More details have been revealed about the recent sale of NASCAR’s Auto Club Speedway—the 2-mile, low-banked D-shaped oval superspeedway near Fontana, California. It was previously reported that NASCAR had sold 433 acres of the 522-acre site. 

Now, officials are stating the famed track was purchased for an estimated $559 million by Hillwood Development, owned by real estate mogul Ross Perot Jr. He plans to build a 6.6 million sq. ft. logistics hub called “Speedway Commerce Center,” according to the published reports. 

Plans still currently involve NASCAR building a new short track on the remaining acreage, better suited for the Next Gen cars, according to the new reports. 

Photo of Dallas Jones courtesy of Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame

Dallas Jones, the longtime owner of Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has passed away. He was 82.

“Dallas lived a life most would dream of, full of experiences and a loving family. He impacted many lives and was loved by so many. He will be greatly missed,” said a track official in an announcement. 

Jones became the owner of the iconic drag racing facility with his wife Alfreda after purchasing it in 1984. The pair later purchased an amusement park and campgrounds on the adjoining property. Today, the 1/4-mile strip regularly hosts NHRA, NMCA, NMRA, Outlaw Street Car Association (OSCA), and more drag racing events.  

Jones was inducted into the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2015. 

For more information on Jones’ life or to pay tribute, visit the Dallas Jones Legacy webpage here.  

Officials with the Legends Nitro Funny Cars series have announced its schedule will feature nine events in 2023. Teams campaign Funny Cars fueled by Nitromethane with body styles from the 1960s and 1970s, ranging up to 1982 and older. 

Legends Nitro Funny Cars points will be allocated during six NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series events and at three NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events before a champion will be crowned at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 26–29. 

“We’re excited to expose the popularity of these cars to the bigger crowds,” said co-organizer and participant Bill Windham. “We had a great response to the showcase in Las Vegas last year and want to keep growing the series. These cars really seem to resonate with drag racing fans.”

For more information, visit legendsnitrofunnycars.com. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to americanracingagency@gmail.com.

2023 Legends Nitro Funny Car Schedule

March 2-5/ March Meet/ Bakersfield, Calif.

March 30-April 2/ Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals/ Pomona, Calif.

April 28-30/ Ignitor Nitro Opener/ Boise, Idaho

June 9-11/ NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals/ Bristol, Tenn.

June 16-18/ NHRA Hot Rod Reunion/ Bowling Green, Ky.

Aug. 3-6/ Nightfire Nationals/ Boise, Idaho

Aug. 15-16/ Nitro Nationals/ Tulsa, Okla.

Aug. 13-15/ California Hot Rod Reunion/ Bakersfield, Calif.

Aug. 26-29/ NHRA Nevada Nationals/ Las Vegas, Nev.

Öhlins Racing—the racing suspension supplier based in Stockholm, Sweden, with a USA branch in Hendersonville, North Carolina—has joined the NASCAR Competition Partner program, the company announced. Öhlins, which first started developing components for NASCAR in 1994, is currently the exclusive supplier of shock absorbers for the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen car platform. 

“This marks an important milestone for our legacy in racing, and we are excited for the opportunity to showcase the revolutionary technologies we have developed for the Next Gen cars,” said Henrik Johansson, managing director of Öhlins Racing. 

Since the start of the 2022 season, all Cup Series teams have been running the “highly advanced” five-way adjustable version of the Öhlins TTR coilover damper featured in IndyCar and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Cup Series TTR damper, developed and tested by Öhlins engineers and NASCAR representatives, is designed to help teams quickly dial in precise damping characteristics to achieve maximum performance on various track conditions. 

The Competition Partner program is an extension of NASCAR’s Next Gen Supplier program. It allows companies to promote their affiliation with the NASCAR organization and the products they supply for the Next Gen Car to fans, customers, and the motorsports industry at large.

For more information, visit ohlins.com.

South Boston Speedway—the 4/10-mile asphalt oval in South Boston, Virginia—has confirmed the owners are exploring options to sell the venue. 

“The Mattioli family is determined to only sell the speedway to another great steward, who vows to keep the rich history and tradition of first-class short track racing alive in Halifax County. During this time of exploration, the speedway operations will remain unchanged with a continued commitment to the teams and fans of showcasing the best short track racing in the county,” said a track rep. “The Mattioli family has had the honor and privilege of caring for South Boston Speedway for nearly 25 years. During that time, SoBo has transformed into one of the most prestigious, competitive, and beautiful short tracks in America.”

For more information, visit southbostonspeedway.com.

Finish Line Consultants and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) officials have announced a new points system will be introduced for the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports during the 2023 season. 

The new points system will incorporate a playoff-style competition similar to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship—part of an initiative to showcase Pro Mods more prominently in the NHRA. 

“The class will enjoy its biggest platform in 2023, and we’re thrilled to have this new format to introduce new fans to all the talented drivers in this great class,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA vice president and chief development officer.

The first of 10 overall events will feature a points-and-a-half format for the standout competitors in the Pro Mod ranks, meaning the race winner will earn 150 points. Following the sixth event in Norwalk, the top 10 drivers in the points standings—along with those who meet the minimum qualifying requirements at all six regular-season races—will compete in the Road to the Championship over the final four NHRA Pro Mod events of the year in Brainerd, Indy, St. Louis, and the finale at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 26–29.

Those final four races will determine the 2023 world champion in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports, with a points-and-a-half format also in place in Las Vegas.

Along with the Road to the Championship format, additional qualifying points after each round and for overall qualifying will be available at the regular-season finale in Norwalk and the last race of the season in Las Vegas.

For the complete details, visit the NHRA announcement here. For more information, visit nhra.com.
 

FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports schedule

March 9–12: 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville

April 28–30: 13th annual Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte

May 19–21: 23rd annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago

June 2–4: 10th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping

June 9–11: 22nd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol

June 22–25: 17th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk
 

Road To The Championship Schedule

Aug. 17–20: 41st annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd

Aug. 30–Sept. 4: 69th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis.

Sept. 29–Oct. 1: 12th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis

Oct. 26–29: 23rd annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas

PRI congratulates U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on being named the Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Sen. Mullin is a longtime advocate for racing and motorsports parts businesses. He is a former competitive rock crawler and an automotive enthusiast with a vehicle collection that includes a 1967 Shelby Cobra, a 1972 Chevy C-10, and a 2021 Shelby GT 500. 

Sen. Mullin joins Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and U.S. Reps. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) as the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, which features 14 senators and 45 House members. PRI thanks former U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), who served as the Co-Chair of the Caucus from 2010 until he retired earlier this year. 

“As a lifelong enthusiast, I am very proud to join Sen. Jon Tester in co-chairing the Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus,” said Sen. Mullin. “Together, we’re pushing back against bureaucratic red tape and overregulation that aims to phase out the entire industry—one that serves as a centerpiece in the lives of millions of Americans.” 

Formed in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, the bipartisan Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus pays tribute to the automotive performance and motorsports industry, which is an economic driver in communities across the country. By raising the industry’s profile on Capitol Hill and in the eyes of the public, the PRI- and SEMA-supported honorary caucus recognizes the critical roles racing and vehicle modification play in the lives of millions of Americans. 

“Sen. Mullin is an incredible advocate for automotive enthusiasts, racers, and over a million men and women who work in the specialty automotive aftermarket,” said PRI and SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola. “PRI and SEMA thank Sen. Mullin for his leadership on legislation to protect aftermarket businesses and the millions of enthusiasts who make the industry possible. We look forward to working with him and the other co-chairs in the new Congress to protect the right to modify and repair vehicles, race, and maintain motorized access to public lands.” 

Sen. Mullin ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012 in response to government overreach that threatened his business. During his five terms in the House, he advocated for simplifying regulations on small businesses and helped to lead the fight to provide certainty to racers and motorsports parts businesses surrounding the conversion of street vehicles into race cars. He was also the lead sponsor of a 2015 law, the “Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act,” which benefited small automotive businesses that manufacture Classic replicas. 

For more information, visit Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus webpage here.  

Officials with NASCAR have announced plans to debut new aerodynamic rules designed to enhance NASCAR Cup Series racing at short ovals and road courses.

The new rules will help reduce downforce by up to 30%, according to NASCAR’s Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, who said the downforce levels are reminiscent of those in the mid-1990s. 

The main change will be the move to a two-inch rear spoiler (reduced from the current four-inch) and under-car tweaks, like the removal of three diffuser strakes and engine panel strakes and a trimmed diffuser outer fencing. 

All road courses, and most short tracks, will utilize the new rules in 2023. This includes Charlotte Roval, Chicago Street Course, Circuit of The Americas, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Martinsville, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Phoenix, Richmond, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen.

The new rules package will debut on Sunday, March 12, during the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. 

For the complete details, visit the NASCAR announcement here. 

In keeping with the company’s commitment to elevating dedicated and effective leaders from within, officials with Concord, North Carolina-based Speedway Motorsports have announced the promotion of five industry veterans.

Daniel Bandoly has been elevated to the vice president of sales operations for Speedway Motorsports. He will oversee technology platforms to drive business and productivity, and assist the company’s sales leaders in growing revenues across Speedway Motorsports’ 11 venues.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see Daniel’s growth and development over the years since starting as an intern,” said Kevin Camper, Speedway Motorsports executive vice president and chief sales officer. 

In addition, Nick Skrabalak has been promoted to vice president of consumer sales. He will be responsible for providing executive leadership and direction of the company’s consumer sales efforts for admissions, camping, hospitality, parking, and value-added inventory across all venues. Skrabalak is a 13-year ticket sales veteran at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, North Carolina).

Jason Christofferson has been promoted to vice president of consumer operations, where he will provide executive leadership and direction of the company’s consumer operations efforts across all properties. Prior, he was a longtime vice president of Ticket System Operations at Charlotte. 

Landon Owen has been promoted to vice president of consumer sales for Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, Tennessee) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Loudon, New Hampshire). Before, Owen served as senior director of Ticket Sales and Service for Bristol.

Finally, Kacy Harmon has been promoted to vice president of consumer sales for Nashville Superspeedway (Lebanon, Tennessee) and Dover Motor Speedway (Dover, Delaware). She previously joined the company in January 2022 as senior director of ticket sales for both speedways. 

For more information, visit speedwaymotorsports.com.

Photo courtesy of Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) 

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) and PNC Bank have selected the class for the second year of their women-only internship program. 

The Women In Motorsports Powered by PNC Bank with Chip Ganassi Racing was launched to help drive awareness and support gender equality and economic inclusion for women in the workforce. The program aims to provide more women with opportunities in traditionally male-dominated careers in motorsports. 

The two-month internship begins May 30, and interns will travel with the team to select races during the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season. The following three women were selected:

• Hailey Hein; Northern Arizona University; Mechanics

• Nicole Goodman; Indiana University; IT

• Raegen Moody; Auburn University; Engineering

The trio will receive fully-funded internships providing valuable exposure to the professional motorsports industry. In addition, they will receive hands-on experience and mentorship, operating alongside team leaders that have led the organization to 21 championships over its 33-year history. 

CGR also announced plans to hire one of its 2022 interns, Rebecca Hutton, as a full-time engineer upon graduating from college. CGR and PNC Bank plan to open the 2024 application window on September 1.

For more information, visit chipganassiracing.com.