Lucas Oil Products has announced the appointment of Katie Lucas, the company’s vice president of Strategy and Philanthropy, to the position of chief administrative officer (CAO). In this role, she will be responsible for blending day-to-day operations with long-term strategic goals, plus providing oversight of company policies, procedures, campaigns, and growth initiatives.

As vice president of strategy and philanthropy, Lucas shaped company strategy and business development initiatives, adding long-term vision and insight to new and ongoing initiatives. She will further advance strategic planning as CAO to pursue growth and adapt to a changing automotive landscape. Together with the Lucas Oil executive team, she will lay the groundwork for an enduring corporate strategy and culture equipped for the next 20-plus years. 

Under Katie’s leadership, Lucas Oil has been recognized for philanthropic efforts supporting local and national non-profits. It was recently named Outstanding Corporation by the Inland Empire Association of Fundraising Professionals for its exceptional commitment to the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Loma Linda, California. 

Lucas was named one of Indiana Business Journal’s Forty under 40, recognized for her professional success and civic involvement in central Indiana. Her other non-profit affiliations include the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, Wheeler Mission, Grit & Grace Nation Foundation, EDGE Mentoring, and others. 

For more information, visit lucasoil.com.

Rich Runne, Jesel CEO

Jesel—the valvetrain parts manufacturer based in Lakewood, New Jersey—has announced after 42 years, Dan Jesel has transitioned from president and CEO to executive chairman.

Rich Runne, a 31-year company veteran, will assume controlling interest and the CEO position in partnership with Dan’s brother, Wayne Jesel.

“It was always my goal in life to be innovative and build the best possible products manufactured by the best possible people, and I think I have accomplished that in the past 42 years. I’m more than confident that Rich and the entire staff at Jesel will continue this trend,” said Dan Jesel. 

In addition, ownership of the “Equal 8” engine technology will transition to Equal 8 LLC with Wayne Jesel as CEO. Jason Line will lead operations, R&D, and production. The Equal 8 engine won the Masters of Motors competition at the 2018 PRI Trade Show and has been in R&D for over 10 years prior to its release.

For more information, visit jesel.com. 

SCCA’s Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC) has released proposed guidelines and rulesets for EVs and three EV racing classes. 

SCCA Area 4 Director Dayle Frame, who leads the currently 12-person EVAC team, said the three documents contain general guidelines for EV usage at all SCCA events, as well as rulesets for the development of an “E” Touring category of road racing cars and a Prototype category electrified vehicle class within SCCA Road Racing.

“None of these proposed rulesets have actually been OK’d yet by the Club Racing Board or SCCA Board of Directors,” Frame noted. “But we’re making these rule suggestions available now because we want input to properly assess where the SCCA membership wants to go as far as EVs are concerned.”

The EVAC is seeking feedback on the guidelines, which can be viewed on SCCA’s EVAC announcement here. 

For more information, visit scca.com.

Officials with the Dirt2Media NOW600 Micro Sprint National Championship presented by the Hi Plains Building Division have announced the 2023 schedule, which features 39 events at 16 different tracks in seven states across the central US. 

Kicking off the season on February 24–25, the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, Louisiana, will host its first-ever NOW600 event. The season opener will also serve as the series’ first national event in the state. 

Highlights include the $1,022.22-to-start Dirt2Media Deuces Wild Shootout at US 24 Speedway in Logansport, Indiana, on September 28–30, along with the $2,100-to-win and $300-to-start NOW600 Nationals at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, on November 3–4.

The National Championship wraps up on November 10–11 with the first-ever visit to Gulf Coast Speedway in Alvin, Texas. 

Events will be streamed live on now600.tv. For more information, visit now600series.com.

