Many IndyCar drivers will have one more race to compete in before their off-season begins.

On September 20 The Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge will take place at New Castle Motorsports Park where participants will race to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause that became close to Wheldon after his mother was diagnosed in 2008 and sadly passed away from the disease in April.

The event, in its inaugural year last year, raised more than $100,000 to establish The Sue Wheldon Fund. The fund supported a New Investigator Research Grant and early-stage programs of the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. This year the Wheldon family will expand their scope of support to include programs of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

“We at the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter continue to be humbled by the generous hearts of the entire Wheldon family,” said Gloria Smith, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Ass’n’s Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. “Even through their own tragedies, they continue to extend their hands of support to help thousands of other families living with Alzheimer’s disease. We value the friendship and support they have so graciously shown us and the community.”

The challenge will continue with the same format as last year with corporate-sponsored teams consisting of one professional driver and three amateur drivers for a timed 2-hour event beginning at 12:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. and admission is free. The pro drivers will also take part in an autograph session from 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Because of the success of last year’s event sponsors from last year were eager to participate again.

“Dan meant so much to American Honda, and to the people of American Honda and HPD,” said T.E. McHale, Manager, Public Relations, American Honda. “It is no exaggeration to say that we miss him daily, and this is one of the several ways we can contribute to securing his ongoing legacy. We applaud the great work being done by Susie in his memory, and are pleased once again to support The Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge in 2014. We are also delighted to welcome Dan’s sister, Holly, to Team Honda, as we look to improve on our runner-up finish in last year’s event.”

IndyCar standout Josef Newgarden was the pro driver for Team Honda last year and returns this year for the much anticipated event.

“The DW Pro-Am Challenge is a very special time for all the IndyCar family, and it’s a race I look forward to all year long, “ said Josef Newgarden, whose Honda-sponsored team took home a second-place finish last year. “I’ve been racing at New Castle since I was a little kid and it’s the first place I ever met Dan as a young racer. His love and energy for our sport was so captivating and he was truly an inspiration to me as a young racer. I always look forward to coming back and sharing his legacy with everyone and also using it as an opportunity to help a wonderful cause in raising money in memory of Dan’s mom.”

Big Machine Records took home top honors last year finishing first with Marino Franchitti, who stepped in for his brother Dario after he was involved in a serious accident during the Houston IndyCar race.

“To say it was an honor for the Big Machine Team to win the inaugural Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am, well, there are really no words to describe it,” said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “As we all know, Dan was a master on and off the track but it was always clear, he was at the track to win. To keep his legacy alive with a great win due to an incredible drive by Marino Franchitti and teammates papa Clive Wheldon, me and my brother Mark, well, we ‘kept it in the family’. This year Big Machine is adding super-driver Tony Kanaan to the team and we expect to compete for two consecutive wins! With Tony pulling down his first win in Dan’s former Target #10 at season’s end, it would only be fitting for TK and Big Machine to cross the finish line first.”

Other pro drivers/sponsors participating in the event are James Hinchcliffe, Ed Carpenter/Machine of Awesome, Sage Karam/Comfort Revolution, Jack Harvey/AL Consulting, Sebastian Saavedra/Firestone, Conor Daly/IMS, Ryan Briscoe, Jay Howard/Bell Racing, Marco Andretti/Motorsport Graphic Design, Performance Tire Service and CF Charities.

Scott Dixon, Wheldon’s former teammate at Target Chip Ganassi Racing, will compete in the event for the second year in a row with Target. Dixon is one of IndyCars most successful drivers, including an Indianapolis 500 win and three IndyCar Championship titles.

“I’m proud to be a part of the second annual Dan Wheldon Memorial Pro-Am Karting Challenge,” said Dixon. “Last year’s race was a huge success, it was great to see so much support towards Dan’s lasting legacy. This year will be bigger and better as we continue to support the Alzheimer’s Association that Dan was very passionate about. Susie Wheldon does an amazing job, I hope you can come out and be part of a great day.”

Wheldon’s widow, Susie, created The Dan Wheldon Foundation following last year’s event as a way to keep her husband’s legacy alive and continue his work of giving back and support of the Alzheimer’s Association. Wheldon was killed during the Las Vegas IndyCar season finale in 2011.

“Dan was so giving of his time and resources,” said Wheldon. “I was completely blown away by the response last year and how much money we were able to raise and ultimately start a fund in Sue’s name. I knew I had to make this an annual event and maybe one day even have our boys Sebastian and Oliver participate. Dan will always be remembered as someone who had an immense passion for life and I want to carry on his legacy in the same way. I feel blessed to be able to give back.”

