Lucas Oil Products—the Corona, California-based manufacturer of automotive aftermarket lubrication product lines—has announced three additions to its leadership team: the hiring of Jason Bonikowske as general counsel and the promotions of Nicole York to vice president of Finance and Megan Burakiewicz to vice president of Human Resources.

Prior to VP, Bonikowske spent 16 years at CSM Sport and Entertainment (formerly JMI), where he oversaw legal operations, developed internal governance policies, advised executives on risk mitigation, and routinely negotiated high-quality sport and entertainment agreements.

York, meanwhile, was recognized by the Indiana CPA Society with the Emerging Leader Award in 2021. In her new role, she will supervise activities including tax preparation, gathering and analyzing financial data, and preparing financial reports.

Building on her previous role as the director of People Operations, Burakiewicz will continue to “foster a flourishing company culture and growth opportunities” as VP of Human Resources, the company stated. 

“Megan is a team builder. She takes pride in collaboration and blends people and processes to find the perfect mix that supports company values and goals,” said Lucas Oil  Chief Administrative Officer Katie Lucas. 

For more information, visit lucasoil.com.

Chevrolet has debuted the new Corvette Z06 GT3.R race car, a year before it makes its competition debut at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Corvette Z06 GT3.R is Chevrolet’s first race car that fully meets FIA technical regulations for GT3 cars.

The design and development of the mid-engine Z06 GT3.R is a collaboration between GM’s Competition Motorsports Engineering division and Pratt Miller Engineering. 

“The Corvette Z06 GT3.R breaks new ground for Chevrolet and the Corvette Racing program,” said Mark Stielow, director of GM Motorsports Engineering Competition. “This customer-focused race car leverages learnings from throughout Corvette Racing’s lengthy and successful history, plus the expertise of our Corvette production design, engineering and powertrain teams.”

The Z06 GT3.R—which will be eligible for multiple championships in North America and around the world—will race for the first time as part of the GT Daytona (GTD) PRO category at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona to open next year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

For more information, visit chevrolet.com/motorsports/corvette-racing/gt3.

Jason Ott, center, accepts the RRDC Mark Donohue Award from Calvin Stewart, left, and Eric Prill. Photo by Wes Duenkel.

The Daytona Beach, Florida-based Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) has presented driver Jason Ott with the Mark Donohue Award during the annual RRDC members’ dinner on January 25, prior to the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season opener of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Selected by members of the RRDC each year since 1971, the award recognizes the driver exhibiting the most outstanding performance at the annual Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs “in terms of personal spirit and skill behind the wheel.” The honor is named after Mark Donohue, the former SCCA champion and president of the RRDC, following his passing in 1975.

Making his 20th appearance at the SCCA Runoffs (September 24–October 2, 2022) at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, Ott earned his first-career Runoffs pole position to lead the Touring 3 class field that included five past SCCA National Champions to the green flag.

“To win this award is a huge honor and one that was not expected,” said Ott. “To be mentioned in the same breath as a man who accomplished so much in racing is humbling.”

For more information, visit rrdc.org.

Dayco has announced Craig Frohock as the new CEO of Dayco Aftermarket and Belts. Reporting directly to the board of Dayco, Frohock is responsible for the business unit’s global operational performance and strategic direction.

Frohock has held senior leadership roles with Tenneco for the past six years, most recently as group vice president and general manager of the company’s OE Ride Control business. Prior to that, he was group vice president and general manager of the Integrated Supply Chain operations within its global aftermarket business. Frohock also has been group vice president and general manager of the company’s aftermarket Chassis business and the Sealing, Engine, and Underhood services business.

Prior to Tenneco, he spent 19 years with commercial aftermarket supplier Meritor, including time leading its aftermarket business.

“I am incredibly excited to join Dayco, a company with a rich history, a great brand, and a strong market presence,” said Frohock. “I’m truly humbled by the opportunity to lead such a capable team as the company enters its next chapter.”

For more information, visit dayco.com.

The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) has unveiled its Class of 2023, who will be honored at MSHFA’s milestone 35th annual induction ceremony presented by Toyota Racing at the Shores Resort & Spa on Tuesday, March 7. 

This year’s honorees include “the Father of the Corvette and Corvette racing” Zora Arkus-Duntov (Sports Cars), national champion driver and trailblazing USAC official Henry Banks (Historic), one of America’s most successful enduro riders, Dick Burleson (Motorcycles), air racing superstar Art Chester (Aviation), one of NASCAR’s most innovative crew chiefs, Ray Evernham (Stock Cars), early NASCAR fan favorite Fonty Flock (Historic), one of the NHRA’s 50 Greatest All-Time Drivers, Darrell Gwynn (Drag Racing), prolific landspeed record-setter Ab Jenkins (Speed Records) and two men who revolutionized race track emergency services, Drs. Stephen Olvey and Terry Trammell (Open Wheel).

The MSHFA Induction Ceremony presented by Toyota Racing will be preceded by the traditional “Heroes of Horsepower” presented by Firestone reception and strolling dinner at the MSHFA Museum on the grounds of Daytona International Speedway on Monday, March 6.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit mshf.com or call (248)895-1704.

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series has announced its Winner Circle program will expand from the top 12 teams to the top 15 teams following the success of the opening weekend at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida). 

The Winner Circle program will now pay $2,500 a month to each of the top 15 fulltime drivers from February to November. This means that a contracted team that runs the entire season and maintains a top 15 points position can earn up to $25,000. 

“The support we’ve had to start the season is incredible,” said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. “That’s why we’re expanding this program to make sure as many teams can make it up and down the road as possible during the grind of the season.”

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models continues its 2023 season during the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia on February 16–18. 

For more information, visit worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels.

PLZ Corp—the North American-based specialty aerosol and liquid product manufacturer and parent company of specialty lubricants manufacturer Champion Brands—has announced the appointment of Brett Finley as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Finley, who begins his position on February 15, brings over 25 years of specialty manufacturing industry leadership experience. He will focus on leveraging R&D resources and product breadth.

Finley joins PLZ from Fortune Brands, a home and security products company, where he served as president of Outdoors & Security. He oversaw growth initiatives and managed a business segment with 7,800 employees across five business units. 

For more information, visit plzcorp.com or championbrands.com.
 

A new simulator racing challenge has launched in an effort to find top female racing talent. The iRacing Screen To Speed will see women from all over the world compete for a spot in a finale, which will feature 20 women battling to win $15,000, a track day test with the Kelly Moss Race team, and a Next Level Racing simulator.

“Sim racing is the only esport that can lead directly into its traditional sport counterpart. We will demonstrate how we can find hidden talent and inspire women to become who they want to be, no matter where they come from,” a company release said. “Any woman that has ever dreamt of being part of the ultra-exclusive, male-dominated motorsports world [is able to enter].” 

Online registration is open for applicants, who will play on the Screen to Speed time attack sessions on iRacing in an effort to secure a top 15 spot now between February 12. In addition, five influencers will be voted on and selected by the public. The 20 women will then compete on simulators at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4 in conjunction with the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. 

For more information, including how to register to race, visit screentospeed.com.

Photo of the 2022 West Virginia Motorsports Day courtesy of US Motorsports Association

West Virginia lawmakers have introduced the PRI-supported Motorsport Responsibility Act (H.B. 2569/S.B. 236), which is designed to help motorsports facility operators and owners by defining areas of responsibility and assumed risks by participants.

Motorsports venues and recreational areas are major contributors to the West Virginia economy. Clearly defining the obligations and responsibilities—for both participants and race tracks—will make the state more enticing for racers, promoters, and future facilities. 

H.B. 2569 is currently pending in House Judiciary Committee, and S.B. 236 in Senate Judiciary Committee. Your voice needs to be heard: click here to contact lawmakers in support of the Motorsport Responsibility Act. 

For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org. 

Motorsports pros Rick Jones, Kevin Lawrence, Dave River, and Jeff Wick have announced the rebirth of the Midwest Pro Stock Association (MPSA), a drag racing series formed by Jim Wick in the late 1980s. The series folded following the passing of Wick in 2002. 

“A group of us were together at the World Series of Drag Racing at Cordova—which itself is an end-of-the-season match race—and we thought it would be a good deal to bring back match racing year-round like they used to. So I called [Jim’s son] Jeff Wick to see if we could use the MPSA name. He was on board and even wanted to help and compete, too,” Lawrence said to PRI. “Jeff will compete in the Matchmaker car they haven’t run since Jim’s passing.” 

“Our main goal is to put on a good show for the fans and let people relive match racing as it used to be,” Lawrence continued. “Match racing is not as, let’s say, politically correct or sterile as other racing. It’s all about ‘let’s settle it on the track; the first guy to the finish line wins.’” 

The series will visit five cities across eight race dates beginning in June.

2023 Midwest Pro Stock Association schedule (subject to change)

• June 10/ Central Illinois Dragway/ Havana, Illinois/ Spring Nostalgia Drags 
• June 16–17/ Cordova Dragway/ Cordova, Illinois/ Summer Nationals
• July 8/ Eddyville Raceway Park/ Eddyville, Iowa/ Night of Fire
• July 29/ Cordova Dragway/ Cordova, Illinois/ Door Wars
• August 19/ US 41 Dragstrip/ Morocco, Indiana
• August 25–26/ Cordova, Illinois/ World Series of Drag Racing
• September 9/ Central Illinois Dragway/ Havana, Illinois/ Fall Nostalgia Drags
• September 23/ Bunker Hill Dragstrip/ Bunker Hill, Indiana 

For more information, visit the series’ Facebook page at facebook.com/MidwestProStockAssociation.