Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR), the NTT INDYCAR SERIES team based in Speedway, Indiana, has named David O'Neill, former sporting director and team manager of Haas F1 Team, as JHR's new team principal. 

In the newly created role, O'Neill will partner with current team manager David Morgan to lead the team.

O'Neill joins JHR from Esses Racing, where he was managing partner and team principal. He also brings previous experience as a motorsports technical expert and operations consultant following his time with the Haas F1 Team.

"Having spent time getting to know the team over the last several weeks, it is clear that David O'Neill will bring innovative ideas not only to JHR as a team, but to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a whole," said Ricardo Juncos, founder and co-owner of Juncos Hollinger Racing. "We are thrilled to have him on the team and look forward to doing things a bit differently than any other team in the sport. The addition of his knowledge and expertise will help enable JHR as we prepare for some extraordinary initiatives throughout the 2024 season and beyond."

For more information, visit juncoshollinger.com.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has confirmed the launch of its new hybrid power unit for later this year.

Developed by INDYCAR, Chevrolet, and Honda, the hybrid unit will pair with the 2.2L, twin-turbocharged V6 engine used by the series and make its competitive debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the Honda Indy 200, July 5-7.

The hybrid system is made up of the low voltage (48V) Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS)--consisting of 20 ultracapacitors--both of which fit inside the bellhousing, located between the Chevrolet and Honda INDYCAR SERIES internal-combustion engine and the gearbox. During regeneration, acting on the clutch shaft, the MGU builds power to be stored in the ESS. The additional horsepower is deployed through the same motor generator on driver demand.

In competition, options for automatic regeneration via braking or throttle position and manual regeneration via selected steering wheel paddles and buttons will be available. Deployment of stored energy will only be available manually through a latching button, similar to the existing Push to Pass system, according to INDYCAR.

While available to use in addition to the traditional Push to Pass system on road and street circuits, the two systems will come with different rules. Push to Pass will still have a restriction on the amount of time per use and total time used throughout a race. Rules for the hybrid power unit will limit the amount of energy deployed per lap – based on track length. Used in combination on road and street circuits, the added boost will provide an additional 120 hp for a total of 800-plus horsepower. Additional horsepower is expected in the coming years as hybrid unit development evolves, the series said.

A full-field test of INDYCAR's power unit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11, at the Milwaukee Mile to allow teams to finalize implementation ahead of the July debut.

For more information, visit indycar.com. 

Ryan Stutzman is joining SEMA as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 22. Stutzman will be based at SEMA's headquarters in Diamond Bar, California. 

Stutzman replaces current Vice President and Chief Financial Officer George Afremow, who will retire in June after 12 years with the association.

Stutzman is a strategic and results-driven executive with over a decade of experience leading financial teams and enhancing company performance in both public and private sectors. His expertise spans a wide range of financial operations, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integration, which he has managed across various industries.

"In our search for a new CFO, we sought a leader not only with robust financial acumen but one with strong integrity, who is committed to protecting and furthering the cause of the automotive aftermarket industry," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. "We are delighted to have found a great fit in Ryan."

In his new role, Stutzman will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day finance, investment relations and accounting activities for the association, including PRI. Stutzman will also play a pivotal role in the selection and implementation of company-wide systems, which will enhance PRI's and SEMA's business relationship with its members.

Stutzman joins SEMA from Cherokee Chemical Co., Inc., where he significantly enhanced the company's financial performance and market position. He led the successful reorganization of the finance department and managed over a dozen strategic mergers and acquisitions, driving substantial growth and profitability. His initiatives in optimizing financial frameworks contributed decisively to Cherokee's industry leadership.

"I'm excited to join the association at such an important time for the automotive aftermarket," said Stutzman. "SEMA and PRI members are on the forefront of change and driving innovation, and I'm looking forward to supporting them as we shape the future of the industry."

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Stutzman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cedarville University and an MBA from Azusa Pacific University. Outside of work, Stutzman is passionately engaged with the great outdoors, frequently found road cycling, hiking or snowboarding. A dedicated coffee connoisseur, he has spent the past decade mastering the art of roasting and blending his own coffee, a testament to his meticulous attention to detail. Stutzman and his wife, Bethany, have two children.

TechForce Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to guiding students to careers as professional technicians, and SkillsUSA, an education and industry partnership program, have announced a new strategic collaboration.

Through the partnership, SkillsUSA will introduce TechForce Foundation’s career-building resources to its members, encouraging them to access the TechForce online career hub that helps students connect with year-round scholarships, events, apprenticeships, and jobs. Additionally, TechForce will educate its network of students and instructors about SkillsUSA membership, which offers opportunities for student leadership, professional development, enhanced curriculum, industry networking and partnerships, and real-world experiences that reinforce lessons learned in the classroom.

"This non-profit-to-non-profit collaboration showcases what can happen when two organizations work together for a common purpose," said TechForce Foundation CEO Jennifer Maher. "Both organizations are committed to the outcome of a skilled, passionate workforce, so ensuring our communications channels cross-pollinate ensures our students, and industry, win. With TechForce having over $4 million in scholarships to award this year alone, and SkillsUSA being active in nearly 5,000 schools and over 21,000 classrooms nationwide, it’s a natural alliance that supercharges results for the next generation of skilled technicians." 

For more information, visit techforce.org or skillsusa.org.

Full Pull Entertainment has revealed its 2024 summer streaming schedule. 

The 16-week, 32-session streaming schedule will include commentary, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with class winners, track-side insight, and pre- and post-pull analysis from National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) and Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling events.

For more information, visit fullpull.us, ntpa.com and outlawpulling.com.

See the full 2024 Full Pull Entertainment schedule below:

May/June  

• May 31-June 1: GALOT Mule City 300 -- Benson, NC 
• June 7-8: Farley Nationals -- Farley, IA
• June 14-15: Power Pull Nationals -- Hutchinson, MN
• June 20-22: Budweiser Dairyland Super Nationals -- Tomah, WI

July   

• July 12-13: Thunder in The Valley -- Rock Valley, IA 
• July 19-20: Lions Super Pull of the South -- Chapel Hill, TN
• July 26-27: Fort Recovery Grand Nationals -- Fort Recovery, OH

August  

• August 1-3: North Iowa Nationals -- Rockwell, IA
• August 10: Henry County Fair Grand Nationals -- Napoleon, OH 
• August 15-17: National Tractor Pulling Championships -- Bowling Green, OH 
• August 23: Friday Night Spectacular -- Wellington, OH 
• August 30-31: Charlie Swartz Memorial Truck & Tractor Pull -- Canton, OH 

September  

• September 5-7: Dekalb County Fair Grand Nationals -- Sandwich, IL 
• September 14: Enderle Memorial Pull-Off -- Urbana, OH
  
   

Image Courtesy of Sick the Magazine

Sick Week has been recognized as the Best Motorsports Race in the United States by USA Today readers.

Nominated by USA Today editors, the drag-and-drive event was voted the top event by the public. 

Sick Week is held annually in Florida and Georgia. More than 300 teams take street-legal cars to four drag strips across five days, handing in their best time on each day. 

For the full announcement, visit sickthemagazine.com.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, will receive the 10th annual International Motor Racing Research Center Cameron R. Argetsinger Award later this year.

Brown will receive the award, recognizing his contributions to help advance and improve motorsports, at a gala ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen, September 11-15, at Watkins Glen International. 

Previous recipients include Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, the France Family, Bobby Rahal, Lyn St. James, Mike Helton and Richard Childress.

The award memorializes Cameron R. Argetsinger, often referred to as the father of American road racing. In 1948, Argetsinger conceived, organized, and drove in the first post-war road race in America through the roads of Watkins Glen. He brought Formula 1 to Watkins Glen International in 1961 and the circuit hosted the United States Grand Prix for 20 years. He was president of the IMRRC for five years, until his death in 2008.

For more information, visit racingarchives.org.

Two Acura engineers recently competed in the 2024 Tire Rack One Lap of America behind the wheel of the Acura Integra Type S, the first time the high-performance model has participated in the eight-day cross-country road rally that covers 3,500-miles and includes timed events on nine racetracks across the Midwest.

The Acura entry was driven by Justyn Bobinski, a brake and vehicle dynamics test engineer at the Honda North American Automotive Development Center, and Nick Amato, who performs brake verification testing at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant.

The Acura race team is part of the Honda of America Racing Team (HART), which consists of Honda associates across North America. The HART program provides associates with motorsports experience, while also transferring vehicle performance learnings into the development and manufacturing of next-generation Honda and Acura products. The HART One Lap of America team is supporting the Victory Center, an Ohio-based organization that provides programs and services to cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Bobinski and Amato used One Lap of America to further test the performance, handling, and durability of the Acura Integra Type S under extreme conditions. The Type S variant featured a turbocharged 320hp 2.0L engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a dual-axis front suspension design, and 4-piston Brembo front brakes. For the competition, the only modifications from stock were a racing seat and roll cage for safety, CarboTech brake pads, Red Line Oil, and a custom "careers.honda.com" livery.

Additionally, Acura engineers Tyler Chambers and Chad Gilsinger piloted the 600hp "one-and-a-half" Acura NSX Type S in the event, towing the rear half of another NSX custom fabricated into a trailer, which carried spare tires, tools, and fluids. 

For more information, visit acura.com.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is accepting applications for its Women on Track scholarship program until May 31. 

SCCA Women on Track aims to expand participation of women in all facets of motorsports. The program will provide seven new scholarships to women later this year, in addition to seven previously announced awards. 

The organization is accepting applications for the four following scholarships: 

Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship: This scholarship will present two women track workers with $500 scholarships each to assist in their travel to the September 27-October 6, 2024, Runoffs at Road America. 

The RallyCross Nationals Scholarship: Two recipients will receive $500 each to assist in their travel expenses for attending the October 18-20, 2024, RallyCross National Championship in Hollytree, Alabama.

Time Trials Nationals Scholarship: One woman will receive $1,000 to put toward attending the 2024 Time Trials Nationals on October 24-27, 2024, at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

RoadRally Scholarship: This award will supply two women with $500 each to help with their costs associated with attending the November 8-10, 2024, United States RoadRally Challenge (USRRC) in Palmdale, California.

For more information or to apply for a scholarship, visit scca.com.

Kingdon Drags, located near Stockton, California, has joined the IHRA family of tracks. 

The facility will partner with Eagle Field Runway Drags and Mendota Raceway Park, other local IHRA tracks, to promote a shootout for their racers at the end of the season, the organization said. 

"This adds recognition to our track, and we're proud to fly the IHRA colors," Kingdon Drags Promoter Jeff Shirk said. "We know the IHRA has been looking to expand and we're happy to help in that area."

For more information, see the full announcement at ihra.com.