Edsel B. Ford will be honored as a Bob Russo Heritage Award winner at the 2024 Induction Celebration for the Motorsport Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) for his contributions to the sport.

An influential figure in Ford Motor Company's motorsports history, Ford has held numerous positions within the company since joining in 1974.  

Named in recognition of the longtime motorsports journalist and historian, the award is presented only by the recommendation of the MSHFA Board of Directors.

"I am honored to be considered for the Bob Russo Heritage Award by the Motorsport Hall of Fame of America," said Ford. "Outside of my family, the sport of motor racing has been one of the great passions of my life and to be honored by the MSHFA in this way is humbling. I have said many times that the sport produces such amazing people and personalities, and it’s been my honor to have been around so many of the people who have been inducted into this Hall of Fame, and, better yet, to consider so many of them my friends."

For more information, visit mshf.com.
 

The TechForce Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the technician workforce, has appointed Jennifer Bergeron as its first chief growth officer. Additionally, Matt Hartford, Bill Willetts and Dave Smith have joined its Board of Directors.

Bergeron brings over 20 years of experience in technical education and organizational management to TechForce and spent 13 years as the campus president of NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Hartford is the president and CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings, and first joined Total Seal Piston Rings as Lead Engineer in 1998. Hartford also started a drag racing career in 1988 and currently races in the NHRA PRO STOCK category.

Willetts, vice-president of Snap-on Industrial, has spent his career with the company since first joining as a sales rep in 1994. He also served as chairman of the Board of NC SkillsUSA from 2010 through 2022.

Smith, principal at DGS Group, also joins the board, and previously served as senior vice president, Supply Chain Strategy at Caliber Collision.

For more information, visit techforce.org.
 

Racing & Performance Holdings (R&P Holdings) has announced the appointment of Mark Finnie, a seasoned automotive industry veteran, as its new CEO. R&P Holdings is a Taglich Private Equity portfolio business, and its brands include Vortech Superchargers, RaceTec Pistons, PROCAR Custom Seating, Air Flow Research and SCAT Crankshafts.

Finnie held various leadership positions within the automotive industry with notable roles, including the founder of Forge-Tec Wheels; vice president of WELD Racing; president and CEO of Pertronix; and division president for both Vance & Hines and Performance Machine.

"We look to further enhancing SCAT, AFR, Vortech Superchargers, RaceTec Pistons and PROCAR Seating leading positions in the market by leveraging the company's engineering expertise, coupled with our team's automotive aftermarket experience and network," said Finnie.

For more information, visit airflowresearch.com.

POWERtube TV, the automotive TV streaming network, is steering into 2024 with a roadmap that promises innovation, excitement and thrilling opportunities for automotive enthusiasts.

Content Development Program Unleashes Creativity

POWERtube TV is gearing up to revolutionize its content landscape with the introduction of the Content Development Program. Eager to tap into fresh and diverse perspectives, the network is actively seeking content creators of Shows, Shorts, and Podcasts to contribute to new racing, off-road, car culture, and build content. Prospective partners are invited to booth No. 7178 during the upcoming PRI Show for personalized discussions about potential collaborations. This program extends its reach across POWERtube TV's existing platforms, including the online streaming network, Roku, and mobile apps, and branches out to new streaming partners in 2024 – Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.

Muddy Adventures Await: Promotional Sweepstakes with Grave Digger Creator Dennis Anderson

In a thrilling collaboration with Dennis Anderson, the mastermind behind the iconic Grave Digger Monster Truck, POWERtube TV is launching a Free promotional sweepstakes that promises an adrenaline-pumping adventure. The lucky winner will enjoy a unique experience at Dennis’s Muddy Motorsports Park, featuring mud truck racing, a delectable dinner at Diggers Diner, an immersive museum tour, a family monster truck ride, and an exclusive wild ride in the "King Sling" monster truck. 

