The Toyo Tires SEMA Show booth will be a hub of activity next week for fans of motorsports and mixed martial arts. Located in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the booth will feature appearances by off-road racing champions Robby Gordon and BJ Baldwin, as well as X-Games Gold Medalist and Team Toyo driver Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg. MMA fans will have the chance to meet stars including UFC Featherweight Chad Mendes, UFC Bantamweight Urijah Faber and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Miesha Tate. Tate is currently a coach on the highly-popular reality show, The Ultimate Fighter. Tuning enthusiasts will have the chance to meet Akira Nakai, visionary Porsche tuner and founder of RWB.  
 
In addition, the beautiful Toyo Models will be on hand all week meeting fans, taking photos and signing posters. The schedule for the autograph sessions is as follows:
 
Tuesday, November 5
9–10am: Toyo Model
10–11am: Akira Nakai, visionary Porsche tuner/founder of RWB (RAUH-Welt-Begriff)
11–12pm: Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, X-Games Gold Medalist / Team Toyo
12–1pm: Arianny Celeste, UFC Octagon Girl
1–2:30pm: Chad “Money” Mendes, UFC Featherweight Fighter / Team Toyo
2:30–4pm: Urijah “The California Kid” Faber, UFC Bantamweight Fighter
4–5pm: BJ Baldwin, desert off-road champion / Team Toyo and Janey Lee (Janey Bolina) from the video #RECOIL
 
Wednesday, November 6
9–9:30am: Toyo Model
9:30–10:30am: BJ Baldwin, desert off-road champion / Team Toyo and Janey Lee (Janey Bolina) from the video #RECOIL
10:30–11am: Toyo Model
11am–12pm: Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis, #4 ranked UFC Light Heavyweight
12–1pm: Robby Gordon, desert off-road champion, Dakar competitor
1–2pm: Luke Rockhold, Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion
2–3pm: Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez, UFC Lightweight & two-time Strikeforce Champ
3–4pm: Miesha “Cupcake” Tate, UFC Women’s Bantamweight / coach of The Ultimate Fighter
4–5pm: Toyo Model
 
Thursday, November 7
9–9:30am: Toyo Model
9:30–10:30am: BJ Baldwin, desert off-road champion / Team Toyo and Janey Lee (Janey Bolina) from the video #RECOIL
10:30–11:30am: Toyo Model
11:30am–1pm: Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, X-Games Gold Medalist / Team Toyo
1–2pm: TJ “The Viper” Dillashaw, UFC® Bantamweight
2pm–5pm: Toyo Model
 
Friday, November 8
9am–4pm: Toyo Models
 

ProMedia, LLC is one of the leading producers of sportsman drag racing events in the marketplace, and is the producer of the NMRA Ford Nationals, the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, and the NMCA West Street Car Nationals series. Steve Wolcott is the CEO of ProMedia, and a member of the SEMA Board of Directors. As one of the founders of ProMedia, he has kept his finger on the pulse of changes in the racing market to maintain the success and growth of its sanctioning bodies. This is particularly challenging, given the changes in the economy and the racing industry over the past few years. Following are excerpts from a recent interview with Wolcott, conducted by Chris Vopat of the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN) Select Committee at SEMA, PRI's parent company.  

Part 1: Shifting Demographics

While ProMedia is in the business of sanctioning drag races, its goal is to produce events that appeal to a family audience. Wolcott explained that in the early days of the NMRA and NMCA, the target demographic audience was the 18-34 segment, for both spectators and racing participants. This group was seen as the traditional age range for automotive enthusiasts.

ProMedia conducts surveys of its spectator and participant audience, and has found that in recent years, particularly among racers, the demographic has shifted. While younger people still have a presence, more and more racers represent the baby boomer crowd. These are people who have more disposable income, and more time to devote to racing at the sportsman level. This has helped to tailor marketing efforts to this market.

