Richard Childress Racing and Team Dillon Racing have named Kate Dallenbach as one of two female drivers in their development program for the 2015 season. The other driver joining the program is 14 year-old Ahnna Parkhurst.

Dallenbach, 17, is the daughter of Wally, Jr., NASCAR driver-turned-broadcaster, and Robin Dallenbach, a former driver herself with two starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Her grandfather, Wally Dallenbach, Sr., was a successful Indy car driver and Chief Steward.

The student of Davidson Day High School will compete in dirt and asphalt races under the RCR banner driving cars built and maintained by Team Dillon Racing.

“Some RCR and TDR members and I have been watching Kate for several years and have been impressed with her driving ability,” said Richard Childress, CEO and Chairman of RCR. “She is a quality driver in races and the results from her testing dirt Late Models have been very positive.

“I look forward to what the future holds for Kate and we will do all we can to help her succeed.”

Dallenbach started racing Quarter Midgets at age eight and was the 2007 Texas Regional Champion in two different divisions. Dallenbach also competed in Bandoleros at Texas Motor Speedway in 2008 and was part of the Lyn St. James Driver Academy in 2010.

In 2011, she earned championship and rookie of the year honors in the Allison Legacy Series at Thunderhill (Tex.) Raceway. Dallenbach tested dirt Late Models for RCR/TDR in 2013 and drove Whelen Late Models at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway capturing Rookie of the Year honors and finishing second in points. Last year, she raced 10 events for RCR/TDR at Boyd (Ga.) Speedway and ran 15 asphalt Late Model races for Lee Faulk Racing at various tracks in the Southeast.

For the 2015 season, Dallenbach will increase her schedule to more than 20 events with Faulk and 10 races on dirt for RCR/TDR at Boyd Speedway.

“I am honored and looking forward to being a larger part of RCR’s Driver Development Program this year,” Dallenbach said. “As a driver, I’m looking forward to improving my racing skills and winning some dirt and asphalt races. I hope to start testing Trucks in the future, as well.

“I can’t thank Richard (Childress), Mike (Dillon) and Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops enough for this opportunity.”

Dallenbach currently has sponsorship from SHE Outdoor Ladies Hunting Clothing from Bass Pro Shops.

Hundreds of media representatives recently gathered at the 18th annual SEMA MPMC Media Trade Conference to discuss new products and editorial opportunities with executives from motorsports parts manufacturing companies.

Unlike traditional trade shows, where manufacturers occupy booth space on a show floor, the MPMC Media Trade Conference connects manufacturers with journalists in private, uninterrupted meetings. As in previous years, the 2015 conference, January 20–22, took place at the Embassy Suites in Santa Ana, California.

Over the course of three days, participants can take part in up to 42 meetings that last approximately 30 minutes each and are held in hotel rooms hosted by manufacturers. While some companies showcase their products on a table top, others include online presentations or simple, straightforward discussions about industry trends and future developments. The meetings stand in contrast to the elaborate booth displays typically found at the annual PRI or SEMA shows.

At MPMC’s conference, media representatives come prepared with personalized schedules that direct them from meeting to meeting throughout the day. The resulting information can fill countless magazine pages, online blog space or TV, radio or podcast programming.
 
For the first time ever, this year’s event played host to a podcast (Shift and Steer) recording crew, which set up a studio at the conference and conducted live interviews with manufacturers. New television network Revv’n TV also interviewed manufacturers on camera during the conference.

In order to take part, exhibitors must first be members of the SEMA MPMC (Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council). Applications to participate are available in August, and must be returned by early September. Details and information are available from Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org or 909/978-6690.

Media may sign up beginning in October, at which time they are able to indicate which manufacturers fit their editorial needs. Organizers recommend that media sign up by mid-December, however, before exhibitors’ schedules begin to fill up.

Aeromotive, Inc. has signed an extensive marketing agreement with the International Hot Rod Association that includes being named the presenting sponsor of the IHRA Nitro Jam Northern Nationals August 7-8, 2015 in Martin, Michigan. The IHRA Nitro Jam Northern Nationals presented by Aeromotive will include a full line-up of professional and sportsman classes including Crower Pro Modified.

In addition, Aeromotive becomes the “Official Fuel Systems” of the IHRA along with a category entitlement package that includes becoming the presenting sponsor of the ultra-competitive Amsoil Funny Car class.