"Ride to Stardom" Contest: Your Vehicle, Your Spotlight

Next year will witness the debut of the "Ride to Stardom" contest, offering individuals the chance to showcase their extraordinary rides on the POWERtube TV network. Participants are encouraged to submit a captivating 10-plus minute video highlighting the unique features and stories behind their vehicles. Exceptional quality and storytelling prowess will be duly rewarded, with weekly episodes airing during the coveted Friday Driveline Block. Social media engagement and online polling will determine the weekly champions, leading to a national elimination special featuring the top 10 contestants. The ultimate winner will not only take home a prestigious Automotive Product Prize pack but will also secure a permanent spot in POWERtube TV's daily show lineup, ensuring their ride enjoys broad visibility across TV streaming platforms and mobile apps.

Information can be found at watchpowertubetv.com or by reaching out to contact@watchpowertubetv.com. POWERtube TV is gearing up for a year of high-octane thrills, inviting enthusiasts to buckle up for an exhilarating ride into 2024.

Be sure to visit the Boss One Media LLC/POWERtube TV Booth No. 7178 at the PRI Show next week!

The American Late Model Series has merged with the Iron-Man Late Model Series and will rebrand as the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series.

The series will compete under DIRTcar Late Model technical and tire rules, series officials said, and feature races in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

Chris Tilley will manage day-to-day operations of the series.

A 2024 schedule is currently under development.

For more information, visit imdirt.net.

The 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge America schedule is finalized for 2024.

Sanctioned by the SRO Motorsports Group, the 2024 campaign will launch in April at Sonoma Raceway in California and conclude in October at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Barber Motorsports Park, located in Leeds, Alabama, returns to the schedule for the first time since 2016, and will host the series is September. 

To view the full 2024 schedule, visit the Fanatec GT World Challenge America website.

The Skip Barber Racing School has entered into a multi-year partnership with MOMO Motorsport.

As part of the agreement, MOMO Motorsport will supply bespoke wheels for the Skip Barber Racing School's fleet of Mustang GTs, the school said.

Additionally, the two organizations will collaborate on co-branded promotions and apparel, and Skip Barber Racing School will become the Official Racing School of MOMO Motorsport.

For more information, visit skipbarber.com or momo.com.

Toyota has revealed its new NASCAR Cup Series Camry XSE race car that will debut during the 2024 season. The Camry XSE follows the Toyota Camry TRD Next Gen, which won 18 races and 25 poles during the last two seasons.

Designed as a collaboration between Toyota, Toyota Racing Development and Calty Design, the body styling characteristics were crafted to replicate the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE as closely as possible, the manufacturer said.

"The 2024 Camry XSE race car will properly highlight Toyota's attention to detail as has been showcased in the new street version Toyota Camry. We are excited to bring this car to the race track and continue to achieve success with it for years to come," said Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports, Toyota Motor North America. "The amount of work put into this car's production cannot be overstated, and we thank everyone at TRD and Calty Design for their efforts in creating a premier vehicle for our team partners to compete for wins and championships."

Eight Toyota Camry XSEs will compete on track during the 2024 season.

For more information, visit the Toyota Racing website.

The 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) will feature a record-breaking 14 manufacturers across its Hypercar and LMGT3 classes.

Manufacturers competing in WEC next year include Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota.

The LMGT3 class replaces the LMGTE class that has been on the WEC grid since 2012, the series said, and is based on the FIA's existing GT3 technical platform.

Next year's WEC schedule also expands to eight rounds with the addition of races in Brazil, Qatar and Italy, and a return to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

For more information, visit fiawec.com.

Speedway Motorsports has named Graham Smith, formerly the vice president of Business Operations for U.S. Legend Cars International, as vice president of OEM Partnerships.

In the new role, Smith will be responsible for strengthening company relationships, cultivating partnerships and establishing new corporate events with OEMs, the company said.

Under direction from Speedway Motorsports Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer Kevin Camper, Smith will work with corporate sales and track operations staff at the company's 11 facilities across the United States.

"My time at U.S. Legends has not only reignited my passion for grassroots racing, but has given me lifelong friendships for which I am truly grateful," said Smith. "Our motorsports venues are best-in-class and we have a wealth of history and experience across our company for creating memorable events. I'm thrilled to now have the opportunity to invest my time and energy into our OEM business through even more meaningful relationships, partnerships and creative uses of our facilities."

For more information, visit speedwaymotorsports.com.