Just as important as monitoring and marketing to the racers who compete in the NMRA, NMCA and NMCA West is keeping pace with the types of cars that they compete with. The recent popularity of factory muscle cars, like the 5.0 Mustang, LS-powered General Motors vehicles such as the fifth-generation Camaro, and the late-model Chrysler Hemi has translated into the racing market. With high horsepower from the showroom floor, these vehicles can be modified to produce the power levels of legitimate race cars.

To capitalize on the popularity and power of these newer cars, ProMedia has developed racing classes in the NMRA and NMCA specifically for them. This gives the enthusiasts and tuners of these modern muscle cars a venue in which to compete, and also helps the spectator audience identify the connection with these cars, which are very similar to standard models.

Part 2: New Strategies

In looking at how ProMedia has changed its marketing strategy to keep pace with its audience, Wolcott explained that different event markets call for different specific methods. However, in general, the traditional means of promoting events involved advertising in enthusiast magazines keyed to the type of event, and in enthusiast web forums. Certain markets also called for local radio advertising.

However, these methods resulted in what Wolcott terms "renting" a contact—reaching them once to inform them about the event, but without any follow-up to keep them engaged. In order to own a contact, to be able to engage and keep them interested in upcoming events, ProMedia has shifted its marketing tactics.

Enthusiast magazine advertising is still a key part of the marketing mix for NMRA, NMCA and NMCA West events. Publications such as Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords, for example, directly target the Ford performance enthusiast base that would be interested in NMRA Ford Nationals events. However, rather than simply advertising in these magazines, ProMedia now forges partnerships with publications that participate with the events and provide event coverage, giving further exposure to potential event participants.

In addition, social media has become a key part of ProMedia's event promotions. By building a network of followers on Facebook and other social media outlets, fans can be kept up to date about upcoming events, results and special information. Email blasts to ProMedia's extensive contact list are also an effective way to reach race participants and spectators. Geo targeted emails, specifically to people within a reasonable radius of an upcoming event, are also being utilized more recently.

ProMedia continues to explore new methods to reach event participants and spectators as effectively as possible.

The Race Track Business Conference (RTBC-2013) announces more speakers to its already impressive lineup. Kevin Forbes, chief engineer at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Ruthie Forbes and Gene Cottingham, founders of GRand Solutions, will discuss event management.

Learn why utilization is the key to every motorsports facility, and how to manage it all while accommodating the needs of interested stakeholders. Some other questions that will be answered are "Do professionals and amateurs have the same requirements?" and "Weather delays—what do they really cost?"

In addition, Bob Baker, executive director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Wendell Strode, executive director of the National Corvette Museum, and Donald Davidson, historian at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will all discuss the topic of museums.

Topics to be examined are history and how to keep the legacy alive, how to stay relevant, the cost of staying compliant as a non-profit organization, as well as the capital campaign—where to get the money, and appraising a collection, among other things.

The cost to attend RTBC-2013 is $250. This cost includes lunch and admission to the PRI Trade Show.
 
Additional seminar information on RTBC - 2013 can be found at www.racetrackbusinessconference.com. Contact Tim Frost - Director - RTBC by email twfrost@racetrackbusinessconference.com or calling (847) 853-0294.

Road America President and General Manager George Bruggenthies announced Road America’s 2014 season schedule.

“Road America is widely known for having the most active and diverse schedule of any road race circuit in the US and we look forward to hosting the AMA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (TUSCC) and three separate vintage events again in 2014,” said Bruggenthies. “We are equally excited to announce that Johnsonville Sausage will be returning as a presenting sponsor for the NASCAR Nationwide event in June. This is just the start of a promising season as we also are working on many new facility improvements designed to enhance the overall fan experience; such as making the famous Corvette Bridge wider for improved fan access and new viewing locations in turn six.

“Without question, 2014 is going to be a great season and we have more news to share in the coming months. We encourage all our fans to get their season tickets early, so they can enjoy another season of great racing and memorable experiences at Road America.”

