Pro All Stars Series officials announced a schedule of at least 12 PASS Pro Late Model events for the upcoming 2015 season on Tuesday.

Each PASS Pro Late Model event will be in conjunction with the PASS South Super Late Model division. Most events will be 50 laps in length and will continue under the same format that was utilized this season.

“The PASS Pro Late Model division has proven to be a great stepping stone for drivers looking to eventually make the move up to PASS South,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “Having the PASS Pro Late Models as a companion event to most of our PASS South Super Late Model races sets up a great weekend of action for our fans. We have several new teams planning to join the series next year and are excited about the potential growth of the PASS Pro Late Model division in 2015.”

The PASS Pro Late Model season will begin on Saturday, March 7 at Dillon Motor Speedway and conclude with the final of two events at Hickory Motor Speedway as part of the Mason Dixon Meltdown weekend of action on Saturday, November 21.

Additional dates may be added and the final schedule will be confirmed by January 1. Races are expected to be added on May 8 and September 12.

2015 PASS Pro Late Model Schedule

Date – Venue – Location

March 7 – Dillon Motor Speedway – Dillon, S.C.

March 21 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

April 4 – Hickory Motor Speedway - Newton, N.C.

April 25 – Myrtle Beach Speedway – Myrtle Beach, S.C.

May 23 – Concord Speedway – Concord, N.C.

June 19 – Anderson Motor Speedway – Williamston, S.C.

July 3 – Greenville Pickens Speedway – Easley, S.C.

July 18 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

Sept. 26 – Southern National Motorsports Park – Lucama, N.C.

Oct. 17 – Orange County Speedway – Rougemont, N.C.

Nov. 21 – Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, N.C.

Governor Tom Corbett recently announced a $1 million Economic Growth Initiative (EGI) grant to assist in Pocono Raceway’s renovation and improvement plan.

“This raceway is a major tourism catalyst for Pennsylvania bringing in tourism dollars from neighboring states and around the country,” said Gov. Corbett. “This investment will help ensure the safety of event spectators as well maintain the viability of this worldwide destination.”

The project will include substantial improvements to the raceway’s main facility entrance with the rebuilding of two, 50 year old tunnels. These tunnels provide the only entrance and exit from within the racetrack. The project will also include construction of a pedestrian walkway.

“As a structure that has stood for as long as this, safety becomes paramount in what we look at in projects that we must undertake here at Pocono Raceway,” stated Brandon Igdalsky, Raceway President and CEO. “This project not only will shore up the safety & longevity of this area of the property, but also increase that first impression of a facility that is instrumental to tourism in the Pocono Mountains.  This project will help us highlight not just who we are, but allow us to help showcase the region and our geography.  In addition, it will open up a new ability to allow pedestrians to be able to safely use our tunnels as well as vehicle traffic.”

Pocono Raceway has generated more than $250 million in income for Northeast Pennsylvania residents. The attraction supports more than 2700 jobs, and has generated almost $15 million of tax revenue for the commonwealth.

WELD Racing (WELD), manufacturers of WELD Racing Wheels, has selected The Marx Group as the company's agency of record for all public relations efforts. The Marx Group will assist WELD with communicating the new WELD marketing and branding strategies through trade show support, public relations writing and distribution, and will represent the company to trade and consumer media.

“We chose The Marx Group to assist us with public relations based on their extensive experience with PR and marketing tactics specific to the automotive aftermarket," said Chris Bovis, vice president of marketing, WELD Racing. "Because of their industry experience, they have the ability to fully integrate with our existing staff right out of the gate, making them a natural extension of the WELD Racing marketing team."

Since 1967, WELD Racing has shown that race proven engineering and stylish designs can be a recipe for success in the racing wheel market. As the winningest wheel manufacturer in history, with over 8000 professional race wins, WELD has been the wheel of choice for racers aiming for the winner’s circle. Founded to solve a need for stronger sprint car wheels, the WELD Racing brand has evolved into the most elite wheel brand in the market for any type of racing. WELD also offers street wheels that use the same engineering and design techniques and meet the same stringent requirements as their race wheels. This ensures maximum quality in every wheel they make.

Based in San Rafael, Calif., with creative and account teams in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Knoxville, Tenn., The Marx Group offers strategic business consulting, as well as full-service marketing communications and PR programs.

For more information about WELD Racing, phone 800-788-9353 or visit www.weldracing.com. For more information about The Marx Group, phone 415-453-0844 or visit www.themarxgrp.com.

The FIA Formula E Championship has revealed the circuit location and layout for the Miami ePrix, taking place on March 14, 2015.

The eight-turn, 2.17-km circuit is located in Downtown Miami, Florida, along Biscayne Bay around the streets of the AmericanAirlines Arena, home to the Miami Heat NBA basketball team. Produced by leading track design company Ayesa, it is the setting for the fifth race in the inaugural Formula E season and the first of two events in the United States.

“I’m pleased to be welcoming Formula E to Miami, the location of the first electric single-seater race in America. We are proud to be among the elite group of international cities hosting the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Mayor of Miami Tomas Regalado.

All Formula E events take place in one-day in order to minimize disruption to the city. The race will be organized in collaboration with experienced event company Andretti Sports Marketing.

“We’re delighted to be officially unveiling the circuit for the Miami ePrix, the host for round five of the FIA Formula E Championship. Having two races in the US is very important to us with America’s rich motorsport heritage and the States being such an influential and burgeoning market for electric vehicles,” said Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.

Interest in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires series, the final step on the Mazda Road to Indy, has grown markedly since unveiling and testing of the new AER-powered Dallara IL-15, which debuts in 2015.

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian is the latest team to commit to the rejuvenated series, placing a two-car order as they prepare to campaign for their ninth Indy Lights title next season. Multiple car orders have already been placed by Belardi Auto Racing, Juncos Racing and McCormack Racing—who were first in line to order the new chassis.

To date, 10 teams are officially registered for next season and additional commitments and car orders are in the pipeline. Belardi Auto Racing, who guided Gabby Chaves to the 2014 series crown, recently announced the first driver signing for 2015 with FIA Formula 3 European talent Felix Serralles, 22, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, joining the squad.

“The interest level and enthusiasm for next season has been incredible,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “To have Sam [Schmidt] come on board with a two-car commitment speaks volumes. He is a stanch supporter of the series and we are excited to have the winningest Indy Lights team back in the paddock.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the caliber of teams that will be campaigning programs, and I fully expect to see 15 to 20 cars on the grid next March.”

Testing will begin in Florida in December and January with series tests at Palm Beach International Raceway on December 16–17 and Homestead-Miami Speedway on January 26–27 (road course) and January 29 (oval).

“Schmidt Peterson Motorsports is the only team that has competed in the Indy Lights series since its inception,” said team owner Sam Schmidt. “We believe that the series is a vital step to reach the Verizon IndyCar Series, and the number of current IndyCar drivers who previously participated in Indy Lights is proof that the system works. We are proud to announce our official entry into the series for 2015, and look forward to the incredible competition that will be created by the new chassis and its formula.”

The Dallara IL-15 prototype testing program concluded on September 6 with five drivers handling development duties—Scott Dixon, the 2000 Indy Lights champion and three-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion; James Hinchcliffe, the 2010 Indy Lights championship runner-up and race-winning Verizon IndyCar Series driver; Tristan Vautier, the 2012 Indy Lights and 2011 Pro Mazda champion and 2013 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year; Conor Daly, the 2011 Indy Lights race winner and 2010 Pro Mazda champion; and Chaves, who unofficially broke the track record on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden also provided valuable feedback during demonstration laps on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course at the Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test on Sept. 13-14, where the 2011 Indy Lights champion with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports unofficially shattered the track record by almost two seconds and gave rave reviews.

“After experiencing it, I would really like to run both championships next year,” said Newgarden. “I honestly would. If somehow we could work it out where I could run the Lights championship and IndyCar championship, I think it would be so much fun especially with a brand new car like this. It is such a proper race car and they did a really good job with it.”

The LINQ Las Vegas and Andretti Sports Marketing, are teaming up this fall to produce Red Bull Global Rallycross Las Vegas event at The LINQ.

The championship round of the 2014 Red Bull Global Rallycross season will run in the shadow of the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller—the defining feature of Caesars Entertainment’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment district at The LINQ.

Doug Bresnahan, VP of Marketing Partnerships, Andretti Sports Marketing, who spearheaded the deal with Caesars Entertainment, believes the new venue will serve as a perfect backdrop to the intense action of Red Bull Global Rallycross.

“Who could ask for a better setting than a new and exciting property right on the Vegas Strip? Caesars is known for hosting world-class events and Andretti Sports Marketing is proud to be working with our friends at The LINQ to bring another showstopper to their property,” said Bresnahan.

“We are incredibly excited about our partnership with Red Bull Global Rallycross and Andretti Sports Marketing,” said Vice President and General Manager of The LINQ, Jon Gray. “The LINQ prides itself in pushing the envelope and creating new and enticing environments for all of our guests to enjoy and hosting the Red Bull Global Rallycross will create a phenomenal experience.”

Court records show the owners of Rockingham Speedway have agreed to sell or auction off the track to help avoid foreclosure for default on a $4.2 million loan used to buy the property.

The Daily Journal of Richmond County reports a judge signed a consent order between the owners and Farmers & Merchants Bank, which holds the loan.

Owners Andy Hillenburg of Concord and Bill R. Silas of Stuart, Florida, have until the first of 2015 to sign a sale or auction agreement. A sale or auction must take place by March 15.

Rockingham Speedway opened in 1965, but hasn't hosted a NASCAR Sprint Cup series race since 2004. A race scheduled for 2013 was canceled, and the track was left off the 2014 NASCAR truck series schedule.

After a record-setting 25th anniversary 2014 season, WC Vision announced the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Championships schedule featuring 10 weekends, including five standalone events. Next year's schedule includes events across North America at some of the world's most challenging and legendary permanent road courses and temporary street circuits. All standalone races will also feature TC/TCA/TCB rounds, with one further event still to-be-announced.

The series opens up its 2015 season at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, TX, March 6-8. All classes (GT/GT-A/GT Cup, GTS, TC/TCA/TCB) will be racing as part of a series headliner event weekend at the world-class 3.4-mile circuit.

From Austin, GT, GT-A, GT Cup and GTS teams head to St. Petersburg, FL, March 27-29, to run alongside IndyCar as part of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.



It's the 'Roar by the Shore' April 17-19 as GT, GT-A and GT Cup competitors travel to Long Beach, CA to compete as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. A week later, GT/GT-A/GT Cup competitors as well as GTS competitors will be running as part of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, April 24-26, near Birmingham, AL.



May 15-17 all classes head north of the border to run at the challenging high speed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville, ON, co-headlining with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series as part of the Victoria Day Speedfest. From CTMP, all competitors head to Wisconsin June 26-28, as the series returns to Elkhart Lake's legendary four-mile, 14-turn Road America.



In late July (July 31-Aug. 2), GT/GT-A/GT Cup and GTS teams travel to Lexington, OH, to compete at the scenic 2.4-mile, 15-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, co-headlining with the IndyCar series as part of the Honda Indy 200.



The series then heads back out west for the final three event weekends to close out the 2015 season. August 21-23, all classes have a return date at picturesque and challenging Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT.



August 28-30, GT/GT-A/GT Cup and GTS competitors return to California's beautiful 2.52-mile road course at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, CA, along with IndyCar as part of the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma weekend.


The 2015 season finale weekend is set for a return appearance at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile jewel of a road course on California's beautiful central coast—Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Salinas, CA, September 11-13. The weekend season finale is a series headliner event.



