Legendary Companies has announced that it has appointed Steve Zitkus as its new CFO. The holding company includes Coker Tire, Phoenix Race Tires, Vintage Wheel Works, PS Engineering, Wheel Vintiques, Universal Vintage Tire, Specialty Wheel, and more.

Zitkus comes to Legendary Companies with more than 30 years of experience, most recently with Edelbrock Corporation, where he served as its CFO. Zitkus will work with Legendary CEO Wade Kawasaki to guide the company through its continued growth and expansion.

“Steve is a fantastic addition to our team,” Kawasaki said. “He’s a passionate enthusiast who understands our industry and has strong financial experience having led large organizations to success. We are confident he will contribute to the continued growth and expansion of Legendary Companies.”

Zitkus, a longtime finance professional, joined Edelbrock Corporation as in 2014 as its CFO and previously served as a financial group controller at Illinois Tool Works, a parts manufacturer and supplier to OEMs. Zitkus completed his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before beginning his career as a certified public accountant.

For more information, visit cokertire.com or legendarycompanies.com.

After opening its Paris, Arkansas, manufacturing plant in 1963, Cloyes Gear and Products announced it has successfully regained ownership of the manufacturing operation facility from American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM).

AAM held ownership of the plant following its 2017 acquisition of Metaldyne Performance Group Inc. (MPG), which included Cloyes. In April 2018, Hidden Harbor Capital Partners, a private equity firm, acquired Cloyes and immediately started the process of purchasing the Paris plant to continue Cloyes’ nearly 100-year-old manufacturing history in the US.

“It is a huge advantage for our company to be able to stay in this area and retain our employees’ skill set and wealth of knowledge. It is also a great opportunity for the town to maintain high paying manufacturing jobs, which coincidently are closely linked to jobs that our local career center is preparing our young and upcoming workforce for,” Cloyes VP of Manufacturing Steve Fairbanks said.

The 155,00-square-foot manufacturing plant manufactures highly machined powertrain gears, sprockets, and idler assemblies for automotive original equipment manufacturers, the automotive aftermarket, marine, and high-performance applications.

The plant’s key processes include machining, hobbing and shaping, heat treatment, and finishing, and is also home to a quality and metrology laboratory that supports both manufacturing and engineering product development.

For more information, visit cloyes.com.

Photo courtesy of Cloyes

The MARS Super Late Model Racing Series has been purchased by Sixteens Race Promotions (SRP) and SRP Owner Tony Izzo, Jr. earlier this month.

Series Promoter Chris Tilley cited his busy schedule for the sale of the series, stating, “I know that Tony [Izzo Jr.] will be able to schedule more events and I’m sure he’ll be able to secure a lot more sponsors to help the racers get up and down the road.

“The future of MARS looks very bright and I’m happy to turn the keys over to someone who will have time to make it grow even more and continue what we started. I’m sure Tony and company will get the job done. We look forward to transitioning everything over.”

For more information, visit sixteensracepromotions.com or marsracingseries.com.

As exhibitors prepare for the PRI Trade Show, taking place December 12-14, in downtown Indianapolis, many have shared plans for the industry leaders and special guests that are set to appear during the three biggest business days in racing.

The growing lineup of racing VIPs include:

● Linda Vaughn — Sat., Dec. 14; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Trailer Alarms LLC, Booth #7100 

● Rawlings Barnes — Sat., Dec. 14 — Hot Shot’s Secret, Booth #6133 

● Jeremy Mayfield — Thurs., Dec. 12, Fri., Dec. 13, and Sat., Dec. 14 from 2 - 4 p.m. — Dynamic Drivelines, Booth #7000 

Exhibitors may add their guest appearances at any time through the exhibitor dashboard. For the complete list, visit here.

Stroud Safety has announced that Mary Jo "MJ" Jerome has been promoted to the position of chief executive officer (CEO).

Since 2012, Jerome’s determination, promotional and marketing skills, along with her passionate dedication to customer service, has been an asset to Stroud Safety, according to a company release.

In addition to educating herself about the features and benefits of the Stroud Safety product line, Jerome has implemented production and quality control systems that improve products and customer service.

