Officials with the CARS Tour have announced its Super Late Model division, which has been part of the sanctioning body since its inception in 2015, will be replaced by the Pro Late Model division. 

The Pro Late Models will utilize a crate engine, the primary difference between the replaced division. 

“Our Super car count has been dwindling for several years now,” McNelly said in a release. “It just got to the point where I felt like we needed to make a change so we could have a wider range of competitors that could be with us.”

The Pro Late Model rules, set to be announced on November 15, will be similar to CRA Series, Southern Super Series, and Montgomery Motor Speedway. The Pro Late Model division will also allow teams to compete at Pensacola, Nashville, Montgomery, and other venues “without having to make any major changes,” McNelly said. 

McNelly also stated that the Pro Late Model division could serve as a developmental ladder inside the CARS Tour, which oversees the Late Model Stock Tour. 

For more information, visit carsracingtour.com.

X.CELERATED has announced the formation of the “XR Super Series,” a 20-race sanctioned schedule of dirt racing events across the US beginning in 2022.

XR Events began an initiative in 2021 to produce and promote major dirt racing events for Super Late Models featuring class superstars and backed by high-paying purses & enticing financial bonuses. In 2022, XR will take that effort a step further with a full slate of 20 race dates under the XR Super Series (XRSS) umbrella. 

All events will be officially sanctioned as XRSS races with a newly established rulebook and a full-time, in-house technical inspection team.

The XR Super Series will feature stops at Bristol Motor Speedway (Tenn.), the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway (N.C.), Belleville High Banks (Kan.), Stuart International Speedway (Iowa), the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track (Texas), and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Nev.).

Highlighting the schedule will be the $100,000 eight-race points championship at the Karl Kustoms Bristol Dirt Nationals and four $50,000-to-win main event races (Charlotte, Belleville, Texas, and Las Vegas). All event feature races pay a minimum of $25,000-to-win.

For more information, visit racexr.com.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced the launch of the 2022 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE).

Taking place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and co-located with the Collison Repair Expo (CRE), the Expo will serve as a comprehensive exhibition for Australia’s $25 billion aftermarket industry from April 7–9, 2022. 

The three-day event will showcase the latest vehicle repair and servicing equipment, parts, tools and accessories, new technology and trends, and will also feature an awards evening plus a comprehensive training and education program.

“After a challenging couple of years for everyone, our industry is more excited than ever to come together to celebrate, learn, conduct business, and network,” AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said.

For more information and to register, visit autoaftermarketexpo.com.au.

John Kilroy, the former longtime editor of Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Magazine and later General Manager of PRI, has passed away after a years-long battle with cancer.

Kilroy, who started his career with PRI in 1990, led the company’s editorial operations for 22 years until he was elevated to GM following PRI’s sale to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) in 2012. For the next four years, he oversaw the day-to-day management of PRI and produced the annual PRI Trade Show while guiding the overall direction of PRI’s media and communications efforts.

A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, he was widely known and respected throughout the industry as an honest, hard-working professional with a passion for motorsports and those who made their living in the trade. He maintained countless friendships among PRI staff even after his departure from the company in 2016.

“John really was a pioneer in the industry,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “Everyone knew him, whether you were at the Show or at the track. John was the go-to guy here for so long, and for so much. It’s hard to put into words the impact he had at PRI.”

In his final editorial for PRI Magazine titled “The Next Turn,” Kilroy spoke of his pride in having taken the concept of a trade show and business publication for racing professionals to “previously unimaginable heights.”

“I’ve had a great run here at PRI,” he wrote. “Along the way, I had the great fortune to work in an industry that taught me a lot about how to live this life. Thank you all for chasing after it the way you did. You inspired me throughout my 26 years.”

A resident of Orange, California, Kilroy leaves behind a wife and three children. He will be missed by all of us who knew, worked with, and learned so much from him through the years.

Officials with the Engine Performance Expo have announced the event will take place in two parts and feature an expanded number of segments. The first round will take place online from October 13–14, 2021. The second is set for January 13–14, 2022, and will offer the opportunity for 200 people to attend in person at Straub Technologies in Piney Flats, Tennessee. 

Over 30 sessions across three days will cover the latest engine-building technologies, tools, and techniques. In addition, there will be hands-on sessions focused on earning a living in the industry, including career paths and training, and best practices in building, growing, and managing an engine-building business. The AERA Engine Builders Association, EFI University, and the School of Automotive Machinists and Technology are among those who will be holding educational sessions and demonstrations.

Already confirmed are appearances by Joe Patelle, George Bryce, Mark Cronquist, Scooter Brothers, Keith & Jeff Dorton, Jon Kaase, Larry Clark, Joe Stef, and Warren and Kurt Johnson. 

For more information, visit engineperformanceexpo.com.

Andersen Promotions has announced a new series designed to help drivers prepare for the Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires driver development platform, a path to the NTT IndyCar Series. USF Juniors presented by Cooper Tires will launch in 2022 and offer a prize package exceeding $325,000, including a scholarship valued at more than $200,000 to advance to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship.

USAC will sanction the new series with a schedule comprising six road-course race weekends, most with tripleheader rounds, for a total of 16 to 18 races. Budgets are expected to be in the $120,000 to $150,000 range, and the series will be open to drivers as young as 14 years of age. For 2022, the Ligier JS chassis and HPD powerplant will be utilized with long-time series engine builder Elite Engines performing all new builds and rebuilds. Cooper Tires will develop a series-specific tire for the tripleheader events with two sets of tires allocated for each event weekend.

“Our goal with USF Juniors is to provide a true entry-level series that is professionally managed where drivers, teams, and parents can focus on training and racing via shorter, more economical events, while also lowering the spotlight on young drivers that often occurs on IndyCar race weekends. Our entry-level drivers will learn the skills needed for them to move onto the Road to Indy, with less pressure,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions.

The former Indy Lights race winner and sports car talent Gustavo Yacaman will fill the role of series manager. Current Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 Race Directors Johnny Unser and Joel Miller will oversee race control and will work directly with USF Juniors official driver coach Gabby Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights champion, in preparing drivers to take the next step on the ladder. Registration for USF Juniors presented by Cooper Tires will open in November.

For more information, visit usfjuniors.com.

Officials from the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series have announced the 2022 schedule. New multi-day events and an increased year-end point fund highlight next season’s campaign, as next season’s champion will take home an additional $25,000.

The winner of the 2022 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model championship will earn a Series-high $125,000. The top-12 drivers in 2022 will see more than half a million dollars spread amongst them—each driver getting at least a $5,000 increase.

“We are always bouncing ideas off our teams to try and get feedback on things when it comes to the schedule and points fund,” Series Director Casey Shuman said. “We have tried to add some new big weekends each year, and in 2022 we will do that again, along with a very enticing point fund for our full-time teams.”

The Series will visit The Rev in Monroe, Louisiana, for the first time next year, where a $20,000-to-win Feature caps off the two-night weekend on March 11–12. In 2022, the World of Outlaws Late Models will make their first appearance at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 since 2018. The Series will be joined by the DIRTcar Summer Nationals on June 24–25. A total of $20,000 will be on the line to finish the weekend, along with special bonuses expected through the field.

Tickets will be available at worldofoutlaws.com/tix. 
 

2022 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series Schedule

Jan. 20–22—Volusia Speedway Park—Barberville, FL—Sunshine Nationals

Feb. 16–19—Volusia Speedway Park—Barberville, FL—DIRTcar Nationals 

Mar. 11–12—The Rev—Monroe, LA—$20K to win on Mar. 12

Mar. 25–26—Cherokee Speedway—Gaffney, SC—$20K to win on Mar. 26

Apr. 1–2—Farmer City Raceway—Farmer City, IL—$20K to win on Apr. 2

Apr. 29–30—Bristol Motor Speedway—Bristol, TN—Bristol Bash 

May 5–7—Mississippi Thunder—Fountain City, WI—$30K to win on May 7

May 27–28—Sharon Speedway—Hartford, OH—$20K to win on May 28

June 24–25—Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55—Pevely, MO—$20K to win June 25

July 8–9—Boone Speedway—Boone, IA—$30k to win July 9

July 29–30—Fairbury Speedway—Fairbury, IL—$50K to win on July 30

Aug. 4–6—Cedar Lake Speedway—Cedar Lake, WI—$50K to win on Aug. 6

Aug. 25–27—Davenport Speedway—Davenport, IA—$30k to win on Aug. 27

NASCAR has announced the 2022 schedules for both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“For the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series, we loved the idea of being able to deliver new road courses to both schedules and a short track for the Camping World Trucks while still returning to our traditional venues and the new tracks we introduced in 2021,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of strategy and innovation. “Not only do these changes continue to deliver on what our fans are asking for, but we feel they will create even more drama and intensity as drivers battle to win championships at Phoenix Raceway in November.”

Both series will open the season on consecutive days at the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway. The Camping World Truck Series gets underway on February 18, with the Xfinity Series kicking off its season on February 19.

As announced earlier in the year, all three NASCAR national series seasons will culminate with NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway November 4–6.

For the complete 2022 schedule for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, visit nascar.com/nascar-xfinity-series/2022/schedule. For the 2022 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, visit nascar.com/nascar-camping-world-truck-series/2021/schedule/.

Ryan Smith has been promoted to director of Category Management for Cloyes Gear and Products.

In his new role, Smith will continue to develop and grow the department with additional resources, enhance the customer line review process, and expand our category management footprint to more customers.

Smith joined Cloyes in December of 2013 as sales and marketing coordinator where he played a key role in the management of several regional export accounts, PER customer base, and customer pricing. Smith also served as project manager lead on the production of Cloyes aftermarket tech videos. He was promoted in May of 2019 to manager of special markets and category management.

“Ryan is a talented, capable, and creative professional that is well respected in the broader aftermarket community,” said Richard Crotzer, Senior Vice President of Global Sales of Cloyes. “His experience with Cloyes has prepared him perfectly for his new position.”

For more information, visit cloyes.com.

     Lewis Hamilton. Photo courtesy of The Hamilton Commission

Lewis Hamilton’s charity is launching a partnership aimed at increasing the pool of black science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers in England.

Mission 44, launched by the seven-time Formula One world champion earlier this year, has partnered with Teach First to work on research, mentoring, and marketing campaigns designed to help recruit 150 black STEM teachers to work in disadvantaged communities across the country.

The framework the partnership creates can be adopted by other educational bodies to further improve diversity in the profession. The project follows findings from The Hamilton Commission that highlighted the lack of black STEM teachers as a barrier to students engaging with these subjects.

Speaking about the new partnership, Hamilton said: “We know representation and role models are important across all aspects of society, but especially when it comes to supporting young people’s development. By establishing this partnership, which focuses on identifying the best way to attract black talent to STEM teaching roles, we hope to create a framework the wider education industry can implement. It’s our hope other organizations recruiting teachers will support and join us on our mission to see more diversity in the classroom.”

For more information, visit hamiltoncommission.org/the-report.