Former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty is revving up for the cause once again to lead the 29th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America--one of the most popular charity rides in the country. From May 3-9, Petty will lead 225 motorcycles on a 1,400-mile route in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions.

Starting in Traverse City, Michigan, on Saturday, May 3, and ending in Hot Springs, Virginia, on Friday, May 9, a total of 225 participants will travel through seven states on a seven-day trek.

29th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

• Day 1, Saturday, May 3 – Traverse City, Michigan to Detroit, Michigan
• Day 2, Sunday, May 4 – Detroit, Michigan to Cleveland, Ohio
• Day 3, Monday, May 5 – Cleveland, Ohio to Niagara Falls, New York
• Day 4, Tuesday, May 6 – Off Day in Niagara Falls, New York
• Day 5, Wednesday, May 7 – Niagara Falls, New York to Corning, New York
• Day 6, Thursday, May 8 – Corning, New York to Bedford, Pennsylvania
• Day 7, Friday, May 9 – Bedford, Pennsylvania to Hot Springs, Virginia
   

Petty has dubbed the 2025 Ride as the "Tour of Wonders," a nod to the natural wonders that will be seen during the trip, including Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls, Virginia's hot springs and more. In addition, participants will enjoy several iconic stops and activities, including visits to the Henry Ford Museum and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, laps at Watkins Glen International, and more.

"We had so much fun visiting legendary American landmarks in 2024, that we decided to incorporate a few more on this year's Ride. We spent so many of our early years on the Ride riding past these places, but now it's time for us to stop and enjoy them," said Petty. "We're excited to deliver a special route full of incredible experiences and scenery, like visiting Niagara Falls and riding beautiful northeastern roads. And the best part of all? Knowing that each mile we travel helps put smiles on the faces of the kids at Victory Junction."

Spectators along the 2025 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride's seven overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia and make donations.

Victory Junction has served as the Ride's primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since it first began in 1995, the Ride has raised more than $22 million for Victory Junction and other children's charities. As a result, the Ride has helped Victory Junction mobilize resources to provide over 136,000 camp experiences for children of all levels of abilities who are living with complex medical conditions at no cost to their families.

Among the celebrities participating in the 2025 Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Hershel McGriff; former NASCAR drivers Max Papis, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

The 2025 Ride is made possible by sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge Law, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, Petty Family Foundation, Piedmont Moving Systems, Wiley X, Prevost, Blue Emu and Goody's. 

For more information about the Ride or to donate, please visit kylepettycharityride.com. 
 

Image courtesy of Kevin Kane Photography, Kyle Petty Charity Ride

For the first time in 40 years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has undergone a major renovation and is now reopening its doors to the public after a 17-month overhaul.

Years in the making, the renovation has brought new life to the museum, which--despite being an entirely different entity from the track--is located inside the confines of IMS between turns one and two.

With an emphasis on immersion, the revamped shrine to the Indianapolis 500—and the many other events it has hosted throughout its 100-plus-year history—adds 40,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and numerous new features, some of which focus not only on past and present titans of motorsports, but inspiring a new generation of racing fans, history buffs, and maybe even a few of tomorrow's speedway stars.

One of the highlights of the museum is the new "Qualifying Zone," an interactive space designed to showcase all of the moving parts that go into a successful race team, be it a lightning-fast pit stop, a race-winning strategy call or a daredevil, four-lap qualifying run from behind the wheel.

A bank of racing simulators puts you in the literal driver's seat and gives guests a shot at pole position at IMS--with the best four-lap runs posted on a scoreboard for all to see. Nearby, a pit stand offers the perspective of a race strategist, allowing you to make split-second decisions on tires and refueling that can make or break a race. Finally, a timed pit-stop challenge, which tasks you with servicing a car during the Indy 500, gives you a chance to feel the pressure of a green-flag stop as a rear-tire changer.

Other features of the Qualifying Zone include a deconstructed Dallara Indy car with augmented reality displays detailing each component, a reaction time test and even a soft-play area for young guests.