2023 Dirt2Media NOW600 Micro Sprint National Championship presented by Hi Plains Building Division Schedule of Events:
2/24: Ark-La-Tex Speedway - Vivian, LA
2/25: Ark-La-Tex Speedway - Vivian, LA
3/10: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (Restricted ONLY)
3/11: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (Restricted ONLY)
3/24: Grayson County Speedway - Bells, TX
3/25: Grayson County Speedway - Bells, TX
4/14: Dallas County Speedway - Urbana, MO
4/15: Dallas County Speedway - Urbana, MO
4/28: Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex - Sweet Springs, MO
4/29: Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex - Sweet Springs, MO
5/5: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK
5/6: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK
6/7: Caney Valley Speedway - Caney, KS (Sooner 600 Week)
6/8: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (Sooner 600 Week)
6/9: Red Dirt Raceway - Meeker, OK (Sooner 600 Week)
6/10: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (Sooner 600 Week)
6/23: Belleville High Banks - Belleville, KS
6/24: Belleville High Banks - Belleville, KS
7/6: Rush County Speedway - La Crosse, KS
7/7: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS
7/8: Dodge City Raceway Park - Dodge City, KS
7/11: Red Dirt Raceway - Meeker, OK (Restricted & Non-Wing ONLY)
7/12: Solomon Valley Raceway - Beloit, KS (Restricted & Non-Wing ONLY)
7/28: KAM Raceway - Hastings, NE
7/29: KAM Raceway - Hastings, NE
8/18: Jefferson County Speedway - Fairbury, NE
8/19: Jefferson County Speedway - Fairbury, NE
9/1: Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex - Sweet Springs, MO (Pete Frazier Memorial)
9/2: Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex - Sweet Springs, MO (Pete Frazier Memorial)
9/28: US 24 Speedway - Logansport, IN (Dirt2Media Deuces Wild Shootout)
9/29: US 24 Speedway - Logansport, IN (Dirt2Media Deuces Wild Shootout)
9/30: US 24 Speedway - Logansport, IN (Dirt2Media Deuces Wild Shootout)
10/19: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (KKM Giveback Classic)
10/20: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (KKM Giveback Classic)
10/21: Port City Raceway - Tulsa, OK (KKM Giveback Classic)
11/3: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (NOW600 Nationals)
11/4: Creek County Speedway - Sapulpa, OK (NOW600 Nationals)
10/10: Gulf Coast Speedway - Alvin, TX
11/11: Gulf Coast Speedway - Alvin, TX (Season Championship)

B2B relationships are evolving quickly, and most manufacturing businesses aren’t digitally equipped to keep pace with customer demands for an online wholesale shopping experience. 

Online ordering, drop shipping, and inventory updates are now expected by your wholesale customers. And when it comes to wholesale ordering, resellers prefer self-service over email or talking to sales representatives..  

A private and secure ordering portal is no longer a luxury for wholesale manufacturers. It’s the difference between a thriving business and a business that is burdened with inefficient processes and high overhead costs.

Do any of the following statements apply to your company?

1. Our Brand's varying wholesale programs live in post-it notes, spreadsheets, and experiential knowledge among our sales representatives, not in our ERP. How do we get from here to a seamless, self-service B2B portal?
2. Our ERP has limited pricing rules for products and customers. How do we ensure each user sees accurate pricing for every SKU?
3. All of our wholesale orders are manually entered into our system by our order entry clerks.

MidwayPlus solves all three of these problems and more... 

MidwayPlus connects Manufacturer’s product data, pricing tiers, build times, discounts, marketing, to Resellers with its customized technology for an all-encompassing wholesale shopping experience.

Its software solution leverages API integrations into your ERP to deliver a seamless, real-time buying experience for your customers. In addition, its online B2B portal operates without the restrictions of regions and time zones. It’s your 24/7 B2B online sales channel that uses industry-specific online tools to efficiently and accurately process orders without the manual entry.

Modernize your go-to-market strategy. Manage your price list, distribute your data, and automate your state sales tax compliance, all on MidwayPlus—the only B2B portal built for the racing and automotive aftermarket industries.

For more information, visit midwayplus.com. 

SPEED SPORT has partnered with the television network development group, Obsession Media, and a consortium of motorsports and television executives to launch the SPEED SPORT 1 television network. 

In addition, Dan Teitscheid—previously with MTV, ESPN, Disney, and MAVTV—has been named president and general manager of SPEED SPORT 1. Teitscheid is also the president of Distribution and Development for Obsession Media.

With plans to deliver over 400 live events and thousands of hours of the finest motorsports content from around the globe each year, SPEED SPORT 1 will debut in Spring 2023. It will be found across FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) and traditional linear platforms, presenting all variations of motorsports competition, news, information, behind-the-scenes action, lifestyle programming, and documentaries.

The development team—with backgrounds at ESPN, Speedvision, Speed Channel, FS1, NASCAR, MTV, Disney, and MAVTV—aims to develop a TV network dedicated to live motorsports and is designed for the world’s most passionate fans.

For more information, visit speedsport1.com and speedsport.com. 

TotalSim on the emerging democratization and unbeatable value of CFD technology for racing enthusiasts at all levels.

For the last 30 years, top-level motorsports teams have had sure access to the cutting-edge technologies of a given era. With ample budgets and armies of engineers, these high-fliers have taken advantage of new technology as it becomes available—whether it be full-scale wind tunnel testing, CAD, scale-model testing, or more recently, virtual wind tunnel testing using CFD.  

But motorsports has always ridden on a populist edge, the great joy of it being that there is a place—and a race—in it for everyone from the driveway hobbyist to the elite racing team. And as is the case with so much of the technology that we use today, what started as something only attainable by the upper echelons has now reached a scale of efficiency and affordability that can be accessed by gearheads up and down the chain.  

What Is CFD?

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is the use of applied mathematics, physics, and computational software to visualize how a gas or liquid flows as well as how the gas or liquid affects the object it flows past. In the most basic sense, CFD is essentially a digital wind tunnel that uses 3D computer modeling instead of (or prior to) physical modeling and testing. In the rapid-fire world of racing and motorsports, CFD has become an invaluable tool to drive product development, troubleshoot issues, study, and optimize new designs and concepts, and map performance. 

CFD is heavily used across many disciplines with motorsports being a leading proponent, thanks to the technology’s usefulness in quickly analyzing, optimizing, and ultimately getting a leg up on the competition.  

What Can CFD Do For You?

Data 

First and foremost, CFD gives you data, specifically aero data. But unlike the concrete data derived from a track run or full-scale wind tunnel test on a physical model, CFD data holds the promise of “what could be.” Digital modeling and simulation allow for the input of real-world variables or potential variables to create finely tuned maps of a vehicle that can be used to understand how the vehicle will perform under myriad scenarios and/or with various modifications.  

Optimization 

This repeatable, malleable data allows you to not only understand your car in an unprecedented way, but gives you the flexibility to then take what you have and optimize it. It does not always have to be about designing something new, or trying to design your way out of problems on the track. Sometimes optimizing what you have can move you to the front of the grid or up the grid substantially.  

The aero maps provided by CFD can help you understand the aerodynamic performance of your current car and make decisions about things like:  

• Improvements that can be made and what the tradeoffs may be 
• L/D curves for a specific track–increased performance and lower lap time 
• Trade off L/D–likely on per track basis: SC, RC, HDF Oval, Speedway 
• Ride height / Rear wing maps 
• Down Force 
• Drag 
• Center of Pressure 
• Internal Flow/Cooling 
• Thermal Performance 

What Extras Can CFD Do?

Flow visualization. You can see what is going on, cut through the fluid, color it, and look at the flow on the surface. And once again, optimization is a big plus. You can try many, many more things in the digital world that cost a lot less than building prototypes and going to the racetrack. The aero maps developed by CFD can cover a much larger range than on-track or wind tunnel testing.  

Then there are the things you cannot test for in the real world–especially in a full-scale wind tunnel. For example, the high yaw angles of certain vehicles are impossible to test in a wind tunnel, but easy enough using CFD. CFD can also run models to test the effects of traffic and interaction between cars, as well as curved flow. 

How Can TotalSim Help You?

Our CFD tools help you understand and visualize performance data that may have only been previously available in a wind tunnel, or was otherwise too cost-prohibitive to physically test and iterate. Many of our clients now go directly from CFD to track testing, removing the need for expensive wind tunnel testing. 

From large-scale projects for performance racing teams; to engagements with small teams and driven hobbyists; to reverse engineering and DIY training/support (and everything in between), TotalSim’s automated workflows, accurate data, and repeatable results bring top-level technology to all levels of racing.  

Our Experience

Our decades of experience in applying digital engineering and CFD to the world of motorsports (and beyond) enable TotalSim to service projects of all sizes with the accuracy, efficiency, and creativity that is born of deep expertise and genuine passion. 

TotalSim has designed and developed race cars in nearly all racing categories. Our applied expertise spans from Formula 1 cars to Le Mans prototypes. We have led numerous development programs from conceptual design to full production road and race cars.  

Ray Leto, President, brings more than 30 years of experience in race engineering, aerodynamics, simulation and management, and tens of thousands of hours of wind tunnel and track testing to TotalSim. He is particularly well-versed in the integration of computer modeling and simulation with physical testing and design, having pioneered much of this approach during his long tenure with Champ Car/IndyCar throughout the 1990s-2000s.  

Naethan Eagles, Technical Director, offers clients a rare combination of advanced modeling skills and practical experience. Prior to joining TotalSim, Naethan’s 25 years of experience included launching the CFD Department for the BMW-Williams F1 Team, as well as holding aerodynamics R&D roles at Advantage-CFD and Rolls-Royce. 

Find out how TotalSim can help you understand your vehicle’s aerodynamics to improve performance and move up the grid.  

614.255.7426 | info@totalsim.com | www.totalsim.com  

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced several new and renewed track sanctioning body agreements. 

• Albuquerque Dragway—the 1/4-mile drag strip—has entered an agreement for the 2023 racing season. The track was IHRA-sanctioned in the 1980s and early 1990s, and returns for IHRA’s Sportsman program. 
• Amarillo Dragway—the 1/4-mile drag strip in Amarillo, Texas—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Atmore Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Atmore, Alabama—has entered an agreement for the 2023 racing season. The track, known for its bracket, street, no prep, and grudge racing, was purchased in June by Joey Barber.
• Beacon Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Paducah, Kentucky—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Centerville Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Centerville, Arkansas—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Crossville Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Crossville, Tennessee—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Dragway 42 has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023. The 1/4-mile drag strip in West Salem, Ohio, has been home to major IHRA events, including the IHRA Division 3 (North Stars) Summit Team Finals.
• Humboldt County Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Humboldt, Iowa—has entered an agreement for the 2023 racing season. The popular track opened in 1963 and has been known by different names, like Iowa Dragway, Western Dragway, and North Iowa Dragway.
• Jeffers Motorsports Park—the 1/8-mile all-concrete drag strip in Sikeston, Missouri—has entered an agreement for the 2023 racing season. 
• Knoxville Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Maynardville, Tennessee—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023. Wes Clapp purchased the track in December 2021. 
• Motor Mile Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Radford, Virginia—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023. The facility also includes Motor Mile Speedway, the .410-mile NASCAR-sanctioned oval.
• Pageland Dragway—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Pageland, South Carolina, known for Pro Mod racing—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Paris Dragstrip—the 1/8-mile drag strip in Paris, Texas—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• Thunder Valley Dragways—the 1/4-mile asphalt track in Marion, South Dakota—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
• London Dragway—a drag strip with races on both the 1/8- and 1/4-mile in London, Kentucky—has renewed its sanctioning agreement for 2023.
   

In August, it was announced that World championship car builder Larry Jeffers had taken over ownership of the IHRA from IRG Sports + Entertainment.

For more information, visit ihra.com.

