IRG Sports + Entertainment and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced that Wilkesboro Dragway has signed a multi-year sanctioning agreement to join the IHRA as a member track.
 
Located on Dragway Road, off historic Highway 421 and four minutes from Wilkesboro in North Carolina, the 1/8-mile drag strip is owned by Pat and Phil Halbedel. Joe Green is the track manager.
 
“We are pleased to welcome the Halbedel’s track to our IHRA family,” said IHRA President Scott Gardner. “North Carolina is a hotbed of motorsports activity and a strong area for sportsman racing and we are happy to have them on board.”
 
“We purchased the track in June of last year,” said Pat Halbedel. “I had been going there since 1971. It is the oldest operating drag strip in North Carolina. It was built in 1955 and we have done some repairs to the track and want to make it nice all around.”
 

Sunoco has been named official fuel of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, continuing the company’s rich tradition in motor sports and its successful partnership with INDYCAR.

Sunoco’s relationship with INDYCAR goes back to 1968 in Riverside, California, when Mark Donohue drove the No. 12 Sunoco Eagle for Penske Racing. That same team of Penske, Donohue and Sunoco won its first Indianapolis 500 four years later.

Sunoco will continue as the official fuel of INDYCAR in 2015 and beyond. In addition, Sunoco will maintain its support of INDYCAR’s young stars as title sponsor of both the Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and the Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year awards.

The Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award has been presented to some of the greatest names in the history of the sport, including Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Tony Stewart, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. The 2015 award announcement is scheduled for Monday, May 25, during the Indianapolis 500 Victory Awards Celebration at IMS.

The Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the Verizon IndyCar Series is presented at the end of the season to the top rookie in the Verizon IndyCar Series point standings.

“We’re pleased to be able to strengthen our partnership with Sunoco by announcing the brand as the official fuel of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Sunoco is a natural fit with INDYCAR and IMS, as they not only provide a world-class product to our competitors, but they also have a strong heritage in motorsports as well. The Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year has long been a coveted honor that first-year drivers chase, so to have a company with a proven track record sponsor the award is truly fitting.”

“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and to share our passion for this sport with its tremendous fans,” said Cynthia Archer, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer for Sunoco, Inc. “INDYCAR is one of the most demanding and competitive racing series in the world, and we are proud that these drivers and teams trust the quality and performance of our race fuels to take them to the checkered flag.”

Started by two brothers who loved building cars, Dodge is now one of America's oldest automotive institutions, with a history of performance, innovation and milestones that will be celebrated with a special display at Charlotte Motor Speedway's April 9-12 AutoFair.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Dodge brand, AutoFair's Nationwide Showcase Pavilion will be home to more than a dozen historic models representing each decade the manufacturer has been in production. A 1923 Dodge/Graham truck, 1951 Power Wagon, 1996 Viper and a replica of the famous 1969 "General Lee" Dodge Charger from the "Dukes of Hazzard" television series will be among the featured vehicles.

John Francis and Horace Elgin Dodge were born in Michigan in 1864 and 1868, respectively, to a family of marine engine builders and repairers. The red-headed brothers were inseparable and learned the machinist trade in their father's shop, eventually owning part of a bicycle business.

In 1902, Ransom Eli Olds—founder of Oldsmobile and the first automaker to use an assembly line—hired the Dodge boys to produce engines and transmissions for his hugely popular curved-dash model. Considering Oldsmobile represented 30 percent of the United States car market in 1903, the Dodge brothers profited nicely. Henry Ford, an engineer and race car builder with two auto company bankruptcies to his name, desperately needed the Dodge brothers' cooperation, components and investment dollars to start Ford Motor Co., so he agreed to give them a 10 percent stake in his venture and a contract that would eventually make the Dodge brothers two of the richest men in America. In hindsight, it was a smart gamble for the brothers, but it meant cutting off other customer work and investing $75,000 of their own money in new tooling.

During the 15-year relationship, Ford wanted to build cars—especially his landmark Model T—as cheaply as possible, so he often ignored the Dodges' suggestions for improvements. When the brothers ended their Ford contract in 1914, they turned their factory and resources toward building a medium-priced, high-quality car to be sold with a Dodge Bros. badge.

Their first self-named car rolled off the line November 14, 1914, with a 35-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a 12-volt electrical system, and an all-steel touring body. It cost $785 (about $18,500 today), or $200 more than the cheapest Model T, but it was years ahead in engineering sophistication. Because of their reputation as smart businessmen, the brothers received 22,000 applications for Dodge dealerships before any cars were available to sell.

Dodge Bros. finished 1915, its first full year of sales, in third place for the US market. That same season, the Dodge plant size tripled, the brothers built the first factory test track, and John Dodge drove one of their cars into a brick wall at 20 mph so the ever-curious brothers could see how their designs held up. The following year, the U.S. Army bought 150 Dodge Bros. cars for its new mechanized cavalry in Mexico, and an ad campaign for the company coined the word "dependability" to describe their machines.