Directly adjacent to that new feature is the "Innovation Workshop," a classroom space that will be utilized by the new education department to offer Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programming for K-12 students. The curriculum will examine the concepts, challenges and innovations that drive a successful race team, and the museum will also provide opportunities for career exploration programs designed to promote job opportunities in the racing industry.

Inspiring young visitors to dream about a career in racing—and not just as a driver—was an intentional choice, according to Vice President of Curation and Education Jason Vansickle.

"There are a lot of lucrative jobs in auto racing, a lot of experiences--whether it be in INDYCAR or other forms, especially here in Indianapolis--and opportunities that I don't think young kids understand are there," Vansickle said. "They're not going to become a mechanic the day after they show up here, but they could say, 'This is a path I can [take]. I don't have to just watch it on TV or from the grandstands. I can be a part of that.'

"Those are the things that I think we're excited to continue to build," he added, "whether that be in the Innovation Workshop, Qualifying Zone or other future projects that we have on the horizon."

The interactive portions—as well as more traditional displays, like the vehicles and artifacts in the Gasoline Alley Gallery, Indianapolis 500 Winners Gallery and other rotating exhibits—aren't only meant to stoke the passions of the next generation. It's meant to excite those who have had a life-long passion for racing, too.

"The Qualifying Zone is an area where people can stimulate their passion or knowledge that may or may not have been there before, both in younger generations or in traditional gearheads, and exposes them to things that we haven't had in the past," said Director of Education Jake Apollos. "That's what we're focusing on, getting those experiences, the exposure, to stimulate that passion in the next generation while encouraging the passion in our current generation."

The IMS Museum officially opens on April 2. Tickets start at $25. Admission is free for children younger than five.

For more information, visit imsmuseum.org.

Seasoned public affairs professionals are bolstering the PRI and SEMA Government Affairs team. Tierra Hubbard is joining PRI and SEMA as senior manager for state government affairs. Juan Mejia is joining PRI and SEMA as senior manager for federal government affairs. Both will be based in PRI's Washington, D.C., office.

About Tierra Hubbard: Established Advocate and Lobbyist

Hubbard will support SEMA's state-based advocacy for the eastern half of the United States. Prior to joining PRI, Hubbard established herself in Minnesota's advocacy circles, working on behalf of nonprofits, local governments and Fortune 500 companies, including in the automotive industry. She recently served as a lobbyist for respected public affairs firm Goff Public and coordinated competitive intelligence gathering for leading global law firm Gibson Dunn.

"It is with great excitement that we add Tierra Hubbard to PRI's Government Affairs team," said Christian Robinson, PRI's senior director for state government affairs. "Tierra brings a passion and energy to government relations that will amplify and elevate the issues that are important to our members and the nation's community of automotive enthusiasts. As we advocate on behalf of the specialty automotive aftermarket industry, Tierra's expertise in building strong relationships with lawmakers and helping them understand complex issues will be an asset."

In her new role, Hubbard will lead local engagement with state lawmakers in states east of the Mississippi River: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Hubbard will work to secure the enactment of laws and policies that support the automotive aftermarket industry's ability to bring innovative products to market, as well as support the issues that impact the nation's millions of automotive enthusiasts.

"I'm very excited to get started with PRI and support our members and automotive enthusiasts on the issues that impact their businesses and ways of life," said Hubbard. "The automotive aftermarket industry is a vibrant, colorful slice of the American experience, and I'm looking forward to helping our industry's small businesses operate on a level playing field where they can meet the needs of their customers: car enthusiasts. And for those car enthusiasts, I look forward to serving as a champion in statehouses across the nation of their way of life."

Hubbard, a native of Minnesota, holds a degree in political science and criminal justice from George Washington University.

About Juan Mejia: Public Affairs Portfolio Bolstered by Lobbying and Campaign Experience

Mejia will support PRI's advocacy efforts before Congress and executive branch agencies. Prior to joining PRI, Mejia developed a strong public affairs portfolio in Washington, D.C., both as a registered lobbyist and political campaign staffer. Mejia most recently served as a Washington, D.C.-based in-house lobbyist for the University of Arizona as director of federal relations. 