Officials with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series have announced the 2023 schedule.

“The Greatest Show on Dirt” will feature 87 nights of racing at 36 different venues across 19 states.

For the 19th consecutive season, the World of Outlaws season will begin in the Sunshine State with three days at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida) for the DIRTcar Nationals (Feb. 9–11) with an expanded $20,000-to-win, $1,500-to-start finale. Then, the cross-country campaign will take the Series to 19 different states before concluding in North Carolina for the championship-crowning World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte in North Carolina (Nov. 1–4).

“Every year, we continue to build the best schedule we can for drivers and fans across the country,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “I’m excited for the journey we’ve put together, which includes the biggest races in Sprint Car racing, our new Spring Swing through Pennsylvania, the thrill of combining the World of Outlaws and ‘Bike Week’ and so much more.”

The entire season will be streamed live on DIRTVision. 

For more information, visit worldofoutlaws.com.
 

FULL 2023 SCHEDULE

Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 9-11 - Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL)
Sunday-Monday, March 5-6 - Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, FL)
Friday-Saturday, March 10-11 - Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
Friday, March 17 - Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Saturday, March 18 - Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA)
Friday, March 24 - Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL)
Saturday, March 25 - Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS)
Friday, March 31-Saturday, April 1 - Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX)
Friday, April 7 - US-36 Raceway (Osborn, MO)
Saturday, April 8 - 81 Speedway (Park City, KS)
Friday-Saturday, April 14-15 - Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, MO)
Friday-Saturday, April 21-22 - Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Friday, April 28 - Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL)
Saturday, April 29 - Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN)
Friday-Saturday, May 5-6 - Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Wednesday, May 10 - Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA)
Friday-Saturday, May 12-13 - Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Friday, May 19 - Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
Saturday, May 20 - Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH)
Friday-Saturday, May 26-27 - Atomic Speedway (Chillicothe, OH)
Monday, May 29 - Lawrenceburg Speedway (Lawrenceburg, IN)
Friday, June 2 - River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND)
Saturday, June 3 - Ogilvie Raceway (Ogilvie, MN)
Friday-Saturday, June 9-10 - Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Friday-Saturday, June 16-17 - Beaver Dam Raceway (Beaver Dam, WI)
Wednesday-Saturday, June 21-24 - Huset’s Speedway (Brandon, SD)
Friday, June 30-Saturday, July 1 - Cedar Lake Speedway (New Richmond, WI)
Friday, July 7 - 34 Raceway (West Burlington, IA)
Saturday, July 8 - Wilmot Raceway (Wilmot, WI)
Tuesday, July 11 - Attica Raceway Park (Attica, OH)
Friday-Saturday, July 14-15 - Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Wednesday, July 19 - BAPS Motor Speedway (York Haven, PA)
Friday-Saturday, July 21-22 - Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Saturday-Sunday, July 29-30 - Weedsport Speedway (Weedsport, NY)
Friday-Saturday, August 4-5 - Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (Pevely, MO)
Wednesday-Saturday, August 9-12 - Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Thursday-Saturday, August 17-19 - Jackson Motorplex (Jackson, MN)
Friday, August 25 - River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND)
Saturday, August 26 - Red River Valley Speedway (West Fargo, ND)
Thursday, August 31-Saturday, September 2 - Skagit Speedway (Alger, WA)
Monday, September 4 - Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA)
Thursday-Saturday, September 7-9 - Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA)
Friday, September 15 - Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA)
Saturday, September 16 - Placerville Speedway (Placerville, CA)
Friday, September 22 - Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Saturday, September 23 - Sharon Speedway (Hartford, OH)
Friday-Saturday, September 29-30 - Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Friday-Saturday, October 6-7 - Port Royal Speedway (Port Royal, PA)
Friday, October 13 - 81 Speedway (Park City, KS)
Saturday, October 14 - Lakeside Speedway (Kansas City, KS)
Friday-Saturday, October 20-21 - TBA
Wednesday-Saturday, November 1-4 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Concord, NC)