Every race car, truck, and boat has a story, whether it was headed to the junkyard before finding new life or Frankenstein-ed together with different parts from different marques.

Each one has a special place in its owner’s heart, too, as evidenced by the time, care, and resources typically bestowed on these vehicles. In keeping with PRI’s tradition of showcasing extraordinary machines, our editors have chosen 21 (for 2021, get it?) vehicles to feature in this year’s PRI Trade Show Guide. None would have been possible without the dedication, craftsmanship, and just plain intelligence that goes into the design and manufacture of not only the cars (and one boat), but the engines and parts that propel them. Enjoy our selections…and keep an eye out, as you may see some of these vehicles on display at the PRI Show in December.

2013 Ford Mustang

Tyler Hassing
Allegan, Michigan

Race Series/Class: NMRA True Street, Open Comp, Bracket

Engine: Ford Coyote stock engine tuned by Tyler Hassing of Force Engineering

Car: Built by Tyler Hassing of Force Engineering

Features: FIS 80-mm turbo; Fore Innovations fuel system; Haltech Elite 2500 ECU; PTC converter; Rossler TH400; M&M shifter; Weld RTS wheels; Mickey Thompson 275 radials; Baer brakes

Facts: Currently the fastest stock Gen 1 Coyote engine in the world (8.59 @155 mph). The hand-built 180-degree header gives the car a unique sound. Makes upwards of 1,300 hp on the stock engine.

2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro

Rob Holzheimer
Naperville, Illinois

Race Series/Class: COPO, LS-Series, NMCA Super Stock

Engine: 427 LSX built by Chevrolet Performance

Car: Built at COPO Build Center in Oxford, Michigan

Features: Bogart wheels; carbon fiber cowl hood; Meziere electric water pump; Hoosier tires; Strange Engineering rearend; Strange Engineering brakes

Facts: Holzheimer fell in love with COPO Camaros when he worked for Chevrolet Performance in 2014 and made it his goal to own one.

1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II NASCAR version

Michael Callahan
Cincinnati, Ohio

Race Series/Class: SCTA C/CPRO class

Engine: 1970 Ford 351 Cleveland

Car: Fabricated by Cornfield Customs

Features: Ultrashield seat; Powermaster starter and alternator; Edelbrock intake and water pump; Holley carburetor; Hooker headers; QuickTime bellhousing; McLeod clutch; Ford Racing flywheel; QA1 shocks; RJS belts

Facts: It’s built to pass Bonneville tech with all safety equipment, but there is also a street mode. The Mercury is a Bonneville-legal race car that is also driven to the Woodward Dream Cruise and on the Hot Rod Power Tour.

2014 Rayburn Late Model

Dane Laster
Greenwood, Indiana

Driver: Brayton Laster

Race Series/Class: Super Late Model in Lucas Oil Late Model Series, MARS Racing Series, Ultimate Heart of America Racing Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals

Engine: Chevrolet-based engine built by KGB Racing Engines

Car: Built by Kyle Downey

Features: Genesis racing shocks; Holley carburetor; MSD ignition; Brodix heads; Outerwears pre-filters

Facts: This car is a throwback theme to Brayton’s grandfather, Dave Davis, who raced at Macon Speedway in the 1960s with a gold-painted 1948 Plymouth coupe.

1965 Ford Falcon

Randy Dunlap
Linden, Michigan

Race Series/Class: Retired match race car

Engine: 496 big block Chevrolet

Car: Built by Bobby Lagana Sr. in 1965, restored by Randy Dunlap and friends

Features: Enderle injection; Muncie 4-speed transmission; 9-inch Ford rearend

Facts: Named Chevamoco by Bobby Lagana Sr. because it’s a Ford Falcon with Chevy power. It makes about 500 hp.

1993 FORD Mustang

Drew Acklin
Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Race Series/Class: Small Tire Radial/Grudge

Engine: Big block Chevrolet built by Drew Acklin, Butler Performance

Car: Built by Drew Acklin, David Key Speed & Suspension, Greg Blades G&S Custom Fabrication

Features: Nitrous Express; Gary Williams Carburetors; Quick Performance; King Bearings; Williams Racing Fuel; Total Seal; NGK; Viking Performance

Facts: The car’s name is Alabama Hammer and was seen on MotorTrend TV’s “Fastest Cars in the Dirty South.” Acklin, of AKA Racing, purchased the car as a shell and built it from the ground up.

