fuel Dragster, Pro Modified, Pro Stock Car, Top Methanol, Funny Car and Dragster.

FIA European Drag Racing Championship Calendar 2015:

May 22-25 Santa Pod Raceway, UK

June 4-7 Tierp Arena, Sweden

July 2-5 Alastaro, Finland

August 7-9 HockenheimRing, Germany

August 20-23 Tierp Arena, Sweden

Sept. 4-6 Santa Pod Raceway, UK

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) will join one of the top automotive events in the world, The Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, on the Florida Island’s March calendar. The Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, taking place March 11-13, will be followed by the SVRA race meet March 17-20.

The SVRA racing meet will use Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport to create a 2.4-mile road course. One of the runways will remain open to accommodate vintage aircraft as part of the show. The addition of motorcycle racing to the program will be the SVRA’s foray into the realm of vintage bike competition.

“I have raced with SVRA since its inception in the late seventies,” said Bill Warner, founder and chairman of The Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance and Foundation. “Tony Parella (CEO of SVRA) runs a superb organization and brings to Amelia Island a world class racing event. It will be a perfect addition to March on Amelia Island.”

“It is an absolute honor to launch our Amelia Island Vintage Grand Prix at historic Fernandina Beach on the Fernandina Airport within a week of the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance,” said Parella. “I am also in awe of the accomplishments of the Concours Foundation and the tremendous charitable work it has done. I know the SVRA can produce a worthy complement to The Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance. More importantly this is going to be a big treat for people who love cars, planes, bikes and their history.”

The enhanced automotive celebration will mark a return to racing on the Fernandina Airport course. Sports cars raced there briefly in the 1960’s and in homage to that fact Parella plans to focus the invitation-only SVRA race events on groups of race cars from pre-war and the decades ranging from the 1950’s to about 1980. These eras pre-date the heavy influence of aero technology and ground effects.

The SVRA has secured the Fernandina City Council and Airport’s approvals to put on the racing event. Full Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval is expected in the coming months.

The 30-year-old Briton has been with the team since 2013 after six years at McLaren and won his second world title last year.

"I couldn't be happier to be staying for another three years," he said of the deal that will take him up to 2018.

Hamilton leads teammate Nico Rosberg by 20 points in the current championship.

He had been linked with a move to Ferrari, despite saying in March that a new contract was "99.6%" done, with negations said to be completed and just "legal stuff" remaining at that point.

It is understood Hamilton will earn a basic salary, paid in US dollars, of $31m (£20.9m) plus extensive bonuses.

Depending on how many races he wins, and whether he becomes world champion, these bonuses could easily take his annual earnings well over $40m (£27m).

The overall value of Hamilton's deal is fundamentally similar to F1's two other big earners and multiple champions, McLaren's Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Since joining Mercedes, Hamilton—who won his first world title with McLaren in 2008—has won 15 races, 11 of those coming as he beat Rosberg to the 2014 title. He has won three of the first five races of this season.

"The Mercedes car I am driving right now is the best I have ever had in my career," he added.
"It's just so much fun to be out there every weekend, on the limit and fighting to win at every track."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said, "Lewis enjoyed an historic world championship season with Mercedes-Benz last year and it was a priority for this season to renew his contract for the next term.

"Lewis' sporting track record speaks for itself and he is a great personality for the company.

"Personally, I am looking forward to continuing to race with the strongest driver pairing in Formula 1 and to more historic achievements together."

The Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis will return for a third year, IndyCar announced on Wednesday.

Next year's race is scheduled for May 14, 2016.

Will Power won this year's event, leading the road course race nearly from start to finish.

The GP of Indy has had some rough luck in its first two go-rounds, with Lap 1 crashes in each of the two previous Grand Prix races.

Motorsport.com LLC, a Miami based global technology and multimedia company, announced its acquisition of the multimedia publishing company Edimotive S.r.l, Italy’s largest online resource for motorsports and automotive news content.

As part of the agreement, Motorsport.com acquires all Edimotive S.r.l assets of its daily web magazines and broadcasting, new media and digital webTV, including, OmniAuto.it, OmniCorse.it, OmniMoto.it, OmniFurgone.it and others.

OmniCorse.it will be renamed Motorsport.com and become the Italian version of the website. As part of the acquisition, OmniAuto.it will become part of the company’s Motor1.com portfolio.

“Italy has a huge passion for motorsport,” said Motorsport.com Editor in Chief Charles Bradley. “From the Ferrari-loving Tifosi in Formula 1 to the legions of Valentino Rossi fans in MotoGP, there's no country in the world quite like it. So it was a region that was very much high on our hit list for the global expansion plan.

“Our new colleagues are of the very highest caliber, and their expertise is going to elevate the level and depth of our overall coverage to yet another level.”

The acquisition combines two highly successful digital distribution platforms, which provide, via websites and social media networks, interactive multimedia coverage and experiences of all major motorsports news and automotive content.

“We are honored to have been chosen to partner with one of the best international motorsports websites in the world, Motorsport.com,” said Filippo Salza, co-founder and CEO of Edimotive S.r.l. “Our goal is to provide seamless integration of joint news coverage while leveraging our technical and editorial assets to produce the best content and engagement we can.”

“The opportunity of transferring our editorial experience to such an important international project is a great satisfaction for all the work done in the last years,” said Alessandro Lago co-founder and editor in chief of Edimotive S.r.l. “The creation of a global automotive news ecosystem will enable us to increase content quality and reach unique levels in digital publishing industry.”

One of the fastest growing motorsports websites in the world, Motorsport.com is a technically advanced digital distribution platform that provides worldwide, multimedia motorsports coverage in over 180 countries this year, including 360-degree broadcasting technology from its sister company 360racing.com.

“We chose Edimotive S.r.l. and their suite of websites because of their professional management team and impeccable experience in journalism who share our global vision of providing industry-leading news and information in every form of major motorsports and automotive news worldwide,” said Eric Gilbert, vice president of operations, Motorsport.com. “Italy is a key European market and to partner with such a well-respected organization further strengthens our coverage of automotive news.”