Wheldon’s 5-year-old son Sebastian started racing karts in April and will lead the field in a pace lap before the start of the race.

Each winning team member will receive a grand Turismo quartz chronograph watch from Ritmo Mundo, valued at $1200 and a room package complements of the Conrad Indianapolis.

The inaugural season for the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP is far from over, but plans are full-speed-ahead for 2015 and beyond.

In an announcement made at Penn Can Speedway on Tuesday during the fifth event of the six-race series, Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP organizer Brett Deyo revealed a three-year agreement has been reached with American Racer and Lias Tire Company, the regional distributor based in Indiana, Pa. The agreement sets American Racer as the exclusive tire of the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.

“This is a huge step forward for the future of our series,” Deyo said of the announcement. “This year, we set out as a virtual unknown. Throughout the year, we’ve proven ourselves to our tracks, drivers and sponsors. Bringing American Racer and Lias Tire on board will be a benefit for all involved.”

The Short Track Super Series was launched by Deyo during the 2013-2014 off-season and kicked off with a six-race ’14 schedule offering a $10,014 championship from a point fund of more than $23,000. Many national and regional companies signed on to provide contingency support and product awards.

While the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP has operated under an open tire rule in its inaugural season, American Racer has overwhelmingly been the tire of choice for racers. During the three most recent events – I-88 Speedway in July, Accord Speedway in August and Penn Can in September – the entire modified field opted for American Racer tires.

“Our racers have shown they prefer to use the American Racers when they have the choice,” Deyo said. “All of our teams are outfitted with these tires already. Having an existing inventory will save money from the start.”

As part of the American Racer-Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP agreement, racers will benefit from a solid point fund, attendance incentives, tire giveaways and other perks.

“This decision was made with the stability of our series and our racers in mind,” Deyo said.

Lias Tire, the American Racer distributor for Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, welcomed the opportunity to serve the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP.

“We are all very excited to be an active participant in the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP,” said Matt Brandle, Lias Tire Sales & Marketing. “We’ve been watching the series this season and have all been very impressed. It’s a positive agreement for all parties.”

Matt Kenseth helped transform a tranquil and idle Wednesday into a thunderous Chase send-off with more than 3000 local elementary students on hand for the official 2014-15 kickoff of Texas Motor Speedway’s “Speeding To Read” program. The frontstretch grandstands were alive in a sea of colors and littered with numerous hand-made signs by the students wishing Kenseth good luck in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup that kicks off this weekend.

Kenseth was visiting as part of the 16-driver, 16-city NASCAR “Chase Across North America,” promotional tour and served as the special guest for the seven schools competing this year in the educational program created by Texas Motor Speedway to encourage elementary school (K-5) children to read more frequently.

The throng of students was treated to a simulated 10-lap, stock-car race by the Team Texas Driving Experience that featured school administrators riding shotgun followed by the visit by the 2003 Sprint Cup champion. Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, deftly fielded a dozen wide-ranging questions from students on stage and thanked each by providing them with an autographed TMS hat and group photo as mementos.

The event was a natural fit for Kenseth, who just two weeks ago debuted Matt Kenseth’s Race Against Bullying children’s book aimed at educating and empowering children to make good choices if faced with bullying situations. The four-book series, created by Kenseth and his wife Katie, is being produced in partnership with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

Kenseth and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation received a huge roar of approval from students and faculty when he announced that the foundation was donating $1,000 and a case of 80 children’s books, including 10 copies of Kenseth’s new book, to each of the seven schools competing in “Speeding To Read.” Since the program began with a one-school pilot program in 2011-12, Speeding To Read has reached more than 8,600 students that have combined to read more than 1.3 million books heading into this year.

“The ‘Speeding to Read’ program is pretty cool, I’ve been learning about it. Reading is important to me and Dollar General and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. It was cool to be part of the event and that was generous of them,” said Kenseth, an avid reader who also has three young children.

“Education is obviously important. It has always been important, but I think it’s really important in the society that we live in with things so technologically driven. It’s easy today with all the advances in technology to not take time and actually grab a book and read when you can play a video game or do something else. It’s cool to see all the kids come out here, all the kids being excited about reading and trying to win for their respective schools. It’s fun to see all that excitement.”

QA1 announces that the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) has named QA1 Customer Service Manager Dave Kass to SEMA’s 35 Under 35, a list of 35 young and rising stars in the aftermarket industry.

