Dick Jordan, USAC’s tireless public/media relations coordinator for over half a century, passed away August 9. He was 74 years old.

“We are saddened by the passing of our friend, Dick Jordan,” USAC President Kevin Miller said. “His career in racing was unparalleled and his devotion to USAC was second to none. More than that, he was a devoted friend to everyone he ever met. It is a very sad day at USAC, and he will be greatly missed.”

Jordan began his career with USAC in December of 1968 and, since that day, has devoted his entire working life to publicizing the club’s drivers and events, working with the media throughout the country and the world, as well as preserving the club’s history with his thorough race reports, statistics and record-keeping.

No individual has witnessed more USAC events than Jordan from his time as a child attending AAA and USAC racing events with his parents in the 1950s until 2019.

The lifelong native of central Indiana is an inductee into both the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame and recently received the Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations.

One of the most respected individuals in all racing media, Jordan was also honored for his contributions to the series at USAC’s Night of Champions in 2018 with the announcement of an award named after him. Recipients of the award will have to meet the criteria of one who has dedicated his or her life to the betterment of USAC racing. In March, USAC also announced the creation of The Dick Jordan Classic at Anderson Speedway.

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

Photo courtesy of USAC, John Mahoney

Dorman recently unveiled an entirely new online training experience called Dorman Training Center.

The newly redesigned platform builds upon the company’s previous online training website named Dorman University by adding new in-depth training courses that help technicians better understand rapidly evolving automotive technology. The Dorman Training Center also brings Dorman’s in-person training events online for users to learn on their own time and at their own pace.

For a limited promotional period, Dorman has three courses available for free. Over time, Dorman plans to add more premium content, covering a wide range of useful technical topics.

Dorman views this new offering as an extension of its mission to give technicians greater freedom to fix today’s vehicles, both through new products and improved professional education.

For more information, visit dormantrainingcenter.com.

Siegfried “Siggi” Tigges has announced a new sales organization and consultant company called S.A.T. Sales and Consulting LLC. The company currently represents the North American market for the independent, family-owned parts supplier SPEED Autoteile of Berlin, Germany, and aims to serve clients in the automotive, heavy-duty and more markets.

“We are delighted to have Siggi Tigges as our sales representative. The North American market is very important to our growth strategy, and we feel that Siggi is the ideal partner for us. He knows our business and our products, and his proven track record in the market speaks for itself,” President of SPEED Autoteile Uwe Kuether said.

Tigges has a wealth of experience and expertise as a sales, marketing, and product management executive in both the aftermarket and OEM sectors. He spent over 40 years in a variety of marketing and sales roles with the Hella organization, including time as an employee of Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. based in Germany and Hella Automotive Sales, Peachtree City, Georgia.

For more information, contact satiggessales@gmail.com or 404/386-8756.

With new features, an expanded exhibit area and the most comprehensive educational and technical seminar program in its 31-year history, racing professionals won’t want to miss the 2019 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show.

A host of new features and amenities are designed to make it easier for attendees to navigate and conduct business at the PRI Show, as well as provide them with the latest innovations and information the industry has to offer.

“The race industry is constantly changing, and we strive to evolve with those changes,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “We’ve innovated and are excited about what’s new at the 2019 PRI Trade Show. We’re confident that the upcoming show will provide motorsports professionals with the best opportunity to advance their businesses and careers.”

Among the highlights of the 2019 PRI Trade Show are:

    •    This year’s Show will expand onto the field of Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time ever, allowing trailer exhibitors to showcase their product lineups alongside their booths to attendees who are shopping for a race trailer, motorcoach, hauler or toterhome. By moving the trailer exhibits directly onto the field, the popular Featured Products Showcase, which gives exhibitors an opportunity to further highlight their products and increase connectivity with buyers and media, will move into the exhibit halls of Lucas Oil Stadium. These two moves will also allow for the addition of a second coat check and Pit Stop Café concession area in the Lucas Oil Stadium corridor to accommodate attendees who visit the new exhibit areas.’