Road America’s first race weekend next year will be May 16–18, when it hosts its Spring Vintage Weekend. Two-wheeled action takes center stage when the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Racing SuperBike Doubleheader hits the track on May 30 through June 1. One week later, June 6–8, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will be on track during the AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Classic, followed by the WeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints from June 12–15—Road America’s longest running annual sports car event.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series, Pirelli World Challenge Series, and SCCA Trans-Am Series roll into Road America on June 19–21, bringing intense door-to-door racing action to the nation’s most intimidating road course. On June 22, OPTIMA Batteries will hold one of its OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational qualifying events at Road America, known as the OPTIMA FACEOFF. The event includes autocross, road course, braking and acceleration challenges, plus a style and design competition and road rally.

A mid-summer classic, The HAWK with Brian Redman, takes place July 17–20, and has quickly grown to become one of the largest vintage racing events in the country. Ford’s Mustang will receive top honors as the featured marque during The HAWK in celebration of the Mustang’s 50th Anniversary. A Historic Can-Am race with an impressive field of cars are expected to gather in celebration of Can-Am’s 48th Anniversary plus the Nationwide Insurance Concours D’elegance on Friday and Saturday night in downtown Elkhart Lake round out the festivities to make the 2014 edition of The HAWK with Brian Redman a can’t miss spectacle for any racing enthusiast.

August 7–10, the newly formed IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship takes over Road America’s four-mile circuit for what will be one of the most incredible weekends of sports car racing in the world. Fans will get to see the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge Series race on Saturday, August 9, with the Tudor United SportsCar Championship race on Sunday, August 10.

September 12–14, the VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival returns, featuring several impressive machines including many pre-war racers and Can-Am enthusiasts reliving history at America’s National Park of Speed.

The National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) has announced the addition of the Gold Rush Program for the 2014 Winter Extreme events at Tucson (Arizona) International Raceway and the Battle at the Border at the El Paso (Texas) Speedway Park to be held in January.

With rising travel costs, the NDRL would like to give fans and businesses the opportunity to help their favorite drivers attend the NDRL events.

The NDRL Gold Rush Program is designed to raise money for drivers and their teams so they can attend NDRL events at Tucson International Raceway or El Paso Speedway Park in January of 2014. The Winter Extreme will kick off the 2014 season starting with an open practice session on January 10 and will have six events through January 19. The NDRL will also be in action at the Battle at the Border beginning with an open practice on January 23. Three full events will take place from January 24–26 at El Paso Speedway Park.

Fans can vote for their favorite driver to attend these NDRL events at Tucson International Raceway and/or El Paso Speedway Park. This is a way for fans to support their favorite driver by becoming a ‘part of the team.’ To participate, fans can give $25 and that gets your driver one vote and fans can vote as many times as they wish. All of the net proceeds donated to the NDRL Gold Rush Program through the voting process will go to the drivers receiving the most votes.

All donations will go into the NDRL Gold Rush Program fund, each driver receiving votes will be invited to the NDRL’s Winter Extreme and Battle at the Border events. Funds in the NDRL Gold Rush Program will be distributed evenly to the voted drivers in attendance. The drivers are guaranteed their share of the NDRL Gold Rush Program funds, regardless of how they perform.

Skip Barber Racing School will award $336,000 in Skip Barber Race Series and driver development scholarship awards to winners of three separate shootouts.

Nov. 4-6 at Sebring International Raceway, the 17th annual Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shootout will pit talented kart racers from over the world in an intensive three day event that includes seminars on media training, the motorsports business, driver preparation and advanced driver training. Competing for points in a variety of timed on-track sessions, the top three finishers earn scholarships into the Skip Barber Winter or Summer Race Series. The grand prize is a full season of racing in the Skip Barber Race Series—a proving ground for young talent—as well as a RaceCraft1 training experience. The tentative entry list for the shootout has 16 decorated karters who will look to follow in the footsteps of talented alumni like Ryan Hunter-Reay (1998), A.J. Allmedinger (2001), Alexander Rossi (2006) and Tristan Nunez (2011) who raced in this event in year's past.

