Charlotte Motor Speedway officials announced changes to the 2.28-mile road course oval's backstretch chicane as the Concord, North Carolina track prepares for the second running of the historic Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sept. 27-29.

An expanded configuration of the chicane will create additional passing opportunities and more side-by-side action, increasing “the drama” and raising the stakes throughout all 17 turns of the revolutionary course that will conclude the first round of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

The chicane's original layout was 32 feet wide at its widest point, while the new version will be 54 feet at its widest point and will feature additional runoff areas which were unavailable in its first iteration. The new turns will require heavier braking and a sharper entry.

"The Bank of America ROVAL 400 is all about excitement and creating memorable moments for our fans," said Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. "Having our backstretch chicane upgraded will give drivers an additional opportunity to go for a season-making or season-breaking pass like we saw on the frontstretch chicane last year. Every turn matters on the ROVAL.”

Construction on the chicane began this week and is expected to conclude in early August.

For more information, visit charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Image courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Perkins Eastman

Takumi USA, a division of HURCO, has named Rossi Machinery Services of Ashland, Ohio, as its exclusive full-service distributor for North Central Ohio and Northeast Ohio.

Mike Rossi, the founder of Rossi Machinery Services, established the company in 1986 as a part-time service venture to provide machine maintenance and repair. As the company’s reputation for high-quality service and support became well known, according to Takumi USA, Rossi was able to take the company full time in 1995 with the hope of becoming a “one-stop shop” for new and old machine tools.

 “We’re excited to be representing Takumi USA,” said Mike Rossi. “For years, we have sought out a CNC brand that we could support. Many were affordable, but most of them did not meet our quality standards. Enter Takumi USA. Takumi has a long and successful reputation in Europe and Asia. We like their design, build, price and use of Fanuc and Heidenhain controls—both of which carry the industry’s standards for quality.”

Rossi Machinery Services now offers sales, service, parts, training and applications support for Takumi USA customers in North Central and Northeast Ohio.

“Rossi Machinery Services is a great addition to the Takumi USA dealer network,” said Cory Miller, Takumi USA General Manager. “We know they’re going to help us sell machines but, even more important, we know they value and provide the highest level of service and support to their customers.”

For more information, visit takumiusa.com.

Photo of Mike Rossi (left), Christine Baker Rossi (center) and Trent Hitchcock courtesy of Takumi USA

The floor plan for the 2019 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show has been released and is now available online at prishow.com/floorplan19.

Among the highlights of this year’s event, set for December 12–14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, are an expanded new trailer exhibit area on the Lucas Oil Stadium field, additional space for expanded PRI’s  Featured Products Showcase location, the world-famous Machinery Row, full-service Media Center, and more.

PRI’s interactive floor plan allows attendees to flag exhibitors, products, events, and other features they wish to see at the trade-only Show. The accompanying online planner lets attendees create a personalized, pre-event agenda that can be accessed anytime from a mobile device before and during Show time.  

"The PRI Trade Show floor plan is the best tool for attendees to use to plan for and navigate the premier Trade Show for motorsports professionals,” said PRI Trade Show Director Karin Davidson. “PRI 2019 It is shaping up to be one spectacular event. Already more exhibiting companies, more booth space, and more net square footage of exhibit space have been confirmed for this year’s Show.”

Following a successful move indoors in 2018, trailer exhibits will now be located directly on the Lucas Oil Stadium field, allowing for an expanded trailer display of the latest haulers, motorhomes, toterhomes and transports. The expansion also moves the Show’s popular Featured Products Showcase into the exhibit halls of Lucas Oil Stadium, where a second coat check and a Pit Stop Café concession area will be added for attendees’ convenience.

PRI’s online floor plan also includes features like Machinery Row, which is packed year after year with the absolute latest in CNC machining centers, fabrication and welding equipment, parts cleaning systems, dynamometers and more. This dedicated area, and the exhibitors it houses, is located will be along the west end of the Convention Center’s Yellow Hall (aisles 5100-5700).

“Attendees should register now and begin using the online floor plan to create a plan to traverse the more than 3,300 booths at the 2019 PRI Trade Show,” said Davidson. “The floor plan is a dynamic directory of all the exhibitors, activities, and resources available at the Show.”

Now in its 32nd year, the PRI Trade Show encompasses all forms of racing and attracts attendees from all 50 states and over 70 countries, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers and media.  

Additional highlights of the 2019 PRI Trade Show include the Race Track Business Conference, International Council of Motorsport Sciences’ Annual Congress, Grand Opening Breakfast, and an expanded PRI Education program featuring more than two-dozen seminars, panel discussions and presentations.

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.

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

Lucas Oil Products Inc, the American-based manufacturer and distributor of additive and lubricant products, announced that Southern California-based Next Level Sports Management had been enlisted to support the brand’s public relations efforts. Next Level will work directly with Lucas Oil to bring attention to Lucas Oil’s products, broadcasting entities, and its involvement with professional racing, such as the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS).

Next Level Sports Management has decades of experience handling multinational corporations and developing engaging campaigns within the powersports industry. This new effort will focus on the Lucas Oil brand, whose products are widely used in the racing, automotive, trucking, powersports, marine, agriculture and outdoor industries.

“Next Level’s experience working in the powersports sector is exceptionally valuable to the overall mission of leveraging Lucas Oil’s image as a market leader,” said Robert E. Patison, Executive Vice President of Lucas Oil. “This partnership will allow us to enhance our media and public relations efforts by connecting with the most prominent members of the media to strengthen and grow these relations.”

