Principals from LFR Chassis Inc. announced Friday that former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief Tony Eury Jr. has been named general manager of the company, effective immediately.

LFR Chassis, which manufactures, Modified, Late Model and Super Late Model cars, was started in January by NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver and former Sprint Cup Series crew member Rob Fuller, along with longtime fabricator Steve Leavitt.

Eury Jr. is the cousin and former crew chief for current Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. He has more than 20 years of experience, in all facets of NASCAR team operations at the uppermost levels of stock car racing.

“To have someone with his experience and knowledge come on board and help us develop and manufacture top-level chassis and components is huge,” Fuller said in a release. “No other manufacturer can offer someone with those credentials.”

Said Eury: “I’m excited to reunite with Rob and work together on this new venture. We’re both racers at heart and take pride in running well and creating quality products.”

Fuller and Eury first worked together previously as part of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dale Earnhardt Inc. NASCAR Nationwide Series team in 1997. They were reunited in 2005 at DEI as crew members for driver then driver Michael Waltrip.

“Tony is one of my closest friends and to have someone I have that relationship with looking over the business daily is priceless,” Fuller said. “We have won a lot of races and championships together and I believe the best is yet to come. We are both rooted in short track racing and it’s great to be able to offer quality products from LFR Chassis to short track racers across the country.”

Fuller also announced Friday that former Sprint Cup Series chassis builder Bob Yost has been hired by LFR Chassis.

“We are assembling a team here that will be second to none in manufacturing and track support in the industry,” Fuller said. “In business everyone knows it’s all about the people and we will have a group that is head and shoulders above the rest.”

Each year NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative and its competition arm, Rev Racing, seek to obtain the highest quality of applicants representing the most diverse backgrounds and develop them into successful NASCAR drivers. This selection process begins with the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. This year’s application process will open May 15. The application process will close for submission on August 15, 2014.

Drivers who already participate in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program and are demonstrating progress, though a combination of consistent top finishes in their respective series and positive evaluations, may be offered the opportunity to continue in the program without participating in an additional Combine.

“I am very excited to see this year’s class. Each year, we have seen the applicant pool grow with experience and talented drivers. This class should be no different,” said Max Siegel, Rev Racing team owner.

Potential drivers can access the participant application at revracing.net/combine-application. Additional information and criteria can be found on supplied link. Additional support and technical assistance for the application process can be found by emailing info@revracing.net. Please allow for a 24-hour turn around response.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the following requirements: Between the ages of 15 and 26 (as of October 15, 2014)

• A U.S. citizen or resident alien

• Legally allowed to work in the US

• A member of one of the following ethnic minorities classifications:

African-Americans: Having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa

Asian-Indian Americans: Having origins in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Asian-Pacific Americans: Origins are from Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas

Hispanics: Having Hispanic heritage from any of the Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America or the following regions:  Mexico, Central America, and South America (including Brazil) and the Caribbean basin

Native Americans: Persons who are American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut or Native Hawaiian, and regarded as such by the community of which the person claims to be a part. Native Americans must be documented members of a North American tribe, band or otherwise organized group of native people who are indigenous to the United States

OR

A female of U.S citizenship (or resident alien)

• All drivers must demonstrate their skill and have experience in grassroots/local/regional racing

Premium synthetic lubricant manufacturer, Royal Purple, has officially made its return to the Indianapolis 500. The Royal Purple-sponsored No. 6 Robert Graham - KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Dallara/Firestone entry driven by Townsend Bell debuted May 10 and has taken to the track ahead of the 98th running of the race on Sunday, May 25.
 
Royal Purple has teamed up with primary and first time Indy 500 sponsor, clothing designer, Robert Graham. Bell will be driving the stylish No. 6 car that features a solid black paint scheme with color splash accents on the front wing, side pods and rear wing tips, as well as the inside of the cockpit.
 
“We are looking forward to being a part of the Indy 500 at what we consider a home venue,” said Bryan Yourdon, Royal Purple President. “We are proud to continue our support of Townsend Bell and are looking forward to a strong finish from him and the KV Racing team.”
 
