If the drivers’ comments following the first test of the new Mazda MZR-R-powered Dallara IL-15 are anything to go by, this year’s Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season is likely to be a barn-burner. A total of eight drivers representing five teams took part in the two-day test at the 2.034-mile Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida, and all were ecstatic about the pace, consistency and reliability of the new car which will make its race debut on the streets of St. Petersburg on March 28–29.

At the conclusion of the first day the top four drivers and teams were separated by a hair over two tenths of a second. The top two drivers from last year’s Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires were the initial pacesetters, with second-place finisher Scott Hargrove, from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, driving for Enzo Potolicchio’s impressive 8Star Motorsports team, edging out series champion Spencer Pigot (Juncos Racing) by a scant 0.0643s. Hargrove’s best time on the opening day after completing 46 trouble-free laps was 1:06.8606.

Felix Serralles, from Ponce, Puerto Rico, making his return to the US scene after competing in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship the past few years, also was right in the mix for the 2014 Indy Lights championship-winning team, Belardi Auto Racing, at 1:06.9886, followed by RC Enerson, from New Port Richey, Fla., who has joined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports after finishing second in last year’s Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, at 1:07.0624.

The teams had much to do sorting out the attractive new Dallara IL-15 chassis, the turbocharged 2.0-liter Mazda MZR-R engine and the latest specification Cooper tires. Only 8Star Motorsports and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports had any prior experience with the car—at an entrant test day at Palm Beach last month—so progress was rapid and consistent.

Under cloudy skies today, the teams completed a combined total of 563 laps (on top of the 494 yesterday), and although ultimate lap times were not the goal for most of the teams, rookie Kyle Kaiser, from Santa Clara, Calif., claimed bragging rights by posting the fastest lap of the test late this afternoon at 1:05.2689 for Juncos Racing.

Hargrove ended the day second quickest at 1:05.5041, followed by Spencer Pigot (1:05.6357) and Englishman Jack Harvey (1:05.9281), who finished tied on points with last year’s champion Gabby Chaves, losing out only on a tie-breaker, and these past two days was focused almost exclusively on development testing for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

Quoteboard:

Shelby Blackstock, #51 Andretti Autosport:  “This is the first time I have driven the car. It’s an amazing car. I like it a lot. You definitely have to get used to how the turbo works. It’s a proper race car. It is exactly everything they said it would be. It has some tweaks we need to figure out but that is why we have all of this testing.”

On the progression from USF2000 to Pro Mazda and Indy Lights: “It’s really the perfect stepping stone. You have USF2000, which is pretty much a bare junior formula car which teaches you all the right stuff and then you move to Pro Mazda which has a little bit more technology, a little more downforce. You have a good base so when you come here, to Indy Lights, it’s the perfect balance. It has the proper amount of downforce. It has enough technology on it to where when you go to IndyCar, you are used to a lot of stuff; a very integrated dash and the steering wheel. It’s the perfect step for the Mazda Road to Indy.”

RC Enerson, #7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:  “I think the car is a huge step up from the older car. It looks a lot cooler and definitely handles a lot better. It is one of the coolest cars that I have seen and driven. Going from the 2014 tires to the 2015 tires was a humongous change. It gains a lot of grip and definitely made the car more stable. I think Cooper did a good job with the new tires.

“The brakes are good. I have been playing with the bias a lot. The bias definitely helps with the handling. With this car, you change the bias and it really changes the handling of the car and you can use that as a big tool now.”

Scott Hargrove, #8 8Star Motorsports:  “The car is fantastic. Yesterday was our second day running the car and not a single issue. We are making laps and working on the setup and I have been working really well with 8Star and it shows on the results sheet so we will just keep working away.

“It seems like every time I go on the brakes, I go a bit later and it’s kind of getting serious at this point. The PFC brakes are just so good. If you lock up a little bit, you are just really pedaling it and instantly the wheels start spinning again so it is super controllable. The 2015 tires are really, really good. I am looking forward to the year on Coopers. The tires are more consistent, they last longer in a run and the construction of the tire suits this car better so hats off to those guys for making the right tire for the right car.”

Jack Harvey, #77 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:  “My first impression of the car was a pretty good one. I think Dallara did a nice job of developing what I think was already a good car in the old Indy Lights. The new car in every way is a big step forward. Everyone involved on the engine side as well, everyone has done a nice job in putting a competitive car on the track. I think the series should be really proud of what they have achieved. We still have some bugs to work out just from the team’s perspective on how to get optimal, maximum performance. With a new car, there is just lots to learn to get that peak performance.

“Cooper did a great job in developing the tires. The tire from last year was a little unique and a little tricky at times to get our head around but they have taken that and made a better tire on top of it. So, the tires, the new engine, the new car is like the perfect combination to just move forward and everyone involved did a great job.”

Kyle Kaiser, #18 Juncos Racing:  “The car is super-fast. I really enjoy driving it. I started off just getting acclimated and finding the limits of the car. The faster and faster I go, I find the more I can push the car. I just really enjoy driving it. Everything is faster. You have more brakes, more grip, more downforce – everything is just improved.

“The tires have been handling great. On the new tires, we have been finding almost over a second. They have a lot more grip and are pretty consistent.”

Spencer Pigot, #12 Juncos Racing:  “I love the car. It’s great. It’s fast. The Mazda engine is producing a lot of horsepower which is fun. We had no issues on the car whatsoever. It ran flawlessly and we did quite a few laps. I am looking forward to continuing to develop it and trying new things.

“This is the most advanced car I’ve driven. All sorts of buttons on the steering wheel and the dash are very nice and confusing – all sorts of things that I have never had to deal with before. It’s exciting for me to get to work with a brand-new car. Usually, I go into a team and they have all the set-ups and everything. It is a neat experience to be able to be the one that helps to develop the car and steers the team in the direction we are going to be headed.”

Ethan Ringel, #71 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports:  “Right now I love it. It is probably my favorite car that I have driven. It feels very similar to the Atlantic car and that was my all-time favorite. I just love the grip and the feeling that the car is on rails with the downforce. This car really steals that kind of stuff from the Atlantic car and it feels excellent at speed. Today I was able to get the car working toward my liking after a tough Day One but I collected myself and put some lap times down and I am just having a blast. I love it so much.

“I drove on the 2014 tires yesterday and the 2015 tires today and instantly you could see the amount you can really attack them off the first lap. Immediately they grip in and hold on for a good amount of laps and really have a long life.

Felix Serralles, #4 Belardi Auto Racing:  “So far we are going in the right direction and I’m quite happy. The car looks great. I have to be a lot softer in my steering input because I am used to a lot heavier car. Power-wise it is great. It’s fast. It’s pretty amazing and it is really fast. The stopping power is quite good.

“I was running on the old compound tires pretty much the whole day yesterday. This new compound definitely has more grip. I have been able to do 20 laps this morning and stay within a tenth on each lap.”

Winner’s Circle, a retail and wholesale supplier of parts and services for race and performance products and the founding sponsor of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge, announces the 8th Annual Race & Performance Expo Saturday, February 14 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, February 15 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois.

Developed to be four shows in one for the avid race and muscle car enthusiast, this growing event provides ample opportunity for industry professionals and enthusiasts to network with racing retailers, race engine builders, car builder, sanctioning organizations, car fabricators and trailer manufacturers. Two days of educational seminars offered by performance manufacturers including Holley, Aeromotive, Edelbrock, Comp Cams and more are scheduled.

This year, the Race and Performance Expo has four venues, each with a distinct area of focus—Circle Track Expo, Race & Performance Expo, a professional Car Builder’s Showcase and now a high-performance swap meet. The Race and Performance Expo will again be held in the south building of the Mega Center. The Circle Track Expo and High Performance Swap Meet will be located in the DuPage Expo Center and offers enthusiasts and racers access to everything they need to be prepared for the upcoming season. The Car Builder’s Showcase, located in the St. Charles Ballroom, showcases the latest builds by the top builders in the Midwest hand selected for this event. Well known builders such as Troy Trepanier from “Rad Rides,” in addition to builds from Platinum Custom Cars, Route 66 Motorsports and Midwest Hot Rods have displayed vehicles in the past.

