The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has announced more details for the NHRA Summit Racing Series’ new Street Legal electric vehicle (EV) class for the 2022 season. 

The Street Legal EV category in the NHRA Summit Racing Series is reserved for foreign and domestic OEM production electric vehicle automobiles and trucks. All vehicles must be street driven and must be able to pass all state highway safety requirements and retain all OEM safety features. 

“The NHRA Summit Series is the grassroots foundation of NHRA’s Sportsman programs, and we are thrilled to give EV racers a chance to compete in their own class in the series, from the member track level to joining us in Las Vegas for the inaugural EV national championship,” NHRA Sportsman Racing Manager Sara Walker said. 

Division winners in the Street Legal EV class will join other championship hopefuls from the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Motorcycle categories across NHRA member tracks across North America. More than $140,000 will be paid to 40 competitors attending the finals, plus contingency. 

2022 NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals Schedule 

• Division 1 – Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa., Sept. 22-24 
• Division 2 – South Georgia Motorsports Park, Valdosta, Ga., Oct. 7-9 
• Division 3 – Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Sept. 16-18 
• Division 4 – Ardmore Dragway, Ardmore, Okla., Sept. 16-17 
• Division 5 – Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka, Kan., Sept. 16-17 
• Division 6 – Firebird Raceway, Boise, Idaho, Sept. 2-4 
• Division 7 – The Strip at Las Vegas Motorsport Speedway, Las Vegas, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 

For more information, including the class rules, visit nhra.com/nhra-summit-racing-series/street-legal-ev-summary. 

AutoGas Services (AGS) swapped the No. 27 RCR SB2 358ci engine with a liquid propane injection (LPI) fuel system, an alternative fuel for motorsports and more industries.  

AutoGas Services (AGS), the provider of liquid propane injection (LPI) fuel systems based in Markesan, Wisconsin, has secured a new record as the fastest liquid propane injected vehicle. AGS co-owners John “JohnnyO” Omundson and Tom Chier made their attempts at the East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) Spring Fling event at the Arkansas Mile in Blytheville, Arkansas.  

“As far as we know, we’re the first one in the world to design a direct injection liquid propane system from scratch for the latest 2019-2022 GM direct injection engine families,” Omundson said.  

Omundson piloted a No. 27 RCR Menards Chevrolet race car converted from an SB2 358ci engine to a liquid propane injection (LPI) fuel system, which clocked 146.675 mph at the 1/2-mile marker. Chier piloted an LPI-swapped Chevrolet Silverado to secure 99.978 mph at the 1/2-mile marker. Both LPI-swapped vehicles were built and tuned by Omundson and Chier with help from Wegner Automotive and West Bend Dyno.  

“Propane isn’t just for barbecues anymore,” Omundson said, who noted the fuel is also widely used in forklifts and Zamboni ice resurfacing machines. “We formed AGS to show liquid propane is an efficient fuel that can be used across the board. [The No. 27 was previously recorded] at 201.9 mph on pump gas, and although we only reached about 150 mph on our first attempt, I think we’ll easily get to 200 mph next time.”  

One of the benefits of running propane is its lower cost: around $1.80 to $2 per gallon, compared to around $5.50 for gasoline. Plus, “propane is a very lean burning fuel, which means it is almost impossible to detonate if you spill it compared to hydrocarbon fuels,” Omundson said. 

AGS plans to attend the next ECTA event, the Horsepower Harvest at the Arkansas Mile, from September 30–to October 2. They also have plans to run in other sanctioned events in Arizona, Texas, Michigan, and Indiana throughout 2022, to help further hone their innovation and re-set their records.  

“Land speed racing is one of the last places where you can run what you’ve brung from farm tractors, steam-powered motorcycles, even propane-powered pickups,” said ECTA co-owner Steve Strupp. “The first time we heard about LPI was when Johnny called us about six months ago to make sure they could compete, and we made a new class for this alternative fuel.”  