Nov. 6-8 at Sebring, the second annual Skip Barber IndyCar Academy Shootout gives aspiring racers without professional racing experience the opportunity to chase their dreams of racing in IndyCar. Using a points system that rewards the consistently quick driver, IndyCar Academy participants are also evaluated on their ability to apply feedback. Recognizing that the dream of becoming a professional race car driver is one that only a rare few have ever been able to realize or afford, the IndyCar Academy provides a truly unique opportunity to launch a career in the industry. Candidates are chosen regardless of age or experience. The qualifiers are the best and brightest undiscovered talent. The grand prize is a full season of racing in the Skip Barber Race Series – the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy – as well as a RaceCraft1 training experience. The entire field of 33 drivers ranges in age from 15-40.

Nov. 11-13 at Road Atlanta, the Skip Barber Race Series Championship Shootout is a winner-take-all competition for a $200,000 MAZDASPEED Development Scholarship toward the 2014 Cooper Tires USF2000 Series powered by Mazda. As the pinnacle of the Skip Barber Race Series ladder, the top five in championship points from the 2012-13 Winter Series and 2013 Summer Series are invited to battle for this exclusive prize. The winner also earns an Indy Lights test courtesy of Bryan Herta Autosport. These talented drivers will continue the progression in their careers against the top-talent currently in the Skip Barber Race Series.

Each event combines extensive amounts of seat time with the world-renowned Skip Barber Racing School instructor core and industry experts providing feedback, insight and instruction.

The inaugural season for the National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) and the 'Let's Get Dirty' Tour came to a close after the huge resurgence of the 'Pittsburgher 100' at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (Imperial, Pennsylvania) in which Mooresburg, Tennessee's Scott Bloomquist came away victorious and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas was crowned the 2013 NDRL Champion and the 'King of Dirt'.
 
While the dirt late model world is still buzzing from the NDRL's inaugural season, the NDRL would like to announce the addition of South Carolina's Kelley Carlton as Series Director of the NDRL's national touring series. Carlton, who has served as series director and promoter in the past, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the NDRL as they continue to grow into the 2014 season.
 
"I am very excited about this opportunity with the NDRL," Carlton said. "I believe in what John Kennedy is doing and his vision for the future of the series. John has been very accommodating to me and my ideas and thoughts to help the NDRL grow and move forward. He has already made me feel like a partner not just an employee and that speaks to what kind of an owner he will be."

Carlton continued, "He has given me the tools and resources to begin to grow NDRL into the elite national Dirt Late Model Tour. We will be making additional announcements in the coming days about some key members of the team that we are building.
 
"John hasn't put any pressure at all on me and we both understand that the next few years will be a time of growth and learning," Carlton added. "The NDRL has been attracting some of the best drivers in the country and hosting some awesome events. Moving forward I am really looking forward to working with some new track owners and promoters as well as the sponsors. We are ready to hit the ground running with finishing up our schedule and securing all of our sponsorship. I really think 2014 is going to be an exciting year."
 
The NDRL will kick off their 2014 season with nine huge non-points events at Tucson (AZ) International Raceway and El Paso (TX) Speedway Park starting with an open practice on Friday, January 10 at Tucson International Raceway (TIR).

Action will then pick up at TIR on Saturday, January 11 with a $3,000 to-win event followed by a $5,000 to-win event on Sunday, January 12. After a two-day break, racing will continue on Wednesday, January 15 with a $3,000 to-win event before another $3,000 to-win event on Friday, January 17. $5,000 will be up for grabs on Saturday, January 18 before the 'Winter Extreme' comes to a close on Sunday, January 19 with a $10,000 to-win extravaganza. Modifieds will also be on the card each night at TIR.
 
