Organizers of the Grand Prix of Houston said this week they are planning a much smoother race this season after bumps on the road course caused a series of problems last year.

Building a course within a city poses a number of challenges, but the track is not expected to add obstacles. Last year, a bump on turn one turned the event and points standings upside down. Points leader Helio Castroneves bottomed out in the second race on that turn, destroying his gearbox and ending a weekend that saw his 49-point lead vanish.

Less than a year later, race organizers are working to turn NRG Park into an IndyCar track. And they don't anticipate fresh problems in turn one.

''Monday of this week we demolished that part of the race track and poured new concrete so it's gone,'' said Martyn Thake, who is overseeing construction of the course. ''It wasn't like that the year before when we came and tested it. It was unfortunate and we at least were able to address it so we could continue running last year. It threw our schedule off but we've done it before and we got it licked.''

Last year, construction around Reliant Park could not begin until after the Houston Texans' Sept. 29 game. Once the bump in the asphalt was discovered, IndyCar was forced to delay track activity and erect a chicane of tires that drivers had to go around during two practice sessions. That worked until Josef Newgarden hit the chicane, knocking it into the path of Castroneves.

Track officials spent all night grinding the bump, but it never solved the problem. And in the second race, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was hurt in a career-ending crash that also injured 13 fans and an IndyCar Series official.

This year's races are June 28-29, well before the NFL season, giving Thake and his crew ample time to address any issues.

''The bump on turn one was unexpected,'' managing director Austin Crossley said. ''We've been working very closely with IndyCar, we've gone around the track and we've repaired the big bump on turn one and smoothed out some other areas and we think we'll be ready here in a couple of weeks.''

Crossley said construction will be done in time to get cars on the track well ahead of the race, instead of in the middle of the night like last year. The hope is that the focus this year is on the racing and not the topography of the course.

Shelby American and Carroll Shelby Licensing, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Carroll Shelby International, Inc., have signed agreements with Planet Shelby Cobra to create a new Shelby Mod Shop.

The historic agreement will create a Mod Shop that will be a true centerpiece for what will become a “Shelby Super Center,” offering a complete line of vehicles, parts and merchandise from every era of Shelby history.

“Planet Shelby Cobra has been helping people realize the dream of owning a vintage Shelby car for more than 30 years,” said Stephen Becker, president of Planet Shelby Cobra. “Before his passing, Carroll and I discussed establishing a factory authorized Shelby Mod Shop to also serve modern car enthusiasts. Our ‘Shelby Super Center’ concept is designed to be the ultimate resource for anyone who wants a Shelby of any model year. Working with Joe Conway and Neil Cummings at Carroll Shelby International, we are turning that vision into reality.”

The heart of the operation will be the Mod Shop, while a vehicle showroom speckled with Shelby cars of every generation and “Carroll Shelby’s Store” with licensed merchandise will round out the location. It will feature a broad range of items from newly designed apparel to memorabilia to limited edition “mechanics” shirts, hats and a line of women’s wear. Most of the stock is limited edition and not available anywhere else.

Authorized mod shops install genuine Shelby Performance Parts to improve the handling, styling and power of current generation V6 and V8 Ford Mustangs and Shelby vehicles. Components include upgraded brakes, superchargers, suspension components and cosmetic pieces such as hoods and fascias designed by Shelby American.

“Opening local mod shops means people far from Las Vegas won’t have to ship their vehicle to Nevada for modification,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American and co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International. “Offering local installation of authentic SPP components, as well as customizing services, will serve these customers and fuel our global expansion in a smart, efficient manner.”

After intensive training by the Shelby factory team, Planet Shelby Cobra’s Mod Shop will begin installing parts and packages for the 2007-2014 Ford Shelby GT500, 2005+ Ford Mustangs, 2005-2006 Ford GT, 2007-2008 Shelby GT, Ford Focus and Ford Raptor. The rest of the Shelby Super Center will focus on selling, servicing and buying 1960's era Shelby vehicles.

A location for the Shelby Super Center and Mod Shop is currently being chosen. Its location will be announced shortly; the facility is expected to open later this year.

Former NASCAR car owner Junie Donlavey has died at the age of 90.

Richmond International Raceway spokeswoman Aimee Turner said Donlavey died Monday night.

According to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame website, the Richmond, Virginia, native fielded his No. 90 cars for drivers including Joe Weatherly, Tiny Lund and Dick Brooks.

Bill Dennis, Jody Ridley and Ken Schrader won NASCAR Cup series rookie of the year honors for Donlavey. Ridley recorded Donlavey's only Cup win in a 1981 race in Dover, Delaware.

