In a groundbreaking partnership for open-wheel sim racing, PRI has been announced as the title sponsor for the 2025 running of the Hoosier 500. In addition to its role as title sponsor, PRI's digital channels will become the streaming home of next year's race, to be held on December 14, 2025. 

The PRI Hoosier 500 is a sim race contested at the virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the iRacing platform, the world's premier motorsports racing simulation. By providing the most authentic "500" experience, it strives to be the crown jewel special event for open-wheel racers on the iRacing platform. 

"Today's announcement formally finalizes a monumental partnership for the Hoosier 500 and open-wheel sim racing," said Tanner Watkins, president and co-owner of the Hoosier 500. "We are incredibly excited to partner with a pillar in the motorsports world, PRI. Through strategic growth opportunities, this union is designed to elevate the Hoosier 500 as a special event in the sim racing community. A special thanks goes out to our friends at PRI for seeing the potential in our event and its impact on sim racing, the state of Indiana, and our community in Indianapolis." 

"Tanner and I set a goal to make this event bigger and better. The best way we knew to do that was to surround ourselves with people in the Indianapolis community who have the same passion for the Indianapolis 500 and motorsports as Tanner and I possess," said Ryan Schuld, co-owner and chief development officer of the Hoosier 500. 

"This does that. PRI calls home just a block from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and this partnership will take this event to new heights in 2025 and beyond. We could not be more excited to welcome PRI to the event." 

Since its inception in 1986, PRI has served as the motorsports industry's key source for trends, merchandising ideas, new products, business strategies and more. Through the world's premier auto racing trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a dedicated membership program, PRI provides the motorsports industry with ongoing legislative advocacy, market research and access to the latest trends and technology. 

As the official broadcast partner of the 2025 Hoosier 500, PRI will stream next year's race live on the organization's Facebook and YouTube channels, in addition to lead-in coverage for qualifications weekend. The race is scheduled to be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025. 

Those interested in partnership opportunities with the 2025 PRI Hoosier 500 can contact Ryan Schuld at ryan@thehoosier500.com. All funds generated via partnerships for the PRI Hoosier 500 are utilized to cover event expenses and racer payouts. 

Sim racers interested in learning more about competing in next year's event can subscribe to our competitor communications list by clicking here. Further information about the 2025 event schedule will be announced Monday, January 6, with additional competition rules and regulations to be released closer to the race registration period opening next year. 

Mastercam, the Tolland, Connecticut-based provider of CAM/CAD solutions, has announced Russ Bukowski as interim president, effective December 16.

"With more than 20 years of expertise in strategy, Bukowski is well-equipped to guide Mastercam through this transition," the company said in a statement announcing the leadership transition. "His deep understanding of creating effective strategies and delivering exceptional customer experiences will be instrumental in advancing Mastercam's goals of accelerated growth and innovation."

For more information, visit mastercam.com.

Sumitomo Rubber North America, the Rancho Cucamonga, California-based parent company of Falken Tires, has promoted Wayne Horne to national sales manager.

Horne has been with SRNA since 2016, holding nine different positions throughout his tenure, mostly recently serving as strategic account manager.

"Wayne continues to demonstrate his ability to build strong relationships with customers and provide results," said Darren Thomas, SRNA's CEO and president. "He has proven to be highly adaptable in this evolving industry and remains a key member of our Passenger and Light Truck business. I'm confident he will continue to succeed in his new role, and we are proud to witness his growth within SRNA."

For more information, visit falkentire.com.

California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) last week finalized updates to its PRI and SEMA-opposed October 2023 amendments to Proposition 65, a California law that requires warning labels on products containing chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

Because these changes will have a significant impact on the automotive aftermarket industry, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and out-of-state companies selling products in California, SEMA and PRI will host a webinar early in 2025 to help businesses navigate these updates. Stay tuned for forthcoming details on the webinar.  

Key Updates on Prop 65's Changes: 

• Extended Implementation Period: Businesses now have three years (instead of two) to implement the revised short-form warning content.  
• Inclusion of Chemical Name: Warnings must include at least one chemical. This is a significant change from the current regulations, which allow businesses to use a generic short-form warning that does not identify any specific chemicals. 
• Options for Warnings: Companies may choose from "WARNING," "CA WARNING," or "CALIFORNIA WARNING" to help identify warnings as state-specific, especially for products sold outside California. Required elements include the yellow warning triangle, the specific risk (e.g., "cancer risk") and a link to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. 
• Label and Font Size: The short-form warning can appear on any label size as long as the text is at least 6-point font and "conspicuous" compared to other label content.  
• Internet and Catalog Warnings: OEHHA reverted to the original regulation text, removing the requirement for warnings when the product is delivered. OEHHA plans to revisit internet warning requirements in future rulemaking. 
• Internet Retailer Grace Period: After receiving a notice or warning during the three-year transition period, online retailers have 60 days to update their short-form warnings. 

For more information, contact Christian Robinson, PRI's senior director for state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org. 

A late-breaking legal development is reinstating the December 31, 2024, deadline for small businesses to file a report with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) on their beneficial ownership information (BOI). BOI reports are a requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a 2021 federal law that is intended to enhance transparency in entity structures and ownership to combat money laundering, tax fraud and other illicit activities. 

Small businesses can be exempted from filing a report with FinCEN if they meet the following three criteria: 

• Employ more than 20 employees
• Operate a physical office in the United States
• Filed federal tax returns demonstrating more than $5 million in gross receipts or sales. 

Additional information on which companies must file BOI reports with FINCEN are outlined below. If your business is required to submit a report, click here to file a BOI report with FINCEN. 

On December 23, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the December 31, 2024, deadline for BOI filings. Previously, a federal district court in Texas issued an order granting a nationwide preliminary injunction, putting the FinCEN's BOI Reporting Rulemaking on hold. However, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) appealed the decision, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted DOJ's request to stay (i.e., stop) the preliminary injunction that was pausing the CTA's implementation.  

Beneficial Ownership Rule Filing Requirements 

The CTA defines a "beneficial owner" as an individual who, directly or indirectly, exercises substantial control over the reporting company or owns or controls at least 25% of the ownership interests of the reporting company. An individual exercises "substantial control" over an entity if the individual: 

• Serves as a senior officer 
• Has authority over the appointment or removal of a senior officer or a majority of the board of directors 
• Directs, determines or has substantial influence over important business decisions 

Beneficial ownership information reporting is not an annual requirement. Businesses only must file a report with FinCEN once, unless the filer needs to update or correct information about their company's beneficial ownership. Generally, reporting companies must provide four pieces of information about each beneficial owner: 

• Name 
• Date of birth 
• Address 
• The identifying number and issuer from either a non-expired U.S. driver's license, a non-expired U.S. passport or a non-expired identification document issued by a State (including a U.S. territory or possession), local government or Native American tribe. If none of those documents exist, a non-expired foreign passport can be used. An image of the document must also be submitted. 

Companies must also submit certain information about themselves, such as their name(s) and address. In addition, reporting companies created on or after January 1, 2024, must submit information about the individuals who formed the company ("company applicants"). 

Filers can also view informational videos and webinars, find answers to frequently asked questions, connect to the contact center and learn more about how to report at www.fincen.gov/boi. Also, SEMA member companies can listen to a webinar on the BOI reporting requirements. There is no charge for SEMA members, as the association is a member of the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC), which hosted the webinar. 

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, SEMA's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org. 

Registration is now open for the Racing Promotion Monthly's (RPM) RPM @ Daytona Workshops.

Scheduled for February 10-11, at the Shores Resort in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, the workshops will be headlined by presentations from several prominent figures in the motorsports industry, including Jeff Hachmann, executive director of events for World Racing Group, and Jeff Streigle, the general manager of Berlin Raceway near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Additionally, RPM will host a preview of its workshop, called the "Taste of RPM," at the Crate Racin' USA banquet on January 10, 2025, at Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge and Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The preview will cover technical inspection, streaming, an introduction to RPM and other general topics, along with an open roundtable for track discussion.

To register for the RPM @ Daytona Workshops, click here.

For more information, visit promotersnewsletter.com.

Speedway Children's Charities (SCC), the philanthropic arm of Speedway Motorsports, has announced it has given $4,088,951 to nonprofits across the country in 2024, including $170,650 raised through efforts of North Wilkesboro Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway to support children impacted by Hurricane Helene.

In 2024, SCC distributed grants to 426 organizations that collectively serve more than 363,000 children in need across the country. SCC's funding supports organizations that provide essential resources like education and medical care to food assistance and human-trafficking awareness and prevention.

SCC raises funds year-round through a variety of creative and engaging events hosted at 11 Speedway Motorsports facilities around the country, including charity galas, golf tournaments, ride-along experiences, 50/50 raffles and more. These events unite communities while providing support for crucial causes and opportunities for children across the nation.

For more information on Speedway Children's Charities or to learn how to volunteer or donate, visit speedwaycharities.org.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen has passed away. He was 89.

Lorenzen made his NASCAR debut in 1956, winning 26 times in his career, and became the first driver in NASCAR history to earn more than $100,000 in a single season in 1963, according to NASCAR. Among those victories were the 1965 Daytona 500 and two victories in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The native of Elmhurst, Illinois, also won 12 times in the USAC Stock Car division, claiming two championships in 1958 and 1959.

For more on Lorenzen's Hall-of-Fame career, visit nascar.com.

This year's PRI Show exhibitors submitted hundreds of products to the Featured Product Showcase, an annual Show feature where buyers and media discover the latest products in racing and motorsports.

Ranging from 3D printers to full suspension kits, the Featured Product Showcase includes products from all categories of racing and motorsports with applications spanning multiple disciplines. Every year, a panel of judges—consisting of media members, track operators, sanctioning body officials and more—selects the top products that appear in the Showcase. Each judge selects their top product, which is recognized as a Judges' Pick, while the top vote-getters across the entire panel received 2024 Featured Product Awards.

Click here to browse all products submitted to the 2024 Featured Product Showcase and see the full list of winners below:

2024 Featured Product Showcase Award Winners

• Longacre Dual Air Fuel Ratio Gauge - AFCO
   
• Pie Cuts with Spigot - BOOST Products
   
• Quick Tap Kits - BOOST Products
   
• 200M Street Edition Twin Disc Clutch Kits - Competition Clutch
   
• HotCoat 100kV Powder Coating System - Eastwood
   
• Turbochargers Feelings and Emotions Books - EAT SLEEP RACE
   
• FT200/FT-RD/FT-AIO - Flagtronics by Ballenger Motorsports
   
• TA3C (Three Piece Forged Wheel) - Forgeline Motorsports
   
• Carbon+Forged Dodge Demon Track Pack - Forgeline Motorsports
   
• Quick Service Surge Tank 2.0 - FUELAB
   
• GZERO Additive 43 Series 3D Printer - GZERO Additive
   
• Nemesis X - Hoosier Racing Tire
   
• 150.00 PSI Digital Memory Air Pressure Gauge - Intercomp
   
• Ford Godzilla Swap Kit - Late Model Engines
   
• Zero EV FIA 8865 System - Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems
   
• 1982-1992 GM F-Body Suspension Kit - QA1
   
• Ti4L Transmission Interface Kit - Haltech - Race Winning Brands
   
• uC-10 Reversing Camera Kit - Haltech - Race Winning Brands
   
• Modular MoTeC Wiring Harness - S&S Diesel Motorsport
   
• TR6060 Forward Relocation Short-Throw Shifter - Sikky Manufacturing
   
• ATLAS Electronic Boost Controller (Superchargers) - The Tuning School
   
• Ultra Low-Profile Billet 1,500-hp Air-to-Water Intercooler - Tick Performance
   
• V Series Ford 5.0L Coyote Billet Aluminum Valve Covers with Coil Covers - Top Street Performance
   
• 1982-2002 GM F-Body Rear Spline Sway Bar - UMI Performance
   
• PIAA 130 Cornering Lamp - Valeo Service North America

2024 Featured Product Showcase Judges Picks

• IMSA GTP/WEC Hypercar Brake System - Brembo - Joe Legan, SRO Motorsports Group
   
• FT200/FT-RD/FT-AIO - Flagtronics by Ballenger Motorsports - Kip Childress, CARS Tour
   
• Wireless Portable Vehicle Lifts - Freedom Vehicle Lifts - KJ Jones, HOT ROD
   
• Two-Piece Powerglide Case - FTI Performance - Scott Parker, POWER Automotive Media
   
• G5 Voodoo Neo 4 and 6 - Link Engine Management - Guillermo Moeller, Performance Customs
   
• F-1R-103 Supercharger - ProCharger Superchargers - Craig Cook, Drag Illustrated
   
• uC-10 Reversing Camera Kit - Haltech - Race Winning Brands- Joe Balash, NASCAR Europe
   
• 20-0664 Saddle Tank Fuel Cell Conversion Kit - Radium Engineering - Mike Kojima, MotoIQ
   
• Mighty Tiny 25-Amp, 12/16-Volt Charger - Total Power - Joe Skotnicki, Race of Champions

Click here to browse all products submitted to the 2024 Featured Product Showcase at the PRI Show.

SEMA and PRI have decried a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve California's request for the Clean Air Act waiver the state needs to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, a significant blow for our nation's ability to develop groundbreaking solutions for reducing carbon emissions. SEMA and PRI contend that, by allowing California to overstep its constitutional and state statutory authority, the federal government is a coconspirator in the state's regulatory land grab to advance deeply unpopular policies that the American people have summarily rejected. 

SEMA and PRI, which champion a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity, will continue efforts to preserve Americans' rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry's ability to design, manufacture and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge. 

SEMA and PRI now call upon President-elect Donald Trump to work quickly and efficiently to reverse this stunning misstep at the federal level. 

"Siding with California on these waiver requests is the ultimate bad-faith gesture by President Joe Biden, particularly after our nation's voters last month backed the presidential candidate who promised a 'Day 1' halt to federal EV mandates," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "It's high time that the government stop capitulating to the whims of a single activist state; this is the United States of America, not the United States of California.

"And shame on the EPA. Instead of putting its faith in our nation's innovators to develop multiple, groundbreaking solutions to halt carbon emissions, the EPA continues to tilt the playing field in favor of a single technology, the products of which are unsuitable for many Americans. SEMA and PRI will continue to fight back against any effort--whether by California or by radical activist policymakers at the federal level--to force vehicle mandates on the American people and deny the automotive aftermarket of its unparalleled ability to deliver cleaner, safer vehicles through innovation and American ingenuity--particularly through alternative-fuel innovations, replacing older engine technologies with newer, cleaner versions, and converting older internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to new electric- or hydrogen-powered vehicles. SEMA will exhaust every option to ensure a technology-neutral approach that rewards innovation, ingenuity and practicality." 

SEMA and PRI are not anti-EV organizations; rather, the organization is steadfast in its belief that a technology-neutral approach is the best way to achieve lower vehicle emissions. By declaring one technology as the preferred solution of government, California will kneecap other potential solutions, regardless of their promise to deliver the results the state seeks. Those at the forefront of American innovation, in tandem with the free market, are owed the opportunity to provide meaningful contributions to efforts to eliminate carbon emissions. 

SEMA and PRI will continue to pursue their lawsuit against California and its Air Resource Board, filed jointly with NTEA--The Work Truck Association in the U.S. District Court's Eastern District of California, seeking immediate declaratory and injunctive relief to stop electric-vehicle mandates CARB intends to implement through its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations. The organizations contend that CARB's actions far exceed California's constitutional and state statutory authority and will have a dire effect on an industry that historically has led the way toward cleaner, safer vehicles through innovation and American ingenuity.