Now that the 2025 PRI Show has come to a close, PRI is inviting exhibitors, attendees and media to share your feedback through the official post-event survey. Whether you showcased products on the show floor, walked the Show floor as an attendee or covered the event as media, your perspective plays a key role in shaping what comes next for the world's largest gathering of motorsports professionals.

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, but the insights gathered directly influence planning for the 2026 PRI Show--from booth logistics, show operations and exhibitor resources to the attendee experience, educational opportunities, media availability, special guests and more. Every response helps ensure the Show continues to evolve and deliver value across the entire industry.

Your voice matters, and PRI values your input as it works to build an even stronger Show for the year ahead. Look for the survey in your inbox tomorrow, January 15, to help guide the future of the PRI Show.

Participants are encouraged to submit their feedback by January 31.

The race to the 2026 PRI Show is underway! Exhibitors can gain an early edge by securing their booth space NOW for the 2026 PRI Show, set for December 10-12 in downtown Indianapolis.
 

This year proved once again why the PRI Show is the epicenter of industry business—the place where the most innovative exhibitors meet the most dedicated, purchase-ready buyers. The brands that win at PRI are the ones that act first. They're the booths buyers flock to, the launches everyone talks about, and the companies competitors scramble to keep up with.

The process to submit an ESRA is a little different this year. Check your inbox for instructions now that booth reservations are officially open!

Questions? Contact sales@performanceracing.com.

Applications are now open for the 2027-28 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship, the Daytona Beach, Florida-based sanctioning body said.

Up to $300,000 in benefits is available to the scholarship recipient, thanks to IMSA and several corporate partners. As in 2026-27, the recipient will be able to select one of four IMSA-sanctioned series in which they can compete.

The IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship promotes and empowers drivers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to participate in an IMSA series, the sanctioning body says.

Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and/or describe how they have overcome obstacles to reach goals. They must possess a strong desire to compete in IMSA, have outstanding previous race results and/or proven on-track potential in junior racing categories, plus the ability to create a compelling strategy to compete in a full season in one of four IMSA-sanctioned series: the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge or Mustang Challenge.

The scholarship provides a full-season premium prepaid entry fee for the first year to drive in one of the four series and 50% of the prepaid entry fee for the second season. It also includes tools to bring deserving drivers into IMSA and position them for holistic success both on and off the racetrack.

The application window for the 2027-28 scholarship is open now through February 6. The application process includes a summary of the driver's on-track history and accomplishments, their marketing abilities through social media and existing partners/sponsors and a video that provides insight into their interviewing skills.

After a thorough review of all applications, finalists will be notified later that month and will then begin IMSA-developed modules. Previous topics included marketing, business development, personal branding, media training, nutrition and how to approach teams and represent an automotive manufacturer. The final step for finalists is submission by August 14 of a business plan and securing a full-season ride with a team in one of the four participating IMSA-sanctioned series for the following season.

Finalists should be revealed in March, with the 2027-28 recipient set to be announced in the fall.

The scholarship includes financial assistance from IMSA and is supported by a growing number of corporate partners: Michelin, VP Racing Fuels, OMP, Bell, RAFA Racing Club and Lumen Digital Agency.

For more information, visit imsa.com/3dscholarship.

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is again hosting its virtual National Convention online January 15-23.

Aimed at connecting the SCCA family, the virtual convention will bring together members, region leaders and event volunteers and serve as a hub for learning, sharing and leveling up. Scheduled highlights include keynote sessions, hands-on training, breakout discussions, the SCCA's Annual Meeting and the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Registration is free for SCCA members.

SCCA Divisions across the United States hold annual conventions following the National Convention. These gatherings bring together regional representatives to discuss updates, plan upcoming events, and foster collaboration:

• Southeast Division: January 30-February 1, 2026, St. Simons Island, Georgia
• Northeast Division: February 20-22, 2026, Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Great Lakes Division: February 27-March 1, 2026, Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Midwest Division: March 6-8, 2026, St. Louis, Missouri
• Central Division: March 14-15, 2026, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Rocky Mountain Division: March 28-29, 2026, Virtual

For more information, visit scca.com.

Melling Engine Parts is celebrating 80 years in the automotive industry in 2026, the company announced.

Founded in 1946 by George Melling Sr. and his son Ben Melling, the company began selling precision oil pumps for older vehicles and has since grown into a global brand offering thousands of aftermarket and performance engine parts across 27 product lines.

"We are beyond grateful to welcome in 2026 and the 80th year of Melling Engine Parts," said Mark Melling, President and CEO. "Eighty years of family-owned business is not just a testament to current Melling employees, but [also to] those that have gone before. I am extremely proud of the work our team has done to get us to 80 years of service, and we are looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries to come. We are a family business, and with the fifth generation joining the business this year, we plan to continue the legacy for decades to come. Thank you to our vendors and customers [who] have made it possible for us to achieve such a meaningful milestone."

For more information, visit melling.com.

Mazak will host an open house at its new Orlando, Florida, facility, the company announced.

Set for February 18-19 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST at the Mazak Technical Center in Orlando, the event will feature a variety of machines and automation in action, and provide access to applications engineers for expert manufacturing advice.

Live demonstrations will include Mazak’s QTE-100MY Multi-Tasking Machine outfitted with bar feeder automation, a VARIAXIS C-600 Vertical Machining Center and a SYNCREX 12/8 Swiss-style Production Turning machine. The QTE-100MY features milling (M) and Y-axis off-centerline capability (Y) for both turning and milling part production, while the VARIAXIS C-600 allows for multi-surface and full simultaneous 5-axis machining. The Swiss-style Production Turning machine processes small, extremely high-precision parts with its eight axes and maximum bar diameter capacity of 12 mm.

For more information, visit mazakusa.com.

Image courtesy of Mazak

Scott Menlen has been named series director for the ASA STARS National Tour, effective immediately.

Menlen brings extensive leadership and officiating experience to the ASA STARS National Tour, having previously served as general manager of Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway until 2023 and worked as an official for the Champion Racing Association (CRA) for more than 15 years, series officials said. Menlen became the series director for CRA in 2023, a position he will continue to hold this season, in addition to his new role as series director for the ASA STARS National Tour.

"I'm honored to step into the series director role for the ASA STARS National Tour," said Menlen. "This series has tremendous history and such momentum in the modern era. I am excited to work with the teams, tracks and partners to continue building something special. Our focus will be on maintaining consistency, open communication and delivering a professional race-day experience for everyone involved."

For more information, visit starsnationaltour.com.

Image courtesy of ASA

Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. (RACER), the North American media company focused on motorsports and car culture, has announced the appointment of CJ Olivares as Group CEO. Olivares, who currently serves as president of RACER Network LLC (RACER Network), will expand his leadership to include strategic and day-to-day oversight of the operations of RACER. He succeeds RACER founder Paul Pfanner, who departs the CEO role after three decades.

A decorated 35-year media executive, Olivares brings a distinguished record of building and scaling high-growth digital, linear, FAST and streaming businesses. He is widely recognized for founding Fox Sports' FUEL TV, where he successfully transformed niche action sports into a dominant cultural force. In the last year, Olivares has spearheaded the integration and rebranding of the RACER Network (formerly MAVTV), driving significant gains in distribution and 50% year-over-year viewership growth through a commitment to diversified racing and automotive programming, as well as narratively-driven storytelling that humanizes the stars of the sport.

"CJ's strategic expertise and operational depth make him the ideal leader to guide our unified and multifaceted RACER-branded platforms into the next era," said Chris Dyson, who serves as the chairman of the Board of both RACER and the RACER Network. "His ability to marry the brand's outstanding reporting and unique storytelling with modern broadcast and digital delivery ensures that RACER will continue to lead the motorsports media landscape."

This step represents material progress in a multi-year effort to leverage the RACER companies' historically distinct media assets to create an integrated content and services powerhouse designed for the modern media era, and sets the stage for the more closely aligned RACER-branded properties to build on the 1.5 billion impressions delivered in 2025.

Olivares leads a RACER group platform encompassing a comprehensive suite of media and service offerings: the RACER Network (television and streaming), RACER Digital (web and app), RACER Podcasts, the RACER Creator Network, the authoritative and collectible RACER Magazine and the creative agency RACER Studio. This streamlined offering is designed to provide a seamless experience for fans and a 360-degree solution for commercial partners. 

"The media and marketing landscapes are evolving at a breakneck pace, and the RACER platform is now uniquely positioned to lead that charge in the motorsports and car culture space," said Olivares. "Our focus moving forward is twofold: diversify our content offering to engage the transformative influx of new racing fans and automotive enthusiasts and energize our revenue streams through innovative brand partnerships and aggressive subscription growth. We are building the definitive 'campfire' for motorsports and car culture."

Olivares' strategy emphasizes human-centric storytelling and digital-first accessibility. By leveraging the RACER Creator Network and the high-end production capabilities of RACER Studio, he aims to expand engagement across all platforms, from traditional broadcast to social media, ensuring the brand's continued dominance in both the motorsports and automotive space, according to the company.

For more information, visit racer.com.

The race to the 2026 PRI Show is underway! Exhibitors can gain an early edge by securing their booth space NOW for the 2026 PRI Show, set for December 10-12 in downtown Indianapolis.

This year proved once again why the PRI Show is the epicenter of industry business—the place where the most innovative exhibitors meet the most dedicated, purchase-ready buyers. The brands that win at PRI are the ones that act first. They're the booths buyers flock to, the launches everyone talks about, and the companies competitors scramble to keep up with.

The process to submit an ESRA is a little different this year. Check your inbox for instructions now that booth reservations are officially open!

Questions? Contact sales@performanceracing.com.

The USAC Wholesale Batteries Midwest Racing Association Sprint Car Series will begin competition in 2026 featuring a 14-race schedule with additional dates yet to be announced.

Jon Sawyer will oversee the operation of this new venture which will race primarily around the greater Kansas City area.

Also joining the MRA team for 2026 will be scorer Becky Burks, announcer/media director Ray Cunningham, Chaplain Justin Lawson, video streaming producer/media Nathaniel Viscioni and Carter Markley, who will assist in multiple areas.

The 2026 slate will consist of six dates at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri, plus stops at Electric City Speedway in Butler, Missouri, I-35 Speedway in Winston, Missouri, and the annual Weld Memorial at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Avanti Windows and Doors Corn Belt Clash at Iowa's Knoxville Raceway will be held on National Sprint Car Hall of Fame induction weekend, May 29-30. Both nights will be co-sanctioned with the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship.

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

See the full schedule below: