The 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion will be crowned Sunday, October 25, at the rescheduled Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, making this the 16th consecutive year that an INDYCAR event will take place in the streets of the Florida city. The original date for the event, Sunday, March 15, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The streets of St. Petersburg will make for a fitting and action-packed finale in a venue and city that our entire INDYCAR community holds dear," Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. "We extend our thanks and gratitude to [the City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman], Green Savoree and Firestone for working with us to find a new date for the event. It's going to be a fantastic weekend of INDYCAR action, and I know our drivers will have race day in St. Pete circled on their calendars."

This will be the first time the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will serve as the series finale, as the event traditionally has started the season. This year, INDYCAR will open its season on June 6, at Texas Motor Speedway.

"The City of St. Petersburg stands ready to welcome back the fans of INDYCAR, drivers, teams, and sponsors in October," Mayor Kriseman said.

"Coming back to the streets of St. Pete to close the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is a great way to thank the incredible fans in this area for their support. While we couldn't kick off the season with them as planned, we now look forward to crowning the 2020 INDYCAR champion together in October," said Lisa Boggs, the director of motorsports for Bridgestone Americas, parent company of event sponsor Firestone.

For more information on INDYCAR, visit indycar.com.

B.J. McLeod Motorsports (BJMM) announced the team will make its debut into the NASCAR Cup Series. BJMM is in its 10th year of NASCAR operation, which is currently running a three-car organization in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. The new announcement into the Cup Series brings the return of the No. 78 ride to the highest level of NASCAR competition.

“The number is important to me,” B.J. McLeod said. “I’ve been driving the No. 78 since my karting days and [have] been able to run the number at every level of my career. I am excited to expand the team with the No. 78 into the Cup Series as a driver and an owner. As a team, our goal was to eventually move into the Cup Series, so when the opportunity presented itself, we decided it was time to take the next step. We are excited to go Cup racing.”

The team will take its first green flag at Darlington Raceway on May 17, with Owner McLeod piloting the No. 78. The race is set to start this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET live on FS1 and MRN.

B.J. McLeod Motorsports is owned by McLeod and his wife Jessica. The team is located in Mooresville, North Carolina, and operates out of a 15,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility.

For more information, visit bjmcleodmotorsports.com.

Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) will make its return to the NASCAR Cup Series starting at Darlington Raceway this Sunday. Josh Bilicki will pilot the No. 7 TBR Chevrolet.

"I am excited to be returning to the NASCAR Cup Series," Tommy Baldwin said. "I have been in this sport for a long time, and I believe now is the best time to get back to the track."

Gravely Mowers, a high-performance commercial lawn mower company, will act as the primary sponsor on the No. 7 Camaro. CNC Swiss Machining, an Addison, Illinois based company, has also joined as an associate partner.

Darlington Raceway will air live on FOX on Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 pm. For more information, visit tommybaldwinracing.com.

Motor State Distributing has added Dana Incorporated to its vendor product line.

For more than a century, Dana has produced drivetrain components for everything from street cars to heavy-duty off-road trucks. Dana offers axle and axle components, driveshafts, and more, designed to prolong vehicle life and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), through its Spicer brand.

Motor State Distributing offers the full line of Dana axle and driveshaft components.

For more information, visit motorstate.com.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have published comprehensive guidelines to ensure cleanliness and safety as Americans reopen businesses, schools, homes, and public spaces.

The instructions walk through how companies should develop, implement, and maintain a plan for cleaning and disinfecting workplaces. It includes an EPA list of disinfectant products that can be used against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates and wipes, and alternative disinfectants that can be used when EPA-approved disinfectants are unavailable.

The guidelines also cover social distancing practices, ways to reduce the potential for exposure, and links to many other related resources.  

Visit the EPA website for EPA and CDC Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Workplaces.

For additional information about government and industry best practices and state-by-state reopenings, visit the PRI Coronavirus webpage.

Lucas Oil Products, the California-based distributor and manufacturer of motor oils and additives, announced that Morgan Lucas, Senior Vice President of Lucas Oil Products and son of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, will take over as the newly appointed President of Lucas Oil.

Morgan’s career started with his professional racing debut in 2004. He soon went on to establish his own race team, Morgan Lucas Racing, where he won multiple event championships.

In his new position as President, Morgan will report directly to his father, CEO Forrest Lucas.

“I could not be more proud of the professional Morgan has grown up to be. He has worked his way to the top of this company from the ground up and truly showed his potential to us since day one. He’s earned the respect of his teammates, and he’s definitely earned mine,” Forrest said.

“Today, I am honored and humbled to assume the role of President of Lucas Oil Products. This incredible opportunity is one that I do not take lightly and thanks to our amazing executive management team and all of our hard-working employees, I know our future is bright.

I have watched my father and mother work tirelessly and make countless sacrifices to take Lucas Oil from its modest beginnings to grow it into the thriving enterprise that it is today. The mission they have instilled has always been to exemplify hard work and integrity through the creation of high quality, problem-solving products with an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Continuing their successful approach and being open-minded to new opportunities amidst the ever-changing marketplace, I am confident we will continue to grow as a company for many years to come,” Morgan said.

For more information, visit lucasoil.com.

 

NASCAR officials announced three tracks will have races reassigned to Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway later this month as the sport attempts to hold its first events since the COVID-19 outbreak.

The realignment shifts events away from Chicagoland Speedway, Richmond Raceway (spring), and Sonoma Raceway on the 2020 calendar. According to officials from the sanctioning body, future adjustments to this season’s schedule “will be released in the near future.”

NASCAR initially announced portions of a revised May schedule on April 30, adding national series events at Darlington and Charlotte. Those tracks were chosen for NASCAR’s return to competition in part because of their proximity to the industry’s Charlotte-area hub, as officials try to minimize travel demands and limit the amount of at-track personnel with one-day events, according to a NASCAR press release.

Further details about the changes to the 2020 racing schedule:

• Chicagoland’s NASCAR Cup Series race — originally set for June 21 — has been reassigned to Darlington on May 17. The 1.5-mile Illinois track’s Xfinity Series race that was scheduled June 20, will be held May 19 at Darlington. Chicagoland was also set to host the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (June 19) and ARCA Menards Series (June 18); officials indicated those races will be reassigned at a later date.

• Richmond Raceway’s springtime Cup Series event on the initial schedule for April 19, has been moved to Darlington on May 20. A Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race that was to be run April 18 remains postponed, with officials saying details would come later for rescheduling. The .75-mile Virginia track’s Sept. 11-12, race weekend remains on the schedule.

• Sonoma Raceway’s Cup Series date for June 14, has been moved to Charlotte on May 27. Officials for the road course said in a release they had worked with NASCAR to find an alternate date on the schedule, but a suitable replacement could not be reached, “given the ongoing uncertainty around large events in California.”

For statements from the three tracks, visit here. For more information, visit nascar.com.

Nobody likes it when the unknowns outnumber the knowns. And in the last few months we can probably agree that’s been the case. Which is why, especially in times like these, it’s often better to focus on what we know than what we don’t.

So, here’s what we know:

PRI is working to ensure this year’s Trade Show, scheduled for December 10–12 at the Indiana Convention Center, is as successful—and safe—as possible. We’re preparing as we would for any other Show, and then some.

The health and well-being of the industry and Show goers is a top priority that we don’t take lightly. As such, PRI staff is actively participating in multiple trade show industry work groups to develop safety standards to help us create an environment where people will be comfortable coming together. We’re also in close contact with local, state, and federal officials, and we’re making decisions based on guidelines from their experts.

As you can imagine, plans are fluid at the moment, and we will continue to adjust to make sure this year’s Show has measures in place to protect the health and safety of all participants.

Again, we’re doing everything in our power to make PRI 2020 a place where the industry can safely conduct business. Updates will be posted on the prishow.com website as the event approaches.

We’ve modified our Show policies for exhibitors, too, giving companies more time to consider their booth reservations and receive a full refund if necessary. We hope this provides some added peace of mind in what may be a difficult or uncertain time.

For attendees, the PRI Show will play a key role in prepping for a bounce-back 2021, and we’re working to deliver great value for that investment. New products and equipment will be on full display. And this year’s PRI Education program will once again feature best-in-class presenters, panel discussions and more on a host of topics designed to help motorsports businesses thrive.

We’re also coordinating with our partners at Visit Indy and Indianapolis hotels to ensure that when attendee registration and housing open this summer, they’re in the best position possible to assist Show goers and offer the same top-notch service racers have come to expect from our terrific host city.

Keep an eye out for updates on these and other key Show timelines from our marketing department, as well as messaging on our website, weekly eNewsletter, social pages, etc.

Our goal is to take whatever steps we can to make this process as smooth and user-friendly as possible. And to make it as positive and valuable an experience as any of our previous Shows.

These last few months have been tough, and motorsports businesses in particular have taken it on the chin. But we’re encouraged by the prospects of brighter days ahead—at the time of this writing a number of sanctioning bodies, series and tracks across the country had resumed racing, or were scheduled to do so.    

After all, no matter what there will always be passionate, dedicated racers who demand new products and services. At the same time, you can always count on innovative parts and service providers to meet that demand.

And PRI will always be here as your partner, your resource, not only in good times, but when the chips are down as well.

That much we know.

AERA has announced the Engine Professional Super Webinar, which will feature one-on-one conversations with industry engine experts, is set for Friday, May 15, beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST.

The session will feature panelists Lake Speed Jr. and Keith Jones of Total Seal Piston Rings, Billy Godbold of COMP Cams, and Ben Strader of EFI University.

Each panelist will do a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. In addition, all attendees will have the chance to win prizes donated by the presenters and AERA.

For more information, visit the AERA Engine Professional Webinar webpage here.

Kern County public safety officials have allowed Willow Springs International Raceway in California to host OPTIMA's Search for the Ultimate Street Car presented by Advance Auto Parts on May 29-30, according to the Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA).

Spectators will not be allowed and strict social-distancing practices will be put in place.

Registration remains open online. For more information, visit DriveOPTIMA.com.

Photo courtesy of USCA, Power Pack Nation