“It’s an honor being recognized as one of SEMA’s 35 Under 35,” said Kass. “This year’s list includes talented and hard-working people and it’s exciting to see the fresh creative ideas they are bringing to the industry. QA1 does a fantastic job investing time in young individuals who are excited about what they do, and I’m glad I get to be a part of that kind of culture.”

This is the third year SEMA has assembled this list, which highlights people with a thorough knowledge of the aftermarket industry and who are moving the industry in new directions. To be considered, the individual must first be nominated, and then SEMA evaluates each nominee based on leadership qualities, industry involvement and expertise in their particular market.

Kass has been an integral part of QA1’s success and a helping hand to many of QA1’s dealers and end users. His extensive product and application knowledge covers the full range of automotive aftermarket segments, from street rods and hot rods to vintage and modern muscle, lowriders, drag racing and even circle track racing. Whether he is on the phone with customers or talking to them at one of the numerous shows QA1 attends, Krass is always enthusiastic about each project and wants to help every customer achieve his suspension goals.

“Enthusiasts these days are putting much more of an emphasis on learning about the parts they put on their vehicles, including where the parts come from and the materials used,” Kass said in the September 2014 issue of SEMA News. “I am truly proud to work for a manufacturer that uses the most state-of-the-art equipment and materials to provide people with the highest-quality parts for the money.”

Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) have announced the itinerary for 2014’s “Operation Appreciation,” the annual visit by Summit Racing and Harley-Davidson racers to American troops stationed overseas.

This will be the second year Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock drivers Greg Anderson and Jason Line, Summit Racing/BIGFOOT monster truck racer Dan Runte, and Harley-Davidson NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racers Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec will visit troops in the Middle East. Operation Appreciation is made possible by Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) with special thanks to Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64 and SFA’s Sfc (Retired) Wayne Reed.

“2013 was our first trip to the Middle East and the most rewarding to date,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Motorsports and Events Manager. “It was an eye-opening experience, and we’re excited about returning this year with a couple of new places to visit.”

For Line, Anderson, and Runte, these troop visits have become an off-season tradition.
“This is something that I look forward to every year,” said Line. “It is an honor to make this trip and spend time with the troops. To have the opportunity to say thank you to them in person is something I don't take lightly. The troops really make us feel like we’re something special when it should be the other way around.”

“We have the privilege of visiting someplace a lot of Americans haven't been before,” said Anderson. “When you think about the dedication of these troops it puts things into perspective. To be able to visit with them again is something I can’t wait for. You just want to let them know how grateful we are for all that they do.”

“I’ve been doing these trips since the beginning,” said Runte. “Each time I come back with a sense of respect for and even awe at what these men and women do to serve their country, to serve us. Anything we can do to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice is time and effort well spent.”

This year’s trip is the third for Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines riders Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines.

“I look forward to this trip. It isn’t very often that civilians are able to go behind the gates to say thank you to all of our troops who support us,” said Krawiec. “They put their lives on the line, and this is just a small thank you for that. It makes me feel good to be able to thank them personally.”

“It’s quite an honor to be asked again to visit the troops with Summit Racing,” said Hines, whose father, Byron Hines, served in the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. “I always look forward to this trip so that we can give a little bit back and maybe bring a little bit of home to them. That’s the most important thing. We appreciate all they do for us.”

Joining the racers for the first time is NHRA race announcer and National Dragster writer Alan Reinhart.

“I’m honored to have been invited this year,” Reinhart said. “After hearing the positive stories from the drivers that have gone on these trips, I’m really looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. It’s always a pleasure to meet and talk with the soldiers when they come to the races and I’m grateful for the opportunity to thank them for what they do.”

You can follow 2014’s Operation Appreciation trip at OnAllCylinders, Summit Racing’s blog, and Summit Racing’s Facebook page.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed that he is to leave his position after 23 years at the top of the Italian marque.

After several weeks of speculation about his future, Montezemolo has stepped down despite telling the media at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix that he would be staying on for the time being.

Ferrari’s fortunes in Formula 1 have taken a downward turn in recent years. After a period of sustained success in the early 2000s, spearheaded by Michael Schumacher, Ross Brawn and Jean Todt, the team has not won a championship since 2008.

The arrival of Fernando Alonso in 2010 was intended to take the team back to its former glory, but he has instead become frustrated with the lack of success at Maranello.

In a statement issued today, Montezemolo confirmed his departure, calling it “the end of an era.”

“Ferrari will have an important role to play within the FCA Group in the upcoming flotation on Wall Street. This will open up a new and different phase which I feel should be spearheaded by the CEO of the Group,” it reads.

“This is the end of an era and so I have decided to leave my position as Chairman after almost 23 marvellous and unforgettable years in addition to those spent at Enzo Ferrari’s side in the 1970s.

“My thanks, first and foremost, to the exceptional Ferrari women and men from the factory, the offices, the race tracks and the markets across the world. They were the real architects of the company’s spectacular growth, its many unforgettable victories and its transformation into one of the world’s strongest brands.

“A warm farewell and my thanks also to all of our technical and commercial partners, our dealers across the globe and, most particularly, the clients and collectors whose passion I so wholeheartedly share.

“But my thoughts go also to our fans who have always supported us with great enthusiasm especially through the Scuderia’s most difficult moments.

“Ferrari is the most wonderful company in the world. It has been a great privilege and honor to have been its leader. I devoted all of my enthusiasm and commitment to it over the years. Together with my family, it was, and continues to be, the most important thing in my life.

“I wish the shareholders, particularly Piero Ferrari who has always been by my side, and everyone in the Company the many more years of success that Ferrari deserves.”

Montezemolo will be replaced by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, who came out on Sunday and criticized Ferrari’s recent efforts in Formula 1.

The departure of the president is just the latest change in a season of upheaval for Ferrari. Former team principal Stefano Domenicali resigned back in April, and was replaced by Marco Mattiacci, who himself refused to comment on rumors about Montezemolo’s future last Thursday.

Montezemolo will stay on as Ferrari president until October 13th.

Briggs Cunningham II, Roy “Pappy” Forsyth and Fred Borden will be the next inductees into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

The trio, along with drag racing great Bob Tasca, car builder Dave Tourigny, historian R.A. Silvia, and drivers Mike Rowe, Deke Astle, Jim Martel, Fred Schulz and Ron Wyckoff will be enshrined at the NEAR Hall of Fame Induction banquet Sunday, November 16, at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, Connecticut.

The veterans committee deals with accomplishments prior to 1960. Still to be announced is the winner of the Ratta/Mitchell Award, which goes to a member of the media.

Starting his career immediately after serving in World War II, Forsyth, a West Swanzey, New Hampshire, product, ran up an impressive record over three decades including championships at Claremont and Keene in New Hampshire and at Connecticut’s Stafford Springs. His prowess continued into the 1960s including a sensational season at Thunder Road in 1961 (10 wins in 18 starts) driving for George Barber. Forsyth passed away in 1988.

A Waltham, Massachusetts, native, Borden began racing at West Peabody, Mass. in 1950, winning twice. Over the next 17 seasons, in the employ of some top car owners, he carried away checkereds at Medford, Brookline, Norwood, West Peabody and Westboro. He was so successful at Medford they put a bounty on him. He was a dominant force driving for Rick Falconi in the 1960s at Westboro and Brookline. He now resides in Florida.

Cunningham called Westport, Conn. home for much of his life. A pioneer in American Sports Car racing, he was a competitor, patron, sponsor and car builder. Determined to put America on a level with the Europeans, he produced a list of high-performance prototype machines and competed on the international stage at LeMans and Sebring, his car winning at the latter. NEAR Hall of Famers Fitch and Walters were among his drivers. He passed away in January of 1987.

Ticket information and order forms are available at the New England Antique Racers website NEAR1.org.

To reward sprint car teams who support fans and tracks where the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions compete at, the series has revamped it’s point fund for 2015.

The UNOH All Stars will no longer utilize the “region” point fund and will go back to crowning one national champion. Also, the series will incorporate “tow money” to the teams who follow the tour all season.

The 2015 point fund—which will be paid to teams by Jan. 20, 2016—will reward the UNOH All Star champion $30,000. Series President Guy Webb said more money has been added through the top 10.

“This point fund will help the race teams trying to stay on the tour for the entire season. We want to reward the teams that put great effort to entertain the fans and support the tracks that support them,” said Webb.

The 2015 UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Point Fund will be:


1. $ 30,000

2. $ 20,000

3. $ 17,000

4. $ 12,000

5. $ 9,000

6. $ 8,000

7. $ 7,000

8. $ 6,000

9. $ 5,000

10. $5,000


In addition, the series will pay the previous year’s national champion $500 “tow money” per track and $300 to up to 9 other teams registered to run the entire season.

“For example, during Ohio Sprint Speedweek, not only will teams be running for $5,000 to win each of nine nights, but those nine cars who registered to run the entire season with us, could earn an extra $2,700 in tow money just for that week,” said Webb.

The UNOH All Stars have also revamped the funding for all non-transfer cars—those that do not qualify for the A-main feature—at each series event. All non-transfer cars at each UNOH All Star event will now receive $100.

“We want to try and help the smaller funded teams and be as welcoming as we can to the local teams that compete with us at all our great tracks,” said Webb. “We recognize the local competitors are as important to our series and the fans and tracks as the All Star competitors.”

The UNOH All Star officials have been working hard to put together another strong schedule for 2015.

“Things are moving forward and in the right direction. We have the 2015 schedule nearly wrapped up and are excited about the teams we have coming aboard and the great racing they will provide for the fans. We have great business partners like the University of Northwestern Ohio and great relationships with the tracks. I believe 2015 will be a fantastic year for our sport,” said Webb.

For more information go to www.allstarsprint.com

Saturday’s USAC HPD Midwest Midget series finale at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway not only will carry the season’s largest purse but also will signify the crowning of USAC’s second 2014 driving championship. The race is the inaugural “Fall Nationals.”

Austin Nemire of Toledo, Ohio, already crowned the Midwest HPD Dirt Champion after that series has concluded, will try to lock up the pavement title at Columbus and is eyeing the $1000 winner’s share (contingent on a 12-car minimum count). Competitors will also find an inflated $200 last-place payout Saturday, the result of a collaboration of numerous interested sponsors.

Columbus will signify several milestones in the USAC Developmental structure. The Honda .25 Midget series completes its pavement campaign for the “Gen Next” series on the smaller oval and the HPD Midgets share billing on the big one-third mile track. HPD Midgets will share the night with the Crazy Compacts and Legends on the NASCAR Sanctioned oval located at 1845 Williams Road.

"Putting the 2 Developmental Series together for one event makes sense for all of our racers, their teams and their families," said Kevin Miller. "We are trying to create a place for our .25 drivers to move to, in their racing career, when they outgrow their sport, but also a place for other drivers who don't want to move out of this Midget competition, just yet.  We can do that by working together to bring races to venues.

"It's an exciting way to end the HPD and .25 pavement season," said Miller. "I hope all HPD Series drivers will consider making the haul to Columbus this weekend and all .25 families can see what might lie ahead for their driver.  The youngest drivers enjoyed celebrating in Victory Lane with Austin Prock at Kalamazoo, in August.

Honda could field its new Civic Type R in the British Touring Car Championship next season.

The Japanese firm's future participation in the series had been questioned due to its Formula 1 entry with McLaren, but negotiations are ongoing for a 2015 tin-top plan.

"We haven't finished our deal for 2015, but it is absolutely our intention to run in the BTCC again in 2015, especially with the launch of the new Civic Type R," a Honda spokesman said.

If confirmed, the move would mean works squad Team Dynamics switching back to a hatchback-style body for its NGTC contenders, after one season with the Civic Tourer estate.

BTCC champions Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal have both won races in the Tourer this season, but their championship campaigns have been troubled.

After a difficult Rockingham weekend, Neal pointed to the BTCC's boost regulations as an issue for the team's VTEC engine, which was also new for 2014.

"The car's great but it's not got a TOCA engine," said Neal. "The first speed trap [at Rockingham] is fine because it's halfway through a corner but there's not a single Honda in the top 20 in the middle speed trap."

He also warned the issue had threatened Honda's future involvement, before the spokesperson's comments.

"Honda will pull out of the championship," added Neal. "So they [TOCA officials] have done their job because what they want is Honda out of the championship."

Series boss Alan Gow responded to Neal by pointing to the fact that Honda has won three consecutive drivers' titles.

"We've heard those moans for the last three seasons about their engine power," he said. "And in that time, the Honda Civic has won every drivers', teams' and manufacturers' championship.

"Moreover, last year Andrew Jordan in an independent Civic won the championship, beating the works Team Dynamics cars.

"At Rockingham Jordan was the top Honda driver – and he's not even using the latest-spec VTEC engine like the works cars – while the two Team Dynamics cars went backwards.

"Clearly they need to direct their frustration elsewhere, but if they think I'm going to just sit back and accept their outrageous accusation about us wanting Honda out of the BTCC, then they can think again."