Royal Purple is owned by Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products (NASDAQ: CLMT) and is a part of a branded products division that includes TruFuel Engineered Fuel, Bel-Ray Performance Lubricants and Quantum Lubricants.
 
“I first raced with Royal Purple last year at the X Games in Munich, Germany and they support my TUDOR United SportsCar Championship AIM Autosport Ferrari program, so it’s really cool that they have come on board as an associate sponsor for my Indy 500 effort,” said Bell. “What makes the program really special is that Royal Purple’s parent company, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, is located just a stone’s throw away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I can see their headquarters from the top of the Pagoda and they can hear my car when I am out on the track.  I just want to thank everyone at Royal Purple and Calumet for their support and I look forward to enjoying the whole Indy 500 experience with their employees and customers.”
 
Fans can tune into ABC to watch qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 on May 17 and the race, the following week, on May 25.

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced that Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City will host the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Awards on Monday, Oct. 13.
 
A year-end point fund of more than $1 million will be awarded to TUDOR Championship competitors during the celebration.
 
Cipriani, one of New York’s most prestigious event venues, is located in the heart of Manhattan on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington avenues, a short commute from the InterContinental New York Times Square, the host hotel for the TUDOR Championship Awards. The InterContinental New York Times Square, located in the world famous Times Square district, was previously the host hotel for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Awards in 2012 and 2013.
 
“New York City is home to TUDOR Watch USA, offering the perfect backdrop to honor our champions at the end of a monumental TUDOR Championship debut season,” said Ed Bennett, IMSA chief executive officer. “Cipriani 42nd Street and the InterContinental New York Times Square both provide premium settings befitting our series and championship-winning competitors.”
 
The TUDOR Championship Awards will honor driver, team and manufacturer champions from the four TUDOR Championship classes:  Prototype (P), GT Le Mans (GTLM), Prototype Challenge (PC) and GT Daytona (GTD). Champions of the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup—the four-race competition encompassing the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and the Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda—also will be honored.
 
Both the TUDOR Championship and Patrón Endurance Cup end with the 10-hour Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. on Saturday, Oct. 4.
 
IMSA’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge also will wrap up its season at Road Atlanta on Friday, Oct. 3. That evening, Braselton’s Chateau Élan Winery & Resort will host the 2014 Continental Tire Challenge Awards honoring drivers, teams and manufacturers in both the Grand Sport (GS) and Street Tuner (ST) classes.
 
“Chateau Élan is the perfect choice to host the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Awards celebration,” said Scott Atherton, IMSA President and COO. “It has become extremely popular for season-ending awards celebrations over the years with good reason. It truly is an elegant setting, and its close proximity to Road Atlanta makes it easy for teams to join the celebration.”
 
Information on tickets and hotel accommodations for both Awards celebrations will be available this summer on IMSA.com.

The five Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees who will be honored on May 22 as part of the annual Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers dinner at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis are as diverse as any class in recent history.

And with A.J. Foyt being recognized for not only his four Indianapolis 500 wins but his win 50 years ago in the 1964 Indy 500, it is sure to be a memorable evening.

The five inductees are Chip Ganassi, Jimmy McElreath, Leo Mehl, Bobby Rahal and Bill Simpson. The first induction class was recognized in 1952, and there are now 148 members in this elite fraternity. The Auto Racing Hall of Fame is located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

Ganassi drove in the Indianapolis 500 five times with a best finish of eighth in 1983. He is best known at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as an owner, a role in which he has visited Victory Lane five times — as co-owner with U.E. “Pat” Patrick when Emerson Fittipaldi took the checkered flag in 1989 and as owner of Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Juan Pablo Montoya (2000), Scott Dixon (2008) and Dario Franchitti (2010 and 2012).

Ganassi has also been successful as an entrant in NASCAR and long distance sports car racing, winning the 24-Hours of Daytona five times through 2013. With his 2011 victory in that event that followed wins in the 2010 Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400, Ganassi was therefore able to claim all four iconic events within a 12-month period.

McElreath drove in the Memorial Day Classic 15 times between 1962 and 1980 with a best finish of third in 1966. McElreath also earned six top-six finishes at the Speedway. In his debut at IMS in 1962, he started seventh and finished sixth on the way to earning Rookie of the Year honors. In 1970 he made Indy-car history by winning the inaugural Ontario 500 driving for A.J. Foyt. He also won the first two races at Langhorne after it was paved in 1965, as well as the spring races at Trenton in 1965 and Phoenix in 1966.

Mehl is best known for his 37 years with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company—with the last 17 as worldwide director of racing, overseeing Formula One, NASCAR, USAC, CART, SCCA, IMSA, European motorcycle racing, AMA and drag racing, just to name a few. From 1997 to 1999, he was executive director of the Indy Racing League.

Rahal belongs to an elite group at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—as both a winning driver (1986) and owner (2004 with Buddy Rice). In his 13 “500″ starts, he compiled the win in 1986 with a runner-up finish (1990) and two third-place finishes (1994 and 1995). Rahal also won championships in 1986, 1987 and 1992. In road racing, he won several SCCA titles, competed in the Can-Am series and European Formula Two, and shared the winning car in the 24-Hours of Daytona (1981) and the 12-Hours of Sebring (1987).

Simpson had one Indianapolis 500 start in 1974 and finished 13th, but what he is best known for is his safety innovations that have protected countless drivers and saved lives over the past 40 years at Indianapolis and all forms of motorsports. He is probably best remembered for setting himself on fire to show the safety of his Nomex firesuits.

The first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Foyt will also be honored during the evening’s ceremonies. Foyt came to IMS as a rookie in 1958 and ran his last “500″ in 1992 after amassing 35 consecutive starts. In 1999, Foyt was Kenny Brack’s winning car owner. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Foyt’s 1964 win—the final win by a front-engine roadster.

Red Bull Global Rallycross and Odyssey Battery have announced that the two entities will team up for a brand-new contingency award program for the 2014 season.

Under the terms of the deal, Odyssey will provide cash bonuses to drivers who use Odyssey products and carry the brand’s logo on their race vehicles during Red Bull GRC competition.

The Odyssey contingency program will take place during all 10 events of the 2014 Red Bull GRC season, beginning with the May 17-18 round at Top Gear Festival Barbados, and culminating in Las Vegas on November 5. At each race, Odyssey will award cash bonuses to the top three finishing drivers who participate in the program. The participating driver with the most points over the course of the entire season will receive an added bonus at the end of the year.

Odyssey Battery is a manufacturer of batteries, battery chargers, and battery accessories. The company has a lengthy history of association with Red Bull GRC through driver sponsorships, including deals with two-time Red Bull GRC champion Tanner Foust and 2011 X Games gold medalist Brian Deegan.

World Racing League presents Hawk Performance as the series’ Title Sponsor. Hawk is a performance brake manufacturer in motorsports, and is a leading supporter of amateur racing across the United States.

As part of the series sponsorship, Hawk will be offering World Racing League racers a 40% discount on brake systems and parts, certificates for hundreds of dollars-worth of products to podium finishers, and free swag to teams that distinguish themselves over the course of each race. Hawk will also sponsor the “Hawk Grand Prix” sanctioned by World Racing League, at a track to be named.



“We could not ask for a better partner than Hawk” says Joey Todd, founder of World Racing League. “Hawk offers a great range of products for virtually every application, their quality is top notch, and Hawk is a very big supporter of what we are doing  at WRL. The sponsorship package they are offering our racers is second to none!”

World Racing League is a fast-growing endurance racing club with 10 races scheduled for 2014, ranging in length from 8 to 18 hours each. To learn more about the Hawk Performance title sponsorship and how it benefits WRL teams, go to www.worldracingleague.org/sponsors/hawk-performance.


Ford announced the opening of its new Ford Technical Support Center in Concord, North Carolina. The state-of-the-art facility will add an array of tools to develop future performance vehicles and help increase Ford’s overall success in motorsports.