“These new exhibit areas give buyers and media the ability to see the latest trailers and hottest products in the industry easily in one central location,” said Davidson. “It’s a good way for attendees to maximize their time at the Show, easily identify the exhibitors that appeal to them, and have more time to take part in all of the programs available during the Three Biggest Business Days in Racing.”

    •    The PRI Show Education Program has expanded in 2019, giving Show goers more opportunities than ever to learn valuable strategies, insights and solutions in exclusive seminars on a variety of subjects. To facilitate attendance, a new PRI Education sign-up page has been integrated into the PRI Trade Show’s attendee registration process and online in your Map Your Show planner.

    •    The PRI Show annually attracts buyers and media from over 70 countries. In order to provide added value and opportunity for overseas attendees to conduct business, an expanded International Center will be housed inside the Indiana Convention Center’s 500 Ballroom. This area will feature private meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi, printer access and interpreters from several countries who are available by appointment at no charge to assist during meetings. Additionally, a new PRI International Trade Roundtable, part of the expanded education program, will feature overseas dealers and distributors representing key motorsports markets across the globe discussing international racing trends and business opportunities.

    •    Ralph Sheheen, president and co-founder of SPEED SPORT, will leverage his passion for and knowledge of motorsports in his role as the new host of PRI’s Grand Opening Breakfast, which serves as the Show’s traditional kickoff. Sheheen is the Breakfast’s first new host in 10 years, and he’ll lead the program while industry professionals enjoy a hot breakfast before the start of the PRI Show.

“In addition to these expansions and enhancements, the 2019 PRI Show continues to be the place to see the latest industry innovations throughout the Show floor and in exhibit areas that are unique to the PRI Show, such as Machinery Row,” said Davidson. “This year’s Show will be truly unique and one you don’t want to miss.”  

Held December 12-14, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, 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. Now in its 32nd year, PRI encompasses all forms of racing and attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media.

Known as Race Industry Week, the days leading up to and including the Show will offer a range of motorsports-related activities in and around the Indiana Convention Center beginning on Monday, December 9. Numerous conferences and seminars, among them the Race Track Business Conference and International Council of Motorsport Sciences’ Annual Congress, offer unlimited business opportunities and provide invaluable insight on the latest technologies and how to apply them throughout the racing world.

To register for the 2019 PRI Trade Show, secure hotel reservations and sign up for free business seminars, log on to prishow.com. To view the PRI 2019 Floor Plan and Exhibitor List, visit pri2019.mapyourshow.com.

Port City Racecars based in Mooresville, North Carolina, has announced a partnership with Crazy Horse Racing based in South Paris, Maine. Crazy Horse Racing will now be the exclusive Port City Racecars dealer for the Northeastern US and East Coast of Canada.

“Crazy Horse Racing is a well-established business within the New England Market,” said Gary Crooks, owner of Port City Racecars. “I have known the Green family [owners of Crazy Horse Racing] going on ten years now, and they have done and continue to do a great job providing quality parts and service in a very competitive market.”

Crazy Horse Racing will now have the complete Port City Racecars line of race cars and parts available, including the most common Port City Super Late Models and Pro Late Models as well as the American Canadian Tour (ACT) chassis, the stock type clip Modifieds chassis and more.

As a full-service authorized dealer for Port City Racecars, Crazy Horse Racing will be able to set up, service and repair all types of race cars for Port City customers.

A special promotion has been announced to kick off the partnership, which is only available for the first 10 customers. For more on the promotion, call Port City Racecars at 231/767-8586 or Crazy Horse Racing at 207/739-2442.

For more information, visit portcityracecars.com.

"The National Speedway Directory," the source for information on auto racing tracks featuring over 1,200 facilities in the US and Canada, has announced its 39th edition for 2019 will ship mid-August.

The book lists detailed information on oval tracks, drag strips and road courses. Phone numbers, addresses, exact directions, nights of operation and type of racing are also included in the 480-page paperback book.

Also featured are directories for over 250 sanctioning bodies including select schedules, 50 racing publications and 60 racing-related museums.