Sixty different drivers drove for Donlavey before he closed his shop in 2005. He had more than 860 starts as a car owner during his 50-plus years in the sport.

According to a statement by NASCAR, "With Junie Donlavey’s passing this week, NASCAR lost a treasure, a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past. With 863 starts as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner, he won over millions of fans through his 50-plus years in our sport.
 
"The list of men who drove for him during his career is impressive, including two who won NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors—Ken Schrader and Jody Ridley," It continued. "Others included Dick Brooks, Ricky Rudd, Dick Trickle and Benny Parsons. All contributed to Junie’s lasting legacy in our sport."

Racing retailers, engine builders, fabricators, warehouse distributors, race team members and other motorsports professionals planning to attend this year’s Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis can now register online, via the PRI website. There is no charge.

This unique event, widely known as “The Three Biggest Business Days In Racing,” takes place December 11-13, 2014, at the Indiana Convention Center.

Attendees can click here to register online, or go to the registration section at www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow. After verification of their role in motorsports has been approved, attendees will receive an official confirmation email of their acceptance. The deadline to register online is November 28, 2014.

Now in its 27th year, the annual PRI Trade Show will feature exhibits by more than 1100 racing companies, and will bring racing professionals from across the US and 70 countries to the Racing Capital of the World. It’s the largest gathering of motorsports professionals on earth.

As always, the hottest new racing products, the latest advances in motorsports engineering, and the best of today’s precision automotive machining equipment will be on display at PRI, where all forms of racing are represented, including stock car, sprint car, dirt late model, open wheel, drag racing, off-road, karting and much more.

“It’s a pretty amazing three days for anyone in the business of auto racing. Not only are all the new racing parts on display, but you can talk to the technical folks behind the new technology and tap into their speed expertise,” said PRI Trade Show Producer John Kilroy. “You’re going to need all three days to shop the Show!”

In fact, PRI is much more than a trade show, as the days leading up to and including the Show have come to be known as Race Industry Week. With over 35 conferences, seminars, social events and gatherings, this year’s Race Industry Week will provide an abundance of unparalleled business, education and networking opportunities.

The PRI Show is a trade-only event; only members of the racing industry are granted admission. For additional information on the 2014 PRI Show, visit www.pri2014.com.

The NHRA announced two key promotions in racing operations, including one to a newly created safety role.

Bob Lang has been promoted to senior director, safety & emergency services, and will continue to direct the Safety Safari presented by AAA, NHRA’s world-renowned safety team responsible for emergency response and track preparation at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events. His duties will expand to the corporate level where he will be directly involved with safety initiatives.

Dave Mohn has been promoted to division director of NHRA’s northeast division where he previously served as assistant division director under Lang.

“In a sport full of dedicated and hard-working people, Bob stands out as one of the most dedicated and hard working,” said Graham Light, NHRA’s senior vice president, racing operations. “Bob’s energy, vision and leadership have taken the Safety Safari to a new level. His broad knowledge gained at divisional and national levels will enable him to handle a range of issues at our national events and elsewhere.

“Dave is very capable and deserving to step into the role of division director,” Light added.  “The transition will be seamless since he and Bob worked together for many years, and because Dave has a deep familiarity with race operations, track operators and racers.”

Lang started out in 1978 as a volunteer at NHRA events before being hired part-time as division tech director of the northeast division.  He became a full-time staff member in 1992. In 1998, Lang was named division director of the northeast division and, in 2012, was promoted to director of emergency services.

“I’ve had a wonderful career with the NHRA since my days as an event volunteer,” Lang said. “I’m fortunate to work with some incredible people who share my desire to continue NHRA’s focus on safety.”

Mohn will conduct and oversee select NHRA racing activities at the NHRA member tracks in the northeast division, providing racing and event counsel to track operators, as well as supervising development of new track activity.

Starting his career at Maple Grove Raceway as a part-time technical inspector, Mohn joined NHRA in 1995 as assistant director, technical services, in the northeast division.  He was named division services coordinator in 1997 and was promoted to his most recent position as assistant division director in 2012. Being intimately familiar with NHRA’s activities in the northeast, Mohn looks forward to his new opportunity.

“I’ve been working with this company for nearly 20 years and I’ve worked very closely with these racers in the northeast division,” Mohn said. “They are some of the most passionate racers in the country and I get up every day, looking forward to making their experience at the track even better than the last time.”

NHRA’s Northeast division includes Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

IndyCar officials are already thinking bigger and broader for next season—as in abroad, with a likely return to Brazil and a potential first-ever race in the Middle East.

Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles and Derrick Walker, IndyCar president of operations and competition, told reporters Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway that the series will expand to 20 races in 2015.

Although not totally set yet, series officials hope to soon finalize plans for a race in Dubai in early February, while a return to Brazil in early March appears likely before the U.S. part of the schedule begins March 29 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Miles described talks with Dubai officials and promoters as “ongoing, positive conversations."

The race in Brazil will be held in Brasilia, a shift from IndyCar’s prior four-year run in Sao Paulo from 2010 through 2013. The tentative race date is March 8. An official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.

Dates/races in 2015 already confirmed are:

* March 29 — St. Petersburg, Fla.
* April 19 – Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
* May 10 – Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis
* May 24 – Indianapolis 500
* May 30-31 — Chevrolet Indy Dual doubleheader in Detroit

VP Racing Fuels announced its partnership with Allied Brand Services, LLC (ABS), a specialty finance platform to provide funding in support of imaging and conversion costs incurred by gas station and convenience store Dealers that partner with VP in its Retail Branding Program, as well as other VP partners. VP spun off a majority of the equity interest to the Cerminaro Group, LLC, which will independently manage this specialty finance platform. ABS will initially focus on serving the retail petroleum distribution market and has been designated VP’s “Preferred Lending Partner”.
 
ABS provides up to 100 percent financing for Dealer imaging and conversion loans, including the cost of canopy/signage materials, LED signage, permits, construction and installation. ABS will provide both loan and lease options, as well as offer low monthly payments with up to 60-month terms, minimal upfront costs and competitive interest rates, coupled with a long-term relationship philosophy.

“This new financing partnership is just another positive step towards driving value for our VP Branded Dealer and Distributor relationships,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels.
 
“A primary objective of VP’s Retail Branding Program is to help gas station and c-store Dealers become more competitive and more profitable in great part through a combination of operational savings and new revenue streams,” said Cerwick. “In our model the cost of re-imaging is borne by the Dealers, so in keeping with the spirit of our Program, ABS will ensure the loan application process is efficient and the financing terms are competitive.
 
“This specialty financing program is not restricted to our Branding partners,” Cerwick added. “Race fuel distributors, dealers, race tracks and others who partner with VP, as well as non-VP related dealers and distributors are also eligible to receive the favorable rates and terms offered by ABS.
 
“By spinning off a majority interest in ABS to the Cerminaro Group, LLC, we’ll benefit from a strategic partner better suited to fund and manage this new specialty financing platform,” Cerwick continued. “The Cerminaro Group has extensive experience with multimillion dollar financing programs and is uniquely qualified to fund a rapidly growing Retail Branding Program like VP’s.  By establishing ABS as an independent third party, it also positions them to better serve the borrowing needs of dealers and distributors that have no direct relationship with VP.”
 
Cerwick commented, “Michael Cerminaro, who is the President & CEO of the Cerminaro Group, LLC, is uniquely qualified to take ABS to the next level. He has over 29 years of experience in commercial lending, private equity and private credit. He was a co-founding member of Bank of America’s global leverage finance platform, one of the original senior partners that helped launch BlackRock Private Equity Partners, and a co-founder of Sound Harbor Partners (a private credit and collateralized loan obligation manager).”
 
“I am excited about this opportunity to work with VP Racing Fuels,” said Cerminaro.  “The enthusiasm I’ve witnessed among the distributors and dealers signing on to VP’s Retail Branding Program has been infectious. VP continues to lead the market with explosive growth in branding gas stations and c-stores, driven by its innovative brand management offering and strong management team. The VP Brand value proposition brings tremendous strategic advantage to distributors and dealers by helping to put them back in control of their business.” Cerminaro added, “We’re eager to jump in and work with the extensive pipeline of prospects that VP has originated.”
 
ABS also intends to partner with original equipment manufactures to offer comprehensive vendor financing programs on fuel dispenser equipment; credit card readers; POS systems; PCI equipment; and other related in-store equipment. “The primary goal of ABS is to deliver quick responses and superior service, including expert advice on financing terms and structuring,” said Cerminaro. “We will continue to invest to make sure that the ABS financing programs work to our clients’ advantage, by helping them build competitive power and profits.”
 
In addition, ABS is working with VP to develop the ABS/VP “C-Store University” which will offer discounted fees for a range of cross-functional consulting services to VP Branded C-store dealers including operational assessment; primary distribution evaluations; information system analysis; food service reviews; and loss prevention services.
 
For more information about financing available through ABS, contact Luke Laborde at 210-635-7744 or luke@vpracingfuels.com.
 

McLeod Racing announced that it has been chosen to be the official clutch of the NASCAR Racing Experience.  

The NASCAR Racing Experience gives individuals the chance to get behind the wheel of a true NASCAR race car. These cars are subject to a lot of use with a lot of different drivers on many different style tracks. For that reason a clutch that was driver friendly yet durable was needed. A variation of the McLeod Super Street Pro was the perfect choice.

"We're excited to partner with McLeod Racing," said Heather Lutz, vice president of sales and marketing at NASCAR Racing Experience. "The quality and longevity of their products will compliment the overall performance of the NASCAR race cars used at NASCAR Racing Experience."

"We are honored that the NASCAR Racing Experience chose our clutch for their vehicles,” said Paul Lee, NHRA Funny Car Driver and McLeod Racing owner. “Our team works very hard to develop the very highest quality products. Now participants in the NASCAR Racing Experience will benefit from our experience in building the best performance clutches on the market.”

McLeod Racing would like to celebrate this relationship by offering a lucky McLeod Newsletter recipient a free NASCAR Racing Experience. Simply go to www.mcleodracing.com and sign up for our newsletter to be entered.

McLeod Racing offers a full range of driveline products for both classic and modern applications in both street and full race configurations. Check out the new www.mcleodracing.com for more information. 

Veteran race broadcaster Bob Varsha leads a team of 10 on-air personalities and analysts as FOX Sports delivers live multi-platform coverage of the 82nd running of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans from famed Circuit de la Sarthe in France beginning June 14.

FOX Sports opens the first of five live coverage segments of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 a.m. EST, with Varsha serving as host and lead play-by-play announcer for the marathon coverage of the world’s most famous sports car endurance race. Brian Till takes the helm when on-air teams rotate in multi-hour segments in similar fashion to the multi-driver entries. Analysis is provided by Calvin Fish, Dorsey Schroeder, Tommy Kendall (two Le Mans starts) and Darren Law (four Le Mans starts). Reporting from Le Mans are former Class winner Justin Bell, Jamie Howe, Andrew Marriott and Greg Creamer.

FOX Sports will provide 30-minute pre- and post-race shows, with the entire race streamed live on FOX Sports GO, the app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content. Customers of participating video providers may access live streams of the race through the FOX Sports GO app for iOS devices, as well as on desktops through FOXSportsGO.com.

In addition to television coverage, FOXSports.com offers on-board cameras from seven-time Class winner Corvette’s two entries, as well as the team Pit Cam. FOXSports.com contributor John Dagys files exclusive on-site reports from Le Mans via a live blog, shoots and delivers exclusive video content and updates daily photo galleries to the site.

“Some events need no hype whatsoever; think The Masters, the Kentucky Derby, the Tour de France. Le Mans is one of those,” said Varsha. “Dale Earnhardt once told me it was the one race he wanted to do outside of NASCAR, and I’m sure Mario Andretti would tell you that, for all he achieved, Le Mans was the one that got away. That’s how the drivers see it. It’s that big a challenge, and that rewarding.”

Verizon IndyCar Series teams will have the option of increasing downforce by about 300 pounds over the 2013 maximum aerodynamic specification for the Firestone 600 on June 7 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The more downforce, the more the car is pinned to the race track.

Using tools available to reach the higher downforce on the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval would result in 50 pounds of drag on the chassis (with temperatures and pressures identical to 2013), which would slow the car but likely have less drop-off in tire degradation through fuel stints in the 248-lap (four-stop) race.

IndyCar worked out the aero package with driver input and in collaboration with Firestone Racing during a mid-April test at the speedway. Firestone will supply the same tire specification and construction was used at Texas and the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval in 2013.

The option would put the field closer to the 2012 specifications, which Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon called “a perfect situation.”

“It’s a lot like Fontana. If you have a good car you can race yourself to the front and stay there but you have to keep following it because as it cools off throughout the night the track and the cars change,” said driver Charlie Kimball.

Mikhail Aleshin, Jack Hawksworth, Carlos Huertas and Carlos Munoz will compete on the 24-degree-banked oval for the first time.

“The banking comes up very fast in the turns at Texas, which makes the car loose,” Aleshin said. “I’ve spent the whole week leading up to the race watching previous years’ races on the track. I know we’ll have more downforce this year than the drivers did last year, so hopefully that will give us a bigger range of options to use for car setup.”