Speedway Motors will continue its role as title sponsor of the IMCA Weekly Racing Series.

America’s Oldest Speed Shop, located in Lincoln, Neb., has been affiliated with IMCA since 1950 and returns in the second of another five-year program benefitting sanctioned tracks and drivers alike.

“We have supported IMCA for well over half a century now and continue to be excited about this relationship,” said Speedway Motors founder and chairman of the board Bill Smith. “It’s more important than ever to keep weekly dirt track racing safe, fun and affordable for the grassroots racer. IMCA has done a great job of supporting racers by maintaining common sense rules and a strong network of tracks across the country.”

Speedway Motors provides jackets, tech official shirts, flags and banners, plus discounts on tech inspection equipment, to help IMCA tracks defray costs of their weekly shows.

And drivers completing rookie application forms receive $100 gift cards from Speedway Motors following career-first feature wins in their respective divisions.  Last season, 87 rookies received gift cards from Speedway Motors.

Speedway Motors also returns as title sponsor of the IMCA Super Nationals. More than 850 cars and nearly 30,000 fans will converge on Boone (Iowa) Speedway for the thirty-second annual event September 1-6.

Post-season awards are also part of the Speedway Motors program as the highest eligible finisher in modified and stock car regional standings, and Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod national standings all receive a pair of Tru Coil springs.

Drivers in all four divisions must fill out and return the sign-up form they receive in decal packets to be eligible.

Mickey Thompson returned to Pacific Street Car Association (PSCA) this year as the official tire sponsor. The company is also the Title Sponsor of the Wild Street Class for the season, and the Title Event Sponsor for the So Cal Nationals and the annual West Coast Shootout.

Through this relationship, Mickey Thompson Motorsports will be on site at numerous events with the fully equipped Mickey Thompson trailer to provide trackside service to racers, and will also post contingency awards at all PSCA events for winners and runners-up who compete with four Mickey Thompson tires.

“We’re looking forward to supporting PSCA racers again this year as PSCA celebrates 15 years,” stated Tom Kundrik, Motorsports Manager, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels. “With about a dozen events including special events in August and November, and a few new racing classes, this season promises to be one of a kind.”
 
The series offers more than a dozen racing classes including Pro Street, Outlaw 10.5, Xtreeme Drag Radial, Wild Street, Hot Street, Open Comp, Super Index, Triple Index, Bracket 1, Street Muscle, Mustang Maddness and two Junior Dragster classes. For more information, visit http://pscaracing.com/.

Fontana Back In Business: Good news from the West Coast, as Fontana, California’s Auto Club Dragway is set to resume racing after a nearly two-year hiatus. Several of the quarter-mile drag strip’s neighbors had complained about excessive noise coming from the track, and they ultimately convinced a judge to order it shuttered until a sound-mitigation wall could be built. After unveiling the new 1800-foot-long by 24-foot-tall barrier, track officials hosted an open house last month to officially welcome back local drivers, media and racing organizations and review the 2014 schedule.

Talladega’s Lynch Receives Littlejohn Award: Congratulations to Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch, who was recently honored with the coveted Joe Littlejohn Award at the 2014 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) convention in Concord, North Carolina. The award, which is handed out each year in recognition of outstanding service to the NMPA, is named after one of the great promoters of early stock car racing. (Littlejohn himself also organized the NMPA.) As for Lynch, he’s been at Talladega for more than two decades—he started as general manager there in January 1993. Lynch was since promoted to Vice President of International Speedway Corporation (ISC), and then president of Talladega. While with ISC, Lynch has overseen the development of Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway, but he’s always lived in Talladega. Our hats off to Grant Lynch on this well-deserved accolade.

NDRL Kicks Off New Racing Tours: Later this month, the National Dirt Racing League will launch a pair of new series—the NDRL Northeast Late Model Series and the NDRL Modifieds Series—to accompany its second-year Kings of Dirt National Series. “We have high expectations for both [series],” said NDRL’s Jason Shank. “But it’s going to take some time to build a relevant regional series that promoters, drivers, and fans can support.” Added NDRL owner John Kennedy: “We would eventually like to see the NDRL Northeast Series to be comparable to the old STARS series or MACS (Mid-Atlantic Championship Series). Our plan is to build into something like that within the next few years.” The two new ventures are set to kick off their inaugural seasons during the annual Chiller Thriller on March 29 at Mercer Raceway Park. While schedules are still being worked out, subsequent events are slated for Port Royal Speedway, McKean County Raceway and Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway. To learn more, visit www.ndrlnortheast.com.

