Driven Racing Oil has announced Kyle Fickler as its new Director of Sales and New Business Development. Fickler will oversee sales, new business development, customer relations, and training.

Fickler, who is the current SEMA Board Treasurer, previously served as the Director of Business Development for Aeromotive as well as the VP of Sales and Marketing at Weld Racing. He also served as the Chairman of the SEMA Motorsports Parts Manufacturer Council (MPMC) and was on the NHRA Performance Aftermarket Advisory Council (PAAC).

“We are honored that Kyle has chosen to join Driven Racing Oil. After years of working with Kyle on various industry projects, we are certain that his integrity, work ethic, wisdom, and leadership will be a tremendous addition to the Driven Racing Oil team,” a Scooter Brothers statement said.

Fickler is a lifelong, passionate motorsports enthusiast with multiple NHRA Super Comp wins, including his most recent 2019 NHRA National Event victory at Heartland Motorsports Park. His wife and daughter are also experienced racers who enjoy off-roading in their lifted Jeep.

Driven Racing Oil offers a complete selection of high-performance lubricants including engine oil, gear oil, transmission fluids, and engine break-in oils for racing, street, diesel, and industrial applications. For more information, visit drivenracingoil.com.

The New Mexico Motorsports Coalition (NMMC), a group comprised of racing facilities in New Mexico, along with racing related businesses and professionals, including Performance Racing Industry (PRI), has submitted a four-step, one-year plan to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that would allow motorsports to safely resume statewide.

Under Governor Lujan Grisham’s current reopening plan, mass gatherings are limited to five individuals and recreational facilities must remain closed. New Mexicans must travel to neighboring states in order to enjoy racing, resulting in lost revenue for racetracks within the state.

“PRI is committed to ensuring the resumption of racing in New Mexico and nationwide, which would provide desperately needed economic stimulus and a morale boost to Americans,” said PRI President Dr. Jamie Meyer.

PRI is encouraging racing enthusiasts and impacted businesses to contact New Mexico’s leaders in support of NMMC’s proposal at the following link.

PRI also has up-to-date information on the status of Motorsports by state listed on its website.

To contact PRI, interested members of the racing community are encouraged to visit performanceracing.com or contact mail@performanceracing.com

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 2021 Georgia/Florida Speedweeks will run from January 21 through February 6, with visits to four tracks and an estimated $630,000 in prize money and bonuses.

As with this year's Speedweeks, the series will return to Golden Isles Speedway, East Bay Raceway Park, and All-Tech Raceway, but will also make a stop at a new-for-2021 track, Bubba Raceway Park in Florida.

Action will get underway on Thursday, January 21 with an open practice for all competing divisions at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, GA. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series teams will be competing on January 22-23 for $12,000- and $15,000-to-win events.

From there, teams will travel south to East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL, beginning with an open practice Sunday, January 24, followed by features Monday, January 25, through Saturday, January 30, with increasing purse monies ending with a $15,000-to-win and nearly $55,000 in A-Main purse.

Teams will take Sunday, January 31 off to regroup before spending Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2, at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, FL for a pair of $10,000-to-win events. These events each have an A-Main purse in excess of $43,000.

The final speedway on the 2021 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Speedweeks schedule takes teams to Lake City, FL, at All-Tech Raceway.

For more information and the detailed 2021 Speedweeks schedule, visit the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series website here.

SCORE International has announced that the 52nd SCORE Baja 500 will not take place as scheduled from July 14-19. The announcement follows a review with government authorities regarding the conditions in Ensenada under the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Stoplight Monitoring System activated in Mexico.

“SCORE International’s focus on the health and safety of our racers, sponsors, media, fans, staff and citizens of Baja California remains our highest priority,” SCORE President and Race Director Jose A. Grijalva said. “We are grateful for the patience and understanding of everyone involved due to the challenging and constantly changing situation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).”

SCORE International will provide information regarding the 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship schedule as soon as possible while continuing to work with municipal, state, and federal authorities in monitoring the very fluid health and safety conditions in Baja California, according to series officials.

For more information, visit score-international.com.

TOCA – the series organizer of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – has announced a five-year contract with M-Sport to supply the new TOCA BTCC engine.

Since the introduction of the NGTC regulations in 2011, organizers have given teams the opportunity to lease a competitive TOCA engine with proven durability and strict cost-controls should they not want to field their own engine program.

In 2020, some 55% of all cars on the BTCC grid will use the TOCA engine, according to a series press release.

Following its successful tender submission and subsequent voting by all BTCC teams, M-Sport will now develop, build and supply the TOCA engine to the UK’s premier motorsports series from 2022-2026.

