The Sprint Car Capital of the World, Knoxville Raceway, has released its schedule for the 2019 racing season. The schedule is highlighted by the 59th running of the Knoxville Nationals, to be held Wednesday, August 7, through Saturday, August 10, an event that was sold out in 2018.

A new “nationals” event, the Corn Belt Nationals, has been added to the schedule on Friday and Saturday, July 5 and 6, featuring some of the world’s greatest non-wing sprint car drivers from the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series and POWRi Lucas Oil Sprint Series battling for $20,000. The 360 winged class will also race on Friday while the 410 winged sprint car class will race on Saturday.

The 16th annual Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals is set for Thursday, September 12, through Saturday, September 14. In 2018, the sole late model event saw record crowd figures. The 29th running of the 360 Nationals will be held Thursday, August 1, through Saturday, August 3, followed by the eighth running of the Weld Racing Capitani Classic on Sunday, August 4.

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series two-day event has been moved to June 14, through June 15, to give an off-weekend for Knoxville Raceway competitors and allow for all 410 drivers to compete in the Jackson Nationals World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series three-day event held at Jackson Motorplex (Minnesota).

The 2019 Knoxville Raceway season will kick-off on Saturday, April 13, with the PellaMotors.com/Kraig Ford Season opener. A season kick-off party will be held the night before in conjunction with an open testing night for all teams on the track.

Four-day ticket renewals for the 410 Knoxville Nationals will go on sale October 1, 2018, with sales to the general public opening on December 3. Tickets can be purchased at knoxvilleraceway.com, at the track ticket office or by calling 641/842-5431.

For the complete 2018 Knoxville Raceway schedule, visit the Knoxville Raceway website here.

National Speedway Directory has announced that the 2018 Race Track Business Conference (RTBC) will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The seventh annual RTBC will be returning to the Racing Capital of the World at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The three-day PRI Trade Show begins on Thursday, December 6, and continues through Saturday, December 8, 2018. The PRI Trade Show is the largest gathering of racing professionals in the world, with 40,000 buyers from 70 countries in attendance and over 1,100 companies exhibiting the latest advances in racing technology.

Industry leaders from across racing will be among the expert presenters, who are detailed below.

Additional information on session topics and speakers will be announced over the next few weeks. For a tentative agenda, visit here.

The cost to attend RTBC-2018 is $250. This cost includes a full slate of speakers from 8 am. to 5 p.m., lunch, and admission to the PRI Trade Show. Additional information can be found at racetrackbusinessconference.com or by contacting Tim Frost at twfrost@speedwaysonline.com or 847/853-0294.

RTBC-2018 Speakers (Subject to change):
    •    Mark Basso | President | Autobahn Country Club
    •    Laura Cooper | Owner | Cooper Consulting
    •    Lauri Eberhart | Attorney | Apollo Sports Law Group
    •    David Froscheiser | President | Security4Sports
    •    Kendra Jacobs | Director of Marketing | Knoxville Raceway
    •    Randy Lewis |World's #1 |TrackChaser
    •    David Morton | Vice President | Fifth Third Bank Motorsports
    •    Chris Myers | Director - Sales and Marketing | Charge Sports Marketing
    •    Jeremy Porter | CEO | Atlanta Motorsports Park
    •    Ralph Sheheen | President | Turn 3 Media
    •    Ken Ungar | President | Charge Sports Marketing
    •    John Waraniak | Vice President | SEMA
    •    Wes Zirkle | Attorney | Keller Macaluso LLC

PRI exhibitor ProMedia has released the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals and NMRA Ford Nationals drag racing series schedules for the 2019 season.

Boasting six jam-packed events that blanket the heartland of America at some of the finest drag racing facilities, both schedules feature multiple drag racing classes, car shows, special events, and manufacturer midways.

NMCA is home to the “World’s Fastest Street Cars” and the most competitive grassroots drag racing series in the US. Each event includes vendors, burnout contest as well as special event including the Chevrolet Performance Challenge Series, Dave Duell Classic, Cobra Jet Showdown, Dodge / Mopar HEMI Shootout, the prestigious Nitto Tire Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing and much more.

Since 1999, the NMRA has brought Ford and Mustang fans one of the top all-Ford motorsport shows. NMRA events offer competitive grassroots all-Ford drag racing combined with all-Ford car shows, manufacturers’ midways, burnout contests, grudge nights, specialty classes, celebrity appearances and more.

For more information on the NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, visit the official NMCA website here. For more information on the NMRA Ford Nationals, visit the official NMRA website here.

2019 NMCA Schedule

March 7-10, 2019
17TH ANNUAL NMCA MUSCLE CAR MAYHEM
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, FL

April 4-7, 2019
11TH ANNUAL NMRA/NMCA ALL-STAR NATIONALS
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, GA

May 2-5, 2019
18TH ANNUAL NMCA MEMPHIS HOMECOMING
Memphis International Raceway
Millington, TN

July 25-28, 2019
14TH ANNUAL NMRA/NMCA SUPER BOWL OF STREET-LEGAL DRAG RACING
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, IL
 
August 22-25, 2019
18TH ANNUAL NMCA ALL-AMERICAN NATIONALS
Summit Motorsports Park
Norwalk, OH

Sept. 19-22, 2019
18TH ANNUAL NMCA WORLD STREET FINALS
Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

2019 NMRA Schedule

Feb. 28 – Mar. 3, 2019
25TH ANNUAL NMRA SPRING BREAK SHOOTOUT
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, FL
 
April 4-7, 2019
11TH ANNUAL NMRA/NMCA ALL-STAR NATIONALS
Atlanta Dragway
Commerce, GA
 
May 16-19, 2019
INNAUGURAL NMRA GATEWAY RUMBLE
Gateway Motorsports Park
Madison, IL
 
June 27-30, 2019
19TH ANNUAL NMRA FORD MOTORSPORT NATIONALS
Maple Grove Raceway
Mohnton, PA
 
July 25-28, 2019
14TH ANNUAL NMRA/NMCA SUPER BOWL OF STREET-LEGAL DRAG RACING
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, IL

Sept. 26-29, 2019
21ST ANNUAL NMRA ALL-FORD WORLD FINALS
Beech Bend Raceway Park
Bowling Green, KY

International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has announced the implementation of a comprehensive ticket and travel protection program with the ISC Weather Protection Program and TicketGuardian, both initiatives that will provide safeguards to guests when planning and attending NASCAR events.

The ISC Weather Protection Program applies to all paid grandstand tickets to NASCAR races at any ISC facility that are postponed and rescheduled to a different date due to inclement weather. Guests will now be able to exchange paid grandstand tickets that were not used on a rescheduled race date for a future NASCAR event at an ISC facility.

The unused grandstand tickets may be exchanged for a same-series ticket of equal or lesser value, based on event and seating location availability.

Guests with an unused grandstand ticket have 60 days to contact the ticket office at the ISC facility where the event was postponed. Eligible grandstand tickets may be exchanged for any future NASCAR race at an ISC facility within one year of the original event date or for the same race the following year, excluding the Daytona 500.

Customers who have tickets to a postponed Daytona 500 event may exchange their tickets for a future Daytona 500 event; however, tickets from other Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events may not be exchanged for a Daytona 500 ticket.

In situations that keep fans from attending the races, TicketGuardian’s FanShield insurance technology will continue to provide fans a feeling of security when buying tickets in advance. With low-cost coverage, fans are protected from the burden of having to resell their ticket or losing their money altogether if they’re unable to attend the event.

Customers instead can receive a refund despite the traditional status quo of events, tickets, and registrations being non-refundable.

A diverse group of safety advocates has united to form a cohesive, collective and “more impactful” voice for increased safety in the racing industry, with the goal to make serious racing injury and casualties rare, if not a thing of the past.

A working title, Racing Safety United (RSU) is an all-inclusive platform comprised of influencers from an array of motorsport segments spearheaded by driver RJ Valentine.

RSU’s mission is to make racing as safe as possible, protecting all lives and vehicles by reducing damage, injuries, concussions and casualties at all levels of racing, paving the way for the next generation of racers.

RSU initially plans to focus on track safety, particularly the need for improvements at race courses and speedways nationwide. The first order of business is to raise awareness about antiquated walls as the cause of many injuries or fatalities. As expenses can be a sticking point, RSU has already begun working on financial aid options for underfunded tracks in need of safety upgrades. Another immediate priority is to identify ways of minimizing racing-related Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).

Additional RSU initiatives include research surveys, educational outreach, seminars, track safety analyses, creating guides and resources like comparisons or buffering strategies, consulting on safety product development, and other programs. RSU’s scope of services is expected to evolve as the group continues to expand. 

All motorsports safety advocates are welcome to join the RSU.

For more information, visit the RSU webpage here.

RSU, which is said to be growing by the day, is currently comprised of 27 members:

    •    Jerry Nadeau– Monster Energy Cup Series Winner, 5-Time Barber Dodge Pro Series Winner, $100,000 Big Scholarship Winner, Former Teammate to Jeff Gordon & Jimmie Johnson
    •    Don Schumacher– NHRA Team Owner, Former Champion Funny Car Driver, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Inductee, Concussion Legacy Foundation Brain Research Donor
    •    John Mills– SCCA GT3 Pro Racer, Race Car Fabricator, TBI Advocate & Survivor, Public Speaker promoting Brain Injury Awareness, Motivation and Inspiration
    •    Larry Dixon - 3-Time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion,Team Owner, Spokesperson
    •    Randy Pobst– Motor Trend Track Test Driver, SCCA Columnist & Champion Pro Racer
    •    Ian James– Champion Pro Racer &Ambassador for The Heart of Racing
    •    Darren Law– Flying Lizard Motorsports Championship Sportscar Racing Team Owner & Former Pro Racer
    •    Randy Lajoie– Safer RacerFounder, Former NASCAR Champion Driver & The Joie of Seating President
    •    Andrew Pilgrim- Traffic Safety Advocate/Public Speaker (www.tsef.org), Pro Race Driver, Contributing Writer to Automobile Magazine
    •    Dr. Preston C. Calvert– Pirelli World Challenge Medical Advisor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Assistant Professor, Neuro-ophthalmology Consultant, Champion Pro Racer, Published Author and former U.S. Army Medical Corps Major
    •    Chuck Lessick – IndyCar Ministry Chaplain, Former Belardi Auto Racing Team Manager & Indy Lights Crew Chief, Owner & Driver in USF2000 Series
    •    Kevin Butterfield, D.C.– BrainForest Center Founder/CEO, Wellness Racing Corporation Founder/CEO & Creator of AvOID System and ReTINA system, Cortical Impact Solutions Founder/CEO, Motorsports Safety Blogger
    •    Dr. Julia Daly, PT, DPT, ATC– Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist, Motorsports Performance Specialty,Public Speaker & Creator of Return to Competitive Race Car Driving after Concussion
    •    Thomas Woods– Veteran, Warriors on Track Founder, The Brain Treatment Center Military Care Coordinator for MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) & Racer
    •    Mike Semel–U.S. Grand Prix Retired Fire Chief, Watkins Glen International Safety Director & CART IndyCar Safety Team Member
    •    James Penrose– Former FIA Driver Safety Environment Consultant, Initiated FIA 8860 Helmet & Hans introduction to F1 & FIA Series, Drivers/Teams Consultancy through Penrose Safety for Audi WEC, Level 5 & many others
    •    Charlie Frank– The Activation Group (TAG) Partner, Motorsports Event Marketing for BMW, NASCAR, Indy Car and Many Others, Former racecar driver
    •    John Gorsline– The Gorsline Company CEO, Driver Protection Insurance, Family Assistance, Scholarships & Logistics Support
    •    Bobby Seymour–Seymour Performance ProductsCEO, Former USAC Champion Driver & Racer’s Expo Co-Founder
    •    Kip Zeiter– International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) Outreach Coordinator
    •    Mike Brockman – Previous Motor Trend Road Test Editor for 13 Years, Former Pro Racer & GT Class Winner at 24 Hours of Daytona, & Connecticut’s Own Volvo Dealer Owner
    •    Tom Baker– Race Chaser Media Founder / CEO, Race Chaser Radio Host
    •    Joe Chisholm– Race Time RadioOwner/Host & Eastbound International Speedway Race Director
    •    Michael Cummings– Port Imperial Racing Associates CFO - Grand Prix of America Formula One Race Promoter, Motorsports Capital LLC Founder - Motorsports Financial Advisory & Capital Placement, SCCA National Competition License Holder
    •    Jay Heid – Summit Midwest Drag Founder & Promoter, ProQ Motorsports Management Software Founder for Events such as Sturgis Camaro Rally, etc., MotorsportsDirectory.com Founder (A Motorsports Safety Foundation Partner)
    •    Eric Bagdikian– Array Sports Motorsports Operations, Former CODE 3 Animal Disaster Response President, Retired Boulder County Sheriffs Reserve Lieutenant
    •    RJ Valentine– Champion Pro Racer, Race Track Owner & Founder of Impact Safety Systems

President Trump has moved ahead with new tariffs worth an estimated $200 billion on more than 5,700 products being imported from China, including several with motorsports applications including tires, metal fasteners, wheels, steering wheel components, gaskets, transmission belts, brake pads, windshields and suspension springs.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) released the final list of goods in a 194-page PDF document that covers a total of 5,745 tariff lines. (The original list issued on July 10, featured 205 pages with over 6,000 tariff lines.)