1973 Jeep Postal Delivery

Jordan Fisher
Parsonsburg, Maryland

Race Series/Class: Carolina No Time 275, No Time Grudge Racing

Engine: 632-ci big block Chevrolet built by Fisher Motorsports

Car: Built by Fisher Motorsports Features: Powerglide transmission built by Jay and Alex Bradford (Bad Habit Racing Trans); chromoly driveshaft built by The Metal Shop; AutoMeter gauges; Wilwood disc brakes; Nitrous Outlet nitrous system; Diamond pistons; Jesel belt drive; GRP aluminum connecting rods; Callies crankshaft

Facts: This car was built because Fisher wanted something unique and different that’s not seen at the drag strip. Fisher is proud of building a Jeep and running good ETs for a short wheelbase, non-aerodynamic vehicle. 

Facebook: @fishermotorsports79

Instagram: @fisher_motorsports.

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

Chris Diehlman
Ocala, Florida

Race Series/Class: Florida N/T Racing, Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings

Engine: Stock block 5.3 LS built by Speedline Performance

Car: Finished by Pro Fab Performance Plus, including wiring, plumbing, etc.

Features: M&M shifter; Holley Dominator and Pro Dash; Strange Engineering brakes; RC Components wheels; BorgWarner turbos; XS Power battery; FTI Powerglide

Facts: When Diehlman was young, his father owned the car and later sold it. Later in life, after his dad passed, Diehlman found it, bought it back and had everything rebuilt.

2013 Hoffman chassis, dirt modified

Eric & Jerry Moore
Nevada, Missouri

Driver: Hunter Lagunes

Race Series/Class: USRA Midwest Modifieds

Engine: 358-ci small block Chevrolet built by Steve Brumback of Brumback Motorsports

Features: Aero Race wheels; AFCO shocks; Wehrs spring slider; ButlerBuilt race seat; Strange Engineering axles; Edelbrock manifold; Speedway Motors radiator; American Racer tires; Hypercoil springs

Facts: The driver is 13 years old, and in his first year of racing anything.

1998 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Capri Wesley
Milton, Florida

Race Series/Class: 5.70 index, 5.80 index, 6.0 index, 6.50 index, Small Block N/T

Engine: 406 conventional small block Chevy built by Johnny Kelley

Car: Built by Gary Medders

Features: Nitrous Express Crossplate system; Menscer Motorsports double adjustable struts and shocks; Strange Engineering rearend/axle assembly; Weld Alumastar 17-inch wheels; Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket radials; Speedwire Systems switch/panel system

Facts: This vehicle is female raced and maintained.

2011 Joker Powerboat 26

Peter Smith
Riverton, New Jersey

Race Series/Class: Offshore Powerboat Association Class 6

Engine: 540-ci Chevrolet built by Bud Wilson

Boat: Built by Smith Brothers Offshore Racing Team

Features: Jones Racing Products; Optima Batteries; Holley EFI; Marren Fuel Injection; E3 Spark Plugs

Facts: In 2017, the boat spent nine days on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in 40 feet of water after it was involved in an accident (not caused by Smith).

1969 CHEVROLET Camaro

Phil Veldheer
Holland, Michigan

Race Series/Class: IHRA, GLSSA, NMCA

Engine: Legal IHRA crate motor built by Parsons and Myers Race Engines

Car: Built by Phil Veldheer

Features: Mickey Thompson tires; VP C12 race fuel and 10w40 full synthetic race oil; ARP fasteners; NGK spark plugs; Moroso plug wires; PROFORM Parts water pump and fan; Cometic gaskets; Hedman Hedders headers; Optima battery; Fragola hoses and fittings; K&N oil and air filters

Facts: Veldheer set six IHRA speed and ET records in this car, and Mark Howard has won six assorted IHRA and NMCA big races with it.

1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

James Jeschke Jr.
Baden, Pennsylvania

Race Series/Class: NHRA Stock 1603 I/S

Engine: Chevy 305 built by James Jeschke Jr. and dyno’d by Dumoff Engines

Car: Built by James Jeschke Jr.