“Steve and Vic at Aeromotive have taken a big leap of faith with the IHRA brand” said IHRA President Scott Gardner. “We are truly happy to have Aeromotive join our rapidly growing family of partners. Aeromotive truly epitomizes the high quality standard of marketing partners we look for.”

In addition to the naming rights, a special “Racers Program” will also be created.  The Aeromotive Racers Program will reward $200 to one professional class and one sportsman class at each 2015 Nitro Jam National event.  The classes that will be rewarded will change at each event.

NASCAR issued a bulletin with updated rules for the coming season for Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.

Among the updates:

• Only drivers who are licensed and approved for competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be eligible to participate in a NASCAR-approved tire test.

• The March 2-3 NASCAR tire test at Atlanta has been canceled. That was to have been held Monday and Tuesday after the Atlanta race and just before the Cup series begins its three-week West Coast swing. Teams that were to have taken part in that test: Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing.

• NASCAR clarified that should a vehicle pit out of its assigned stall and the crew begins to remove the tire(s), the crew must reinstall the tire(s) before moving the car back into its assigned stall to avoid a penalty. This is for Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series.

• Any crew member interfering with another crew’s pit stop, causing the other team to incur a penalty or not, may incur a penalty. This is for each of the three national series.

• Additional crew member(s), assigned to servicing the car or not, who purposely assist from an adjacent pit box on the work service side of pit road may be counted toward the limit of seven crew members over the wall. This is for each of the three national series.

• NASCAR clarified the refueling procedure. Refueling can begin once the car is stopped in its assigned pit stall. The fueler may continue to refuel the car as it departs and crosses the front line of the pit box provided any equipment used and/or the fueler do not cross over the front or the side line of the pit box. Also, fueling cans or any other equipment must not be tossed or thrown over the pit service wall at any time. This is for each of the three national series.

• NASCAR lists violating the private team test ban as a P6 penalty for all three series.

• NASCAR mandates that the switch for the driver-adjustable track bar motor in Cup be located on the dash panel with the other accessory switches on the steering wheel or on the left or right side of the seat or seat leg extensions.

• NASCAR clarified that added ballast must be in block form using minimum five-pound blocks. NASCAR clarified that the added weight must be in blocks.

The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) announced it has extended its partnership with VP Racing Fuels, which will be designated “Official Fuel of PDRA” through 2017. As part of the agreement, VP will provide trackside fuel service for the all-eighth-mile drag racing series and post season awards up to $1000 in each class for the series championship.
 
“We are excited that VP Racing Fuels has not only returned, but stepped up their commitment to the PDRA in a major way,” said Mike Congdon, PDRA Senior Vice President of Marketing. “VP has chosen to join our ‘Official’ status brands, and forged a three-year agreement with continued growth in mind.”  
 
“We’ve been committed to eighth-mile outlaw door-slammer racing for a long time and we’re very pleased with PDRA’s efforts to keep this important segment of drag racing viable,” said Chris Wall, VP’s Chief Marketing Officer. “For racing on the ragged edge as PDRA competitors do, VP offers the best performing fuels on the market while still providing the best protection for these high-dollar, high-performance drag racing engines. We encourage racers to use the convenient Fuel Pre-Order process we’ve set up with the series to have the fuel they need delivered straight to the track.
 
“Racers can also take advantage of our full-time professional Tech Support staff for advice on fuel selection and tuning,” Wall added. “They’re readily available by phone or email as well as at the track or dyno when needed.”  
 
Tech questions regarding VP fuels can be directed to VP Tech Support at 812-878-2025 or dragtech@vpracingfuels.com. Fuel Pre-Order forms can be found online at www.PDRA660.com.
 
To learn more about VP Racing Fuels and its products, visit www.vpracingfuels.com. For more information on the PDRA, visit www.PDRA660.com.
 

NASCAR announced two leadership changes in its Competition department, including the selection of Chad Little to the new role of Managing Director, Technical Inspection/Officiating and Elton Sawyer to Managing Director, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Both assume their new responsibilities immediately.
 
“NASCAR recently has made significant investments in both the technical inspection and officiating areas of our sport,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Those areas have become flagship examples of innovation, keeping NASCAR as a premier sport. Chad is an ideal candidate to provide oversight and lead us to further evolve in those critical areas.
 