The revised list contains several race tire categories, including new pneumatic radial tires made of rubber, new pneumatic tires excluding radials made of rubber, retreaded radial pneumatic tires made of rubber, retreaded pneumatic tires (non-radials) made of rubber, and inner tubes made of rubber.

A 10 percent tariff has been implemented on the named products. The tariffs will then rise to 25 percent on January 1, 2019.

Many automotive and racing businesses in the US outwardly oppose the tariffs, including the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) which formally announced its position this week in the form of comments to the USTR.

PRI exhibitor Premier Performance Products Distribution has announced Nicolette Allen as its new customer care manager. A strong part of the Premier team for 11 years, Allen served the company in several different roles, including customer service representative, Idaho warehouse manager, customer service manager, Southeast sales representative, and, most recently, training and development manager.

Premier also announced the company will change the structure of its Customer Service Department, which will now be compromised of two teams: Order Entry and Customer Resolution. Order Entry will be responsible for receiving and processing new orders, while Customer Resolution will be responsible for problem-solving and issue resolution.  

In her new position, Allen will be instrumental in leading the Customer Care team and overseeing new improvements to the department.

“Premier has given me opportunities throughout the years to pursue new responsibilities. I have a list of goals and ideas for the Customer Care Department that I want to roll out right away. I’m excited to see what we can achieve and how we can simply become the best Customer Care Department in the industry,” Allen said.

For more information, visit premierwd.com.

Performance Racing Industry (PRI) is proud to present a panel of highly accomplished and influential racing professionals for our 3rd Annual “Opportunities for Women in Motorsports” seminar program at the 2018 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Taking center stage for this year’s all-female session will be PWC Touring Car driver Shea Holbrook; pit reporter and founder of “Fuel the Female” Katie Hargitt; veteran racer, driving instructor and team owner Dr. Karen Salvaggio; and Cara Adams, Chief Engineer and Manager of Race Tire Engineering for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations/Firestone Racing.

The program, which focuses on the mentorship mindset and encouraging/inspiring advancement for ambitious or would-be female motorsports professionals, will be moderated by none other than motorsports legend Lyn St. James, whose impressive career has set the bar for women in the male-dominated sport of auto racing.

Industry members of all generations and genders are invited to hear the panel share experiences, perspectives and invaluable advice on how to thrive in various capacities, whether behind the wheel, in the pits, on a crew, or in any number of other roles. While questions and discussion topics will be directed by St. James, time will be set aside for audience Q&A. The session is scheduled from 8–9 a.m. on Friday, December 7, in Rooms 241 and 242 of the Indiana Convention Center, site of the annual PRI Show.    

“What an unbelievable lineup we’ve managed to secure for the 2018 edition of PRI’s ‘Women in Motorsports’ seminar!” exclaimed PRI Editor and Education Program director Dan Schechner. “Ever since we launched this program in 2016—coincidentally headlined by Lyn St. James—the positive feedback and support we’ve received from across the industry has been incredible. We’re truly honored to provide this forum, and we can’t wait to see and hear from this exceptional group of motorsports professionals, exclusively at our Show.”    

After 10 years of impressive on track racing accomplishments, Holbrook has become a nationally recognized race car driver. Her diverse racing experience ranges from SCCA Club Racing, NASCAR Late Models, and Indycar’s Developmental Ladder Series Skip Barber Racing to professional sports car racing in the Pirelli World Challenge and the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Based in Groveland, Florida, Holbrook’s Shea Racing has become a top Touring Car team in PWC, securing several class wins and podiums. Her pursuits aren’t limited to the track, however, as Holbrook is an entrepreneur with interests in motorsports coaching, driver brand development, public speaking, OEM driving events, Track Night in America’s Experiential Programs, and social media marketing, among others.  

Hargitt's motorsports roots run deep. She began racing quarter midgets around Indiana at age 9, attended Lyn St. James’ “Women in the Winner’s Circle” and Driver Development, and eventually graduated to USAC midgets. While attending Ball State University, Hargitt got out of the driver’s seat and in front of the camera, scoring her first job in local news in Terre Haute, Indiana. She eventually worked her way back into motorsports as a pit reporter on NBCSN's IndyCar series and IndyLights broadcasts. In spring of this year, Hargitt founded “Fuel the Female,” an organization aimed at helping girls achieve their dreams through motorsports.