SCORE One For The Corps: Sgt. Nick Kimmel hopes to make off-road racing history next month at the SCORE Imperial Valley 250. The former United States Marine Corps combat engineer and off-road enthusiast is heading up a team of military veterans that plans to compete in the 249-mile desert race in Plaster City, California, April 25–27. But what makes Kimmel particularly extraordinary is the fact that he’s a triple-amputee—the result of injuries he sustained after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while deployed in southern Afghanistan in 2011. Still, despite losing both legs above the knee and his left arm above the elbow, Kimmel hasn’t lost an ounce of determination. Or his passion for motorsports. His next mission: to build an uncompromising off-road truck capable of competing at the highest levels of racing. So in late 2012, Operation Kimmel Off Road Team was born. The team, backed by veterans groups American Strong and Vision2Victory, enlisted the fabrication expertise of California-based McCool Motorsports, and has received equipment from sponsors like ODYSSEY battery by EnerSys, MasterCraft Safety, Fragola Performance Systems and others. Kimmel hopes the journey that begins in the California desert next month will lead to more adventures ahead, including the legendary Baja 1000. For more information or to donate, visit www.vision2victory.com.

 

In the February issue of Trade Show Executive magazine, it was announced that the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show had made the magazine’s list of 50 Fastest-Growing Trade Shows in all three categories: Total Attendance, Exhibit Space and Exhibiting Companies.

“It’s a tribute to the growing strength of the racing industry to have the PRI Trade Show make this stellar list in all three categories,” said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. “It’s also further verification that the PRI Trade Show’s return to Indianapolis, and the combining of both the IMIS Show and the PRI Trade Show, was a popular decision for both attending buyers and exhibiting companies.”

Kilroy noted that expansion in number of exhibitors adds value for attending buyers, who can truly experience what new technology the racing industry has to offer for the next racing season, with everyone all in one place all at one time. For exhibitors, the growth in buyer attendance delivered impressive ROI for their exhibit investment.

The big return of the PRI Trade Show to Indianapolis was made possible due to the leadership and resources of SEMA, the parent organization for PRI, said Kilroy.

“Our goal each year is to deliver the best trade show experience for racing industry,” added Kilroy, who has been with PRI for 23 years. “We do everything we can to make it a profitable experience, as well as affordable, easy and fun.”

According to the Trade Show Executive magazine article, “These elite shows eclipsed all other shows in 2013 by growing dramatically more in net square feet (nsf) of exhibit space, exhibitors and/or attendance during 2013.”

The top 50 performers in the categories of exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance were selected based on the percentage of growth from 2012 to 2013. A total of 90 trade shows made the list in at least one of the three categories.

Geno Effler has been named NHRA vice president of public relations and communications. Effler will lead and create the strategic direction for corporate communications, media relations, and public relations for the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body and report directly to NHRA President Tom Compton.

“Geno’s expertise in and knowledge of the automotive industry, including his strong relationships with key media, wide-ranging corporate communications background, and expertise in brand messaging will be a great addition to the NHRA team,” said Compton. “Geno will lead our efforts to enhance and expand our current media and public relations initiatives to drive increased awareness of and attention to the sport.”

Effler has extensive knowledge and valuable relationships within the automotive and motorsports industries, having spent the last seven years as vice president, corporate communications at Volvo Cars of North America. For two decades prior to that, Effler served in public relations, corporate communications, and brand communications roles for some of the biggest automotive manufacturers in the world, including Aston Martin North America, Mercedes-Benz USA, and Kia Motors America. He played an integral role in both Aston Martin’s and Kia’s motorsports activities. At Aston Martin, he spearheaded the public relations efforts for the company’s participation in the American Le Mans Series and while at Kia Motors America directed the manufacturer’s motorsports programs in SCCA PRO Rally and SCORE Off-Road Racing.

“I’m eager to broaden the awareness of NHRA and share its stories with audiences in and out of motorsports,” said Effler. “This sport is exciting and captures people’s attention like no other. I can’t wait to work alongside Tom and the team at NHRA to build and grow this great sport.”

Effler started his public relations career in the sports industry, working with the Los Angeles Rams and later the Oakland Invaders of the USFL. His career includes time at the public relations agency Hill & Knowlton, serving as a group supervisor in the automotive practice.

TORC: The Off-Road Championship off-road racing series, has announced that Magnaflow, a manufacturer of performance exhaust products, will be an Official Series Partner for the 2014 TORC season.