Lucas Oil also controls several broadcasting platforms, such as MAVTV and the Lucas Oil Racing TV streaming service. These platforms distribute racing programming, much of which is original content, such as the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling Series, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series.

For more information, visit lucasoil.com. For more information about Next Level Sports Management, or media requests surrounding Lucas Oil, contact Scott Roegner at scott@nextlevelsportsinc.com.

Holley has announced the inaugural Intergalactic Ford Festival taking place September 26-29 at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Holley, along with the NMRA All-Ford World Finals, will deliver the “ultimate all-Ford party" featuring scheduled events including amateur and pro-level drifting, autocross, dyno challenge, an “Australian style” burnout contest and more, on top of NMRA drag racing and the UPR Products Show-N-Shine.

Along with single event/class winner, an overall grand champion will be crowned for those interested in competing in multiple events.

Holley's Ford Festival is open to any vehicle with a Ford powerplant, including Lincoln, Mercury and Ford engine swaps.

Pro Formula Drift drivers Vaughn Gittin, Jr. and Chelsea DeNofa will also be on site, along with Popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland and “Neighbor” his supercharged, tire roasting Crown Vic. Bob Chandler's original BIGFOOT monster truck will also be featured.

Competitors looking to participate in autocross, the 3S Challenge, car show, road course challenge, and more can register online at fordfest.com.

For more information, visit holley.com or nmradigital.com.

Devils Lake Speedway in Crary, North Dakota, is currently for sale at $800,000.

The 70-acre facility, located along the south side of US Highway 2, features a 1/4-mile dirt oval. The track first opened in 2000 and, in 2004, underwent a $600,000 remodel. Renovations included a $150,000 state-of-the-art lighting system, a new ticket office, new concession stands and a 40-foot-by-80-foot concrete patio.

The track is known for its races including modifieds, streets, Late Models, sprints and pure stocks and is reportedly one of the only dirt tracks in the nation that consistently holds events for Late Models and sprints.

Devils Lake Speedway has also held many events as part of the Northern Late Model Racing Association Series and Northern Outlaw Sprint Association. Popular events on the Devils Lake Speedway calendar include the “Devils Run Car Show and Rod Run" and the "Golden Hammer Classic," which attract top racers.

The purchase of the track comes with a long list of equipment including a concert stage, water tank, several tractors, a utility trailer, mowers, trucks, storage shed, scales, pumps, and much more.

Interested buyers looking for more information, including the track equipment included in the purchase, can contact Brian Jortner at brian.jortner2@gmail.com or 440/935-7460.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) is reviewing comments on 25% tariffs that may be imposed on more than $300 billion worth of imports from China. President Trump could impose the tariffs if current trade negotiations between the United States and China are unsuccessful.  

While supporting the Administration’s efforts to protect intellectual property rights, eliminate forced technology transfers and address currency manipulation, among other issues, SEMA submitted comments voicing concern that US tariffs currently being imposed and threatened may be counterproductive and injurious to American businesses, workers and consumers.

The US has already imposed 25% tariffs on three separate groups of Chinese imports. The so-called List 3 imports cover about $200 billion worth of goods, including most auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires and brake pads. “List 1” and “List 2” goods are valued at $50 billion and include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices. The final “List 4” goods worth more than $300 billion would cover virtually anything from China that has not already been subject to a tariff.

The US/China trade negotiations are expected to be discussed when President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend the G20 summit on June 28–29.

For more information, visit sema.org or contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Energy Suspension, the provider of performance polyurethane components, has hired Kyle Martin to fill the role of the company's marketing manager.

Martin brings more than 10 years of professional sales and marketing experience to his new role. “Even after being in business for more than 35 years, I believe Energy Suspension still has tremendous growth potential. My aim is to continue to successfully market our existing product line and serve the customers who know and love those products—while targeting new opportunities and areas of interest for us,” Martin said.

A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Martin has a love for all things motorsports and enjoys off-roading and camping.

Energy Suspension was opened more than 35 years ago and offers components for a variety of applications and vehicles.

For more information, visit energysuspension.com.

Alcon Components, the provider of specialist brakes and clutches, is now available through Premier Performance Products Distribution.

Alcon was established in 1983 by the sports car driver and engineer John Moore, and provides braking solutions for high-end motorsports applications, off-road racing, performance road vehicles and more.

Alcon also provides braking solutions for electric performance vehicles.

Brake kits, rotor kits, brake pad axle sets, pad retainer pin kits, rotor assemblies and related Alcon Components products are now available for purchase through Premier Performance Products Distribution, based in Rexburg, Idaho.

Alcon is based in the UK with offices in Moorseville, North Carolina.

For more information, visit premierwd.com or alcon.co.uk.

Roger Penske has been named the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.

The announcement was made by President Trump on Thursday during a meeting in the Oval Office with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In Indy car competition, Penske has won the Indianapolis 500 a record 18 times. Included in those victories is Simon Pagenaud’s triumph in the Indianapolis 500 in May. He’s also a four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion as a car owner.

He’s also been a successful NASCAR team owner, capturing the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship twice as an owner with Brad Keselowski (2012) and Joey Logano (2018). Penske is a two-time Daytona 500 winning team owner as well.

Penske also owns teams that compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Virgin Australia Supercars Championship. His Team Penske organization has also competed in Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formula One throughout the years.

For more information, visit teampenske.com.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR