Purdue University has announced a full-season partnership with the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) to introduce its new urban campus in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The announcement follows the approval to dissolve Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and, in 2024, the launch of Purdue University in Indianapolis. The new campus is a fully integrated extension of its flagship campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. 

As part of the announcement and partnership, Purdue's iconic "Boilermaker" gold and black will adorn the race car shared by Indiana racing legends Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.

"Having Helio and Tony share the same car for the entire season with a new sponsor in Purdue University in Indianapolis is a huge win for Purdue, SRX, its fans and ESPN," SRX president Don Hawk said.

For more information, visit the Purdue announcement.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum (IMS Museum) has announced an $89 million capital campaign to fund a complete transformation of the Museum, its first significant renovation in nearly 40 years.

Called "The Stories Behind the Spectacle," the campaign will feature new exhibits and experiences to bring to life a global destination that provides interactive, immersive and diverse Indianapolis 500 storytelling and educational experiences that guests of all ages can enjoy, officials stated.

When completed, the re-imagined IMS Museum will feature:

• Seven permanent and three rotating galleries.
• The opportunity to get up close to some of the world's most unique and valuable racing artifacts on a behind-the-scenes tour.
• The sensation of being in an IndyCar in a racing simulator.
• Learning to use the tools and equipment of the racing trade, competing in a "pit stop competition."

IMS Museum members will also have access to new after-hours and backstage events, domestic and international excursions and trips and other unique experiences.

A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and a separate entity from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IMS Museum is responsible for its own fundraising and revenue generation. Since the capital campaign's launch in early 2023, the IMS Museum has already achieved 51% of its $89 million goal, with $46 million committed. 

This includes lead donations of $10 million from Mary and Randy Rogers and $5 million from the Dyson Foundation, in addition to a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment, a private philanthropic foundation.

For the complete details, visit the IMS Museum announcement.

Officials with SCORE International have announced the 2024 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule. This is the earliest the season schedule has been announced in the series' 51-year history.

Mexico's Baja California peninsula will again host the official four-race schedule. The newest event on the schedule is the SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels, which will be held September 11-15.

• King Shocks 37th SCORE San Felipe 250, presented by Baja Vida
  • March 20-24, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
• BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 500
  • May 29-June 2, TBA, Baja California, Mexico
• 5th SCORE Baja 400, presented by VP Racing Fuels
  • September 11-15, TBA, Baja California, Mexico
• BFGoodrich Tires 57th SCORE Baja 1000
  • November 12-17, TBA, Baja California, Mexico

The 2023 SCORE World Desert Championship will continue on September 13-18 for the SCORE Baja 400, followed by the season closer on November 13-18 for the BFGoodrich Tires 56th SCORE Baja 1000.

For complete details, visit the SCORE International website. 

The Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour has announced motorsports industry veteran Kip Childress as the series' executive director. In this role, the well-known Childress will work alongside CARS Tour Series Director Jack McNelly in overseeing operations and track events.

Childress is a third-generation official who has spent the past 14 years with NASCAR in various roles in its regional touring series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and most recently, the NASCAR Cup Series as the assistant director. During that time, and in years prior, Childress developed professional relationships with the CARS Tour ownership group of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Justin Marks.

"I can't thank Dale, Jeff, Kevin and Justin enough for this opportunity," said Childress. "Jack and the entire CARS Tour staff have done an outstanding job growing the series, and I can't wait to jump right in to help keep the momentum going. The future of the CARS Tour is extremely bright."

For more information, visit the announcement here or visit carsracingtour.com.

K&N Engineering has announced the appointment of Craig Scanlon as the company's new CEO, effective immediately. He replaces outgoing CEO Randy Bays.

"Over the past 15 months, Bays has played a vital role in driving the business's growth efforts and positioning it for future success. The K&N team expresses its deepest appreciation and will continue to benefit from Bays' insight as he transitions to a board role," said a company rep in a release.

As the new CEO of K&N Engineering, Scanlon will help implement transformational growth strategies, foster high-performance teams with a strong culture of accountability, and showcase exceptional business acumen encompassing sales leadership, brands, operations, R&D and financial management.

Scanlon spent eighteen years at Polaris, where he played a pivotal role in building multi-billion-dollar businesses, including the Polaris RZR and Polaris Ranger brands. His general management roles in both the off-road and on-road divisions, as well as his tenure as the chief marketing officer, are said to have contributed significantly to the growth of Polaris.

In addition, Scanlon spent four years as CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts (4 Wheel Parts), where he spearheaded the successful turnaround and eventual sale of the company, a release stated.