"I'm very excited to add Juan to the PRI team in Washington, D.C.," said Eric Snyder, PRI's senior director for federal government affairs. "Juan's broad experience working with lawmakers and regulators will provide great value to PRI's members in the automotive aftermarket industry, particularly as we navigate the new Congress and work with the Trump Administration. Juan excels in establishing important relationships on Capitol Hill that will be critical to ensuring our members have a seat at the table for the important issues affecting the aftermarket."

In his role with PRI, Mejia will provide a direct line of communication between lawmakers and regulatory agencies, their staff and PRI's members. Mejia also will support PRI's analysis of federal policy and execution of government relations strategy. 

"Cars captured my attention from an early age and spurred my interest in public policy – after all, you cannot tell the story of America without the automobile," said Mejia. "I am eager to work alongside a talented team and increase our federal advocacy footprint on behalf of our members."

Mejia is a native of Beaumont, Texas. He holds a degree in economics from Lamar University. 

SPAL Automotive USA, a provider of cooling solutions with U.S. operations based in Ankeny, Iowa, has appointed Tom Longo as North America aftermarket sales manager.

Longo brings more than 40 years of experience in the industry and will play a crucial role in driving SPAL's growth and innovation in the aftermarket sector, the company said.

In his new role, Longo will oversee aftermarket sales strategies, develop key partnerships and expand SPAL's presence in the North American market.

For more information, visit spalusa.com.

As the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrates its golden anniversary in April, president and all-around race evangelist Jim Michaelian discusses how this downtown Southern California race became one of the world’s premier street course events.

Fifty years ago, an unlikely new racing event took place in California. The Formula 5000 series raced around the streets of downtown Long Beach on a makeshift course. It was the first major sanctioned street race since a tragic accident in Watkins Glen, New York, that injured a dozen people and killed a child in 1952. However, with careful preparation, the first Long Beach Grand Prix caught the attention of FIA. In 1976, the event featured Formula 1 and was known as the United States Grand Prix West.

Formula 1 remained the feature race for eight years and was followed by several generations of Indy car racing, through CART, ChampCar, and now IndyCar. Today, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is among the top tier of racing events in America and a must-see event for hundreds of thousands of fans. Through the entire history of the event, Jim Michaelian has been a driving force in organizing, maintaining, and evangelizing the longest-standing professional street race in America. Michaelian has been involved since the first planning meetings in 1974 and today serves as president and CEO of the Grand Prix. At age 81, he’s still a pivotal force shaping American racing.

PRI: Tell us about your backstory. How did you get here?

Michaelian: I went to UCLA and majored in physics, but it was only because at the time we were in this intense race with Russia for dominance in science. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had zero interest in that field. Ultimately, I switched over to get my MBA. Then, I always had an interest in racing. I mean, as a kid, I bought a 1960 Chevrolet Impala and took it out to Lions Drag Strip two times, because that was about all I could afford to do at the time.

In 1974, a guy named Chris Pook who lived here in Long Beach was talking to the city about the possibility of bringing a major racing event to the downtown area...

To read the complete article for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the "PRI Magazine" mobile app or are logged into PRI Magazine/Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "Industry Insights: Jim Michaelian" here and more PRI Show coverage in the March/April 2025 issue here. 

For race tracks, safety training always warrants a green flag. Here are some of the latest training programs for emergency response teams.

A race track’s safety team might sit quietly in the background for most events. But when needed, there is no substitute for a highly trained crew responding to on-track chaos. These are, after all, life-and-death matters.

When done correctly, a safety crew’s response to a crash comes across like a well-oiled machine, with fires doused, drivers extracted, cars hauled off, and debris collected in minimal time.

That doesn’t happen by chance. A quality race track will have established safety procedures in place, with regular practice sessions scheduled for employees. Even then, “safety” is not one set of standards chiseled into stone. Technology advances, new racing series pop up, and lessons are learned, sometimes the hard way. Safety training is an ongoing process that is constantly evolving. 

Tom Weisenbach is the executive director of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) in Indianapolis, Indiana. The ICMS conducts a Race Track Safety Program in conjunction with the PRI Show, as well as an Annual Congress where the latest safety information is disseminated. “Every year we make this a little bit better. Our instructors do a little bit better; our equipment and props get a little bit better,” he said. “And guess what? Every time you take it, you learn a little something new.”

Hands-On Training

Fans in the stands might be surprised at how much goes into race track safety training. Between medical knowledge, mechanical savvy, and familiarity with each track’s eccentricities, a track safety team member has to be a jack-of-all-trades. Drilling down into the curriculum for the ICMS Race Track Safety Program shows just how deep the training can go...

To read the complete article for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the "PRI Magazine" mobile app or are logged into PRI Magazine/Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including "The Speed of Safety" here and more PRI Show coverage in the March/April 2025 issue here. 

An important deadline is approaching for 2025 PRI Show exhibitors. Friday, April 25, is the last chance for businesses to submit their applications and booth deposits to be included in PRI Show's priority booth space selection process. The exhibitor space rental agreement for the 2025 PRI Show, December 11-13, in downtown Indianapolis, is open online here.

Securing your booth space is the first step toward success at the PRI Show, which presents an unrivaled opportunity for racing industry professionals to drive sales, meet new clients and increase brand awareness.

"Beginnings of contracts happen at PRI, so that's why we really like the PRI Show and introducing new products here. The people that come here are serious about what they're going to do for next year," Dave Schardt, president of Forgeline, said to PRI News last year.

While space applications are accepted at any time leading up to the event in December, submitting an ESRA and deposit by Monday, April 25, will guarantee exhibitors will be included in the initial booth plotting process and the first release of the PRI Show floorplan.

Exhibiting at the PRI Show offers a myriad of benefits to your brand:

• Increase Your Brand Awareness: Whether you are an established brand or looking to break into the motorsports market, exhibiting at PRI is the best investment to advance your brand goals.
• Connect With Your Customers: See existing customers and connect with them on the Show floor. Determine their business needs and use this opportunity to strengthen relationships.
• Expand Your Sales Channels: Take your products to new markets, whether through retailers, distributors or other sales channels, expanding your brand's reach domestically and internationally.
• Introduce New Products: Ensure your latest and greatest products are seen by a large audience of potential customers at the PRI Show.

To reserve a booth at the 2025 PRI Show, visit here. For more information on why to exhibit, visit performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit.

NASCAR, the Daytona Beach, Florida-based sanctioning body, has appointed Steve Phelps as commissioner of NASCAR, the first to be named to the newly created position overseeing all aspects of the organization, including IMSA and the 15 NASCAR-owned or operated tracks.

Phelps will lead all functions of the sport with a specific focus on strategic growth and international expansion while continuing to work directly with NASCAR owners, Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy, the sanctioning body said, and will work across the NASCAR ecosystem to provide value to all stakeholders while increasing global fan engagement. Phelps joined NASCAR in 2005 and has served as the fifth president in the sport's 77-year history since taking the position in 2018.

Additionally, Steve O'Donnell, current NASCAR COO, will succeed Phelps in the role of NASCAR president. He will provide day-to-day leadership of all three NASCAR national series, and all NASCAR commercial, media and track operations, as well as its international series and multiple local and grassroots properties. Both changes are effective immediately.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Litens Aftermarket North America, a provider of belt drive products based in Dublin, Ohio, has promoted Matt Maltarich to director of operations.

In his new role, Maltarich will leverage his expertise across sales, engineering and operations to focus on implementing practices that streamline efficiencies for the North American aftermarket.

Maltarich joined Litens in 2014, beginning as an account manager on the OE side, where he worked with major OE clients such as Stellantis (formerly FCA) and General Motors. Since 2019, he has served as business development manager, helping drive the company's aftermarket growth.

For more information, visit litensaftermarket.com.

Manufacturing equipment distributor Premier Engineering LLC will begin operating out of the Mazak Florida Technical Center in Orlando, the companies announced, allowing Mazak to expand its sales and service support in Florida.

Premier Engineering has provided sales and service of Mazak CNC machines in Georgia since 1992. By operating out of the Mazak Florida Technical Center, Premier will expand its territory to include Florida, providing local customers with sales and technical support.

For more information, visit mazakusa.com.