Stroud Safety has supplied competitive drivers with drag chutes and launchers, seat belts, window nets, ballistic blankets and diapers, fire suits, safety apparel, fire suppression kits, and more for 30 years. Stroud also re-certifies its SFI rated products and specializes in custom design applications.

For more information, visit stroudsafety.com.

Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has announced the immediate promotion of Brett Tennar, its former plant manager and vice president of operations, to the position of president. The announcement was made by LSI’s founder and CEO, Chris Gabrelcik.

Hired in 2016 as LSI’s Plant Manager, Tennar was responsible for ordering raw materials, production, shipping, receiving, and more. Mid-year in 2018, Tennar was promoted to vice president of operations, where he was directly involved in human resources, sales and distribution, marketing, accounting, and planning.

“It is with the highest confidence that I am turning over the day-to-day operations to Brett. As an entrepreneur and scientist, this frees me to explore exciting new growth and acquisition opportunities for LSI,” LSI President Chris Gabrelcik said. “Brett understands LSI—its products, people, and purpose from years of working with the company in critical roles. He is a strategist with real-world experience that is crucial in determining what can be accomplished with existing or new resources.”

Lubrication Specialties Inc. is the manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret brand of performance additives, oils, greases, and lubrication products for multiple markets. Additional LSI brands include Frantz Filter, GREM, Microwave Renewable Technologies, and Fluid Recovery. Additionally, LSI provides new product development and research and development services for private label distribution.

For more information, visit lubricationspecialties.com.

Track owner Kerry Izzo has chosen to retire and sell LaSalle Speedway, located in LaSalle, Illinois. The short track is listed at $2.0 million. The near 56-acre facility is located 90 miles west of Chicago and 80 miles east of Davenport, Iowa, just south of the I-80 and I-39 interchange.

The facilty, which features a 1/4-mile dirt oval, hosts popular events including the Thaw Brawl, the UMP Summer Nationals, the IMCA One Night Stand, the Bill Waite Jr. Memorial IRA Sprint Car Special, and more. Sanctions that visit the track also include the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models, the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and the ARCA Truck Series.

LaSalle Speedway was founded in 1947 as the Tri-City Speedway.


In 1992, LaSalle Speedway was opened by Kerry and Tony Izzo Sr. In 2000, Kerry took over sole ownership with family members assisting in operations and the addition of improvements and upgrades, including Musco lighting in the infield.

The location has also served as a temporary music venue and has hosted artists such as Toby Keith, Sawyer Brown, and Trick Pony. Additionally, the Speedway has hosted Monster Truck events, circuses (including the Shriners Circus), flea markets, and car shows.

The dirt track has attracted top and legendary racers, including NASCAR stars Kasey Kahne, Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, and Tony Stewart; dirt track stars Billy Moyer and Scott Bloomquist; and sprint car drivers Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell. 


The turnkey facility comes ready to operate, and the property includes four homes ready for living or renting.

Additional features include:
- Two fully stocked concession stands
- All-purpose building (can be used for novelty sales or additional beer sales)
- Two ticket booths
- Parts Building
- Pit office (including PA system and an observation deck)
- Digital scoreboard
- Air-conditioned scoring tower (includes PA system)
- A long list of equipment necessary for track operations

- Nine air-conditioned skybox suites
- Seating for up to 4700 fans

Interested buyers can contact Brian Jortner at brian.jortner2@gmail.com or at 440/935-7460.

Attendees of this year’s Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, set for December 12–14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, will have more opportunities than ever to pick up valuable tips and takeaways during an expanded seminar schedule covering a wide range of topics.

Among the bolstered lineup is Pricing Strategies For Profits by Tom Shay of Profits Plus Solutions. This seminar will show attendees five unique pricing strategies that can be applied to their businesses.

Using this information can increase a business’ profits while giving owners and sales managers ideas on how to respond when a customer says they can buy the same item elsewhere for less.

Want to learn more about how to improve your business operations? Check out these seminars at PRI 2019:

● Getting Your Business Unstuck

● Finding/Hiring Qualified Employees

● Networking & Communications

● Maximizing Digital Business Development Partnerships

The 2019 PRI Trade Show will feature over 1,100 companies exhibiting in more than 3,300 booths and showcasing the latest products, services, machinery, simulation, and testing technologies, and trailers for the racing industry in a single location. 

To register for the 2019 PRI Trade Show, secure hotel reservations and sign up for free PRI Education seminars, log on to prishow.com.

After a three-day on-track test at Almeria (southern Spain) last month, and a rigorous lap-time assessment and data-analysis program thereafter, W Series has selected six new drivers to race alongside the 12 drivers who automatically qualified for the 2020 W Series championship as a result of having finished inside the top 12 in the 2019 W Series championship.

The 18 confirmed drivers for the 2020 W Series championship are therefore as follows (two further 2020 W Series championship drivers, to bring the total to 20, will be announced at a later date).

Catherine Bond Muir (Chief Executive Officer, W Series) said:

“Almost as soon as the sun had set on Brands Hatch, scene of the 2019 W Series championship finale, on Sunday August 11th, we at W Series began preparing for our 2020 season. More than 40 new drivers applied to race with us in 2020 and, after a three-day on-track test at Almeria [southern Spain] last month, and a rigorous lap-time and data-analysis program thereafter, we’re now able to announce the first 18 of the 20 drivers who’ll compete in the 2020 W Series championship.

“It’s an impressive list, including the top 12 from our 2019 season, and six new drivers, who all performed well at Almeria. The result is a varied and international group, comprising 18 drivers from 12 countries, ranging in age from the super-experienced Finn, Emma Kimilainen, 30, to the very promising young Russian, Irina Sidorkova, 16.  

“Our commiserations go to those whom we haven’t selected, but sadly their disappointment is simply an example of the jeopardy inherent in any athlete’s life at the higher levels of competitive sport. The more you can win, the more you can lose.”

Dave Ryan (Racing Director, W Series) said:

“I was generally impressed by the 14 drivers whom we tested and appraised at Almeria [southern Spain] last month, and making our selection was correspondingly difficult. But we’ve crunched all the data to the best of our ability, and I’m therefore confident that the 18 drivers whom we’ve selected so far represent an excellent line-up. But we’ve left two spaces available, to allow us a little more time to select the final two drivers who, together with the 18 drivers we’ve already selected, will make up the 20 drivers who’ll contest the 2020 W Series championship.

“However, all the stars of our 2019 season will race again with us in 2020 – including Jamie [Chadwick], who’ll be defending her crown, as well as Beitske [Visser], Alice [Powell], Marta [Garcia] and Emma [Kimilainen], who all won races with us last year – but some of the new drivers on our 2020 entry list are clearly very good too. I’m consequently hoping our 2020 season will be even better than our 2019 season.”

Valvoline Raceway, one of Australia's most well-known race tracks, may be in danger thanks to planned expansion of the Sydney Metro transportation system.

Track officials revealed that they land where the track is located is part of a compulsory land acquisition to facilitate a new rail system, which will take passengers from Paramatta into Central Sydney, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The news comes after track owner Barry Waldron had begun negotiations with the Sydeny Speedway land owners, Crown Lands, about a long-term lease for the facility.

"This is devastating. Absolutely devastating," said Waldron. "I can't believe that in all our dealings with the government through Crown Lands in our proposed long-term planning discussions nobody thought to give us even a hint that this could happen."

Metro Rail's plans include the compulsory acquisition of 116 properties—23 residential and 93 commercial businesses.

A large stabling yard and operations center for the single-deck, driverless metro trains will be built at the Clyde and Rosehill Industrial Estate, bounded by James Ruse Drive, the M4 Motorway and Unwin and Shirley Streets.

The Waldron's current lease for Valvoline Raceway does not run out until June of 2026.

Several campaigns to save the venue have already hit social media, including a change.org petition and campaign with the hashtag #WeAreVR. In addition, track officials are planning a rally at the facility on October 22 at 6 p.m. local time.

Valvoline Raceway is a hub for sprint car and midget racing in the Sydney area.