Orders for the latest "National Speedway Directory" can be placed online or by contacting Tim Frost at twfrost@speedwaysonline.com.

The updated "History of America's Speedway - Past and Present" is also available. The fourth edition offers information on over 9,000 auto racing facilities that have existed since the dawn of the automobile with data on the town they were located, its various names, the sizes of each track, and the years of operation. The book is 853 pages with over 700 photos.

For more information or to order, visit speedwaysonline.com.

ISM Raceway’s president, Julie Giese, has been selected by the Sports Business Journal for recognition this fall in its ninth annual “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business.”

The distinction highlights women in the industry who have played vital roles in their respective fields, brought new ideas to the sports business, been out front on significant projects and are leaders and mentors to other women in sports business.

Giese was named the president of ISM Raceway in October 2018 after previously serving as the Managing Director of Business Operations for International Speedway Corporation’s (ISC) Design & Development, where she worked on the design and project management of ISM Raceway’s $178 million modernization project. Before this, she spent 12 years overseeing consumer marketing, branding, creative, advertising, digital, public relations and event entertainment for Daytona International Speedway, playing a leading role in the Daytona Rising project.

“Julie’s leadership in the redevelopment of Daytona International Speedway and ISM Raceway has not only helped transform NASCAR’s fan experience but has set a new benchmark,” stated Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to witnessing Julie’s continued evolution as a significant contributor to the future of motorsports.”

Giese and the other honorees will be featured in the September 16 issue of the Sports Business Journal and will be recognized at the “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business” conference on September 17, in New York City.

For more information on the track, visit ismraceway.com.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR

Meyer Distributing, Inc, the marketer and distributor of automotive specialty products, has opened a cross-dock location in Jacksonville, Florida. Meyer’s distribution hub in Orlando will serve as a direct, next-day feed to the new facility.

“We have been in the exhaust business now for several years,” said Collin Gentry, Meyer exhaust sales manager. “Solid year after year growth in this category has led to the need to open up a new location to better service our customers in the Jacksonville region. We are grateful to those who are giving us a look and a chance to earn their business.”

Through numerous strategically positioned warehousing facilities, Meyer serves thousands of customers nationwide via Meyer Logistics direct ship through its multiple warehousing facilities across the US.

For more information, visit meyerdistributing.com.

National Performance Warehouse/National Auto Parts Warehouse (NPW) has added industry veteran Jeff Nagle to manage its Boaz, Alabama, distribution center.

“We see Jeff adding more experience to our bench in a number of areas including operations, training, warehouse efficiency and revenue growth,” said Chris Pacey, executive vice president of NPW. “Under his leadership and through his partnership with our Vice President of Supply Chain Carl Luque, we anticipate significant improvements to all of our distribution centers and further promotion of our Bumper to Bumper program.”

Nagle brings 31 years of experience, including sales, operations and more to the company. He also has a deep understanding of diesel mechanics, customer satisfaction, customer communication and training processes.

Before joining NPW, Nagle worked with Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor, Inc. (MAWDI), Uni-Select, Auto Plus, and most recently D&W Diesel. He succeeds Sid Dooley, who recently retired after 39 years of service.

For more information, visit npwcompanies.com.

Turn 14 Distribution has announced the addition of LIQUI MOLY to its line card. LIQUI MOLY offers an extensive line of lubricants, oils, cleaners and related chemical products.

“LIQUI MOLY’s products are in high demand by our customers. The company’s full range of automotive oils, lubricants, cleaning products and other automotive chemicals has a great reputation in the automotive enthusiast community,” said Kyle Shelley, Turn 14 Distribution’s director of sales, according to a published release. “The company’s association and success with motorsports across the world appeal to our customer base of automotive enthusiast shops, and we look forward to growing the LIQUI MOLY brand here in the United States.”

LIQUI MOLY is based in Germany and offers more than 4,000 products.

Turn 14 is a performance warehouse distributor with facilities located in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, Arlington, Texas, and Reno, Nevada.

For more information, visit turn14.com or liqui-moly.com.