NASCAR has announced the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Red Farmer and Mike Stefanik make up the Hall of Fame’s 12th class, and first with three members. In addition, Ralph Seagraves was named as the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met virtually to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2021 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award. The group also became the first to vote on two different Hall of Fame ballots.

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee also selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1961 or earlier, was selected by a new Honors Committee. Beginning with the Class of 2021, each Hall of Fame class will feature two inductees from the Modern Era ballot and one from the Pioneer ballot.

Earnhardt Jr. received 76% of the Modern Era ballot votes, Stefanik received 49%. Ricky Rudd finished third, followed by Neil Bonnett. Red Farmer received 71% of the Pioneer ballot votes. Hershel McGriff finished second.

Each class is selected by the Voting Panel, which expanded to 65 members this year. The panel includes representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Kyle Busch) and a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com.

Seven new voters from the Honors Committee – Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Ron Hornaday Jr., Dale Jarrett, Roger Penske, Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace – participated for the first time.

Class of 2021 Inductees:

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a third-generation NASCAR champion in a family synonymous with the sport, is perhaps the most popular driver in NASCAR history. The son of “The Intimidator,” Earnhardt Jr. made his own path and served as the face of NASCAR as 15-time Most Popular Driver. He began his career at family-owned Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI) winning back-to-back Xfinity Series titles and 13 races in two full-time seasons. He quickly moved to the Cup Series where he won in his 12th career start. Like his father, Earnhardt Jr. was a master of the draft and thrived in restrictor plate racing. Ten of his 26 Cup victories came at Daytona and Talladega, including Daytona 500 wins in 2004 and 2014. In 2006, Earnhardt founded JR Motorsports, adding team owner to his resume. The team has three Xfinity Series championships and 47 wins. Earnhardt currently serves as an analyst for NBC Sports and hosts the popular podcast "Dale Jr Download."

Red Farmer
Red Farmer’s career is one long series of immeasurable accolades. For instance, it’s entirely unknown just how many wins Farmer has. One thing is for sure: it’s a lot … somewhere north of 700. His passion for the sport is likewise immeasurable. After all, he continues to race, even as he approaches 90 years of age. But the record books do have a few things that are black-and-white and proof positive about this member of the Alabama Gang. He collected three consecutive championships in NASCAR’s Late Model Sportsman division from 1969-71, long after he won the Modified title in 1956. Though he preferred racing in the Late Model Sportsman division, Farmer did run 36 Cup Series races, with a best finish of fourth (twice). In 1998, Farmer’s many successes – clearly too many to officially count – landed him on the list of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

Mike Stefanik
At the very top of the list of all-time NASCAR championships sit two men: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans … and Mike Stefanik. Each tallied nine in their exemplary careers, with Stefanik’s coming in both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR East Series. Seven of his titles came in his primary racing series – the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. In 2003, he was named one of the Tour’s 10 Greatest Drivers, an obvious choice if there ever was one – Stefanik holds the all-time series record in championships, wins, poles, top fives and top 10s. Stefanik won two championships consecutively in the NASCAR East Series, in 1997-98. That, along with a win total that ties for ninth on the all-time series wins list, earned him a spot on the Top 10 Drivers of the First 25 Years of the NASCAR East Series list in 2011. In addition, Stefanik spent one full-time season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor & RV Truck Series – and it was a successful one. He captured the Rookie of the Year Award in 1999.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:
Ralph Seagraves
Ralph Seagraves’ life – and NASCAR’s world – changed the moment he met NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson. In the late 1960s, Seagraves, an official with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, had been searching for a means to market cigarettes after the federal government banned RJR’s products from advertising on television and radio. Johnson, ever the entrepreneur, had an idea. How about RJR sponsor his cars? Seagraves had a bigger idea: Why not sponsor NASCAR’s top series? And so, in 1971, for the first time since its inception in 1949, NASCAR’s premier series had major corporate backing. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series was born. The partnership helped NASCAR launch into the national spotlight, and created a bedrock of stability for the next three decades. RJR’s Winston brand sponsored NASCAR’s top series for more than 30 years, ending in 2003. Under Seagraves leadership, RJR helped a number of race track operators refurbish their facilities, many of which were short tracks that ran developmental NASCAR Winston Racing Series races.
 
For more information, visit NASCAR.com.

Chevrolet Performance announced the all-new LS427/570 crate engine — an enhanced version of the production-based LS7 7.0L engine that is designed to offer more horsepower, more torque, and be easier to install due to a simpler wet-sump oiling system.

A new, high-lift camshaft developed specifically for this engine is designed to produce a GM-estimated 570 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque — increases of 65 horsepower and 70 lb-ft over the regular-production engine — while the new wet-sump oiling system is designed to eliminate the need for the installer to incorporate a separate oil tank, oil lines, and other ancillary components.

“The all-new LS427/570 builds on the legendary, racing-bred performance of the LS7 to create the most powerful naturally-aspirated LS crate engine in our portfolio,” said Jessica Earl, GM specialist marketing group manager.

Compared to the production LS7 crate engine assembly, the LS427/570 features an F-body aluminum oil pan and a specific wet-sump oil pump. Additional engine highlights include:

• High-lift hydraulic roller camshaft with 0.591-inch intake/0.590-inch exhaust lift; 227-degree intake/242-degree exhaust duration; and a lobe separation angle of 116 degrees
• High-rate valve springs
• Camaro fifth-generation Z/28 exhaust manifolds
• Low-profile LS7 EFI intake manifold with fuel rails, injectors and throttle body installed
• LS7 rotating assembly featuring a forged steel crankshaft and titanium connecting rods
• CNC-ported cylinder heads featuring 2.20-inch titanium intake valves and 1.61-inch sodium-filled exhaust valves
• Fourteen-inch Camaro Z/28 168-tooth manual transmission flywheel
• Must be used with LS427/570 Engine Controller P/N 19420000 (sold separately)
• Chevrolet Performance recommends Mobil 1 15W50 fully synthetic motor oil to be used with the engine

The new LS427/570 is available for immediate ordering through Chevrolet Performance dealers and retailers. For more information, visit chevrolet.com/performance.

Andersen Promotions announced significant additional support for the two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires. Champions of the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship will see an enhanced scholarship prize package to help with their ascent up the highly acclaimed ladder system to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Adjusted due to the coronavirus, the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 calendar will continue to offer a strong mix of 10 road, street and oval events totaling 18 races – the majority in support of INDYCAR, its sanctioning body.

With healthy prize packages already in place across the three series, the Indy Pro 2000 champion’s scholarship is currently valued at $609,245. This will now increase to a guaranteed full season contract with an Indy Lights team of the driver’s choice. The agreement will cover all 2021 series-sanctioned race and test events from the season-opener to the finale, entry and test day fees, and Cooper tires (per the allowable number of sets).

In addition, the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 champion will be awarded a test with an NTT INDYCAR SERIES team following completion of the 2021 Indy Lights season.

Similarly, the 2020 USF2000 champion will receive a scholarship valued at $328,225, guaranteeing a full season contract with an Indy Pro 2000 team of the driver’s choice including all 2021 race and test events, entry and test day fees and the allowable number of sets of Cooper tires. The scholarship value will be increased to include an Indy Lights test at the conclusion of the 2021 Indy Pro 2000 season.

“2020 has been a very unsettled season for all of motorsports and for the Road to Indy in particular in our 10th anniversary year,” said Dan Andersen, Owner, and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “As we look ahead to 2021 with high hopes for a reinvigorated Indy Lights championship, these changes to our already strong prize package for Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 will strengthen the entire Road to Indy ladder and ensure that our champions have the greatest opportunity to make it to the top."

The 2020 season will get underway with a series-sanctioned Spring Training 2.0 open test at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 29 followed by the season-opening doubleheader at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., in support of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event weekend.

For more information, visit usf2000.com.

As a result of health and safety concerns associated with the coronavirus, the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame has decided to cancel its 2020 Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for July 23.

The previously announced Class of 2020 — drivers Brett Hearn, Harold Bunting, and the late Joe Donahue; car owner Tico Conley; mechanic Billy Taylor; promoters Bob and Donna Miller; TV producer Tery Rumsey; and Woman in Racing April May Preston-Elms — will be fully honored next summer, on a date to be determined.

Since 1992, the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame has inducted 101 championship drivers and honored 136 distinguished award winners from throughout the region. In recent years, the Hall of Fame program held annually in the museum has been bracketed by festive pre- and post-event receptions hosted by Weedsport Speedway.

"While we are disappointed to cancel this incredibly special event, it is the right thing to do under the circumstances," said Hall of Fame Committee Chair Buffy Swanson.

"Given the changing rules and restrictions about what can and can’t take place, the fear many have about close contact and social events, and the conviction that we keep the induction ceremonies in the hallowed halls of the museum, maintaining the level of excellence we have established and continue to build on... the best solution is to forego the 2020 ceremonies, and induct this year’s class in the summer of 2021, with all the fanfare they deserve."

For more information, call the museum at 315-374-3661 or visit its Facebook page here.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has issued updated business guidance allowing outdoor recreation facilities, including motorsports, to resume operation in the state.

Under the Governor’s Process to Reopen Pennsylvania plan, counties in the state are placed in either the red, yellow, or green phase, with each new phase allowing additional businesses to operate. All Pennsylvania counties are currently in the yellow or green phase. Motorsports facilities in counties in the yellow phase can operate at 50% capacity, while those in the green phase can operate at 75% capacity, with additional restrictions in place to maintain social distancing.

The Pennsylvania legislature had previously introduced a PRI-supported bill to allow outdoor recreational activities, including professional and amateur motorsports, to resume immediately under certain conditions. The bill currently awaits a final vote in the House of Representatives.

PRI has compiled an up-to-date listing of motorsports’ status in each state. Click here to discover whether racing venues in your area are ready to drop the green flag.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By all indications, 2020 was going to be a banner year for NCM Motorsports Park. By the end of ’19, the Bowling Green, Kentucky, facility that specializes in track rentals and caters to driving clubs, racing schools, professional teams and more had a full calendar, and had even booked up its trademark Corvette Experience through August, according to General Manager Mitch Wright, who added that projections were “a good 25% better than last year in both gross and net revenues. We were going to look like rock stars.”

Then came COVID-19…and we all know what happened next. A complete shutdown of race tracks nationwide, followed by a patchwork of federal, state, and local requirements for reopening—with and without spectators—that continues to this day. It’s been challenging, to say the least.

Some tracks are managing better than others. Despite almost three months on the shelf, Wright noted a slight silver lining: He applied for, and received, federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds, which allowed NCM to keep staff on payroll and, instead of racing, focus on various improvement and upkeep projects (painting, moving a few guardrails, creating a larger runoff area, reconfiguring the office, lobby, and retail space, etc.). Fortunately, they were also able to re-schedule most of their 2020 Corvette Experience reservations for later in the year.

When we spoke in early June, Wright and his team were cautiously optimistic over an upcoming track event. “This weekend will be telling,” he said, “because it’ll be the first [one] we’ve had where we’ll be asking people to practice social distancing and things like that.”

As industry advocates, we stand firmly behind Wright and the 1,200 other track operators across the US in their long overdue return to racing. Let’s wave the green flag already!

We’re not done, though—far from it. Over the last several weeks PRI has launched an aggressive outreach campaign to connect with race track owners and promoters from coast to coast in order to better understand their challenges and determine how we, and our partners, can best serve their needs. The project, which is being spearheaded by our new President Dr. Jamie Meyer, includes legislative efforts from our team in Washington, D.C., resources and updates on our dedicated website (performanceracing.com/corona-updates/), and online panel discussions with information and assistance for the racing community. (For more on Dr. Meyer, see the official announcement of his hire here.)

The first half of 2020 has tested our collective resolve. But better days are not far behind. Race tracks are coming back online, and restrictions (hopefully) will continue to ease.

Late last year, at the PRI Trade Show, we unveiled a new mission statement whose guiding principles are to “build, promote and protect the racing community.” We didn’t know it at the time, but in just a few months’ time we’d be called upon to put those words into action. The first major step in that direction was bringing an experienced, knowledgeable leader into the building. We’ve done that with the addition of Dr. Meyer, who will continue rolling out new initiatives in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Our pledge to you now is that PRI is embracing this opportunity to be a resource to help all members of the industry work through these challenges. Our commitment on this is unwavering. Reach out, tell us what you need. We’re here to help.
      

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act was signed into law on June 5 and provides companies more flexibility on the use of funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Businesses are encouraged to contact participating lenders prior to the June 30 deadline. Highlights of the program include:

• Loan Amount: PPP loans equal the average of one month’s 2019 payroll multiplied by 2.5 (capped at $10 million).
• Amount Forgiven: The SBA will forgive that portion of the loan used to cover payroll, rent payments, mortgage interest and the cost of utilities for a fixed period of time. As a result of the PPP Flexibility Act, the employer may now choose the covered period, either: (a) eight consecutive weeks from when the loan was received, or (b) up to 24 weeks from when the loan was received or on December 31, 2020, whichever comes first.
• Use of Funds: PPP funds can be used to cover payroll, mortgage or rent payments, utilities and other specified expenses. At least 60% of the amount to be forgiven must be spent on payroll, which includes employee benefit costs for vacation, sick/parental leave, insurance premiums, retirement benefits and state and local taxes.
• Interest Rate and Repayment Terms: The loan interest rate is 1%. Repayments on any amount not forgiven is deferred at least 10 months after the end of the covered period, with a two-year term for loans secured before June 5, and five-year term for loans on or after that date.
• Rehiring Workers: Employers have until December 31, 2020, to rehire workers and have their salaries count toward forgiveness.
• Payroll Taxes: Businesses receiving a PPP loan may also defer payment of 2020 payroll taxes.
• Apply Now: The deadline for application approval is June 30, 2020. Companies are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible because there is only $130 billion left to be lent (as of June 7, 2020). Click here for more information.
• Find a Bank: Companies looking to apply for PPP loans are encouraged to use the SBA’s Find Local Lenders page to locate the nearest PPP lending institutions.

For more information:

• View a taped SEMA webinar on May 28, entitled “Everything You Need to Know About the Paycheck Protection Program,” which features Gene Marks, a CPA and recognized expert on small business issues.
• View additional PPP information posted on SEMA’s SBA loan webpage.
• Visit the SBA's PPP webpage.

FASTRAK Companies International, LLC, the parent company for the FASTRAK Racing Series and ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series, has hired Tim Packman as the company’s new General Manager.

Packman brings more than 25 years of racing experience to the family of FASTRAK Racing Series. He will work closely with Stan Lester, President, and DJ Irvine, Vice President.

Prior to FASTRAK, Packman was the president of Lancaster (NY) National Speedway & Dragway where he earned Short Track Promoter of the Year honors in 2016 and 2017. He also has career experience in NASCAR working for Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., MRN Radio, and NASCAR.com. He is also a multiple-time award-winning author and writer.

“It is great to get back to the Grass Roots levels and especially on the incredible dirt tracks where FASTRAK and ULTIMATE races take place,” Packman said. “I am very much looking forward to learning all I can from Stan, DJ, and the Regional Directors in how to make the series even stronger. They have an excellent base of partners, drivers, and fans already in place I’ll be able to work with in this role."

For more information, including the 2020 FASTRAK schedule, visit fastrakracing.com.

Oregon Raceway Park (ORP), the 2.34-mile, 16-turn road course in Grass Valley, Oregon, is for sale.

Managed by Pacific Motorsports Management, the facility features 434 acres of land highlighted by the bi-directional, 40' wide course featuring race-grade asphalt over a 16-inch road-bead.

ORP is described as a family destination with an array of services and amenities, including professional instruction, trackside support, car storage, race car rentals, private race schools, corporate entertainment, and private access and track days through the Oregon Raceway Park Club organization.

Additional features include fire protection storage and hydrant system, modern restrooms with showers, an aid room for EMT use, two pump and two tank above-ground fuel dock, paved paddock and pre-grid areas, and a 12-bay garage building.

The asking price for the facility, which was built in 2008, is $10,000,000.

Track Board of Directors made a statement regarding the sale, which can be found in its entirety here.

"It is our hope and desire to find a buyer (or buyers) with the resources to take the ORP facility more rapidly to the next level of amenities, improvements, and operations, while allowing our founding investors (many of whom are no longer able to participate in the activities they once enjoyed at ORP) an opportunity to move on to other interests," the statement said.

"If we are unable to find the right buyer at the right price, we will continue operations as we have been, on a slow growth path and continue to seek ways to accelerate that growth into the future."

For more information, including the current 2020 track schedule, visit oregonraceway.com.

NASCAR has released the below statement prohibiting Confederate flags from all NASCAR races and tracks.

“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors, and our industry. Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”

For more information, visit NASCAR.com.