Magnaflow products range from direct-fit converters and cat-back systems to universal mufflers and custom builders kits designed to deliver superior quality, power and sound. Top drivers and car builders have come to rely on the companys products. That roster includes automotive designers and racing legends like Mario Andretti, Chip Foose, Marco Andretti, "Grave Digger's" Dennis Anderson, Casey Currie, Johnny and CJ Greaves, Vaughn Gittin Jr and Jeremy McGrath.

"MagnaFlow is proud to again be associated with TORC. The 2013 season was successful for Team MagnaFlow, with multiple wins and great fan interaction. TORC provides not only exciting racing, but compelling story telling as well," said Dan Mickelsen, Director of Marketing at MagnaFlow. "Our fans are TORC fans, and this is a story where we want to play a role. This year, we are ready for even more with the launch of our new off-road header program and stronger presence on the track and at the events."

As an Official Series Partner, Magnaflow will have significant brand visibility through media exposure including television, radio, print, digital and social media as well as display space, track signage and fan activation at TORC events.

The company will also be sponsoring four TORC drivers this season: Johnny Greaves in Pro 4X4; CJ Greaves in Pro 2WD and Pro Light; and Casey Currie and Brad Lovell in Pro Light. Each racer will be running custom-built Magnaflow systems in their vehicles.

"We are excited to welcome Magnaflow to TORC off-road racing this year," said TORC President BJ Birtwell. "Aligning with proven, leading brands brings strong benefits for both parties, and we look forward to helping Magnaflow continue to build its legacy with automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. And were anticipating fantastic performance and sound out on the track from the vehicles they are behind this season."

TORC: The Off-Road Championship will hold seven events across the United States this year, with NBC Sports providing television coverage and a behind-the-scenes docu-reality series. The 2014 event schedule features races at the following venues:    
 
- April 5-6: Primm, NV (Primm Off Road Raceway)
- April 25-26: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
- May 17-18: St. Louis, MO (Gateway Motorsports Park)
- June 28-29: Crandon, WI (Crandon Intl Off Road Raceway)
- July 19-20: Bark River, MI (Bark River Off Road Raceway)
- Aug 5-6: Sturgis, SD (Buffalo Chip Powersports Complex)
- Aug 30-31: Crandon, WI (Crandon Intl Off Road Raceway)

For more information on TORC: The Off-Road Championship including NBC Sports episode premiere dates, visit www.torcseries.com.

Champion Oil, a manufacturer of performance lubricants, announced that Guangzhou Aisheng Trading Co. LTD (Aisheng) is its exclusive Master Warehouse Distributor in the People’s Republic of China including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao.  

Aisheng, a recognized leader in aftermarket wholesale, is a supplier of specialty automotive chemicals and equipment for cars, fleets, and industry. They offer products in a number of categories, such as motor oils, transmission fluids, coolant, differentials lubes, greases, power steering fluids, brake fluids, and automotive chemicals and additives.

“It is extremely important for Champion Oil to identify a partner that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide our China retailers, dealers, and installers with first class service, support and distribution,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of International Sales for Champion. “Aisheng clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to disseminate our motor oil, chemical, additive and lubricant line in key demographics, applications, and strategic markets.”

For more information about Guangzhou Aisheng Trading Co. LTD, contact them at Suite #1010-1012 Huiqiao Building, #6 Xing Fu Road, Bai Yun Da Dao Bei, Bai Yun District, Guang Zhou City, Guang Dong Province, China. Office: +86-20-84314032  Fax: +86-20-36772989  Cell: +86-13924026827 or Cell +86-18928829105

On the heels of its return to action following a two-year absence, Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, California, will host the Inaugural Southern California High School Drags on Saturday, May 3.

The event is aimed at providing young auto enthusiasts an opportunity—and venue—to race in a controlled environment, encouraging them to take racing off the streets and onto the track.

Students will compete on teams representing their own high schools, earning points for a coveted Southern California High School Team Championship trophy for 2014. The program’s concept was developed and will be organized by ProMark LLC, a consulting firm based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
 
In addition to drag racing, the event with feature a special Show & Shine, as well as a Stereo Sound Off and a Manufacturers’ Midway. Recognition and trophies will be awarded to individual finalists in several drag, show & shine and sound off categories, and special awards will be presented to high school teams in categories including: the most school spirit; the best appearing team, the school who traveled the greatest distance; the ugliest running wreck of a vehicle; and the team with the most enthusiastic faculty support.
 
Those who have already graduated from high school can still participate by representing their old alma mater in the special Alumni category.
 
A major announcement will also be made in the coming weeks on the Auto Club Dragway High School Summer Series, which will consist of four races throughout the summer, exclusively for high school students who graduate in 2014 or later.

The Summer Series will offer qualified high school drag racers a chance to earn individual points based on their performances at the four Summer Series events, in a quest to crown a Summer Series individual high school champion. The four series event dates are May 10, June 28, July 26 and August 23, 2014.

The top four finishers in the series will earn the right to represent Auto Club Dragway at the annual NHRA/Summit ET Finals to be held this year on September 19-21 in Bakersfield, California.
 
The overall champion of the Summer Series will be eligible for a Grand Prize (to be announced) contingent on the fact that they have no moving violations throughout the duration of the series (May 10–August 23, 2014).
 
For more information on the upcoming Southern California High School Drags Challenge, submit requests to highschooldrags@outlook.com, with the subject line "info," or call 949/888-6878.
 
For sponsorship opportunities, inquire at highschooldrags@outlook.com with the subject line "sponsorship," or call 949/337-0405.

There's also more information on the program's Facebook page.

Lucas Oil Products co-founder Forrest Lucas will be inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2014 in a banquet on March 13 in Gainesville, Florida.

The Lucas Oil Products International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will take place at the Paramount Plaza Hotel & Suites on the Thursday before the NHRA Gatornationals at Auto-Plus Raceway in Gainesville.

Lucas is being honored for his longtime support of drag racing at all levels, from sponsorship of Sportsman racers and racing all the way to the NHRA Top Fuel class.

“I’m real happy that Don Garlits has appreciated what he’s seen us do over the years with drag racing,” Lucas said. “He’s a very nice person, and I appreciate what he’s done for drag racing over the years, too. He’s been a huge part of it, not only as a racer but he started the museum to keep the story of it all. It’s a big piece of history he’s taken care of single-handedly.”

The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing was opened in 1984 to chronicle the history of the sport. The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame is housed in the museum.

Lucas will be inducted alongside several other legends of the sport: John Abbott, Al Bergler, Frank Hawley, Tom Hoover, and Warren Johnson.

“It’s a big deal to me, not ever having been a racer, but being appreciated for the fact that we’ve been a big part of it,” Lucas said. “I think we’ve helped drag racing get where it’s at, and it’s nice to be appreciated.”

Lucas will be presented at the banquet by NHRA President Tom Compton.

“We got into drag racing to start with because that’s where all the auto parts stores were,” Lucas said. “They were all part of it, and we wanted to be in front of them, so we got into drag racing.

“Then (son) Morgan was interested it in, and (wife) Charlotte was, too. It was a fun thing for us, but it was also business. We made a business out of it, and consequently a lot of other people saw our success and followed us with sponsorship. It caused a lot of sponsorship money for teams as well as NHRA itself.

“We made it work, and we also had a good time with it. We’re still having a good time with it.”

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRG) welcome Todd Silvey as the new managing editor of Drag Review Magazine (DRM).

With more than 20 years of publishing experience, Silvey joins the IHRA team as content and creative director for DRM, which unveiled its all-new look and logo earlier in February. With his expertise and direction, IHRA hopes to continue the growth of the magazine and expand its role as the preeminent source for professional and sportsman racing within the IHRA.
 
"I am thrilled to be a part of the new vision for IHRA and Drag Review Magazine under the leadership of President Scott Gardner," noted Silvey. "Our goals for great articles and in-depth race coverage are at the forefront with the new publication redesign. I am certainly looking forward to contributing to that new direction and taking the magazine to new heights."
 
Silvey's experience in the magazine industry includes more than two decades in motorsports as creator of Drag News Magazine back in 1988. The publication included a distribution to more than 15,000 readers and also spearheaded a racing series and annual drag racing trade shows throughout the United States.
 
Following his position at Drag News Magazine, Silvey spent the past few years working as publication director for the Illinois Parks Association and at his own advertising agency, GoFast Communications Group. Now Silvey brings his experience to the IHRA, as he directs the future for IHRA's storied magazine.
 
Silvey will work alongside the staff at the Norwalk, Ohio offices and the new satellite office in Athens, Illinois where he will head the creative team. He will become managing editor for Issue 3 of 2014, taking over for interim editor Jeff Burke. Burke assisted in managing the new direction of the magazine for the first two issues of 2014.
 
"I look forward to ramping up this increased effort for Drag Review Magazine as the IHRA kicks off fresh ideas and renewed energy in the 2014 season," Silvey said.
 
For more information on the IHRA's Drag Review Magazine, visit www.DragReviewMagazine.com and www.ihra.com.