Features: Stahl headers; Total Seal; G-Force; Dart block; CP-Carrillo pistons; Mickey Thompson

Facts: The Camaro was on its way to the scrap yard, but Jeschke built the engine, fabricated and painted the car, and in 2021 won his first Wally.

1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Chris Schultetus
Wyoming, Michigan

Driver: Greg Seher Race Series/Class: Limited drag radial

Engine: 632-ci big block Chevrolet built by Seher Schultetus Racing

Car: Built by Go Fast Productions

Features: Speedtech nitrous; Trend Performance pushrods; T&D rockers; PAC springs and retainers; Dart heads and block; Callies performance crankshaft; COMP Cams belt drive; MSD ignition and belt drive distributor; Wiseco pistons; Mickey Thompson tires; Racepak data acquisition; Strange Engineering brakes and axles

Facts: The car was originally built to run a small block and be bracket raced on the weekends. Now it has turned into a four-second 1/8-mile limited drag radial ride.

1964 Chevrolet II Nova Wagon

Jimmy Mott
Cookeville, Tennessee

Race Series/Class: Bracket racing, Box class

Engine: 582-ci big block Chevrolet built by PAR Racing Engines

Car: Built by Gary Jennings Race Cars

Features: Ruperts Alky Carbs carburetor; Goodyear tires; Greg Slack Converters; K&R Performance delay box; Mark Williams Enterprises brakes; Strange Engineering components; Weld wheels; XS Power battery

Facts: Found in a junkyard, this car started out as a street car project but quickly became a full-blown race car. Car builder Gary Jennings said this car is mastering the “patina look.”

1981 Monte Carlo

Cheryl Garrison
Pontotoc, Mississippi

Race Series/Class: Crate Racin’ USA Street Stock

Engine: GM-based 602 built by R&C Performance

Car: Built by High Roller; Billy’s Race Shop

Features: Motor State Distributing; Speedway Motors; Hypercoil; Braswell carburetor; Day Motorsports; Allstar Performance; GM Performance; Renegade Fuel; Hoosier Racing tires

Facts: This car has the factory frame and is still competing and winning races against jig-built cars. It was also a finalist for “Best Looking Street Stock” at the Southern Street Stock Nationals.

2009 Cadillac CTSV

Felicia Smith
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Race Series/Class: True Street, 1/8-mile No Prep, Rocky Mountain Race Week 9.0 class

Engine: 427 Iron Dart block with a stock 1.9 Cadillac supercharger built by Kyle Thompson of Thompson Motorsports

Car: Built by Felicia Smith and Aaron Smith

Features: Nitrous Express Max 5; Circle D Specialties converter; Circle D Transmission 6L90 kit; Frankenstein Engine Dynamics F310 series heads; Radium fuel system; Red Horse Performance fittings and hose; Dynamic Driveline driveshaft; Rick Crawford Racing porting and tuning; Cam Motion custom grind camshaft

Facts: This car is one of four in the world to run eight seconds in a 1/4 mile with a Cadillac LSA blower. It’s completely street legal with every amenity still intact from the dealership. Known as the 4-Door Rocket, this car weighs 4,500 lbs.

2017 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

John & Michele Poole
Lexington, North Carolina

Race Series/Class: ET Street, Mild or Wild, Season 4 No Prep Kings Future Outlaws, Season 4 No Prep Kings Big Tire Outlaws

Engine: S550 built by John Poole

Car: Built by Gary Pundsack and John Poole

Features: Edelbrock supercharger; Steeda suspension; JMS wheels; Exedy clutch; Mickey Thompson tires; Mishimoto radiator; Hurst shifter

Facts: This car’s name is Roxie, and she is one of North America’s fastest sealed block Mustangs. She makes 1,000 hp and runs 150+ mph with an ET of 9.36 in the 1/4 mile.

1965 Ford Mustang

Gregory Meindl
Lime Rock, Connecticut

Race Series/Class: SVRA Group 6/AS

Engine: Ford 302 Dart built by Frankie “Ford” Pantaleone

Car: Built by Karl Bergmann/Gary Young (1965), Bob Aliberto/Chris Liebenberg (1992)

Features: Edelbrock; Dart; Oliver Racing Parts; Jesel; AutoMeter; Classic Tube; Hoosier; Cobra Automotive; ATL; Centerforce

Facts: This car was purchased by Al Maroone Ford to be a race car beginning with road rallies before eventually being fully converted to race A Sedan/TA in SCCA. In 1970, the worn-out race car was purchased by Bob Aliberto, who restored it in 1992 and raced it until the current owner purchased it in 1998, racing it ever since.

1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

Matt Fenwrick & Dann Fenwrick
Livermore, Kentucky

Race Series/Class: Land Speed Racing, Classic Production class

Engine: Ford 2.3L Pinto based built by Matt Fenwrick of Fenwrick Motorsports

Car: Built by Matt and Dann Fenwrick of Fenwrick Motorsports

Features: Jesel valvetrain; Stef’s oil tank; ARP fasteners; Holley Dominator ECU and fuel cell EFI pump; MPI custom steering wheel; Performance Plus oil; Speedway Engineering Mod Lite Floater rearend; Dyer’s connecting rods

Facts: Fenwrick decided to build a Pinto because “despite looking like a brick, its aerodynamics are similar to a Corvette of that era.” All of the 3D printing, machining, and painting was done by Fenwrick and his father in their two-car shop.

2014 Shaw Race Cars Dirt Modified

Roger Mealey
Braselton, Georgia

Race Series/Class: Dirt Open Wheel Modified

Engine: 602 GM crate motor built by GM

Car: Built by Shaw Race Cars

Features: SPA Technique; Champion Racing Oil products; RaceQuip products; Performance Distributors; Day Motorsports; E3 Spark Plugs; Kluhsman Racing Components; Fast Shafts carbon fiber driveshaft

Facts: Mealey has been diagnosed with AFib and put on blood thinners, so unfortunately his racing career has come to an end, but he considers himself very fortunate to have been able to race for many years.

Josh Hart, the owner of Josh Hart Racing, has announced crew chief Ron Douglas will be elevated to partner in the Ocala-based NHRA professional team. Hart, a two-time Top Fuel national event winner, made the announcement prior to the Las Vegas Nationals. 

Douglas will also continue to operate as the crew chief for Hart and the TechNet R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster into the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series and beyond.

“Ron has proven himself to be a great crew chief and, more importantly, to be a great man of character,” said Hart. “We share the same demeanor and work ethic. I am a loyal person, and so is Ron. We want to build this race team for a long, successful future. I can’t think of a better person to build it with than a guy that has been there from the start.”

During his tenure with Josh Hart Racing, Douglas has guided the team to a round win record of 17-9 with two wins, including the first Top Fuel race the pair worked together, the NHRA Gatornationals. They have also combined for four additional semifinal finishes in eleven races this season. 

For more information, visit joshhartracing.com.

VP Racing Fuels, the provider of performance fuels, lubricants, and additives, has signed a licensing agreement with Champion Laboratories to offer a line of racing oil filters. 

“Their filters are of the highest quality and are a perfect complement to our racing and high-performance motor oils,” said Bob Merz, Director of Brand Management and Licensing at VP Racing Fuels.

The new VP Racing Fuels premium synthetic oil filters are designed to provide filtration technology for today’s high-performance engines. The filters are engineered to be compatible with all oils and fuels, including race oil and race fuels. They are designed with a synthetic and cellulose blended filtration media for superior filtration, low restriction to flow, and high dirt-holding capacity. They also feature a heavy-duty steel shell to help provide high-impact protection from road debris with an industrial-strength steel backplate.

Champion Laboratories is part of First Brands Group, the global automotive manufacturer that develops, markets, and sells a portfolio of brands: Raybestos, Centric Parts, FRAM, Luber-finer, TRICO, ANCO, Carter, Autolite, and StrongArm.

For more information, visit vpracingfuels.com or champlabs.com. 

 

Ricardo Juncos has announced a partnership with Brad Hollinger to form Juncos Hollinger Racing. The team will field a full season 2022 NTT IndyCar Series entry and multiple cars running in the Road To Indy Presented by Cooper Tires ladder series. 

“The opportunity to partner with someone who shares many of the same values, passion, determination, and is forward-thinking like Brad Hollinger makes this an incredible moment in our team’s history,” said Ricardo Juncos.  

Hollinger brings multiple years of experience and resources in motorsports after being the second-largest shareholder and board member in the Williams Grand Prix Holdings Formula One team. 

“I am very excited to join Ricardo and the Juncos Racing team,” said Hollinger. “Since we first met, Ricardo’s relentless drive for success, knowledge of open-wheel racing, and engineering expertise were quite apparent. His winning spirit along with our shared vision and commitment to be a front running team made my decision to join Juncos Racing a simple one.”   

For more information, visit juncosracing.com. 

 

Officials from the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) have announced new ownership, with Terry Mattox taking over as head of the Oklahoma-based series. Mattox will also serve as national competition director.  

Founded by Emmett Hahn in 1992, ASCS hosts nearly 200 events each year across its regional and national tours. Hahn will work with Mattox during the transition period next year. 

“I love sprint car racing and want to see it continue to grow and thrive. I also wanted someone who has the time to put into making that happen. Terry... has the time and drive to work on this deal in the best interest of the teams and the sport. Of course, I’m not retiring. I’m still doing the Tulsa Shootout and the Chili Bowl, so I’ll still be plenty busy,” Hahn said in a series release. 

Prior to the announcement, Mattox has served as the competition director for the ASCS Sooner Region, as well as the head of scheduling for the ASCS national tour. In 2012, he founded the National Open Wheel 600 Series. He also is a co-owner of the Oil Capital Racing Series and an active promoter of events with Terry Mattox Promotions with shows in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. 

“Car-wise, I don’t have anything that I see that needs to be changed right now. Emmett had already announced the aluminum block option for next year, so we are working on that. Where I will be looking is more in nightly logistics. Making things run quicker in order to get fans a better show,” Mattox said in a series release.  

Mattox replaces Matt Ward as national competition director. Ward will assist his grandfather, Hahn, with the Tulsa Shootout and Chili Bowl Nationals.   

For more information, visit ascsracing.com. 
 

Roger Penske and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) President J. Douglas Boles will kick off the 2021 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show as featured speakers at the Grand Opening Breakfast. Taking place just before the PRI Show officially opens on December 9, 2021, the Breakfast is an iconic staple of the trade show and signifies the start to the three biggest days in the motorsports industry. 

Both the Breakfast and Trade Show take place in Indianapolis, Indiana—the Racing Capital of the World, where thousands of race parts manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and resellers, along with race teams and racers from every segment of motorsports will gather in person for the first time since 2019. With a focus on new products and technology that advance all aspects of motorsports, the PRI Show is the racing industry’s leading business-to-business event. 

As featured speakers at the Grand Opening Breakfast, Penske and Boles will underscore the importance of innovation and technology in racing. Roger Penske is the founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, which includes Penske Entertainment Corp, owner of both the IMS and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Earlier this year, IMS opened to 135,000 fans at the Indy 500, which at the time marked a milestone as the world’s highest-attended sporting event since the start of the pandemic. 

“Roger Penske is a trailblazer and an icon in the racing industry,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, PRI President. “He embodies the spirit of racing and maintains a winning mindset. Similarly, Doug Boles is a fierce advocate for and promoter of IMS and Indianapolis and the world-class racing events hosted here. We’re honored to have them join us at the PRI Grand Opening Breakfast and are excited to have them kick off the Show.”

Penske and Boles are expected to discuss the importance of uniting the motorsports industry and connecting at in-person events, among other topics.

“As the motorsports world moves forward into 2022 and beyond, it’s more important than ever to work together across the industry,” said Penske. “I can’t think of a better place to gather than at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. This is the perfect setting to connect with race leaders and innovators and collaborate on issues such as technology, advocacy, and opportunities.”

All those registered for the PRI Show on December 9-11 are invited to attend the Grand Opening Breakfast. Attendees are admitted to the Breakfast free of charge, but guests are advised to arrive early, as seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 2021 PRI Trade Show floor opens immediately after the Breakfast. The event features nearly 1,000 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. PRI encompasses all forms of motorsports and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers, and media.

To register to attend, visit here. For a schedule of events and a list of exhibitors, visit here. For more information, visit performanceracing.com/tradeshow.

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Chevrolet has revealed the all-new 2023 Corvette Z06, a 670-horsepower supercar. 

“The new Corvette Z06 defines the American supercar,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss. “It builds on the distinctive design and groundbreaking dynamics introduced with the mid-engine Corvette and elevates them to deliver refined but uncompromising track capability with world-class performance.”

The Z06 features an all-new 5.5L LT6, the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design entices offers 8,600 rpm.

“Racing was the reason the Z06 was developed in 1963, and it continues to support development of the road models that make them better on the street and the track,” said Tadge Juechter, executive chief engineer, Corvette. “It also means we’ve tested the Z06 on the best tracks around the world, from Circuit of the Americas here in the United States, to the Nürburgring in Germany.” 

Additional highlights of the 2023 Corvette Z06 include:

• Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize the Z06’s cooling needs, including channeling air to a center heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance

• A unique, standard reconfigurable rear spoiler with adjustable wickerbill elements designed to improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a race track

• Standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels (with five available finishes) — the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette

• Available lightweight and rigid carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound reduction in unsprung mass, which is designed to contribute to more agile and responsive handling

• Specific suspension tuning, including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and six-piston front brakes

• Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a specific, 5.56 final drive ratio 

• Elevated cockpit surrounding the driver, including more carbon fiber trim and new options

• Available Z07 performance package provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever. It includes a carbon fiber high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration, and Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and optional carbon fiber wheels

For more information on the car, visit the Chevrolet website here.

Photo courtesy of Radford Racing School

Radford Racing School has debuted a Trans Am racing program developed in collaboration with driver development coach and champion NASCAR and Xfinity Series racer Chris Cook.

“We’re pumped to break new ground as the only school in the country to offer this type of Trans Am racing program,” said Mike Kessler, the general manager of Radford Racing School. 

The new program features late-model TA2 race cars offered by Chris Cook Performance through Tom Nelson Motorsports. Each TA2 race car features a full tube-frame chassis with no electronic steering, ABS, or traction control, with a 500-plus horsepower engine and four-speed manual transmission.  

The program will be available beginning November 1. It will include classroom instruction covering fundamentals and techniques, followed by safety training and lead-and-follow exercises in a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat to “become familiar with the race track.” After, students will complete 10 to 50 laps based on their program option. 

For more information, visit radfordracingschool.com.

Since being elected to Congress in November 2020, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has proven himself to be a strong ally and defender of motorsports. Sen. Kelly is an original co-sponsor of S. 2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), and he has championed the bill both publicly and behind the scenes. Sen. Kelly recently spoke at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing about the importance of the RPM Act and amateur racing, noting that his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, raced motorcycles on the track. View the video below.

“Arizona has a rich tradition of motorsports and racing which also plays a role in our state’s economy,” said Senator Kelly. “The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 will protect Arizona’s amateur racers and auto mechanics from burdensome regulations so these enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the hobby and thrill of motorsports in our state and across the country.”

Prior to running for elected office, Sen. Kelly graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and has a Master's in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He worked as a naval aviator for 25, served on the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier, and flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. Senator Kelly was later selected as an astronaut in 1996 in the same class as his twin brother Scott. He flew his first of four missions into space in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and retired from the Navy and NASA after commanding the final flight of Endeavour in 2011.

To send a letter to your lawmakers asking them to support the RPM Act, go to saveourracecars.com. A letter has already been drafted. It takes less than a minute to fill in your contact information, which ensures that your letter is sent to your U.S. Representatives and Senators. For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.

Racers For Christ (RFC), the organization that provides chapel services, pastoral care, outreach, and Christian fellowship for the racing industry, has announced the release of a new book, “Racers For Christ, 50 Years of Fuel for the Soul.” The release, which covers a collection of its history, testimonies, photos, and more, coincides with its 50th anniversary. 

RFC was founded in Southern California in 1971 by Arnie Krueger. In 1984, Ken Owen was elected as president. Owen helped establish a presence within the NHRA before retiring in 2004 when Larry Smiley replaced him. Smiley retired in 2017 and was succeeded by Eddie Baugher. He and his wife Kelly also currently served as NHRA series chaplains. 

Today, RFC has over 400 mostly volunteer staff members who serve at over 2,000 motorsports events a year. Its office is based in Tempe, Arizona.  

RFC is a longtime PRI Trade Show exhibitor and will be in Booth #7057 in the Yellow Hall of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC), Dec. 9-11.  

For more information, visit teamrfc.org.