Andersen Promotions has announced a new agreement with the United States Auto Club (USAC Racing) to become the sanctioning body for the three racing series owned and operated by the organization—the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship and Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires as well as the new USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires.

Both USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 are key steps on the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, a scholarship-supported driver development platform to the NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500. In addition, the recently announced USF Juniors is a pre-step to the ladder system offering its champion a scholarship package to enter USF2000.

While the USAC portfolio is best known in the circle track arena with Silver Crown, Sprint, Midget and .25 Midget sanctioning, it now governs a diverse motorsports platform, including the SRO World Challenge, Porsche Sprint Challenge and the SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks.

“Thirty years ago, when I first announced the USF2000 series launch in 1991, USAC stepped up and was my first sanctioning body,” said Dan Andersen, owner, and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “We’ve come full circle, and I am very pleased to be back with them and look forward to a long-term relationship.” 

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

Officials from the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour have announced the 2022 season schedule, which will mark the late model touring series’ eighth year of competition.

Once again, the Late Model Stock Cars will headline the dual division series, but in 2022, the Pro Late Models category replaces the Super Late Model division.

Late Models will run 15 events, and Pro Lates will run 12, across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. 

Both schedules open on March 12–13, at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, North Carolina, for the Old North State Nationals. Division champions will be crowned at Caraway Speedway as part of the North vs. South Shootout weekend on November 5. 

For the complete 2022 schedules, visit the CARS Tour announcement here. For more information, visit carsracingtour.com.

The ownership group of Motorsports Park Hastings has announced Jeff Lacina as general manager of the multi-use facility in Hastings, Nebraska. Lacina will oversee all daily track operations as well as all promotions, marketing, and event management functions, including group, corporate, and private event rentals.

“Jeff brings years of motorsports experience as well as a unique combination of marketing, communications, editorial, performance driving education, and racing knowledge to our team at Motorsport Park Hastings,” said Terry Klatt, one of the owners and partners in the facility and owner of Klatt Motorsports.

Prior to joining Motorsport Park Hastings, Lacina served as an international sales representative for Sydney, Australia-based Speedmaster. He also worked with LTA Manufacturing and Castle Creations in the Olathe, Kansas area; John Deere Financial in Johnston, Iowa; and Accessible Technologies/ProCharger Superchargers/Inovair in Lenexa, Kansas.

Lacina has also contributed as a freelance writer for several automotive and motorsports publications and is an avid road course racer. He launched the Track Guys Performance Driving Events in 2002.

Motorsport Park Hastings features a 2.15-mile, 13-turn asphalt road course, covered race port, expansive paddock, a unique clubhouse overlooking Turn 13, and privately-owned garage condo units. 

For more information, visit racemph.com.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) has announced the 2022 schedule, with a groundbreaking lineup that includes 65 feature events at 35 different venues across 18 states. Of those, 17 events will offer a top prize of more than $20,000—including 11 marquees that pay $50,000 or more to the winner.

In addition, next year’s Lucas Oil National Champion will receive $150,000; second-place will earn $75,000; third-place garners $50,000. The year-end points fund for the Top-12 in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will total more than $500,000.

The Series will head to new venues in 2022, including:

• Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania on June 23–25, for the 16th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by Big River Steel
• Davenport, Iowa’s quarter-mile oval on July 6
• I-70 Motorsports Park in Odessa, Missouri on July 14
• Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota on July 19 

For the first time since 2013, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, on June 3–4.

“The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series would like to thank our team owners, drivers and crew members, our event promoters, our loyal fans, and our tremendous marketing partners for their continued support,” said Rick Schwallie, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director. “It is because of each of you, along with the hard work and determination of series officials and the unwavering support of Lucas Oil Products, that the series had another successful season that left promoters wanting to host bigger events than ever before in 2022.”

For the complete 2022 schedule, visit the series website here. For more information, visit lucasdirt.com.

The United States Speed Association (USSA) and the Mel Kenyon Midget Series have been purchased by Brad Hayes Racing. Current USSA partners—Don Kenyon, Eric Bunn, and Norm Shields—will complete the 2021 racing schedule through the season banquet. Brad Hayes and his group will officially take control of the sanctioning body and series on Monday, November 8.

USSA was incorporated in late 2009 and has since sanctioned 250 races with competitors taking home a total of $1,485,760.

“Even though the operation of USSA has changed hands, Mel and I will still be available in whatever capacity we are needed,” said Don Kenyon, who was served as president of USSA since its inception and is the brother of Mel Kenyon.

“We are looking forward to working with all current and new teams in the series. We will maintain the history of what Mel and Don have done for the sport, while growing the series with a fresh energy for the 2022 season,” Brad Hayes said.

For more information, visit ussaracing.com and bradhayesracing.com.

While Congress was out of session, U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has been busy meeting with his constituents. On Friday, October 15, he visited Hotchkis Sport Suspension in Mooresville, North Carolina, for a tour and meeting with local members of the motorsports parts industry. As the Congressman for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Mooresville up to the Virginia border, Rep. McHenry represents the heart of race country. Congressman McHenry is the lead sponsor of H.R. 3281, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act) and is a passionate advocate for racing.  

John Hotchkis, the owner of Hotchkis, led Rep. McHenry and industry guests on a tour of the facility, where his employees produce car, truck, and SUV suspension handling kits, including fabricated trailing arms and caster/camber plates, coil springs, anti-sway bars, and strut tower braces. After the tour, Rep. McHenry spoke about the RPM Act and other key issues that impact the racing industry. 

“Thanks to John Hotchkis for hosting me for a tour and a terrific discussion on my legislation designed to protect the motorsports community, the RPM Act. Thank you to SEMA and PRI for organizing this discussion and advocating on behalf of the motorsports community. It was great to see so many leaders in racing showing support for their colleagues and for the sport.” 

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. 

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) has launched a new, interactive job board, the PRI Career Center. With its focus on the motorsports industry, the PRI Career Center offers its members—and the entire racing industry—an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections. 

“We’re very excited about the PRI Career Center because we know how critical it is for employers in the racing industry to attract first-rate talent with a minimum expenditure of time and resources,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, PRI President. “And it’s important for us to help enable smooth career transitions for those seeking industry jobs.” 

Employers can use the PRI Career Center to reach qualified candidates. PRI Members can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online resume agent to email qualified candidates daily at no cost. They also benefit from online reporting that provides job activity statistics. 

For job seekers, the PRI Career Center is a free service that provides access to employers and jobs in the motorsports industry. In addition to posting their resumes, job seekers can browse and view available jobs based on their criteria, and save those jobs for later reference if they choose. Job seekers can also create a search agent to provide email notifications of jobs that match their criteria, receive career coaching, get help with resume writing, and even validate their skills through reference testing. 

“Nowhere else are employers or job seekers able to access a collection of job opportunities focused solely on the racing industry,” said Meyer. “It’s the best, most effective way to ensure you get candidates and opportunities that align with the passion and excitement found only through motorsports.” 

The PRI Career Center is available at jobs.performanceracing.com. 

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) recently amplified its advocacy efforts as title sponsor of the Magic 8 Shootout, part of the legendary No Mercy 12 weekend put on by Duck X Productions at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) in Valdosta, Georgia, over the weekend. 

“The participants and fans are everything PRI. They are PRI,” PRI Track Ambassador Tom Deery said. “Clearly their passion is racing, and the intensity of the competition demonstrated how important racing is to them.”  

With 12,000 fans in the grandstands and 200 cars in the pits, the PRI team pressed the importance of protecting motorsports, including support for the vital RPM Act. The pro-motorsports, pro-business bill is designed to ensure racers can continue to modify street vehicles into race cars used exclusively in competition, and that businesses can continue to produce, market, and install racing equipment. The RPM Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in May and the U.S. Senate in September. 

“This event proved that it will take an ‘all-in’ grassroots effort. Politics is local and No Mercy was in the sweet spot,” Deery said. 

As a direct result of PRI’s efforts last weekend, nearly 2,000 letters were sent urging lawmakers to support the RPM Act. 

“Every single car competing this weekend would be affected if the RPM Act does not pass,” PRI Executive Assistant Emily Boden said. “Everyone was so thankful for what PRI is doing to protect their sport. PRI is lucky to be the entity that represents ALL racing.” 

While there, the on-track action did not disappoint. The event saw the top eight qualifiers in each Radials vs. the World, Limited Drag Radial, Pro 275, and X275 classes duel for a winner-take-all after four qualifying rounds. Following the intense competition, Bryan Markiewicz won in RvW, Ken Quartuccio took the P275, Paul Gargus secured the LDR class, and Frank Mewshaw won the X275 final.

“No Mercy was our mission, SGMP was our church, and the community was our choir. This weekend’s racers, exhibitors, and enthusiasts spoke up, asked questions, shared their concerns, and pledged their support for the RPM Act,” said PRI’s Michelle Gallegos. “Donald ’Duck’ Long and his team were dedicated and supportive, unlike anything I have ever witnessed trackside before.”

Keep an eye out for PRI’s social media channels and eNewsletter for a comprehensive post-race wrap-up, including race results, video coverage, and a full photo gallery, as part of the 2021 PRI Road Tour. 

After 18 years of competing as a driver in the Formula Drift (FD) championship, Turn 14 Distribution driver Daijiro “Dai” Yoshihara has announced his retirement from the series. During his tenure, Yoshihara participated in 128 events, stood on the podium 28 times, won eight events, and secured the 2011 Formula Drift Championship title. 

He will leave the series to pursue other opportunities as a professional driver, brand ambassador, along with other business ventures. The reduced travel time will also allow him to spend more time with his wife and two young sons.

“The FD series and the United States has provided me and my family so many opportunities. The fans, friends, and relationships that I’ve made along the way have been amazing. Thank you for your support, and most of all, a lifetime of experiences and memories.”

For more information, visit formulad.com and turn14.com.

Dart Machinery has announced its founder Richard Maskin has passed away at the age of 74. 

“He was an innovator in motorsports, a fierce competitor, a good friend, a loved family man, a generous and respected employer, and we all will miss him immensely,” the company said in a post. “Richard leaves behind a great legacy. One that spans decades and can’t be put into just a few words. We do take solace in knowing that his contribution to racing will continue, however, with every Big M engine block that finds a home under someone’s hood. He is the namesake, the original, and the one and only ‘Big M.’”

Maskin’s engines have won multiple NHRA Pro Stock world championships and national events. Dart Machinery’s products can also be found on cars in a wide range of drag racing categories, including Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Street, Pro Mod, and more. 

For more information, visit dartheads.com.