After another short break, the NDRL will be back in action for the 'Battle at the Border' at El Paso Raceway Park. An open practice is scheduled for Thursday, January 23 before a $3,000 to-win event on Friday, January 24. The 'Battle at the Border' will conclude with two separate $5,000 to-win events on, one on Saturday, January 25 followed by the finale on Sunday, January 26. X-Mods will also be in action each night as well as the ASCS Winged Sprints on Saturday night.
 
Series Director Kelley Carlton can be reached at kcarlton@theNDRL.com or at www.theNDRL.com.

Saturday night’s 18th Budweiser Oval Nationals finale at Perris (California) Auto Speedway offers the winner a $15,000 payday.

While the payday will certainly have the attention of most of the competitors, it’s likely the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Championship is tantamount for Bryan Clauson and Dave Darland as they prepare for the series finales. Clauson has a 59-point lead over Darland after last weekend’s Hose Advantage “Hall of Fame” races at Arizona’s Canyon Speedway Park, where Clauson was the Friday night winner.

Darland entered the weekend at Canyon Speedway Park just 13 points in arrears but slipped after Friday’s sixth-place finish. A pair of skirmishes during Saturday’s feature relegated him to a 20th-place finish.

Darland was leading Friday’s race until Clauson took over on lap 23. The National point leader paced the final eight circuits for his 19th USAC feature victory of the year (including regional wins). Trailing Clauson’s Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Chevy Performance/Curb Records Beast/Kistler were Tracy Hines, Mike Spencer, Kevin Thomas Jr. and AMSOIL USAC/CRA point leader Damion Gardner.

Chase Stockon earned his first National victory of the season last Saturday, leading the final 18 laps in his Superior Tank & Trailer/Crescent Electric Supply DRC/Fisher. He passed Hines on lap two and led the last 29 laps to beat Hines, Justin Grant, USAC Southwest Sprint leader R.J. Johnson and Robert Ballou.

Brady Bacon led the first 20 laps of Friday’s race but finished 13th at the checkered flag.

The Budweiser Oval Nationals at Perris presented by All Coast Construction opens with Thursday night’s USAC West Coast/Southwest Sprint Car “Grudge Series” event. The AMSOIL National and CRA Sprints take over Friday and Saturday, concluding the 2013 campaign for both series.

Gardner enters the Perris finales with a 140-point USAC/CRA point lead over teammate Nic Faas.

The Indianapolis 500 will have a new chief radio announcer next year for one of the few times in its history.

Mike King, who has held the position since 1999, resigned Monday. He had been with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network since 1995.

Since Bill Slater called the 500 on Mutual in its early days, only five broadcasters have been “the Voice of the 500,” a term Sid Collins coined.

Collins led the radio broadcast from 1952 to 1976. Paul Page (1977-87), Lou Palmer (1988-89) and Bob Jenkins (1990-98) were the others.

King joined the IMS Radio Network as a pit reporter while working for WTHI-TV in Terre Haute.

King’s resignation is the second major change in the broadcasting of the 500 in the past month. Marty Reid, who led the television broadcast on ABC, was released by ESPN after accidentally calling a NASCAR Nationwide Series victory a lap early at Kentucky Speedway.

More than 40,000 fans from three continents are expected through the gates and in the pits when the World of Outlaws World Finals returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, November 7–9.

The most highly anticipated dirt racing event of the year will crown champions in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds at what is expected to be the fifth-consecutive sellout finale at the lightning-fast, four-tenths-mile clay oval.

Dirt Fans from Around the World

Fans from 48 states, seven Canadian provinces, Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have already purchased advance tickets to the World Finals.

"I can't understand why Idaho and Montana aren't already on board. I know there are some passionate dirt racing fans in those states that would enjoy a little southern hospitality," said Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Marcus Smith with a smile.

"So here's what I'll do," Smith added. "I'll pick up a family four-pack of tickets and pit passes for the first fans from Idaho and Montana that e-mail us a photo-copy of his or her driver's license. I want all 50 states represented when we welcome a fan from each state or country trackside during opening ceremonies."

Fans from Idaho and Montana should e-mail  to be considered for a complimentary family four-pack of tickets and pit passes.

Expanded Fan Zone and Entertainment

In preparation for what could be a record crowd, The Dirt Track at Charlotte has expanded the fan zone and pre-race entertainment lineup. Nearly 50 interactive displays and souvenir rigs will fill an 80,000-square-foot fan zone located near the main entrance of The Dirt Track. The expanded fan zone is nearly 20 percent larger than years past.

In addition, there will be a separate entertainment stage outside the gates featuring live music by Southern Edge with performances on each event day before the on-track action gets underway.

Fans are also invited to a World Finals kick-off event at Carolina Ale House at Concord on Wednesday, November 6, from 7–9 p.m. featuring "PRN's At The Track" live radio show. The evening will include door prizes and live interviews with guests including two-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion and Kasey Kahne Racing driver Jason Meyers, World of Outlaws Late Model Series point leader Josh Richards, Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series point leader Brett Hearn and more. Plus, fans can get an up close view of a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series show car.

Incredible On-Track Competition

The World of Outlaws World Finals is always highlighted by heart-pounding racing action with the sport's biggest stars. Championships are won and lost at this three-day event and it's something that the drivers don't take lightly.

Coming into the World Finals this year, Tony Stewart Racing's Donny Schatz is trying to defend his World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series title against current point leader, Daryn Pittman. Pittman is vying for his first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship, as well as the first for Kasey Kahne Racing.

Josh Richards leads the points battle in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, with last year's champion, Darrell Lanigan, in second place. Richards looks to capture his third title.

In the Super DIRTcar Series, last year's Big-Block Modified champion, Matt Sheppard, trails current leader, Brett Hearn, in a rivalry that has lasted all season and is sure to provide entertainment for fans. Last year, Sheppard won the championship by just 45 points over Hearn.

Winning a feature race at the World Finals has become something highly coveted, not only because of the stiff competition, but also because of the packed stands of dedicated fans who cheer on the winners as they hoist up their trophies at the final event of the year.

"Every year the World Finals gets bigger and better," said Steve Kinser, 20-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion and 2007 World Finals winner. "When they first talked about it, I wasn't sure how it would work with all of the cars the event would attract, but The Dirt Track at Charlotte has provided some great racing every year. We won the first one and finished second two years ago, and we'd like to be in the mix for the win this year.

"For a lot of us, this is the last race of the season and you always want to win that final race of the year. The fans have really come out and supported the World Finals, and its great seeing so many people come to be part of what has become one of our bigger events of the year."

The World Finals begins Thursday with qualifying, continues Friday with a full slate of feature races and concludes Saturday with the season finales.

All three series will practice and qualify on Thursday. The sprint cars and late models will each have two time trial sessions, with the first round determining lineups for Friday night and the second round setting the Saturday night card. The Big-Block Modifieds will set heat race lineups with timed hot laps. Thursday night's heat races will determine Friday and Saturday A-Feature lineups.

This year, more money will be on the line with event-record $12,000-to-win A-Mains Friday and Saturday for both the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and $8,000-to-win for the Big-Block Modified A-Mains.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. on Thursday with opening ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and opening ceremonies are set to begin at 4:45 p.m.

Tickets Still Available but Going Fast

While advance tickets and camping sales are pacing ahead of last year's World Finals, there's still a great opportunity for dirt racing fans to be a part of the action.

Three-day tickets are just $79, and tickets for children 13 and under are $34. Single-day tickets are $20 for adults on Thursday and $39 for Friday and Saturday. Single-day tickets for kids 13 and under are $10 for Thursday and $15 for Friday and Saturday. A three-day pit pass is just $85. Tickets will go up by $5 the week of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt.