Following a number of incidents in various Vintage events during 2012 and the current 2013 season, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) has interviewed drivers and emergency personnel involved, and one common statement has been made regarding each incident: “the HANS system saved the driver.”

As a result of this information and feedback, effective July 1, 2013, Head and Neck Support Systems that meet SFI 38.1 Standards are being made mandatory for all competitors in SVRA events, announced Raymond Snowdon, SVRA Competition Director.

Information on these Systems can be found at: www.sfifoundation.com. Click: MANUFACTURERS, then click “38.1."

Pre War drivers will be currently exempt from this requirement, but drivers are urged by the SVRA to investigate, select, and use alternate head and neck support as currently benefiting enduro, karting and motorcycle road racers.

With the inaugural Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals fast approaching, New England Dragway and NHRA officials have issued a traffic-flow notice for both competitors and fans planning on attending.

Officials are encouraging competitors in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series to arrive early in the day and have their car passes in the window and visible. All competitors and vehicles with visible car passes will be directed to exit Highway 101 via Exit 8 right in front of the facility, where they will follow signs to access appropriate parking areas.

Spectator traffic flow has been developed to provide smooth ingress and egress for New England Dragway utilizing two exits off Highway 101. All spectators coming east on Highway 101 will use Exit 8 and proceed right into the facility and follow signs to parking areas. Spectators coming west on Highway 101 will be directed to take Exit 9. From there, they will turn right onto Highway 27 (Epping Road) and proceed to the track, where signs will direct them to parking locations.

For the last several months, officials at New England Dragway have worked with local law enforcement to develop a traffic-flow plan that would serve and manage the thousands of NHRA fans arriving for the first visit of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series to New England.

The biggest stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be competing at the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals, including local favorite Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III, of Hope, R.I., 15-time Funny Car world champ John Force, seven-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Cruz Pedregon, Antron Brown, Courtney Force, Ron Capps, Erica Enders-Stevens, Eddie Krawiec, and many more.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series also will be showcased during the event, including exciting side-by-side racing action in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, and Super Gas.

Qualifying for the Auto-Plus NHRA New England Nationals will begin Friday, June 21, with sessions at 4:45 and 6:45 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, June 22, at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 23.

For ticket information, call 800/884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

After months of excitedly showing off artist renderings and offering architectural explanations, Daytona International Speedway announced this week that it’s ready to break ground on the track’s historical redevelopment project.

Shovels will hit the dirt in a public ceremony on Friday, July 5 with infrastructure preparation beginning at the facility on July 8—the Monday after the Coke Zero 400. Completion of the new state-of-the art frontstretch grandstands is targeted for January 2016.

“This is the key to our future,’’ Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III told reporters Tuesday, as the track unveiled the project’s new logo and philosophy: “DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon.”



“Everything about the race fan’s experience from seating to concessions to merchandise to convenience will be reimagined to create the world’s first true motorsports entertainment complex,’’ Chitwood said, repeatedly promising the work would “harness the power of imagination.’’



“Today is day 1 of 927 days that will get us to January 1, 2016,’’ Chitwood said.



The estimated $400 million renovation focuses primarily on the massive frontstretch of the 2.5-mile superspeedway, enhancing the fan experience at the 54-year-old facility, considered the sport’s flagship property.



It will include bigger, wider seats, additional vertical transportation in the grandstands, five new massive entryways and perhaps the most innovative part of the project, 11 “neighborhoods”—each the size of a football field—where fans can gather and mingle without missing any of the race.



Eventually the back straightaway or  “superstretch” grandstands will be removed, rearranging all seating to the front, where Chitwood says every fan will have the opportunity to enjoy all the amenities. And, he stressed, the track is committed to continuing to provide free parking lots, and allowing fans to bring in their own coolers.

“

We understand the commitments to the fan and have to readjust our pricing so there are affordable priced seats on the frontstretch,’’ Chitwood said. “We’re not going to leverage our ticket prices. We know fans need some good entry-level pricing. We are committed to this in our redevelopment."

International Speedway Corporation, which owns Daytona and 12 other race tracks, will finance the majority of the project after the Florida state legislature failed to approve a public/private partnership in its most recent session.



Chitwood said the primary difference in the plan now versus what was proposed to the legislature is that the track won’t be significantly revamping the “midway” or outside area between the speedway and International Speedway Boulevard.



He did, however, promise to continue his efforts with the state, saying “I do believe we should be treated more fairly, like the other sports properties."

Fans won’t notice much difference to the facility next month for the annual Coke Zero 400 summer race as the initial work will be done largely underground and to infrastructure. The seating relocation to the frontstretch will happen in phases.


"For 2014, there will be no changes to any seats we have front or backstretch,’’ Chitwood said. “In 2015, there will be some seat relocation. As we get closer to 2015, we’ll communicate with fans. It will be significant."



The speedway has already undergone significant reinforcement of its crossover gates in wake of an accident during the Feb. 23 NASCAR Nationwide Series season opener.

For more, visit www.nascar.com.

The USAC Benevolent Foundation has announced a matching, dollar-for-dollar grant for a Charlie Dean Leffler Educational Fund.

“After serious consideration, the Board of Directors of the Benevolent Foundation decided that a Matching Dollar Grant offer be utilized exclusively for the future educational needs of Charlie Dean, Jason Leffler’s five-year-old son," said Bill Marvel, Executive Director of the 501-3c designated Foundation.

"To insure a sum that will assist Charlie's future educational needs, the Foundation's Board of Directors announced that for every dollar donated to Charlie's future education, the Foundation will match it, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000," he continued. "When it reaches the $25,000 it will be then combined to the Foundation's match and will increase the Fund Grant to $50,000. All donations received, including those received after the possible $50,000 matching Fund Grant is reached, will be earmarked for Charlie’s educational needs, aside from provisions established by Jason."

Earlier, Harry Scott Jr., co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports and one of three Trustees of the Charlie Dean Leffler Discretionary Trust, released a statement regarding the two separate funds that have been started for Jason Leffler's son, Charlie:

"We would like to reiterate Mr. Scott's statement indicating that everyone at the USAC Benevolent Foundation is going to work with everyone associated with the Charlie Dean Leffler Discretionary Trust to ensure that all monies raised, regardless of which fund they come through, go directly to caring for Charlie Dean Leffler and his needs. We are all working together towards the goal of providing for Charlie's future. We all want to make sure that Charlie is well taken care of and that Jason's love for him is always evident."

Donations for the Educational Grant Fund can be easily made on Pay Pal by logging onto the USAC website at www.usacracing.com, scrolling down the right side, clicking on the “Donate” button under Jason’s name and following the prompts.

All contributions earmarked for the Charlie Dean Leffler Educational Fund may be directed to the USAC Benevolent Foundation, c/o Executive Director Bill Marvel, 4910 W. 16th Street Speedway, Speedway, IN 46224.

Marvel may be reached at 859/749-0646 or at billmarvel@gmail.com. Donations should be earmarked for this program.

For the second year in a row, the NASCAR Foundation has recognized Michigan International Speedway’s charitable and community efforts, naming the racetrack its “Track of the Year.”

Of note, the NASCAR Foundation lauded the speedway’s “Track and Explore” program, a partnership with Adrian College that teaches area youth about nature and conservancy with a series of field trips to MIS.

“All our employees and volunteers are truly passionate about giving back to our community,” speedway president Roger Curtis said. “This is where we work, live and play. And it’s up to us to be involved and to make our community stronger. We will always be a leader in the community for community giving.”

The speedway was also cited for awarding $75,000 in 2012 to local charities through MIS Cares, the speedway’s official platform.

Through annual programs such as Fish Your Bass Off, NASCAR Unites, Extreme Bus Make Over, the track’s annual Charity Drive and Racing to Read and its Spirit of America blood drive, Michigan International Speedway has fostered a community-minded effort, as well as raised funds for charities, big and small, and charitable work.

Michigan International Speedway annually hosts the Spirit of America, the nation’s largest 9-11 blood drive. But that’s not all. Besides its annual fund-raisers and community involvement efforts, MIS Cares also partnered with the Ryan Newman Foundation and Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation to help those NASCAR drivers with their efforts.

Fish Your Bass Off is an annual fishing tournament held at Jerry’s Pub during the track’s August NASCAR weekend. Working with NASCAR driver Ryan Newman, his wife Krissie, ESPN’s Mark Zona and fishing legend Kevin VanDam, the track raised funds and hosted guests looking for a great time fishing on scenic Wamplers Lake.

MIS also worked with Michigan native Brad Keselowski and his Checkered Flag Foundation in June to host injured soldiers and veterans for a day at the races with the driver’s Race to Recovery program.

Striving to be the track that gives back the most to its fans and local and state communities, MIS president Roger Curtis was very proud of the speedway’s achievement.

Since 2006, the NASCAR Foundation has contributed more than $15 million in charitable support and helped provide medical treatment for more than 24,000 children annually at Speediatrics, fulfilled more than 2,000 NASCAR Dreams, helped provide 1236 summer camp experiences for children with special needs, recruited 12,000 fans to become part of a Volunteer Network and created educational opportunities for school-aged students that help to engage them in science and engineering programs.

For the second straight year, Motovicity Distribution has received the Exedy Top Sports and Performance Distributor award, recognizing Motovicity as their top US sales volume distributor in the performance aftermarket segment for 2011-12.
 
Exedy Vice President Bernie Solomons presented the gold-plated Exedy clutch award to Motovicity's CEO David Ziozios and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian Lounsberry on June 6. Exedy Product Specialist Kyle House also attended the presentation.

Motovicity has been one of the longest running distributors of Exedy performance clutch components and kits, and has grown the brand significantly since it entered the aftermarket performance clutch industry more than a decade ago.
 
Exedy is one of the largest OEM clutch suppliers in the world and is also recognized as a leader in the sport compact and muscle car performance segments.

Located just a few miles from Exedy's US headquarters and warehouse, Motovicity maintains sizeable Exedy inventories and has the flexibility to ship Exedy products rapidly.

"We're flattered to receive this recognition," Ziozios said. "We've consistently positioned our product offerings to support the sport compact community, while also strategically growing our muscle car segment with Exedy as they've looked to grow there as well."

During this year’s Iowa Speed Week, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum will partner with the Big Al Kids & Motorsports Foundation to put on an all-ages, winged sprint car 'Charity Pinewood Derby' on the museum’s second floor. 

It will take place on Tuesday, August 6, at 12:30 p.m., and will benefit both the Big Al Kids & Motorsports Foundation and the NSCHoF&M Foundation.

According to museum executive director Bob Baker, “We are very pleased to partner with Al Tschider of the state of Washington on this unique fundraiser.  He tells us that Wayne Johnson, Daryn Pittman, Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson have all agreed to build cars, using the Revell Winged Sprint Car Kit, for this event. In addition to the adult division, we will also offer a youth class for kids up to the age of 14. There is a $10 entry fee per car.”

The three rules for the event are:

1)  Car must utilize the Revell Winged Sprint Car Kit (Racer Series or Trophy Series), including the front and top wings
2)  Car must have four wheels, with aftermarket wheels allowed
3)  Car must weigh no more than five ounces (5 oz.)

Those individuals interested in buying a Revell Winged Sprint Car Kit (Racer Series or Trophy Series) may call the museum at 800/874-4488, visit the museum store website at www.sprintcarstuff.com, or go to their local Revell-stocked hobby shop. Those with technical questions should contact event coordinator Al Tschider at budwell74@msn.com.

Zac Emmons has been named Director of Communications at Phoenix International Raceway.

Emmons, who most recently served as the Corporate Communications Manager for the Houston Texans, will oversee all communications and media relations for PIR effective immediately.

