Three races remain in this year’s 14-round Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires title chase.

Six drivers hold a mathematical chance of winning the championship, but in all probability the winner will come from among the current top three—Gabby Chaves, Jack Harvey and Zach Veach—who are separated by just 24 points going into Sunday’s final oval race of the season, the Milwaukee Mile 100 at the famed Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.

Each of them will be anxious to eke out a little breathing space prior to the title-deciding double-header one week later at the Sonoma Raceway road course in Northern California.

Colombian-American Chaves currently leads the way following an impressive sophomore Indy Lights season with Belardi Auto Racing’s #5 Marca Colombia/Coldeportes entry. The 21-year-old from Miami has won four times—including both previous oval races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway—and holds an 18-point advantage, 431-413, over Harvey, with Veach just six markers further in arrears.

Prior to the pair of races two weeks ago at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, it seemed as though Chaves and Veach, a two-time winner this season, would be fighting it out for the title. Except no one told Harvey, a 21-year-old rookie, who swept both races in the #42 Racing Steps Foundation car to vault himself into the thick of the battle.

Harvey, from Lincoln, England, does not have the advantage of any prior experience on the historic Milwaukee Mile—the oldest permanent race track in the country dating back to the early 1900s – but he does have momentum on his side. The former British Formula 3 champion also can draw on the vast depth of knowledge of his team, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian, which has won each of the past three Milwaukee events with Sage Karam (2013), Tristan Vautier (2012) and Esteban Guerrieri (2011).

Veach, 19, from Stockdale, Ohio, has high expectations after displaying good form on the ovals, finishing third at Indianapolis and second at Pocono from the pole in the #26 RePLAY XD/The Young Marines/Ads IT Solutions/Zakosi Data Back Up car fielded by Andretti Autosport. Veach also enjoyed a strong run at Milwaukee last year, qualifying on the pole and leading a race-high 56 laps before having to settle for second place behind eventual series champion Sage Karam.

With his two wins and six additional podiums, Harvey currently holds an 88-point advantage in the Rookie of the Year standings over Andretti Autosport’s Matthew Brabham and a 101-point spread over teammate Luiz Razia – both race winners this year.

The Team Championship also is finely poised. Schmidt Peterson currently leads the way on 314 points, followed by Belardi Auto Racing on 291 and Andretti Autosport on 283. Schmidt Peterson has won the past four championships in a row through the efforts of J-K Vernay, Josef Newgarden, Vautier and Karam.

Nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will remain at Michigan International Speedway one additional day on Monday to test aerodynamic and engine combinations for the 2015 racing season.
 
According to NASCAR officials, the test is designed to validate extensive work done by the sanctioning body's racing development team.

Gene Stefanyshyn, vice president Innovation and Racing Development for NASCAR, said two different packages featuring various changes would be tested on the two-mile track at MIS.
 
"We have a prime rules package and also will be doing a low downforce package, because some of the drivers have been very vocal," Stefanyshyn said. "They think (low downforce) is a solution ... so we're going to try one of those."
 
Under the low downforce package, approximately 28-30 percent of the downforce generated will be taken off the car by removal of the radiator pan (which was integrated into the current package which debuted this season) as well as the use of a 3.5-inch spoiler.
 
Stefanyshyn said Goodyear will bring "a sticker tire so we're going to give that a go, see what that's like."
 
The prime rules package will involve much greater changes and will include the use of dive planes, a 9-inch spoiler, six-percent rear differential gear ratio, three different power levels (engine horsepower) as well as a driver adjustable track bar. Dive planes are small strips on the left and right side of the front bumper areas about halfway between the splitter and hood.
 
The engine changes will vary from the current 850 horsepower to 800 and 750 hp. Stefanyshyn said those changes would be made during Monday's test through the use of different sized restrictor plates in order to gauge the effects. If it is determined that less horsepower works best with the aerodynamic changes being considered, how best to accomplish that for next season would still have to be decided.
 