This event is also the location for the first Hot Rodder’s of Tomorrow Engine Challenge for 2015. This competitive event rewards youth with scholarship funds for their ability to take and disassemble then reassemble a high performance 350 Chevy engine. Some teams have been timed in the low 18 minutes. The teams come from throughout the US to compete in multiple challenges with the final winning team announced in December at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Indianapolis.

For more information about the 8th Annual Race & Performance Expo, vendor inquiries should be directed to Tom Stockenberg at tstockenberg@rpexpo.com or 815-727-1208.

The NHRA competition committee announced a points increase for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series competitors at the Chevrolet Performance US Nationals.

Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be racing for their share of points using a point-and-a-half scale at the tradition-rich Labor Day event held annually at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. The winner of the race in each pro class will claim 150 points. The runners-up will earn 120 points; the semifinalists will earn 90 points apiece; the second round finishers will earn 60 points each; and the first round finishers will all claim 30 points.

All other NHRA events will still be worth 100 points to event winners.

A maximum of 208 points is available at the event to a single racer in each Mello Yello Series category through the points increase, which also includes 15 points to each driver who makes at least one qualifying attempt. In addition to 165 points for winning and making a qualifying attempt, the maximum also includes 20 points for setting a national record, 8 points for earning the No. 1 qualifying position and a max total of 15 points for earning 3 qualifying bonus points in each of the five qualifying sessions.

The move promises to add even more excitement to the final regular season race that has produced plenty of drama and emotionally-charged performances in recent seasons. NHRA teams frantically try to gain maximum points at the event in hopes of securing one of the top 10 positions in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoff.

“With more points up for grabs we certainly expect to see a lot of movement throughout the top 10s in each of the Mello Yello Series classes on the final day of the regular season,” said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations. “The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is already one of the most pressure-packed events on the circuit and we expect that level of excitement to increase significantly with this points increase.”

Brett Root succeeds his mother Kathy as president of the Vinton-based automotive racing sanctioning organization. She purchased IMCA and sister company CarPac Publications from the family of Keith Knaack in the mid-1990s.

“I realize that I am just the third president of IMCA since the 1970s. It’s good company to be in,” said Root. “I hope everyone understands how important IMCA is to me. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Root started working part-time at CarPac on his 14th birthday in 1986.

The University of Northern Iowa graduate joined IMCA full-time as marketing director in July of 1997. He became vice president of operations in 1999, spending as much as 10 months every year traveling to IMCA sanctioned tracks, special events and trade shows around the country.

“My responsibilities have shifted more to day to day operations and race night issues so I have traveled less the last couple years,” Root said. “Hiring Jim Stannard as director of track relations and Dave Brenn as director of division development has allowed us to continue to serve our membership the way we should. We have an excellent staff here that works toward a common goal.

“I remember when I was younger going to races here in Vinton promoted by Keith and my mother,” he added. “I always wanted to go to the races but never had any idea that it would become my career.”

Kathy Root will continue to be involved with IMCA as chair of the executive committee and on a consulting basis.

“She won’t continue daily responsibilities but Kathy will remain involved with IMCA on a consulting basis,” Root said. “I can’t thank her enough for the opportunity, mentoring and advice she’s given me.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Firestone will honor four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser during the 45th anniversary of his first Indianapolis 500 victory on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at “Legends Day Honoring Al Unser presented by Firestone.”

“Fifty years ago I arrived at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a rookie, drove for some remarkable teams, raced with my son and brother, drank the milk and my life was forever changed by this special place,” said Unser. “I am honored to be named the 2015 Legend and look forward to seeing the race fans and being a part of the events leading up to the spectacular annual Indy 500 Race.”

Unser, a member of one of racing’s most exclusive clubs as a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987, will receive special recognition from Firestone during the Public Driver’s Meeting and will participate in a question and answer session, which includes allotted time for autographs with fans later that day on the IMS Pagoda Plaza Stage.

“One of the smartest and most competitive drivers in the history of auto racing, Al Unser’s amazing career as a driver places him among the greatest ever in his profession,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Al has become an iconic figure at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is recognized worldwide as one of racing’s greatest ambassadors. We all look forward to honoring and thanking him for his endless contributions to our great sport during Legends Day on May 23.”

Unser holds the record for most laps led (644) in 27 career Indianapolis 500 starts. The 17-year span between his first and last Indianapolis 500 victory (1970-1987) is also an event record. He is one of five drivers to win two consecutive Indianapolis 500-Mile Races and is the oldest driver to win the “500″ at 47 years, 360 days old in 1987.

Unser’s 39 victories in IndyCar competition rank fourth all-time, ahead of his brother, Bobby Unser (35), and son, Al Unser Jr. (34), who rank fifth and sixth, respectively. Unser’s 10 wins in 1972 are tied with A.J. Foyt (1964) for the most wins during a single Indy car season.

“Legends Day celebrates the storied history of Firestone, the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the great drivers who solidified their place in history by winning the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” said Lisa Boggs, director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “The Unser name is synonymous with IMS and the Indy 500, and we are honored to recognize Al and his legendary career.”

Other featured events on Legends Day include the annual Public Drivers’ Meeting on pit road adjacent to the Tower Terrace grandstand, autograph sessions with the Indianapolis 500 starting field of 33 drivers and former Indy 500 drivers, a Indianapolis 500 memorabilia show and it is highlighted by the second annual Legends Day presented by Firestone Concert featuring a yet-to-be announced artist.

Admission to IMS on “Legends Day Honoring Al Unser presented by Firestone” will be $10 for adults, with children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult.

NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D), a developmental platform for female and multicultural drivers and pit crew members, announced its 2015 class on Monday.

The program welcomes four talented program newcomers to the roster of six drivers striving to transition into the sport’s national series spotlight. Rev Racing, the program’s competition arm, has played a key role in the development of 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson and NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers Darrell Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suarez.

“Taking steps to find and develop young female and multicultural athletes who could represent the future of NASCAR is at the core of our organization’s mission,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We were impressed by the talent displayed at the Combine [in October of 2014], and are eager to help this group develop their strengths on and off the track.”

Rev Racing will field four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and two in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The 2015 class is led by returning K&N Pro Series East driver Jay Beasley and Devon Amos, who after an impressive 2014 performance in the Whelen All-American Series earned a spot in the K&N Pro Series East.

The 2015 NASCAR D4D roster includes:

Devon Amos: Returning to the team, the 23-year-old Rio Rancho, New Mexico, native will make the jump to the K&N Pro Series East after two full seasons in the Whelen All-American Series.

Jay Beasley: Finishing 13th overall and sixth in a loaded Sunoco Rookie of the Year field in the K&N Pro Series East last season, the 23-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada will return for a second season, aiming to best his rookie campaign.

Collin Cabre: After an impressive NASCAR D4D Combine performance, the 21-year-old Thonotosassa, Florida, native will compete in the K&N Pro Series East in his first year with Rev Racing. Cabre has spent the past five years racing asphalt and dirt sprint cars.

Natalie Decker: A 17-year-old newcomer to the Rev Racing roster from Eagle River, Wisconsin, Decker collected feature wins in a limited late model and super late model, as well as earning Rookie and Sportsman of the Year honors in ARCA SCAG Midwest Truck Tour. She will compete in the Whelen All-American Series in 2015.

Kenzie Ruston: Entering her third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and first with Rev Racing, the 22-year-old El Reno, Oklahoma, native is also a member of NASCAR Next, an industry initiative to identify tomorrow’s stars. Ruston broke her own record in 2014 as the highest finishing female driver in the K&N Pro Series East with a runner-up finish at Iowa Speedway on her way to finishing ninth in points.

Dylan Smith: The 22-year-old from Randolph, Vermont earned a spot with Rev Racing in the Whelen All-American Series after competing in his own Late Model last year. The Stewart-Haas Racing employee ran 15 races and finished 38th in the Whelen All-American Series Division I national standings.

Under Rev Racing owner and CEO Max Siegel’s leadership, the development program aligns drivers with a team of executives, athletic directors, crew chiefs and mentors tasked with helping NASCAR D4D drivers achieve career successes; thus, improving their goal of reaching one of NASCAR’s three national series.

“NASCAR Drive for Diversity goes much deeper than putting drivers behind the wheel of race cars,” said Siegel. “The program is all encompassing, providing competition, athletic training and professional development opportunities for drivers who have the determination and talent to reach NASCAR’s top levels. We’ve seen this with Larson, Suarez and Wallace Jr. and are excited about the potential of this talented group of drivers.”

After months of negotiations, a multi-year deal was signed late Wednesday between track owner Kevin Whitaker and the 2014 NWAAS National Points Champion, Anthony Anders, to lease the historic Greenville Pickens Speedway facility starting with the 2015 season.
 
Anders wasted little time Thursday in assembling and delegating responsibilities to his new "transition team" as he shared his vision for the future of GPS. “It is a huge undertaking to pull all the details together in such a short time,” Anders said. “Every contract and agreement…including sanctioning bodies, vendors, suppliers, service providers, advertisers, staff, and employees has to be reviewed, negotiated, and signed.“
 
Anders will take on the role of General Manager and Promoter. He will be bringing in a mix of new employees in combination with many of the previous GPS staff. The biggest change competitors and fans will see will be along pit road and in the garage area. More technical inspectors and pit stewards are being brought in to better facilitate efficient operations and close competition.

“Safety is our main focus…as we strive to improve the outdated facility and strengthen weekly programs," Anders added. “I’ve already gotten confirmation of support from these community businesses: Southern Utilities, Bryan Ramey & Associates, Martin & Martin Auto Auction, Bank of Travelers Rest, Outback Steakhouse of Easley, ORTEC Racing…just to name a few.”

Another new addition will be Anders’ daughter, Kirstie. She is putting together a kids club fan program—organizing fun activities and giveaways for the youth each week during intermission.
 
Greg Guarry will be the Facilities and Operations Manager as well as the new Competition Director. He’ll be Anders’ eyes and ears at the track while handling the daily operations and competition administration. Guarry brings a wealth of knowledge with him to GPS with a racing resume spanning 30 years. From his stock car beginnings at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia, he has held positions in car ownership, management, crew chief, engineering, and spotter in all of NASCAR’s divisions.

Guarry is currently the Senior Engineer at Ortec Machining and Fabrication and has held that position for the past 9 years. He has also worked closely in the past with notable car builders Mike Laughlin, Jay Hedgecock, and Rick Townsend. His biggest initial task will be implementing automation and enhanced services, including a new electronic timing and scoring system for all divisions at GPS. Guarry and his team will also be revamping rules, policies, and procedures relating to all technical aspects of competition. He will also be hosting a pre-season information meeting with each division to issue the 2015 rules package and moderate a Q&A session with the race teams.
 
Several familiar faces will return. Cary Hardin will continue his duties as weekly race director and social media manager; while Mark Turner will resume his flagging duties and trackside voice of GPS in victory lane. Long time race journalist, Reese Fant, will also be topside, to document each week’s racing action for the weekly race report and press release. Other positions will be added and announced as agreements are reached.
 
While the official 2015 Season Schedule is set to be released next week, GPS management has confirmed the season is expected to run as usual, from early March until late September, with a practice session tentatively scheduled in late February. There are just a few outstanding dates remaining to be confirmed by several touring series and other special events.
 
Many improvements, needed repairs, and the beginning phases of implementation of Anders’ new vision for the future of GPS are already underway.

Flaming River has received its certification for ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems standards. By adhering to ISO’s 9001 quality standards, Flaming River’s manufacturing processes and products are certified to world-class specifications for quality, safety and efficiency.

The ISO 9000 family of quality management system standards ensures that Flaming River Industries, Inc. meets or exceeds the needs of its customers and the standards of manufacturing excellence as set forth by the guidelines of ISO 9000 and OEM standards per the regulatory authorities.

For more information, please call 1-800-648-8022 or visit www.flamingriver.com.

As a member of the 2015 Drive for Diversity driver class, announced Monday by NASCAR, Kenzie Ruston is in a position to defy probabilities, succeeding first on the track and then in landing a sponsor to support her in a market that is unforgiving for young unknowns and minorities alike.

"I don't think there is going to be a group of females that's just going to pop up in the truck (series) or (Xfinity series) or even (Sprint) Cup," she said. "I think eventually there is going to be just one or two who kind of pave the way, and I think that's just how it's kind of always going to be. I don't think one day there is going to be six females at the Cup level. You're going to have to be a standout from all the other females and hopefully a company comes on and loves you and loves your personality and kind of becomes family."

Ruston, 23, will embark on her third season in the K&N Pro Series East after becoming the highest-finishing female in circuit history—second last season at Iowa Speedway for Ben Kennedy Racing. The former member of the NASCAR Next initiative to identify and promote potential future stars finished ninth in series points last season and was one of four new drivers in the six-person D4D lineup.

Ruston had no sponsorship and would have been unable to race this season without the D4D program.

Max Siegel, who owns the Rev Racing team that fields cars in K&N and Whelen Modifieds and All-American series for the D4D participants, called this "the most difficult year ever" to select a roster. Siegel has managed the program for seven of its 12 years. From 90 applicants, 25 were invited to a talent-evaluation combine and six were given the chance to follow Kyle Larson (Sprint Cup) and Bubba Wallace Jr. and Daniel Suarez (Xfinity) as graduates proving themselves and advancing to NASCAR national series.

The 2015 Drive for Diversity class will be comprised of the returners Devon Amos, 23, who will ascend to the K&N Pro Series East after two seasons in Whelen All-American; Jay Beasley, 23, returning to K&N Pro Series East; and newcomers Collin Cabre, 21, who begins his first K&N East season; Natalie Decker, 17, who will enter the Whelen series; Dylan Smith, 22, who will return to the Whelen Series; and Ruston.

Larson last season became the first program graduate to win a Sprint Cup pole (Pocono Raceway in August). In 2013, Wallace Jr. became the first African-American to capture a national touring series race since 1963 when he won a truck race at Martinsville Speedway. A first female victory would be a next major benchmark, Siegel said.

The diversity program has graduated 28 pit crew workers into higher series, a success, for certain, he said, but added that the program still has much work ahead to fulfill the mission statement of making NASCAR more reflective of society demographically, in its fan base and in its top-three series driver paddock.

"We are a long way away from the objective of having a strong pipeline of young, diverse talent," he said. "Even though it's a crowded field when jobs open up, over the next five years, we have to have a strong pipeline to compete.

"And an immediate long-term goal, as a minority owner, I would also like to be able to grow the team and be able to provide a seat in the Truck Series or the (Xfinity) series for the drivers as well. We are finding that as competitive as it is, there are not a lot of available seats for the graduates who move on from the K&N series."

Ruston feels the pressure and anticipation of being the one. She commences her season on Feb. 15 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.

"If we can win a race and be the first female to do that in the K&N Series, then I think doors will open," she said. "I really want to finish top-five in points and win a race or two. That would really be a success. I feel like once I get that first win, I feel like doors will open hopefully."

“After an exhaustive search for the right person, I am extremely happy to announce that Jeff Hapner has accepted the position of Race Director,” said Berlin Vice President Chris Danielson.

Hapner has a long and successful history at the famed short track spanning over 30 years. Starting out with the safety crew and working his way through tech, he has spent the last 15 years in the flag stand calling races along side some of the best race officials in the country.

“I am just excited and ready to go,” Hapner said. “Mike Bursley and the family have put us on a great path, and I can’t wait to help move it forward.”

Danielson added, “Mike Bursley left so me very big shoes to fill, and the entire off season, this position has been a huge priority to fill.”

Bursley, the former President who resigned from the track in November, also served as the Race Director during Berlin race events.

“The thing I hope people understand is how strong the racing is at Berlin,” Danielson said. “These teams and drivers deserve the very best from race control week in and week out, a nd that is exactly what they get with Jeff and Nick. I couldn’t be happier Jeff accepted our offer.”

Nick Mesman was also promoted from timing and scoring to Senior Race Official. Mesman has been in the race control booth for 8 years at Berlin.

Hapner concluded the press conference by saying, “I hope the only difference the drivers will notice is the voice in their race-ceiver.”