“We’re always excited for new technology,” said ECTA co-owner and Steve’s wife, CJ Strupp. “I like to say everybody’s vision of speed is different. Some like to make it in the garage, some like to buy it, or some have a new innovation like Johnny and Tom. So, where are you going to test that? Come to our track. It’s a safe testing bed.”  

AGS plans to introduce a 2019 Silverado direct-injected LT that runs on liquid propane, currently in testing. Omundson also “still wants to get LPI in a COPO Camaro and go drag racing. We started one with Wegner, and [due to reasons beyond control], it never got finished. So maybe we can hook up with someone that has a COPO, or we’ll build one ourselves.”  

For more information, visit autogasservicesags.com or ectamile.com. 

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has announced an effort to help children with critical illnesses with a raffle that will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation. 

One raffle winner will take home a $30,000 Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Eliminator Spec engine built to the exact specifications used to create the engines for the 1953 Kindig-It CF1 Roadster for Dave Kindig at Kindig-It-Design. 

The winning raffle ticket will be randomly drawn by Dave Kindig—the owner of Kindig-It-Design and the star of the hit TV show “Bitchin’ Rides”—on the second day of the Lingenfelter 21st Annual Blue Suede Cruise on July 29–31. The winner does not need to be present at the event, which will feature three days of 1978 and older hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, trick trucks, and celebrity guests Kindig and Kevin “KevDogg” Schiele. 

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering Eliminator Spec engine specs:

• 650 horsepower 
• Lingenfelter 427 LS engine 
• Lingenfelter LS3 ported heads with LSX springs 
• Borla 8-Stack injection 
• Billet Specialties Tru Trac front drive 
• Forged & Balanced rotating assembly 
• Lingenfelter roller camshaft 
• Lingenfelter certificate of authenticity 
• Autographed by Dave Kindig and Ken Lingenfelter 

To purchase raffle tickets, visit donate.onecause.com/engineraffle. For more information on the Lingenfelter 21st Annual Blue Suede Cruise, visit the event info here.  

West Virginia lawmakers (top row) Reps. Alex Mooney (R-WV), Carol Miller (R-WV), and David McKinley (R-WV). West Virginia lawmakers (bottom row) Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Adrian Smith (R-NE).

Nebraska and West Virginia will hold their 2022 primary elections on Tuesday, May 10, and it’s essential to know which candidates support racing when going to the polls or voting early. Visit PRI’s Vote Racing page for information on voting in the primary, including absentee and early voting, registering to vote, and identifying your lawmakers and the candidates running in 2022. 

The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, enjoys strong support from Nebraska and West Virginia members of Congress. The bipartisan RPM Act guarantees the right to modify street cars, trucks, and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and safeguards the industry’s right to offer parts that enable racers to compete. For more information on the RPM Act, visit performanceracing.com/rpm-act.

Below is a list of federal lawmakers who have co-sponsored the RPM Act in the 2021–2022 session of Congress and are running for re-election in 2022.

NEBRASKA:

• Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)
• Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
   

WEST VIRGINIA:

• Rep. David McKinley (R-WV)
• Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV)
• Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV)

For more information, visit performanceracing.com/rpm-act.

Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has announced plans to celebrate Skilled Trades Day on Wednesday, May 4, with an open house. 

The “Open Doors” event will introduce the community to MIAT College of Technology, which UTI acquired in May 2021. The school—which has locations in Canton, Michigan, and Houston, Texas—offers training for aerospace maintenance, robotics and automation, HVAC, energy technology and wind power, and industrial maintenance. 

UTI’s Open Doors is open to those interested in learning about UTI’s training programs, including welding and CNC machining training in automotive, diesel, motorcycle, and marine industries. 

Participating campuses include Avondale, Arizona; Bloomfield, New Jersey; Canton, Michigan (MIAT); Dallas, Texas; Exton, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas (MIAT); Lisle, Illinois; Long Beach, California; Mooresville, North Carolina (NASCAR Technical Institute); Orlando, Florida; Orlando, Florida (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute); Rancho Cucamonga, California; and Sacramento, California.  

UTI will team up with local manufacturers, auto dealerships, and other industry partners to highlight the need for highly skilled trades professionals. 

Participating campuses will be open to the public from 3–7 p.m. local time. 

For more information, visit the event page here or uti.edu. 

AWE, the precision engineering and manufacturing firm outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has promoted Michael “Dragon” Johnston to the position of key accounts manager and Skye Cartwright to account representative. 

Johnston, who specializes in modern muscle, sport compact, and European and exotic markets, has been with AWE for three years. He will focus on a group of key accounts in his new position, plus grow and add relationships. 

Cartwright, meanwhile, joined AWE in May 2021 as sales coordinator. In his new position, he will work with AWE’s dealer network. 

For more information, visit awe-tuning.com.  

Image courtesy of Formula E 

Formula E and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have unveiled the third-generation Formula E race car ahead of the 2022 Monaco E-Prix in Monte Carlo, Monaco.  

The Gen3 is the world’s first race car designed and optimized specifically for street racing, Formula E stated, and will debut in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Performance upgrades to the Gen3 will be delivered as software updates directly to the operating system built into the car. 

Seven automotive manufacturers have registered with the FIA to race the new Gen3 in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship: 

• DS Automobiles (France) 
• Jaguar (UK) 
• Mahindra Racing (India) 
• Maserati (Italy) 
• NIO 333 (UK/China) 
• Nissan (Japan) 
• Porsche (Germany) 

For the Gen3’s performance and sustainability specs, visit the Formula E announcement here. 

For more information, visit fiaformulae.com.   

Photo courtesy of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has announced the iconic Month of May schedule, which returns with a traditional lineup of on-track and off-track activities surrounding the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29, and the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 14.  

IMS will have a full seating capacity for the events. For the Month of May schedule, visit here. 

In addition, NTT IndyCar Series officials have announced adjustments to PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, which sets the field for the Indy 500. 

After Day One of qualifying on Saturday, May 21, Day Two will include two rounds of qualification attempts to decide the first four rows, including pole position. 

Starting in reverse order of speeds based on Day One, each of the top 12 drivers will have a guaranteed attempt to post a traditional four-lap qualifying. The fastest six will advance to the Firestone Fast Six to determine positions one through six and compete for the NTT P1 Award for pole. According to their recorded time, the slowest six will fill out starting positions seven through 12. 

In the Firestone Fast Six, each entrant is again guaranteed one attempt and will qualify in reverse order based on their Top 12 qualification results. The fastest wins pole position, including a $100,000 prize, with the remaining five drivers filling out the remainder of the first two rows. 

Miller Lite Carb Day will feature the final practice before Race Day on Friday, May 27. The popular IndyCar Pit Crew Challenge also returns after a two-year hiatus, rewarding the fastest crews in the sport and putting their talent in the spotlight the same day. 

For more information, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com and indycar.com.  

            John DeBalso, David Ayers

The AAM Group has announced the promotion of two senior employees. John DeBalso has been named executive vice president of supplier relations, while David Ayers is now vice president of operations. 

DeBalso, who has been with AAM for 16 years and is a former CAN Board of Directors member, will continue to lead AAM’s purchasing, compliance, and supplier-relations efforts.  

Ayers, previously AAM’s director of marketing and current SEMA TORA Select committee member, will concentrate on strategic marketing and technology projects and other operational priorities. Andy Stacy, who was recently promoted to marketing manager, will assume oversight of AAM’s day-to-day marketing activities. 

For more information, visit theaamgroup.com. 

Motul, the oil and lubricants company founded in France in 1853, has formed a technical partnership with Mountune USA, the engine builder and performance parts manufacturer based in Carson, California.  

As part of the partnership, Mountune USA will offer Motul products and help develop a Motul oil change kit for future release. Motul engineers will also utilize Mountune USA’s in-house engine dyno to gather oil samples to test, develop, and refine high-performance lubricants. 

The technical partnership is designed to better allow both companies to “get the most performance for their customers through collaboration and testing initiatives to enhance and develop future products.”  

For more information, visit motul.com or mountuneusa.com.