"I'm confident our 2015 season will continue to build on our record-breaking 2014 season," said Scott Bove, President and CEO, WC Vision/Pirelli World Challenge. "We had record TV viewership this past season that was seven times higher than in 2013. Additionally, on the digital side, our YouTube channel garnered over 300,000 views and fans have watched close to 3 million minutes of Pirelli World Challenge racing coverage on the channel. World-challenge.com had over 1.2 million page views with close to 200,000 visitors frequenting the site, roughly of which 60% are new visitors. The series' Facebook page is one of the largest in motorsports and has over 610,000 Likes and the engagement/interaction level of our fans on the page has quintupled."



2015 Pirelli World Challenge Schedule


March 6-8 — Circuit of The Americas**

March 27-29 — St. Petersburg*

April 17-19 — Long Beach* (GT/GT-Cup Only)

April 24-26 — Barber Motorsports Park*

May 15-17 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park**

June 26-28 — Road America**

July 31-Aug. 2 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course*

Aug. 21-23 — Miller Motorsports Park**

Aug. 28-30 — Sonoma Raceway*

Sept. 11-13 — Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca**



*Events with IndyCar


**Pirelli WC Headline Events (All standalone races will also feature TC/TCA/TCB rounds, with one further event still to-be-announced)

Richard Petty Motorsports will move its race operations from their current location in Concord, N.C., to Mooresville, N.C., at the end of the 2014 NASCAR race season.

RPM’s new address will be 112 Byers Creek Road located inside Talbert Pointe in Mooresville. This location was the home for Richard Petty’s race teams from 2007 to 2008.

The return to the former location is an expansion of space from the current race shop, allowing for growth in the race operation and further opportunities to increase performance capabilities. One immediate performance capability, the new shop will allow for RPM to hang bodies onto the chassis. The team will also have additional space for engineering and simulation.

“We needed a new location that allowed for more space to increase our performance,” said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Petty Motorsports. “We continue to invest into the race operations to better ourselves on the track. It all starts in the race shop and having the best resources and assets. That’s what this move will allow us to do.”

The new site will be the home of RPM’s two NASCAR Sprint Cup race teams and Nationwide Series team.

“We’re moving back to a place that we have been before and really liked,” said Richard Petty, Co-Owner, Richard Petty Motorsports. “It’s familiar to us and we know it gives our employees the tools they need to prepare our cars to win. This is just another improvement that we’re making to move the race team ahead.”

The Lotus Formula 1 team will experiment running without the unique twin-tusk nose on the E22 during free practice for the United States Grand Prix. The squad will try a 2014 Ferrari/Mercedes-style low nose, as it pushes on with developments for its 2015 car.

Lotus will be forced to abandon its unusual twin-tusk design next season, following a push by F1's governing body the FIA to eliminate the aesthetically controversial nose designs that have appeared on cars this year. The team has yet to decide which of its drivers will run the prototype nose, which will be replaced with the conventional twin-tusk design for the race.

"The rules are pushing everybody in that direction, so I think pretty much everybody will be looking at a fairly low and narrow nose [for next season]," Lotus technical director Nick Chester explained. "We're going to test a nose like that in Austin, really just to gather feedback for next year—to do some aero measurements and see what that does on track compared to what we see in the [wind] tunnel."

Lotus lies eighth in the constructors' championship with just eight points scored from 16 races this season, and Romain Grosjean confirmed during September's Italian GP that Lotus had abandoned development of the difficult E22 in order to focus earlier next year's E23.

"We always have a curve where we tail off development of a current car and ramp up the new car," Chester added. "We've probably just crossed over a bit earlier.

"Once we were in June we were already putting more work into the 2015 car, and whereas we might have run some developments a little later into the season on the current car, we haven't, really—we've stopped those so we could put everything into next year's car."

The squad has also confirmed a switch from Renault to Mercedes engines for 2015 as it bids to get back to the front of the grid. Chester admitted there was some sadness at ending a relationship that stretches back as far as 1995, when Benetton won its first F1 world titles, but said Lotus had to do everything in its power to avoid a repeat of this year's disappointing campaign.

"It was difficult because we're good friends with a lot of the guys from Renault, particularly when we were [the] works team," Chester added. "But on the other hand we had a great opportunity to change and we have to follow where the best performance is."