Speedway Motorsports has announced veteran executive Matt Greci has been named vice president of events and operations at Nashville Superspeedway. Additionally, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Doug Cremer and Garrett Carter have been named vice president of events and guest services and vice president of operations, respectively, at “America’s Home for Racing.”

Greci heads to the Music City after nearly 16 years at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he began his career as a sales department intern, then as the track rental and suite coordinator for corporate sales. Greci moved to the events department in 2008 as events manager before being promoted to vice president of events, a role in which he served since 2020. He earned CMS Employee of the Year (2013) and received the prestigious Speedway Motorsports O. Bruton Smith Award (2018) while managing event production at zMAX Dragway, The Dirt Track and the superspeedway. 

A 20-year veteran of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s guest services, operations and events departments, Cremer returns to a familiar role as vice president of events, a position in which he served from 2014–2020. He will lead a team responsible for planning and execution across a robust schedule of events.

After more than eight years with the company, Carter has been promoted to vice president of operations for Charlotte Motor Speedway. He will take the lead role in maintaining and preparing the speedway’s 1,000+ acres to host hundreds of thousands of fans annually for sports and entertainment events.

For more information, visit speedwaymotorsports.com.

West Virginia has introduced PRI-supported legislation (S.B. 602) to protect motorsports venues from nuisance claims. The bill awaits consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.   

S.B. 602 allows racing facilities to expand without the fear of a nuisance lawsuit and provides security for owners to operate their venues freely. The legislation also acknowledges that motorsports represent a vital part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States. 

The bill only applies to race tracks that have been in operation for more than one year and/or are making a reasonable expansion.

Encourage lawmakers to support this pro-motorsports proposal and visit https://www.votervoice.net/SEMA/campaigns/91962/respond.  

Photo credit to Zachary Gerben of Summit Point Motorsports Park

Motorsports venues, manufacturers, and businesses are invited to the West Virginia Motorsports Day on the Rotunda on Tuesday, March 8. PRI will participate in the first-of-its-kind event formed to show lawmakers the impact motorsports has on commerce and tourism in the state.  

“We are encouraging motorsports venues to join us on March 8 to showcase the industry to our current legislators,” said Laura Bowman, Acting Chair of the West Virginia Motorsports Committee. “Weather permitting, we will have a number of race cars and trucks line the sidewalk outside of the State Capitol. We are still looking for two road racing vehicles.”  

Motorsports venues and companies are invited to host a vendor display (at no cost) from 8 a.m. to noon at the State Capitol located at 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, West Virginia. A meeting will follow at 1 p.m. Topics will include issues facing the industry, goals remaining for 2022, and preparation for the 2023 legislative session. A light lunch will be served. 

The event is organized by the West Virginia Motorsports Committee, which was created in March 2021 to promote motorsports in the state. West Virginia Governor James Conley Justice appointed five members—Acting Chair Bowman of Summit Point Motorsports Park, John Fekete of Hatfield McCoy Trails, Joseph Rush of the American Crate All Star Series, Tim Cotter of Grand National Cross Country (GNCC), and Chris Pierce of 304 Speedway in Princeton, West Virginia. In addition, West Virginia State Senator Mark Maynard, Edwin Pardue of Summit Point Motorsports Park, Eric Barber, and Al Harshbarger are honorable members.  

Interested vendors must register by March 3. Contact Laura Bowman at 304-728-5221 or laura.bowman@xatorcorp.com for more information. 

Formula 1 has canceled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix, initially set for September 23–September 25 at the Sochi Autodrom.  
 
Officials released the following statement: 
 
The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together. 
 
We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation. 
 
...Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances. 
 
For more information, visit formula1.com.

Kyle Novak, race director for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, was elected by the FIA General Assembly as one of 36 judges to serve on the FIA Courts. As an FIA judge, Novak can be appointed to sit on an FIA International Tribunal or International Court of Appeal.

Novak, an attorney, is the only IndyCar representative among the FIA judges. IndyCar President Jay Frye serves on the Single-Seater commission, IndyCar Director of Medical Services Dr. Geoffrey Billows is on the Medical commission, and IndyCar Track Inspection Consultant Tony Cotman works on the Circuits commission.

“To be able to add to the list of INDYCAR representatives who have served the FIA is a tremendous honor,” Novak said.

Novak has served as NTT IndyCar Series race director since 2018 and will assume the race director role for Indy Lights starting this season.

The news follows the appointment of NASCAR Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel Gary Crotty to serve on the FIA Courts. 

For more information, visit indycar.com.

Greenbriar Equity Group, a middle-market private equity firm, has acquired a majority position in JEGS Automotive, the national retailer and distributor of high-performance aftermarket auto parts and accessories based in Delaware, Ohio. 

JEGS, founded in 1960 by The Coughlin Family, offers more than two million product SKUs from over 800 vendors through its website and fulfillment center. The Coughlin Family will retain minority ownership.

“The entire JEGS team has never been more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and we look forward to partnering with Greenbriar and their extensive network of sector experts as we focus on enhancing our customers’ online experience, onboarding new products and services, and expanding our reach,” said Jeg Coughlin III, president of JEGS.

For more information, visit jegs.com.

Tenneco has entered an agreement to be acquired by Apollo Funds, a private asset management company, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion.

When the transaction is completed, Tenneco will become a private company whose shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The company will continue to operate under the Tenneco name and brand, however. 

Tenneco is the parent company of DRiV, which includes more than 30 aftermarket brands covering shocks and struts, steering and suspension, braking, sealing, engine, emissions, and maintenance. Brands include Öhlins, Champion, Moog, QuickSteer, Wagner, Fel-Pro, and more. 

“We believe this transaction is the right path forward and achieves our goal of maximizing value for Tenneco shareholders, and will benefit our team members, customers, and business partners around the world,” said Dennis Letham, Chairman of the Board of Tenneco. 

For more information, visit tenneco.com.

Holley has announced that pre-registration and ticket sales are now live for the Holley LS Fest West presented by eBay Motors. Set for April 22–24 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, the event is a “must” for fans of GM’s high-performance LS engine platform. 

All LS and current generation LT V8-powered vehicles are invited to participate. The event will feature drag racing classes, autocross, the 3S Challenge, a Show-N-Shine event, the Sac Speed Shop Donut Pit, a dyno challenge, a road course challenge, off-road “Dirt Destruction,” and more. 

Spectator tickets begin at $25 per day and can be purchased here. Pre-registration is available at lsfest.com/west/registration.

For more information, visit lsfest.com/west.

Grandview Speedway, the 1/3-mile clay track in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania, has announced longtime track announcer Jeff Ahlum as its new public relations director. Ahlum replaces Ernie Saxton, who announced his retirement in 2021 following 55 years with the speedway.  

The track, owned and operated by the Rogers Family, opens its 60th anniversary season on Saturday, April 2, for the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker. 

For more information, visit grandviewspeedway.com.

Holley has announced the second annual Holley High Voltage Experience will return to Sonoma Raceway on July 9–10. The event is designed for the electric vehicle (EV) community to gather and experience performance on and off track.  

The Holley High Voltage Experience will feature autocross, drag racing, road course action, plus a car show, vendor midway, skidpad, and more.  

Additional details and tickets will be available at a later date.  

For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page here.