“Similarly, we’re fortunate to have a professional in Elton, who has substantial experience across the racing industry, to direct the popular NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.”
 
In the new role, Little will provide high-level oversight in all areas of technical inspection and officiating for the Competition department, bringing to bear NASCAR’s Research & Development. The updated officiating model includes the introduction of NASCAR’s new Pit Road Technology, which debuts during Speedweeks in Daytona later this month.
 
Little, who has spent more than 10 years at NASCAR, most recently served as Series Director in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Weekly/Touring Series. A former driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Little brings a strong background in key areas of competition to this new role.
 
Sawyer joins NASCAR after serving as Director of Team Operations for Action Express Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship governed by IMSA. Prior to that role, he held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. Sawyer also spent part of his career driving in NASCAR’s national series.
 
“We’re pleased with the development of our competition team,” O’Donnell said. “Chad and Elton will join the collaborative model already in place at the R&D Center. They will work very closely with Gene Stefanyshyn and Robin Pemberton and the rest of our series directors to help NASCAR capitalize upon its strong momentum heading into the 2015 season.”

NASCAR announced the appointment of Chad Seigler as Vice President, Business Development reporting to NASCAR Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer Jim O’Connell. The appointment of Seigler follows his promotion to Vice President, Team Marketing Services in 2014 and the recent departure of Sean Downes, NASCAR’s Managing Director, Business Development.
 
Seigler will officially transition to his new role on February 9. He will oversee revenue generation and lead a sales force comprised of representatives in New York, Charlotte, Daytona and Los Angeles. In addition to setting the business strategy, Seigler will play a critical role in securing the new NASCAR Sprint Cup entitlement sponsor, as well as other Official and Entitlement Partnerships. Seigler will continue to be based in the Charlotte office.

“Throughout his tenure with NASCAR, Chad has used his unique skill set to develop relationships and help teams and tracks attract and retain sponsors,” O’Connell said. “His experience working with the industry and with sponsors across all three national series—combined with the years he spent working in-house at our premier series entitlement partner—makes him the perfect choice for this critical role.”
 
In his current role, Seigler is a resource to some of NASCAR’s biggest decision makers, overseeing a team of professionals that prospects, presents and solidifies team, track and driver sponsorship programs.
 
Prior to joining NASCAR in 2007, Seigler was Manager of Industry Relations at Sprint NEXTEL, where he served as the day-to-day liaison to all NEXTEL Cup track venues and managed the series sponsor relationships with NASCAR drivers, teams and owners. He also spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers as a Sports Marketing Executive, where he established and managed marketing partnerships with 15 regional and national brands for the NFL franchise.
 
Seigler was named to Charlotte Business Journal’s (CBJ) annual Forty Under 40 class for 2014. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Seigler earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He serves on The National Sports Forum Steering Committee and is currently a board member for the North Carolina Motorsports Association.

Nissan revealed a glimpse of its Le Mans challenger—the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO—during a commercial break for Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday.

Last year’s Super Bowl was the most watched television program in US television history with over 110 million viewers. The 2015 game was therefore served as a perfect opportunity for Nissan’s “With Dad” commercial, to air for the first time, revealing the much-anticipated Nissan GT-R LM NISMO.

The Japanese manufacturer has interpreted the sport’s technical regulations in an innovative way, producing a front-engined, front wheel drive car that is powered by a V6 3-liter twin turbo petrol engine and a kinetic energy recovery system.

“It gave us great pride to reveal the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO during the Super Bowl,” said Roel de Vries, Global Head of Marketing and Brand Strategy at Nissan. “The combination of the Super Bowl and the Le Mans 24 Hours—two of the most watched sporting events in the world—presented us with a unique opportunity to showcase our most ambitious motorsport program in recent times.

“The GT-R is our flagship road car,” de Vries said. “This, the ultimate GT-R, continues a sporting bloodline that goes back three decades with NISMO, the motorsport and performance arm of Nissan. Le Mans drives innovation so success on the track will lead to greater innovation in our road car range. We are the new kids at Le Mans; our opponents are the best in the world but we are ready.”