M-Sport will work closely with Cosworth, which was awarded the contract to design, supply, and service the new BTCC Hybrid System, set to be introduced in 2022.

M-Sport will work through a final development program of the new TOCA engine, including rigorous testing and manufacture during 2021, before its introduction into the series the following year.

“We’re delighted to have been selected to supply the new TOCA BTCC engine in 2022," M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson OBE said. "The BTCC has long been a popular and prestigious part of the British motorsport scene, and we’re all looking forward to working with TOCA and the relevant teams on this new and exciting project.

“I firmly believe that M-Sport has some of the best engineering expertise in the country, and with the development of our on-site Evaluation Centre this capability is only going to increase.”

For more information, visit btcc.net.

NASCAR has announced its plan to reintroduce guests at select NASCAR Cup Series races beginning with the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (June 14) and the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway (June 21).

NASCAR’s modified event procedures, protocols and number of attendees have been finalized with guidance from public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal officials. All guests in attendance will be screened before entering, required to wear face coverings, mandated to social distance at 6 feet, and will not have access to the infield, among other revised operational protocols. NASCAR will continue to adapt and improve its procedures to ensure they are effective and can be scaled to support an increased number of fans in the future.

“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the responsibility that comes with integrating guests back into our events,” NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Operations and Sales Officer Daryl Wolfe said. “We believe implementing this methodical process is an important step forward for the sport and the future of live sporting events. The passion and unwavering support of our industry and fans is the reason we race each weekend and we look forward to slowly and responsibly welcoming them back at select events.”

NASCAR will continue its long history of honoring military members by welcoming them as the first guests allowed entrance to a NASCAR Cup Series event since March 8. Homestead-Miami Speedway will invite up to 1,000 South Florida service members as honorary guests for the Dixie Vodka 400, representing the Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Southern Command in Doral.   

Talladega Superspeedway will allow up to 5,000 guests in the frontstretch grandstands/towers for the GEICO 500. In addition, there will be limited motorhome/5th-wheel camping spots available outside the track high atop the Alabama Gang Superstretch. Tickets are open exclusively on a first-come, first-served basis to fans who purchased tickets or reserved camping for the originally scheduled GEICO 500 (April 26) and live within a designated proximity to the track.

Additional protocols and procedures for guests planning to attend can be found at the Homestead-Miami Speedway website and Talladega Superspeedway. For more information, visit NASCAR.com.

The JEGS Allstars competition, one of the most intense NHRA Sportsman competitions of the year, will take place this year at the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The special event, originally scheduled to take place at its traditional site at the NHRA Route 66 Nationals, was moved after that event had to be canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the most prestigious Sportsman race of the year at the most historic track on our sport’s biggest stage,” said Scott “Woody” Woodruff, JEGS Director of Media & Motorsports. “Having the JEGS Allstars race as part of the NHRA U.S. Nationals is huge for everyone involved. We know the racers, sponsors, crew members, families, and fans will all be excited for the JEGS Allstars race more than ever this year.

"Behind the scenes, there were a lot of moving pieces and conversations that have taken place over the last two months to make this happen. The racers should know that the NHRA competition department worked really hard to make this a reality, along with a number of the racing plans that have been laid out to the NHRA racing community lately regarding a return to racing.”

For 36 years, the JEGS Allstars has assembled the top Sportsman drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series to face off in a battle for individual and team honors. This race-within-a-race will pit the top points earners from NHRA’s seven geographic divisions and four Top Alcohol regions against each other in the culmination of a yearlong points battle. The 2020 JEGS Allstars competition will take place Friday, Sept. 4 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.

Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster, and Top Sportsman will compete for a share of the $124,000 purse. Event sponsor JEGS has also offered a double-up bonus to racers who win the JEGS Allstars and Sunday’s U.S. Nationals title in the same category. Each of the winning team members will share in a $20,000 bonus from JEGS Mail Order.

The JEGS Allstars Top Alcohol regional team championship was introduced in 2013 with the best Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car drivers from each of the four regions going head to head.

The Denso Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals has been contested annually since 1955 and this year will mark the 66th annual running of the Big Go. Tickets can be purchased by calling the NHRA Ticket Sales Center at 800-884-NHRA (6472), or online at NHRA.com/tickets.

The AAM Group has announced Competition Specialties as the 2020 Member of the Year in an award broadcast based out of Piney Flats, Tennessee.

Each year AAM makes this selection based on five key metrics: Active Participation, Growth as a Percentage, Marketing Participation, Participation in Group Buys, and Product Line Compliance. Competition Specialties President Ken Woomer was awarded AAM’s custom trophy with an exclusive painting commissioned from automotive artist Jim Caswell. The one-of-a-kind painting pays tribute to a custom truck Woomer built and customized with his son.
 