For more information, visit knfilters.com.

Join SEMA and PRI Political Action Committees (PACs) on Sunday, August 13, for an unforgettable day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) as we gather in a private suite to witness the heart-pounding action of the NASCAR Verizon 200 at the Brickyard.

What role does a PAC have within SEMA and PRI? U.S. law restricts trade associations like SEMA and PRI from funding elections, but our voices still need to be heard. A PAC allows association members to pool resources to support the lawmakers and candidates who stand up for the racing and aftermarket industry and protect individual freedoms such as vehicle purchase choice, off-road access and the right to race.

Tickets for the August 13 race include suite and garage access, full catering and an open bar. Are you interested in attending or have questions? Contact PAC Manager Alicia Steger at alicias@sema.org or 202-796-2252 for more information. Attendance is limited and requires a purchase to attend--RSVP today!

The United Championship Racing Alliance (UCRA)--the dirt late model racing series with events throughout Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama--has announced Dustin Golden as its new series race director for the 604/Crate Late Model tour.

Golden has experience managing on-track racing action, both behind the wheel and in the scoring tower, primarily at Boyd's Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia. Beginning with the Saturday, July 8 event at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia, Golden will take up pre-race, coordination, flag-to-flag coverage and post-race scoring reviews. 

For more information, visit ucraracing.com.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has announced the opening of two new exhibitions, "1956" and "Our Collection, Your Favorites," presented by Shell. The exhibitions are now open and showcase collection highlights through two unique storytelling designs.

The "1956" exhibit celebrates the origin of the IMS Museum and features the first 13 vehicles, including the Marmon Wasp and Indian Motorcycle. The "Our Collection, Your Favorites," presented by Shell exhibit, puts the guest in the role of the curator. Collection items featured in this exhibition include over 30 diecast cars, vintage games and racing suits.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit imsmuseum.org.

Trailers of the East Coast--the provider of race transporter parts and service in North Carolina--has announced an official partnership and support facility with Evolve Transporters. The collaboration will introduce unparalleled services and a new line of cutting-edge race car transporters.

The partnership will enable Trailers of the East Coast to offer professional race teams a dedicated product line of transporters designed and manufactured by Evolve Transporters. Nine new transporters will be available for delivery beginning in early 2024.

In addition, as an Evolve Transporter support facility, Trailers of the East Coast will provide parts and service for previous generations of High Tech Performance Transporters initially built in the Painesville, Ohio facility, as well as parts, service and warranty support for current Evolve Transporter models.

For more information, visit trailersoftheeastcoast.com and evolvetransporters.com.

SRO Motorsports America has announced its 2024 calendar at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO Stephane Ratel outlined the global SRO schedule, with the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS featuring seven events across the U.S., with four additional series accompanying the headlining act. GT America powered by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America, TC America powered by Skip Barber, and the Toyota GR Cup North America join the fun for action-packed weekends.

Sonoma Raceway once again plays host to the official season opener. Two rounds of racing will liven the rolling hills of wine country in the Sonoma Valley on April 5-7. The second stop of the championship heads back to the Big Easy, with NOLA Motorsports Park returning to the calendar on April 26-28.

The Circuit of The Americas plays host to sports car racing once more on May 17-19. Virginia International Raceway (VIR) will lead into the Summer break, returning on June 14-16.

Following summer GT America powered by AWS heads back to Music City for a street battle in Nashville on August 2-4. Road America will bring together all SRO America championships at the National Park of Speed on August 16-18. The penultimate round is to be announced but will take place on September 6-8.

The 2024 season will end at the crown jewel of American race tracks, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) for the Indianapolis 8 Hours presented by AWS on October 5 and the final rounds of racing for all SRO America series, October 4-6.

In addition, an SRO America-organized Winter Test event will take place on February 28-29.

For more information, visit sro-motorsports.com.

2024 SRO Motorsports America Calendar

• February 28-29/ SRO Winter Test/ Location TBA
• April 5-7/Sonoma Raceway/ Sonoma, CA
• April 26-28/ NOLA Motorsports Park/ New Orleans, LA
• May 17-19/ Circuit of The Americas/ Austin, TX
• June 14-16/ Virginia International Raceway/ Alton, VA
• August 2-4/ Music City Grand Prix, Nashville, TN
• August 16-18/ Road America/ Elkhart Lake, WI
• September 6-8/ To Be Announced
• October 4-6/ Indianapolis Motor Speedway/ Indianapolis, IN