The new car will contest the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the highest category in world sports car racing. Starting at Silverstone, UK on 12 April the series travels around the world to Spa in Belgium, onto the Le Mans 24 Hours and Germany’s Nurburgring, before going global with races in the US, Japan, China and the Middle East.

In addition to the reveal of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, Nissan has announced the first driver for the racing program. Marc Gene, a veteran of eight LMP1 class entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has joined the team and will drive the GT-R LM NISMO.

“Nissan NISMO is a great team already. From the very beginning I have experienced a very good atmosphere in the team. The mechanics and engineers are all very professional and most have Le Mans experience,” said Gene. “From my side, my experience in works teams will definitely help Nissan as I have already faced the challenge we are all now facing. Our goal is to reach the podium and ultimately win Le Mans. However we are all aware that at Le Mans there are no shortcuts and we will only achieve our goals with time and hard work, especially now that it is probably the most competitive Le Mans ever with four different manufacturers.”

Nissan also announced three multi-year partnerships that will feature prominently in its LM P1 program.

Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer is the Official Watch Partner and Official Timekeeping Partner. The LM P1 drivers will all wear TAG Heuer watches and the partnership will be activated globally by both parties, with several exciting developments to be announced in the coming months.

Motul is the Official Lubricants Partner for the program, working closely with NISMO’s engine department to develop high-performance products to enhance competitiveness and efficiency. Motul has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with NISMO over the past two decades and this natural expansion into the LMP1 program comes soon after the Super GT Championship victory for the No. 23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R.

The LM P1 program will use tires supplied by Michelin. The French manufacturer has developed tires especially for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO and been an integral part of the car’s extensive test program.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and the Hendrick Automotive Group, is among three new inductees to the National Corvette Museum's Corvette Hall of Fame.

Herb Fishel will be inducted in the category of racing; Hendrick in the Enthusiast category; and Russ McLean in the category of GM/Chevrolet. The honor is bestowed by the museum for contributions to the past, present and future of Corvette.

The 2015 Corvette Hall of Fame recipients will be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Friday, September 4, during the museum's 21st anniversary celebration.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be selected for the Corvette Hall of Fame. My love for Corvettes goes back to when I was a teenager, and it was the love for the car that got me into racing and the automobile business," Hendrick said. "To be honored at a place where so many of the Corvette greats are honored—it’s just humbling. I never dreamed that I’d be recognized in such a way.”

Hendrick owns a large collection of Corvettes that includes many of the first and lasts in models and generations. His most recent addition is the VIN 1 Z06 Stingray Corvette that he paid $1 million for at auction in support of the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Ford Motor Company have announced that the Ford Racing Performance Group has renewed its Participating Manufacturers contingency awards program for Ford Fusion drivers and race teams in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.
 
The announcement extends Ford's support of ARCA, and ARCA Racing Series teams, through performance-based contingency awards on a per-race and season-long basis. Ford's support is among the longest continuous running sponsorship programs within ARCA, dating back to 1985.
 
"Ford Performance and ARCA have a long and rich history together in stock car racing. Both of us are Michigan based and share a common passion for fast cars and exciting competition," said Mike Delahanty, Ford Performance Short Track Racing Program Manager. "All of us at Ford Performance are proud of the great 2014 season Ford Drivers had in ARCA which led to the Manufacturers Championship. We can't wait for the Green flag to drop in Daytona and another great year for Ford in ARCA."
 
Race teams and drivers competing in Ford Fusions will be eligible for prize money by finishing among the top three positions in each race on the 2015 ARCA Racing Series events. The Detroit auto manufacturer joins Toyota in posting bonus awards totaling $3750 per event. In addition, both Ford and Toyota post a $5000 year-end championship award bonus.
 
Ford won the ARCA Racing Series Manufacturer's Award in 2014, the first since 2008 for the blue oval. The company has captured 10 ARCA Manufacturer's Awards since 1988, including three straight from 1995-1997 and five straight from 2001-2005.
 
"Fords have been driven to victory lane in ARCA Racing Series races since 1954," said ARCA President Ron Drager. "Over 60 years and hundreds of victories later, Ford continues to reward ARCA race teams by recognizing the loyalty of those race teams to the brand with this awards program. We are proud of the long and successful presence of Ford branded race cars racing and winning in the ARCA Racing Series."
 
The 2015 ARCA Racing Series season kicks off with its 52nd annual appearance at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14.