At the time of their deaths in 1920, their combined wealth was $200 million. In July 1928, another self-made millionaire, Walter Chrysler, purchased the Dodge Bros. company from John and Horace's widows for $175 million (about $2.4 billion today).

In the decades that followed the brothers' death, Dodge engineers turned out one industry innovation after another, including the first all-steel roof, "Floating Power" engine mounting, fully insulated rubber body mounts, automatic overdrive transmission and pushbutton transmission shifter.

There were countless racing victories and high-performance milestones, such as a fully realized aerodynamic race package (the 1968 Charger Daytona), the V-10 Viper sports car and the 2015 Challenger Hellcat, with a 707-horsepower Hemi V-8 that makes it the most powerful passenger car ever offered by an American automaker. These exciting developments are why it is one of only six American nameplates to reach the century mark (after Cadillac, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet and GMC).

The AutoFair features more than 50 car club displays and more than 10,000 vendor spaces offering an array of automotive parts and memorabilia. More than 1500 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway. In addition, up to 200 cars will be auctioned by Dealer Auctions Inc., and kids can enjoy face-painting, bounce houses, and other games and entertainment in the Play Zone.

Hours for the April 9-12 AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Ticket prices are $10 per day for adults and children 13 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Get a weekend pass for just $30. Parking for the event is $5.

To purchase tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), or visit http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/.

IRG Sports + Entertainment and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announce Jiffy-tite as the Official Quick-Connect Fluid Fittings of the IHRA.
 
“We are pleased to welcome Jiffy-tite as our Official Quick-Connect Fluid Fittings of the IHRA,” said IHRA President Scott Gardner. “We are looking forward to a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with this innovative and respected partner.”
 
Headquartered in Lancaster, New York, Jiffy-tite has been a manufacturer of fluid connectors for the industry and original equipment sector of the automotive industry since 1963.  There are in excess of 400 million Jiffy-tite devices in more than 20 brands of vehicles worldwide, including:  Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Harley Davidson and Caterpillar. 

Proven by years of research and development in the lab, on the track and on the dyno, Jiffy-tite offers a full line of motorsports quick-connect fittings. Designed for racers by racers, these quick-connect fluid fittings are made to provide performance under extreme racing conditions and can replace nearly any fitting in any location. Made of light-weight, high-quality aircraft aluminum with brass valves and stainless steel ball bearings, Jiffy-tite fittings are lightweight and corrosion resistant for long life.
 
“We are proud to be the Official Quick-Connect Fluid Fittings of IHRA,” said Jiffy-tite Motorsports Manager Duane LaFleur. “There has been a tremendous buzz in the drag racing community since the IHRA press conference at the PRI Show and we are excited about what we have been hearing.  After meeting with IHRA executives, we decided to partner with them.  We are excited about the IHRA’s new direction and the opportunities it offers.”
 

Atmore Dragway, a modern eighth-mile racing facilities in the South, and sister facility Mobile Dragway have joined the NHRA Member Track Network.

Equidistant to Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, Atmore Dragway opened in the 1960s and becomes a member of NHRA’s Southeast Division. In 2012, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians reached an agreement with new track operator Gary Moore to begin a $1.5 million dollar renovation of the facility that included a completely new concrete racing surface and asphalt shutdown, new scoreboards, new grandstands, new food stands, new return roads, and new lightning.

Atmore Dragway, located in Atmore, Alabama, reopened in 2013 and joins the NHRA Member Network for the 2015 season. As an NHRA Member Track, Atmore Dragway is eligible to offer drag racers a variety of NHRA opportunities, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Jr. Street, and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. Additionally, the track has the opportunity to host NHRA’s specialty events, including the National Dragster Challenge, NHRA Summit King of the Track, and NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge.

“The Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Gary Moore have teamed up to rebuild an iconic NHRA dragstrip and bring it into the modern era,” said Rich Schaefer, director of NHRA’s Southeast Division. “NHRA racers in the Mobile and Pensacola areas have a fantastic facility with an experienced track operator at the helm. The variety of pre- and post-event entertainment options next to the track, along with great hotel choices, truly makes this a destination for racers and fans alike."

“We have had a great opportunity to bring Atmore Dragway and Mobile Dragway back to the NHRA member program,” said Moore, track operator. “Our racers will once again have the opportunity to win a coveted Wally trophy and race their way to becoming a Summit Racing Series national champion.”

Atmore Dragway is housed next to the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel Resort, which features a variety of entertainment options for adults and families. With arcades, bowling alleys, a Jerry Pate designed golf course, multiple dining choices, and big name music entertainment, a trip to Atmore Dragway brings NHRA members and their families a complete weekend of fun.

Mobile Dragway, Atmore’s sister facility, is an eighth-mile dragstrip located in Irvington, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile.