Emmons comes to PIR after seven years with the NFL's Texans. In addition to his football responsibilities, Emmons held the concurrent role of Media Relations Director for Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an affiliate of the Texans, where he was responsible for promoting all of the team’s non-football initiatives, as well as the team’s corporate and community partners.

“I am thrilled to join the team at PIR and to be a part of the NASCAR community,” Emmons said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to promote America’s favorite motorsport in one of its greatest cities.  Phoenix is a vibrant, exciting city with a tremendous sports culture and I’m delighted to call it home.”

A graduate of the University of Texas, Emmons began his career as a public relations intern with the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and joined the team full-time in 2004. He spent two years with the Raiders before moving to Houston.

The SRT (Street & Racing Technology) Brand is debuting its first-ever advertising campaign this summer to celebrate the legacy of its world-class performance vehicles: The Charger, Challenger, Viper, Grand Cherokee and the 300.

The "Body and Soul" campaign launched June 8 with 30-, 60- and 90-second spots across cable television, and continues throughout summer.

"'Body and Soul' personifies the connection that owners feel with their vehicle; it's that feeling of when you get behind the wheel and step on the throttle for the first time and feel the power of the engine. It's that feeling and legacy that Chrysler Group has forged with owners and their vehicles over the last century; something that SRT brand is creating with a new set of consumers for the first time," said Ralph V. Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC.

The 30-, 60- and 90-second "Body and Soul" spots start with a nostalgic nod as footage flashes from the late '60s/early '70s and children are crammed in a station wagon's backseat on a long distance road-trip, parents with map in hand.

It jumps to a kid wearing glasses in line at the DMV and teens cruising along Main Street on a Friday night. Scenes cut to show a young boy at an outside diner and invokes that the average 16-year-old boy in America would rather have his own set of wheels than make out with the captain of the varsity cheerleader squad.

The spot thereby seeks to answer the question: How can we desire a machine more than a human being? Close-ups of steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, and other elements are seen, which form into axles, chassis, frames and pushes to close-ups of hands and tools bending and shaping materials. It conveys that "every machine has a body. It is up to the maker to breathe life into its creation. The machine is the echo of the maker's soul."

In addition to the 30-second, 60-second and 90-second spots, a special 2:15 extended version of "Body and Soul" was revealed on YouTube.com/driveSRT on June 14.

For more information on SRT, visit drivesrt.com.

NASCAR has announced a new multi-year official agreement with HP, designating the technology company as an Official Technology Partner of NASCAR and marking the expansion of a relationship that began one year ago when the companies collaborated on the development of the Fan and Media Engagement Center (FMEC).

The agreement is structured to incentivize continued investment in the FMEC while exploring areas for future innovation throughout the sport.
 
“The expanded alliance underscores our commitment to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technology across our sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. “NASCAR has proven to be an effective vehicle to drive innovation and will be a powerful platform for HP to showcase its state-of-the-art products, services and solutions.”
 
The FMEC formally launched in January 2013 and has already benefitted the NASCAR industry by providing business-impacting information tailored to specific audiences within the NASCAR ecosystem, including race teams, tracks and partners.

The state-of-the-art facility enables near real-time analysis and response to traditional, digital and social media. Housed in a 500-square-foot, glass-enclosed area, outfitted with state-of-the-art touch screens, television monitors and multiple seated viewing areas and work stations, the FMEC is the centerpiece to the newly designed offices that house NASCAR Digital.
 
As part of this integrated collaboration, HP will make its debut as a member of the NASCAR Fuel For Business Council at the event in San Francisco and participate in a Technology and Innovation panel.

The Council brings together an exclusive group of more than 60 Official NASCAR Partners four times per year to buy and sell products and services from one another.

This exclusive business-to-business environment offers unique opportunities for many FORTUNE 500 companies to bypass the time and layers of corporate coordination that may exist to construct customized deals that help address specific business needs.

For more information, visit www.nascar.com.