"I think the aero changes that we have are the right ones," Stefanyshyn said. "We've still got to figure out the power variables ... we'll see which one provides the best racing."
 
The test is slated to get underway at 9 a.m. ET with six different sessions scheduled throughout the day. Teams are expected to make single-file 15-lap runs in every other session, with double-file runs making up the remaining 15-lap sessions.
 
Drivers scheduled to participate are: Jamie McMurray (Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates No. 1 Chevrolet), Kasey Kahne (Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet), Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 Chevrolet), Paul Menard (Richard Childress Racing No. 27 Chevrolet); Brad Keselowski (Team Penske No. 2 Ford), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 Ford), Aric Almirola (Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford), Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota) and either Clint Bowyer (No. 15 Toyota) or Brian Vickers (No. 55 Toyota) of Michael Waltrip Racing.
 
Prior to the start of the 2014 season, NASCAR unveiled a rules package that included statically setting the race car ride heights and eliminating pre- and post-race front ride height rules.
 
A square leading edge was added to the splitter while adjustments were made to the rear fascia and side skirts and the spoiler height was set at 8 inches. The addition of 43-inch by 13-inch radiator pan completed the changes.

Racing professionals looking to attract, retain and grow their customer base will have a unique opportunity to learn from one of the country’s leading authorities on small business management and operation during a special presentation at the 2014 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

On the morning of Friday, December 12, noted speaker and author Tom Shay will present his exclusive hour-long seminar, “Fast-Tracking Word-of-Mouth,” developed specially for motorsports entrepreneurs, just prior to the second day of exhibits at the PRI Show.

“Most of your new customers come to you through the front door by word-of-mouth advertising,” he said. “Why not produce that advertising in a way that attracts even more customers?”

“And while you are looking at getting more customers in your front door, have you stopped to measure how many of those are new customers, or current customers you are holding on to?” he added. “Your loyal customers need a special door, one that’s wide and inviting. Just as important, that door needs to swing one way, so that once you earn a customer you have them for life.”

A fourth generation small business owner and manager with more than three decades of experience in retailing, Shay has authored 12 books on small business management and a college textbook on small business accounting. He has also produced hundreds of articles on management for more than 75 business publications worldwide over the past two decades.

Shay, who produces a regular column on the PRI website covering best practices for racing and performance businesses, believes there are clear parallels between motorsports and retailing: “If you want to win, it begins with doing the basics correctly,” he explained.

His 2014 PRI Show seminar will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. in an upstairs meeting room at the Indiana Convention Center. There is no charge to attend.
 
Attendees of the PRI Trade Show are urged to register online at www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow.

For more information on Tom Shay, visit his website at www.profitsplus.org.

The International Motor Racing Research Center’s 2014 raffle is all Italian.
 
A Fiat 500 Abarth Hatchback Turbo and a trip to Italy combine to make a “primo” prize for the Center's annual fundraising project. The 2013 model is a sporty bright red with black interior and trim.
 
The drawing of the winning ticket will be on Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Center, located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. The winner does not need to be present. Tickets are $40 for one or $100 for three. Only 3500 tickets will be sold.
 
The Racing Research Center is an archival and research library dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of motorsports, of all racing series and all tracks worldwide.
 
The annual car raffle is the Racing Research Center’s major fundraiser. Support through the Center's Sponsorship Team campaign is the other key source of funding. The Center is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
 
Tickets may be purchased by mailing in a form available at the website www.racingarchives.org; by calling the Center at (607) 535-9044; or by sending the necessary information to research@racingarchives.org. Online orders are not an option.
 
“The Fiat 500 Abarth is a blast. Fun to drive, fun to listen to, fun to look at, and fun to experience,” wrote Jamie Doyle for Sports Car Digest.
 
Says the company: “The Fiat 500 Abarth brings to life the legendary racing heritage of the brand and becomes the Italian high-performance car for everyday driving.”
 
“With its origins part of automotive and motorsports history, the Fiat 500 Abarth is an especially appropriate choice as a Racing Research Center raffle car,” Center President J.C. Argetsinger said.
 
The collaboration between Abarth and Fiat started in the early 1950s. The driving public loved the Fiat 500, first released in 1958. Abarth’s tuning and exhaust system redesigns would take the 500 to many class and outright race victories.
 
The Fiat 500 was “the car that would cement Abarth and Fiat’s name into automobile history,” Doyle wrote. The Abarth brand was re-launched in 2007, and the Fiat 500 Abarth arrived in the U.S. in 2012.

A.E.D. Motorsport Products is partnering with one of the largest suppliers to the sport aircraft industry.
 
“We have been very successful in providing product to other distributors, both domestically and internationally,” A.E.D. President Al Lowe said. “Establishing a partnership with Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company is a natural and focused direction for us.”
 
Aircraft Spruce will stock four sizes of A.E.D.’s 4130 aero tube, and looks to expand their stock in the future, he said.
 
“A.E.D. has, for years, supplied materials to the sport aviation markets, we just have not specifically focused our marketing efforts in this arena,” Lowe said. “We have already discussed providing other dimensions and potential material grades with Spruce.”
 
He said A.E.D. expects to expand further into the sport aviation market soon.
 
“Not only will we be looking to further our production of aero tube to the sport aviation market, we also will be adding new inventory items to our core product lines,” Lowe said. “We are looking to add thinner wall 4130 tubes, aluminum sheet and tube products, as well as establishing new distributors in the international market.”
 
For more information on Aircraft Spruce, visit www.aircraftspruce.com. For more information on A.E.D., visit www.aedmotorsport.com.

Furthering its commitment to producing performance shock absorbers, struts and suspension kits for the road, track and trail, Bilstein has launched an online incentive and knowledge platform to give its retailers expert-level information about its product line through an engaging, interactive online education and rewards program.


“We know the importance our dealers make in representing our brand to our customer base of auto enthusiasts and professionals,” said Antonio Curioso, Sales Director at Bilstein Shock Absorbers. “We believe we can better serve customers and create a superior buying experience by giving them access to experts who anticipate their needs and know our product line confidently. We’re investing in this program because we’re placing a priority on advancing dealer training and knowledge.”


Through this free program, Bilstein dealers can conveniently train nationwide sales representatives via an easy-to-use online tool, resulting in reduced travel fees and training costs. Retail sales representatives will have access to a series of interactive modules featuring technical instruction and sales tips for each of Bilstein’s product segments, including; OE Replacement Parts, Tuning, Light Truck and Offroad, Heavy Duty and Motorsports shock absorbers.

This program will allow sales teams to best match their customers with the right products and help their retail organization increase sales volume and profitability. As part of the online incentive program, each dealer who completes the training will be awarded with product prizes. Many of Bilstein’s top retailers have already begun using this new program, including 4WheelParts and O’Reilly Auto Parts, and have seen positive results.

“This program has been essential in training our team on Bilstein’s wide range of premium products. We’ve had many employees complete the training and the results are evident in our Bilstein product sales,” said Dave Rittenhouse, Director of Sales & Merchandising, 4WheelParts.


For more information, visit the custom training site developed for Bilstein dealers at 3point5.com/bilstein.

Pedders Suspension announced that Steve Broad has joined the group to further develop its growing portfolio of national and export markets.  Broad, know by most in the aftermarket as Broady, comes with a wealth of aftermarket industry experience, having spent the last 18 years at Kelray Australia & Redranger where he was Sales Director. Broad’s initial focus will be the continued expansion of Pedders into European markets.
 
Broad joins Pedders as Export Manager - Europe with an additional focus on special projects. He will join Andrew Sanders, who has been developing the company’s portfolio of export markets for some time now.  
 
Broad said, “I am excited to join the family here at Pedders and look forward to a new chapter in my career. After achieving significant success at Redranger it was time for me to take on a new challenge. I’m looking forward to working alongside Andrew & the Pedders Team as we look to grow our export markets.”
 
Sanders, Pedders Export Manager, added, “We view Broady’s appointment as a sign of Pedder’s commitment to being the industry leader in aftermarket suspension. Our increasing demand from our global customers led us to look for a suitable candidate to join our team who will fit in with our extended family ethos.  It’s great that we are able to accommodate Broady’s 'desire for a new challenge.' I’m confident that Broady will play a key role in developing our export markets as well as take the lead on special projects from the group.”

TW Metals has announced the promotion of Robert Wnek to Branch Manager of Atlanta. Wnek has worked in the metals distribution industry for 24 years, serving in roles of increasing responsibility including Operations Supervisor, Account Manager and Sales Manager.

Wnek joined the TW Metals Atlanta team in 2009 with a strong distribution background in specialty metals products for the aerospace industry. His new role will include managing sales and operations for the Atlanta facility and territory, which includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.

"Over the course of the past five years, Robert has earned the respect of his colleagues throughout the company and has done an outstanding job in gaining the confidence of our customers," said Brian Moroney, Southern Region General Manager. "He has consistently proven to be a key contributor to Atlanta's success."

Wnek is a graduate of California State University of Dominguez Hills.

ProMedia LLC announces the addition of Steve Baur as the new editor of Fastest Street Car (FSC) magazine effective Monday, August 18. He is replacing Evan Perkins who is leaving the FSC editor position to pursue an opportunity as the editor of a new online road-racing magazine.

With more than 13 years of experience as an associate and technical editor at Source Interlink Media, Baur brings a wealth of experience in producing quality content for automotive enthusiast publications. He has provided articles and photography for titles such as Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords, Mustang Illustrated, High-Performance Pontiac, GM High Tech Performance, and Modified Mustangs & Fords, where he served as editor for four years. Baur's work has also appeared in Truckin', Super Chevy, Car Craft, Modified, Race Pages, FSC, and Summit Racing's blog, On All Cylinders.
 
"I grew up around drag racing, as my dad campaigned a 1969 Camaro in F/Gas and a 1977 Vega in the Mid-America Pro Gas class around northeastern Ohio," said Steve Baur when asked about his passion for drag racing. "We both made our first passes down Thompson Drag Raceway in Thompson, Ohio and we've both been drag racing ever since! I've been covering ProMedia races for over a decade now and I am looking forward to working with the talented people that put on such exciting events."
 
The Florida-based writer/photographer will oversee all of the editorial components related to NMCA's official publication, FSC magazine. Baur will also attend NMCA events to coordinate the live reporting for each race.
 
"We're excited to have Steve join our staff of editors," said Steve Wolcott, President and CEO of ProMedia LLC. "His experience makes him a good fit for our team. However, it's his life-long love of the quarter-mile that makes him the perfect new addition to our group of drag racing fanatics!"
 
FSC is the official monthly publication of the NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals drag racing series. Each month, the magazine includes technical articles, features and human-interest stories as well as racing coverage from NMCA events. The NMCA Flowmaster Muscle Car Nationals is the home of the "World's Fastest Street Cars", attracting the most passionate racers, fans, sponsors, and contingency in the U.S. Each NMCA event features heads-up drag racing, a two-day car show, a manufacturers midway, swap meet and burnout contests. For more information, please visit www.NMCAdigital.com.

While the focus at this year’s Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals is to bring home a National Championship, several organizations have pledged their support of the event through contingency prizes. The awards include cash payouts and product vouchers from many of the top companies in motorsports.

Mazda North American Operations, the Official Car of SCCA, will be offering prizes for Mazda drivers in all classes. Eligible drivers signed up for the program will be able to get their hands on a $1,000 payday with a National Championship win. Second place will be worth $600, while third is worth $300.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) continues to show support for the event, as well. Drivers of a Honda or Acura, in eligible classes, will claim $500 for a win. The company will award $300 and $100 for the final two podium positions, in that order.

Also offering cash awards for top finishers is MINI USA. Drivers of the marque in eligible classes will score a $1,000 payday with a win. Second-place drivers will get $500, with third-place competitors earning $250.

Nissan Motorsports will award class-winning racers at the controls of a current eligible model with a $1,000 cash prize. Drivers of non-current models will get $500. Toyota/TRD will be running a similar program, awarding $1,000 to an eligible winner across all classes. Scion Racing has also promised to support the Solo Nationals, this year. Eligible winners driving a Scion in any class will earn $1,000.

Drivers of Fiat 500s, Fiat 500 Abarths and Dodge/SRT Vipers will be eligible for contingency payouts in eligible classes through SRT Motorpsorts. Eligible drivers will earn $500 for a win, with second and third worth $300 and $100, respectively.

Subaru of America has pledged their support with their own contingency program for the Solo National Championships. Entrants in eligible classes can take home $1,250 for a first-place finish. The company will pay down to fifth place, dropping $250 for each position. Subaru has also made a change to their ProSolo payouts. Class winners at the ProSolo Finale will enjoy doubled payouts. In addition, Subaru will offer $1,000 to each year-end point winner in class and challenge standings. Second place is worth $750, followed by $500 for third.

Tire makers are also in the mix, led by BFGoodrich Tires, the Official Street Tire of SCCA. Drivers in select classes will bag four free tires, while second place will earn two free tires. Eligible drivers placing third will get one free tire.

Hankook Tire will be offering cash awards to drivers using certain tire models in an eligible class. A National Championship is worth $1,200. The remaining podium positions are worth $800 and $500, respectively. In addition, the company will award $1,000 to any driver who takes home the prestigious Solo Triad Award.

Hoosier Racing Tires will also be part of the contingency mix, offering eligible drivers four free tires for a win and two tires for a second-place finish. Kumho Tires will provide four tires to eligible winners in all classes. Two tires will go to second place, with one being awarded for third. In the Street and Street Touring classes, these amounts will be doubled.

Car components are another important part of racing. With that in mind, Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA, is offering a contingency program for all classes. Registered drivers can earn a $125 product certificate with a win. Second place will get a $75 certificate, while third will receive a $50 certificate.

Penske Racing Shocks offer product certificates to enrolled drivers using approved shocks. Class winners will get a $250 certificate, with second place getting a $150 certificate. Third place will earn a $100 certificate, while fourth place will get a $75 certificate. Fifth- and sixth-place finishers will get $50 certificates.

GoPro, the Official Camera of SCCA, is also on board. They are offering a GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition camera to the winner of the ‘GoPro Hero Moment.’ The winner will be the driver who makes the most position improvements from day one to day two of competition in each of the seven class categories.

Mobil 1, the Official Oil of SCCA, is offering eligible class-winning drivers $100 cash and a $50 product certificate. In addition, all eligible class winners are entered into a random drawing to win one of three Mobil 1 10’x10’ E-Z Up instant shelters. Second-place entrants will be rewarded with a $50 product certificate.

Petrel Data Systems will also be part of the program, offering a $100 cash prize to all first-place finishers who purchased a SoloStorm data system. The company is offering a 10-percent discount to SCCA competitors on all software purchases through Sept. 5.

Completing the list of contingency partners for the SCCA Solo National Championships is Race Technology USA. Eligible drivers winning a National Championship will collect a 30-percent discount on a new system, or a $200 parts credit to make upgrades to an existing system. Second place will earn a 25-percent discount or $125 parts credit, while a third-place finisher can take home a 20-percent discount or $75 parts credit.

Drivers must register for contingency programs prior to competing. Program descriptions should be read carefully to ensure all requirements are met. Failure to meet any listed requirements will result in forfeiting of awards.

The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships takes place in Lincoln, Neb., September 2 – 5. Nearly 1,200 competitors are expected to be on hand for the four days of competition, which will crown this year’s National Champions. More information is available at SCCA.com/Solo.