Melling has hired Ron McCrum as a new aftermarket product manager. He will be located at the company's Jackson, Michigan, manufacturing facility.

McCrum comes to Melling with 11 years of automotive aftermarket experience from Mahle Aftermarket Inc., where he was a gasket and thermostat parts product manager.
 


McCrum is a retired member of the United States Army, where he spent 21 years servicing, repairing and maintaining a large variety of wheeled, material handling, and power generation equipment.

With a $5,000 payoff to Saturday and Sunday champions in Top Eliminator and a free entry incentive for racers in Modified (Footbrake), the 2015 Hoosier Tires Carolina Coalition Series kicks off this week at Rockingham Dragway.

The popular four-race series will make additional stops at Farmington Dragway, April 18-19, Piedmont Dragway, June 20-21, and Galot Motorsports Park (formerly Dunn-Benson), Aug. 29-30.

Each event will consist of two separate races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. On both days champions will be crowned in Top Eliminator, Modified and Jr. Dragster categories with winners earning $5000, $1000 and $200, respectively.

Carolina Coalition points will be awarded for both participation and success. Three points will be awarded each time a racer pulls to the starting line for the first round of a Coalition event. An additional point will accrue for every round won and, at the end of the series, another three-point bonus will go to those drivers who started all eight races.

In the Jr. Dragster class, younger drivers (11 and under) will compete against one another during the first three rounds.

Defending champions in the Hoosier Carolina Coalition Series are Charlie Doss of Statesville in Top Eliminator, Terry Rucker of Benson in Modified and Ashleigh Stafford of Kernersville in Jr. Dragster.

In addition to Carolina Coalition points, drivers this week also will earn bracket series points that will determine Rockingham Dragway’s representatives in the NHRA’s Summit Series.

Fourteen point races are on the initial schedule for the inaugural Ohio Thun­der IMCA Eagle Motorsports RaceSaver Sprint Series.

Atomic Speedway at Waverly hosts April 18, May 2 and 16, July 31, August 1 and October 3 events. Jackson County Speedway at Jackson is the site of April 17 and 24, May 8 and 15, June 5 and 19, July 24 and August 21 races.

Sponsored locally by Southern Ohio Equipment Company of Frankfort, the Ohio Thunder Series is the first RaceSaver series in Ohio.

“RaceSaver keeps everything on a level playing field. You don’t have to spend $50,000 on an engine to be competitive,” Series Director Andy Hill said. “The rules are clear and don’t have any gray areas.”

Encouraged by attendance at a meeting held late last year for potential drivers, Hill expects to start the series with 10-15 cars.

“We’ll have drivers new to Sprint Cars and we’ll have others who have raced 410’s before,” he explained. “We like the backing we’ll get from IMCA, we like the point funds and we appreciate the help we’ve gotten getting this series started.”

A second drivers’ meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 at Jackson County Speedway owner Chris Smalley’s shop, located at 13706 US Route 23 in Waverly.

The last IMCA-sanctioned Sprint Car event held in the Buck­eye State was in 1970.

Test and tune sessions are March 14 at Atomic and April 4 and 11 at Jackson. IMCA RaceSaver Sprints are part of Atomic’s Open Wheel Championship special on May 2.

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Allstar Performance State and special series points will be awarded for the first 13 Ohio Thunder Series events; special series points only would be given for the October 3 race.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway has announced the formation of its new Young Guns division.

The new class, sponsored by NEK Trophy, will utilize the same rules used in the track’s Portland Glass Mini Stock division and will offer supervised safety and driving instructions and real on-track racing experience for drivers aged 10-14.

The Young Guns division has been created after three years of research and discussion with parties in the racing industry and beyond. After receiving requests from several local families to consider a youth racing division, Devil’s Bowl Speedway owners Mike and Alayne Bruno got hands-on experience when their own son, who was 10 years old at the time, raced with a similar division in New Hampshire.

The Brunos have since worked closely with insurance regulators and Vermont government officials to create a structured program that allows young racers to compete in a safe, controlled environment. Mandatory “school” sessions will be held at the track, and all aspiring Young Guns drivers must pass safety procedure and car control tests before being approved for competition.

“We have wanted a division like the Young Guns for a while, but all the pieces needed to be in the right place,” Alayne Bruno said.

“We wanted to see this division from the viewpoint of the parents first, and then we went to work with the State of Vermont to get the proper approval.”

Devil’s Bowl Speedway officials took part in several hearings at the Vermont State House in Montpelier regarding lowering the legal age limit in Vermont race track pit areas to 10 years old.

“We approached the State from the position that we’re trying to build the interest in our sport from an early age, and we were able to run a successful test race in September 2013,” Mike Bruno said. “The lawmakers were receptive and even noted that kids are allowed to take hunter’s safety courses and carry firearms in the woods at age 10. The bill was passed and took effect on July 1, 2014, but even then we still felt that we needed to take our time and get the work done behind the scenes before we started racing.”