Adams is Chief Engineer and Manager of Race Tire Engineering for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations/Firestone Racing. She has more than a decade of racing experience after joining the Race Tire Engineering team at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) in 2007, and has developed tires for road/street courses and the Indianapolis 500. Currently, Adams is responsible for overseeing all design, development and track-side support of Firestone race tires, and heads a talented group that designs tires for some of the world’s most demanding driving situations. In addition to her work at BATO, Adams also serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Akron section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Services, and Akron Public Schools’ Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program for high school students.

Having served nine years in the US Air Force as an aircraft mechanic on B-52's and KC-135 aircraft, Salvaggio launched her racing career in 1985 at a NASCAR Winston dirt track event in California. From stock car racing, she made the move to road racing with the Vintage Auto Racing Association (VARA), followed by performance driving Corvettes in high- and low-speed events with the SCCA and National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC). In 2000, she joined the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), competing in the Women's Global GT Series. She’s also competed in NHRA drag racing events, capturing the Gardei Memorial Overall Competitor Award in 1997 (Firebird Raceway), and Top Eliminator honors at the Pomona Drags in 1999. Salvaggio serves as an instructor driver at NCCC, NASA, and Track Guys driving school events, and has secured more that 200 first place finishes in driving competitions including the Factory Five Challenge Series, NASA Time Trial Series, Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) Series, and more. She is owner and Editor-in-Chief of Thunder Valley Racing, and travels nationally to support women in racing efforts.

Named one of the “Top 100 Female Athletes of the Century” by Sports Illustrated, St. James has set 21 national and international speed records, and succeeded in the sport of auto racing at levels unparalleled by any other woman. As a competitor in the world’s largest sporting event—the Indy 500—St. James masterfully drove her way to earn Rookie of the Year honors in 1992 and competed in 15 IndyCar races, including seven Indy 500’s. She’s competed all over the world, including the 24 Hours of LeMans twice (1989, 1991) with victories in the IMSA Series at Watkins Glen, Road America, Daytona, and Sebring. She continues to race in vintage races and, most recently, at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

PRI’s “Opportunities for Women in Motorsports” seminar is offered free of charge to registered Trade Show attendees, exhibitors and media. Seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. For more information or to register for the PRI Trade Show, which takes place December 6–8, visit pri2018.com.

Racing is scheduled to return to Virginia’s Motor Mile Speedway in 2019.

The 0.416-mile paved oval short track near Radford will soon be unveiling its calendar of events, which will feature a 10-date race schedule in addition to its slate of special events.

Alongside the late model headliners, support divisions competing next season include Limited Sportsman, Super Street, MOD-4 and UCAR. Motor Mile Speedway has contacted NASCAR about renewing its sanctioning agreement for the 2019 season.

“I have been impressed by the persistence of the racers,” Motor Mile Speedway & Dragway owner David Hagan said. “While the concerns that led to the suspension of our racing program in 2018 were justified, assurances of racer and fan support have persuaded me to move forward for 2019."

The decision to revitalize Motor Mile Speedway’s racing program follows a pair of exploratory meetings between track ownership and race teams.

Key members of Motor Mile Speedway’s respected officiating staff will be returning in 2019. Along with competitor-proposed rulebook adjustments, modifications to track operations and procedures will be implemented, all in an effort to ensure the long-term viability of the racing program.

Badlands Motor Speedway, the dirt track located in Brandon, South Dakota, is now for sale for $6.3 million.

Track owner Chuck Brennan hosted an auction for the race facility on September 15, with an opening bid of $3.15 million. However, several potential bidders both on the site and online failed to place a bid, according to a statement on the track website.

Track officials are now asking for a “deeply discounted, temporary purchase price” of $6,299,999, which will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Brennan purchased the track in 2015, changed the name from Huset’s Speedway to Badlands, and completed upgrades to the facility.

The track had previously reported a noise ordinance from the county, stating the speedway had lost its grandfathered exemption letting it operate. Speedway officials, however, published the letter the track received rescinding the past noise ordinance notice.

“We all truly hope we can pass the torch on to a new ownership group as soon as possible… We have put forth an incredible price and value for this historic piece of property and legendary race track and concert venue. We know time is of the essence as the off-season is the best time for the business to generate income by selling advertising, sponsorships, VIP luxury suites, reserved seating and much more, to get ready for the gates to open to the thousands of race fans who have entered our gates over the past 60 years,” a track statement said.