The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing has announced its class of 2022 for the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Inductees will be honored during the 32nd annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, March 10, at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida. 

Pro Mod and Funny Car hero Scotty Cannon, world champion crew chief Tim Richards, and former NHRA Chief Starter Rick Stewart are among the individuals to be inducted. Additionally, hot rodder Jack Ewell, hot rodder Jack Moss, and the late Chief Starter Stu Bradbury will also be inducted.  

The Founder’s Award, meantime, will be awarded to hot rodding enthusiast Don Smith. Pat Baltes, the wife of noted drag racer Jerry Baltes, will receive the Pat Garlits Memorial Award.  

To purchase tickets, call the Museum at 352-245-8661. For more information, visit garlits.com.  

LSI Chemical, a division of Lubrication Specialties Inc., has announced a distribution agreement with JMC2 Industrial Supply based in Brazil. JMC2 will distribute and market LSI Chemical’s additives for formulations in the oil and gas refinery business and to fuel jobbers in addition to marketing Hot Shot’s Secret high-performance additives, oils, and fluids for retail distribution. 

In addition to LSI Chemical, JMC2 currently distributes the Castrol line, PRESSERV, and South Coast Products (SOCO) to oil and gas markets. 

“Our products complement their current offerings and will have the added advantage of utilizing our proprietary nano-carbon expertise,” said LSI Chemical President Todd Cawley. 

For more information, visit lsichemical.com. 

Keystone Automotive Operations, the wholesale distributor and marketer of automotive, RV, and marine aftermarket products and services, has announced a new distribution center in Ocoee, Florida.  

The 200,000-square-foot Orlando-area facility will service the company’s automotive, RV and marine retail customer base throughout the state. The location brings Keystone’s network of nationwide distribution centers to eight in addition to 37 stand-alone cross-dock facilities. 

“This Central Florida location positions our inventory in the heart of our Florida automotive, RV and Marine customer base, allowing us to provide enhanced service with later cut times and in many cases, earlier daily delivery times,” said Keystone Automotive Operations President Bill Rogers. 

For more information, visit keystoneautomotive.com.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has announced several enhancements to the Street Legal program to allow a broader and more diverse range of vehicles for the participants and give recognition to their on-track performance.

“Updating and improving the Street Legal program couldn’t come at a more crucial time for our industry and sport,” said Matt DeYoung, Tucson Dragway Track Manager. “We continue to see manufacturers make faster vehicles available righ off the showroom floor while increasing features that couldn’t be overlooked anymore. NHRA along with the help and input of NHRA Member Tracks across the country have worked to improve and grow the experience and sustainability of this program for our Street Legal customers. We believe our racers will embrace these changes and it will grow our grudge racing and Street Legal Program while helping prevent faster OEM cars taking to the streets.”

Changes to the Street Legal program will allow racers with 2014 and newer OEM model-year production cars to run as quick as 9.00-seconds and/or 150-mph (5.65-eighth mile). In addition, racers with 2008-2013 OEM model-year cars will still be permitted to run as quickly as 10.00-seconds and/or 135-mph (6.40-eighth mile).

Unaltered OEM installed antilock brakes, OEM airbag functions, OEM stock frame\unibody construction, including OEM floors and firewall, as well as all other OEM safety-related systems must be functioning as per manufacturer’s specifications. Tires used may be other than OEM, but they must be DOT-approved. Convertibles quicker than 13.49(8.25) and T-tops quicker than 11.49 (7.35) must meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements. An NHRA Level 6 license is required for drivers running quicker than 10.00 (*6.39) or faster than 135 mph. A level 7 competition license is also available to racers whose elapse times are above 10.00/6.40.

NHRA will recognize racers at an NHRA Member Track for their on-track performance with unique Street Legal decals. Street Legal decals will be available for racers at a quarter-mile facility who break the 13, 12, 11, and 10-second benchmarks and at an eighth-mile facility who break the 9, 8, 7, and 6-second benchmarks.

Racers who break into the 9’s in a quarter-mile or 5’s in an eighth mile at an NHRA Member Track and submit to NHRA a license application will receive an exclusive decal, only available with the Street Legal NHRA competition license, to recognize their achievement.

“Each year, automotive manufacturers continue to push the limits of performance by building production vehicles that are quicker and faster than the previous year’s models,” said Lonnie Grim, NHRA National Tech Director. “At NHRA, we very much support their commitment to performance and recognize that there is still a very large market for performance cars. At the same time, we acknowledge that NHRA needs to keep pace with the current trends, which is why we’ve announced these rules adjustments.”

“Under these new guidelines, owners of Shelby GT 500, Corvette ZR-1, Dodge Demon, Tesla Plaid, or other highperformance vehicles will have the ability to participate in and enjoy NHRA Street Legal racing events without making extensive modifications to their cars.”

The Street Legal category is reserved for foreign and domestic OEM production-type automobiles and trucks. While the use of aftermarket parts is accepted, all vehicles must be street driven, and drivers must carry state-issued proof of registration and valid insurance information. All vehicles must also display a valid license plate(s).

“I want to stress that these limitations are not restricted when it comes to the use of aftermarket bolt-on products and other modifications,” said Grim. “This simply states that vehicles racing under the Street Legal guidelines do have to meet the OEM safety system requirements as noted.”

Vehicles participating in the Street Legal events must be able to pass all state highway safety requirements for the state in which the vehicle is registered and retains all OEM safety features. Only legitimate street-legal machines are permitted to participate at designated Street Legal events. Although the competition structure can vary from track to track, a strong emphasis is placed on fun and providing a welcoming environment for first-time new racers. Many Street Legal events feature open time trials and grudge racing only, which typically allows each participant an opportunity to make as many passes down the dragstrip as possible.

The grudge racing element allows participants to choose their competition instead of participating in an organized eliminator. Win or lose, a grudge racing participant may return to the staging lanes for more time trials or more grudge runs. Losing a race at a Street Legal event does not typically mean it’s time to go home. Street Legal events provide a legal and controlled environment where racers of all skill levels enjoy the sport of NHRA Drag Racing.

For the complete details, visit nhra.com/streetlegal. To locate an NHRA member track, visit nhra.com/member-track-locator. For more information, visit nhra.com. 

IndyCar has moved the debut of hybrid power to the 2024 season due to global supply chain challenges.

As a result, the NTT IndyCar Series will continue with its current 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 powerplant for the 2023 season. Teams will utilize the 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with hybrid technology the following season.  

“Thanks to our great partners at Honda and Chevrolet for working through this challenging supply chain situation. We are going full speed ahead with the 2.4-liter hybrid engine and cannot wait to have it on track in 2024,” said IndyCar President Jay Frye. 

For more information, visit indycar.com. 

Ford has announced two new businesses: Ford Blue for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and Ford Model e for electric vehicles.

Ford Blue will build out the company’s portfolio of ICE vehicles with a goal to lower costs, simplify operations, and improve quality along with providing “world-class hardware engineering and manufacturing capabilities.”

Ford Model e, meantime, is designed to accelerate innovation and delivery of breakthrough electric vehicles at scale and develop software and connected vehicle technologies and services.

Ford Blue and Ford Model e will operate as distinct businesses, but share relevant technology and best practices. Along with Ford Pro—the vehicle service and distribution business for commercial customers—all three businesses are expected to have discrete P&Ls by 2023.

In Ford motorsports news, as a tribute to Alan Mann Racing’s 1966 Ford GT lightweight experimental prototypes, Ford has introduced the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition, pictured above. The limited-edition vehicle celebrates the role the prototypes played in the history of the development of the Ford GT.

“Whether it’s going like hell at the race track or out-innovating the competition, the Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition honors the vehicles that helped lead Ford to its wins,” said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager. 

The 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition is available for approved Ford GT customers, with first deliveries taking place this quarter. Click here for more information.

For more information, visit ford.com. 

The Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals continues its partnership in 2022 with Chevrolet Performance.  
 
Chevrolet Performance is co-sponsoring the LSX-based categories in the NMCA championship drag racing program, the 16th annual LSX Shootout (World Wide Technology Raceway May 12—15), the 4th annual COPO Camaro Shootout (Summit Motorsports Park August 25—28), and a presenting sponsorship of the NMCA World Street Finals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park September 22—25. 
 
The LS/LT-based categories, which include Proform Rumble, LME Street King, and Chevrolet Performance Stock presented by Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, are full-time NMCA championships categories competing at all six national events. In December, Chevrolet Performance and its official host dealer, Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, will continue celebrating the top-three in those categories with a Champions Dinner during the PRI Trade Show in downtown Indianapolis. Additionally, the winners will receive Victor awards, and Chevrolet Performance championship rings for their exceptional achievements. 
 
“Chevrolet Performance has been a valued partner for over 15 years, and in that time NMCA has been home for their drag racing customers to compete in a safe and legal venue,” said Steve Wolcott, Co-founder, and CEO of ProMedia Events & Publishing, the parent company of the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals. 
 
Chevrolet Performance is also continuing its program of racer contingency payments in all NMCA championship categories. 
 
For more information, visit nmcadigital.com.  

Formula DRIFT and PASMAG have announced the second annual 2022 Tuning 365 Tour schedule. There will be five stops at Formula DRIFT events across the country, including Long Beach (April 1–2), Atlanta (May 6–7), Englishtown (June 10–11), St. Louis (July 15–16), and Utah (September 16–17) for the first time. 

The car shows showcase project car and truck builds that fans can interact with during breaks in the on-track action. In addition, vehicles receive coverage in print, social media, and an appearance on the PASMAG Tuning 365 TV show. 

Awards are presented at each event, including Editor’s Choice and Driver’s Choice—where a guest Formula DRIFT driver selects his favorite build, and the winner receives a full-page feature in PASMAG. 

“Car culture is a very important aspect of every event weekend, which is why we’re excited to welcome back PASMAG to help us continue to grow, develop, and promote this segment of car culture at Formula DRIFT,” said Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT.

Registration for all stops is open at t365.pasmag.com. For the 2022 Formula DRIFT schedule, visit here. For more information, visit formulad.com or pasmag.com. 

The SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) invites women in the industry to the first-ever Women’s Leadership Forum, where participants will acquire skills, develop a valuable support network, and leave inspired to take on greater leadership roles in their personal and professional lives. Registration for the March 16–18, event taking place in Costa Mesa, California, is now available online.  

With presentations led by experts, several from the world-renown Dale Carnegie Training Program, the program includes individual tracks and breakout sessions. Topics include learning about employee engagement and the art of executive presence, personal development, leading with a passion, and more. 

“Women in automotive face a variety of unique challenges,” said SBN Director Nicole Bradle. “This event is a safe environment for females to come together to express those challenges, as well as wins, knowing that the common goal is to advance all females. The varied activities and connections made will be unparallel to other industry events. Bonds will be created that will become a woman’s strongest allies throughout their career.”  

Online registration is open through March 15. SBN members can register at a reduced rate of $499, compared to non-SEMA members at $699. Participants must make their own travel arrangements.

View the full program and register here. 

Racing legends Wally Dallenbach and Danny Sullivan comprise the 2022 inductee class of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Hall of Fame. The two drivers will be honored at the 2022 Induction Ceremony and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Dinner on Thursday, May 26, in downtown Indianapolis.

The pair were chosen from a ballot of 14 nominees by a distinguished panel of more than 140 auto racing journalists, participants, and historians. 

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame voting panel has selected two outstanding honorees for this year,” said Joe Hale, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which houses the Hall of Fame. “Wally Dallenbach's success on the track as a driver led him to be a champion for driver safety as an official. Danny Sullivan had an impressive career as a driver and what sticks with many of us is his memorable win at the 1985 Indianapolis 500.”

For more information, visit imsmuseum.org.

In related news, IMS Museum has announced the spring lineup for its speaking series, which is called “An Evening With…,” and returns for the first time since 2020. 

The 2022 IMS Museum speaker series lineup includes:

• March 16 – “An Evening With Al Unser Jr” (Host Kristi Lee)
• April 13 – “An Evening With Alexander Rossi” (Host Doug Boles)
• May 25 – “An Evening With Rick Mears” (Host Paul Page)

“An Evening With…” is a unique conversation with motor racing superstars, hearing their stories from the track and beyond. In an intimate setting at the IMS Museum, guests will have the opportunity to relive moments of trials and triumphs firsthand from the stars themselves.

For more information, visit imsmuseum.org/speaker-series.