Expected to be fully operational later this summer, the 33,000-square-foot building will serve as a center for Ford Racing technical support and for teams to develop and test their cars for competition. The location was selected because of its proximity to the NASCAR research and development center and a majority of race car team headquarters.

“Motorsports and product development at Ford are interlinked, and this new center will house advanced tools that will serve both our race teams and the development of future Ford performance vehicles,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Ford global product development.

Beyond its direct and immediate effect on Ford Racing, the new technical center with its advanced simulation and measurement tools is just the latest investment by Ford in its pursuit to offer a profitable lineup of performance vehicles. The new infrastructure will allow swifter and smarter leverage of the latest in product development technology.

Ford offers one of the most complete and accessible lineups of performance vehicles of any full-line manufacturer. From the growing popularity of its Sport-branded models including the EcoBoost® V6-powered Explorer Sport, to the award-winning Fiesta ST and its Focus ST stablemate, Taurus SHO, to the SVT Mustang GT500 and F-150 SVT Raptor, to extreme performance RS derivatives, Ford provides true performance options throughout its model range.

“Performance is a critical and growing business for Ford,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president, global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. “We recognize our customers want vehicles that offer great fuel economy, leading technology and a great driving experience. Our new technical center is another tool that will help us continue to grow our performance vehicle business around the world.”

Initially, the facility will focus on supporting NASCAR teams in all three major touring divisions, but will eventually expand to include other Ford Racing teams participating in other series.

“This facility is an investment in advanced Ford Racing technical tools that will support our goal of winning races and championships,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. “It also provides us with expansion capabilities as we support our broader array of Ford teams from NASCAR, the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, IMSA, Rally and Global RallyCross, NHRA and other series.”

The centerpiece of the building is a full-motion platform simulator that will allow Ford Racing teams to optimize their setups for individual track configurations, and for drivers to practice driving a track ahead of an upcoming race weekend. Similar technology has been used in Formula One. After the simulator has been proven through racing, Ford will apply that knowledge to further improve vehicle dynamics on its high-performance street vehicles.

“We have enhanced our vehicle dynamics simulation tools to lead the development of Ford Racing cars in NASCAR and IMSA, as well as our street products,” said Nair. "The driving simulator will help us to push handling optimization to the next level so that our cars can be fast right off the trailer, allowing our teams to focus on fine-tuning changes when they get to the track.

“The simulator can also be used to make continual adjustments to advance the car setup for the race weekend based on what the teams see in early practice sessions,” added Nair.

In addition, the simulator will help hone communication between driver, crew chief and engineer, while also refining predictability and accuracy of simulation software.
The support facility will also serve as a parts distribution warehouse. The various pieces of test equipment include:

• Kinematics machine: This machine can test and measure suspension kinematics – camber, toe, scrub and various loads with tires and springs. Race teams use this weekly to set up their front suspensions for different track configurations

• Chassis torsional twist rig: Used to quantify the chassis structurally in the torsional mode – the key parameter for a chassis. It can be used to determine the entire torsional stiffness of the car, the stiffness of the chassis independently, or the influence of various components on the car

• Vehicle center of gravity machine: This is used to precisely measure the center of gravity height of a completed car. It can be used to quantify improvements over time. Race teams generally use the machine once a quarter to gauge progress and test their latest theories

• Coordinate measurement machine: This machine enables teams to measure their components for quality control and to build simulation models, which allows them to make sure their cars comply with regulations

Holley Performance Products has announced that Jason Bruce has rejoined Holley as Vice President of Business Development. He's an industry veteran, holding sales and marketing management positions with aFe Power, Street Scene Equipment, Holley, and Hooker Headers.

In this new role, Bruce will be responsible for developing and coordinating new business projects across the Holley family of brands including; Holley, Hooker Headers, Flowtech Exhaust, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems, Earl’s Plumbing, Demon Fuel Systems and Weiand intakes and superchargers.
 
“We are excited to have Jason return to Holley. He brings broad industry and product knowledge to Holley and will help us attain our strategic growth plans by launching compelling new products and expanding our current marketplaces,” said Holley President and CEO, Tom Tomlinson. “Jason is a proven team player, a guy who moves projects forward and a great addition to our leadership team here at Holley.  Jason’s initial focus will be the revitalization of our Hooker and Flowtech brands.”
 
“I grew up in Southern California around all of the Holley brands and in fact started my career at Hooker Headers. I am very excited to be back at Holley and to be part of the revitalization that is taking place. Holley has the best brands and great team members. I am honored to be a part of it,” Bruce added.
 

Members of the International Hot Rod Association's (IHRA) track services and divisional teams were hard at work over the past week as the IHRA welcomed three new tracks to the member track family.
 
Located in the states of Georgia, Wisconsin and Indiana, IHRA has signed Savannah River Dragway, Great Lakes Dragaway and Chandler Motorsports Park, bringing the IHRA track count to near-record numbers with facilities located in 31 states plus Canada, New Zealand, Aruba and the Bahamas.
 
Savannah River Dragway highlights the trio of new facilities with one of the most unique and exciting motorsports facilities in the country. Located just outside of Savannah, Ga., Savannah River Dragway is part of the Screven Motorsports Complex, which houses a plethora of motorsports options for fans of all types of racing.
 
In addition to an 1/8 mile dragstrip, the Screven Motorsports Complex also houses a 3/8 mile, high-banked dirt oval, mud and sand drags and a pair of go-cart tracks sitting on more than 150 acres of land. The facility boasts a number of restaurants, modern restrooms and a closed-circuit television system which broadcasts all of the action of the numerous tracks throughout the grounds. Most of the racing takes place simultaneously, with one admission price to watch any of the racing taking place at the more than half a dozen venues.
 
"The Screven Motorsports Complex is one of the most unique motorsports facilities I have ever seen. This place is the real deal and owner James Griffin has really put together a fine racing venue," said Phil Gingerich, IHRA Director of Track Development. "The facility is in a prime location about 40 miles north of Savannah on a major highway. The dragstrip is a laser-leveled, all-concrete, 1/8 mile track with a tower that includes a full service restaurant on the first floor.  
 
"The entire facility is very impressive and the city is very excited to have us. If you want speed, entertainment and food, this is the place to visit."
 
Also new to the IHRA family is Great Lakes Dragaway in Wisconsin. Located in Union Grove, Great Lakes Dragaway has enjoyed more than 60 years in operation and features racing nearly every night of the week. It is one of the oldest continuously operating dragstrips in the country and is celebrated by the community for its proud history and racer-friendly programs, making it a perfect fit with the International Hot Rod Association family of tracks.
 
"Great Lakes Dragaway has long been a facility that has tailored its programs to support the grassroots drag racer and that philosophy meshes well with the IHRA's commitment to supporting bracket racing at our member tracks," said Jon O'Neal, IHRA Division Director. "We look forward to having Great Lakes Dragaway back in the family."
 
Chandler Motorsports Park (CMP), located in Chandler, Ind., is IHRA's third new track. Chandler Motorsports Park is an 1/8 mile facility that operates a cherished grassroots program as well as key big-money races and special events throughout the year. CMP is a welcomed addition as part of the IHRA's growing presence in the Midwest.

The spacious facility also encompasses a 3/8 mile dirt oval running UMP Modifieds and offers some of the most fan friendly grassroots racing in the area.
 
"Chandler Motorsports Park has been a staple in that area for some time serving the racers of southern Indiana," O'Neal said. "As our presence continues to grow in the Midwest, the more important tracks such as CMP will become in establishing an exciting racing network in the area. We are very excited to welcome Chandler to the family and look forward to working with them this year. Their inclusion at the bracket finals and as part of the Summit SuperSeries program will bring new enthusiasm and great competition to the division."
 
For more information on the IHRA family of member tracks, visit www.ihra.com and for more information on each of the facilities, visit www.screvenmotorsportscomplex.com to visit Savannah River Dragway, www.greatlakesdragaway.com to visit Great Lakes Dragaway and www.racecmp.com to visit Chandler Motorsports Park.