“To be recognized as the 2020 AAM Member of The Year is an extreme honor, and very rewarding when you consider the group of warehouse distributors that make up AAM’s membership,” Ken Woomer said. “Additionally, I would like to thank AAM for being such a critical partner in our success since joining the group back in 2013. The resources and benefits that membership provides have proven to be invaluable.”

The AAM Group also gave out awards for each of the five key metric categories mentioned above. The award recipients in each individual category are: AllPro Distributing for Active Participation, Toys for Trucks for Growth as a Percentage, AllPro Distributing for Marketing Participation, Tri-state Enterprises for Participation in Group Buys, and Earl Owen Co. and Tri-State Enterprises tied for Product Line Compliance.
 
In addition, The AAM Group has named Vendor Support Specialist Mark Franchetti as the organization’s 2020 Employee of the Year and recipient of the W.O.W. Award.

Franchetti creates sales growth and business opportunities by communicating with members of AAM’s Reseller Community and sharing his findings back to AAM’s Vendor Partners and WD Members. Franchetti also creates growth opportunities through new product lines, product education, and rebate and promotional awareness.

The W.O.W Award is named after Wilber and Orville Wright, who were committed to following their dreams in the pursuit to create the world’s first controlled airplane. This annual award symbolizes all the positive traits shared by the Wright brothers: commitment, consistency, innovation, initiative, resourcefulness, and more. It is awarded to the employee who has had the most positive impact on the company over the past year by demonstrating these qualities.

Headquartered in Piney Flats, Tenn., The AAM Group manages product purchasing and marketing for manufacturers affiliated with three flagship retail marketing programs: Parts Pro (PartsPro.com), Performance Corner (PerformanceCorner.com), and Total Truck Centers (TotalTruckCenters.com). For more information, visit theaamgroup.com.

Bondurant High Performance Driving School--which reopens Sunday, June 14--announced plans for an extensive track and facility expansion, marking the first time in 30 years that the Chandler, Arizona facility will undergo a transformation of the scale.

“COVID may have closed the gates for a short time, but behind the scenes, we were working hard to get ready for a grand reopening to welcome enthusiasts back,” Bondurant High Performance Driving School Chief Instructor Mike McGovern said. “We’re ready to release that pent-up energy of our fans and the community with an experience that’s better than ever.”

Phase One of the renovation includes upgrades to the classrooms, welcome center, student lounge, and gift shop. It also includes the expansion of the school’s event center for corporate events, group outings, and celebrations.

Phase Two of the project includes pulverizing and resurfacing the 1.6-mile road course. Enhancements are also being made to the school’s basic training area, which doubles as a site for regional car shows and other outdoor events.

Added health and safety precautions for guests have also been announced, including social distancing measures during all indoor and track instruction, hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility, and complete cleaning and sanitation of both the interior and exterior of all cars prior to use.

“Our foot is planted on the accelerator as we gear up for the reopening,” said McGovern. “From our upgraded facilities to our incredible pricing deals--there’s no better way to head into the summer/fall driving season. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some fresh, open air while taking advantage of personal instruction behind the wheel of some of the fastest, most exciting cars on the planet.”

The summer schedule opens with the Advanced Formula Road Racing course featuring the school’s newest fleet--Ligier JS F4 open wheel race cars.

School officials also announced discounts on all of its courses, including 50% off the high-performance driving and teen defensive driving courses, and 33% off all other courses, including F4 Open Wheel Race Car, Grand Prix, and Advanced Road Racing. In addition, thanks to a Dodge partnership, all new Dodge SRT models receive one full-day session as part of the Dodge//SRT Package. Contact the school at (800) 842-7223, or visit bondurant.com, for more information.

JE Pistons has announced that this year's Masters of Motors dyno competition has been postponed to 2021 due to health concerns related to the coronavirus. Organizers previously announced the event would feature two classes, the ARP Early Iron Class and the Holley Performance Everyman’s LS Class.

Race Winning Brands Marketing Director Frank B. Lark made the below statement regarding the postponement.

We recognize this is an unsettling time, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is continuing to evolve around the globe. We have closely monitored for months the developments related to the spread of the virus, and our priority remains the safety of our employees, suppliers, and customers as we take guidance from public health authorities. After recent event consultation from our public health authorities, our human resource team, and our legal department, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone our 2020 competition until 2021. We had sincerely hoped that by now we would have a safer and clearer road map which would guarantee we could safely execute the Masters of Motors event here in Mentor in 2020, unfortunately, that is not the case.

During these unprecedented times, we appreciate your understanding and we sincerely look forward to making the event bigger and better in 2021.

For more information, contact Lark at flark@rwbteam.com.