Engine Parts Group, Inc. (Engine Pro) has named William (Bill) E. Cook as president of the engine parts distribution group. Cook most recently served as the national sales manager for SFA Companies.

“Bill has in-depth management experience in the worldwide automotive parts distribution industry and is also extremely knowledgeable in the automotive repair and machining fields,” EPGI’s Current Chairman Paul Van Woensel of Engine & Performance Warehouse said.

Early in his career, Cook owned a successful retail auto parts business and is an avid restorer of classic cars, having recently built a Cobra from the ground up, including assembling the engine. Cook started his new position on September 10, 2018, and will be based in Kansas City, Missouri, which is also the home of the central distribution warehouse for Engine Pro. The business office will continue to be located in Denver.

In his new position, Cook will oversee the growth of Engine Parts Group, Inc., manage product buying and work with suppliers to expand sales opportunities. He will also work with shareholders and staff to provide the most competitive products, pricing and service to the 12,000 engine professionals who make up the customer base of Engine Pro.

Cook assumes the position of president from Don Weber who passed away in March of 2018.

Engine Pro is one of the largest engine parts distribution network in the US and Australia. The group’s independent specialty engine parts distributors operate 36 warehouses and inventory a full line of internal engine components for domestic and import passenger car, light truck, heavy duty, industrial, marine, agricultural and performance applications.

Don Panoz, the founder of the American Le Mans Series and creator of the Panoz car marque, has passed away at the age of 83.

In 1999, Panoz formed the American Le Mans Series with the goal of bringing European-style racing to the United States. The series thrived for more than 10 years before finally merging with the Grand-Am Rolex SportsCar Series to form what is now known as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“Don Panoz will be remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of sports car racing,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO and IMSA Chairman Jim France said. “Don was a true gentleman who deeply cared about our sport. That was obvious to all who are involved with sports car racing. He became a great friend and partner, and we shared the pride of combining Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series and re-establishing the IMSA brand, bringing sports car racing together again. Don was a true innovator whose work touched many lives.”

Panoz fell in love with the unique atmosphere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after experiencing it himself for the first time. Panoz aimed to replicate the spirit of Le Mans, its unique rules and regulations while adding his own fan-friendly atmosphere, first through the creation of a “one-off” event at Road Atlanta, the 10-hour or 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans, which debuted on Oct. 11, 1998.

Panoz later quickly founded the ALMS, a series of races throughout North America on world-class racetracks, including three that he owned: Sebring International Raceway, Road Atlanta, and Mosport - what today is known as Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

ALMS was the first motorsports sanctioning body's to open the pre-race starting grid to race fans, enabling them to walk among the cars and drivers on the racetrack minutes before the start of each race—a practice still apart of every IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race and many other race organizations around the world.

Panoz’s involvement in motorsport extended well beyond the ALMS and his racetracks, which all were part of his Panoz Motor Sports Group. His Panoz Esperante GTR-1 was the first successful front-engine prototype race car in more than 30 years. Following that, Panoz was a pioneer in the introduction of hybrid technology in sports car racing, bringing the car known as “sparky” into competition at the 1998 Petit Le Mans.

In the early 2010s, Panoz was instrumental in the development of the revolutionary DeltaWing race car, which raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ALMS and the WeatherTech Championship until the end of the 2016 season.

Panoz earned several prestigious accolades throughout his life. He was the 29th inductee into the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2013, the Bob Russo Heritage Award recipient from the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2014, the La Bella Machina award winner at the 2015 Concorso Italiano in Monterey, California, and the 2015 recipient of the Women In The Winner’s Circle Leadership Award from racing pioneer Lyn St. James and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Panoz leaves behind his wife of 63 years Nancy; sons Danny and Chris; daughters Donna, Dena, Lisa and Andrea, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and numerous longtime friends and business associates from around the world.

(Photo courtesy of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship).

ISM Raceway, the former Phoenix Raceway, announced the promotion of two executives and the addition of a new director.

Jonathan Stone has been promoted to senior director of Corporate Sales and Mark Bailey will move into the newly created role of senior manager of Corporate Sales and Hospitality.

“Mark and Jonathan have been integral assets to ISM Raceway throughout their tenure,” ISM Raceway VP of Sales and Communications Scott Rovn said. “They are instrumental to the partnerships and corporate activations associated with the ISM Raceway Project Powered by DC Solar and I look forward to working with them for many years to come at the new ISM Raceway.”

Stone previously worked on developing strategic marketing partnerships, as well as creating unique hospitality experiences at the track. Stone will continue to assist with the ongoing development of the corporate sales team in addition to overseeing ticket sales for the organization.

Bailey previously worked with business development efforts surrounding corporate sales inventory for the Raceway, including corporate chalets, tickets packages, high-end hospitality and sponsorship opportunities.

ISM Raceway also announced Rodney Scearce as its new director of Communications. Scearce, who previously served as manager of Community Relations for the Phoenix Suns, will oversee all communications and media relations for ISM Raceway, including its Opening Weekend featuring the Can-Am 500 in November.

Custom Automotive Network, formerly known as Performance Warehouse Association, announced Adrian Murray of Painless Performance Products as its 2018 Person of the Year. The prestigious award is voted on by CAN membership and recognizes someone who has made a significant contribution for the benefit of the custom automotive distribution system.

Painless Performance Products is recognized as the leading manufacturer of high-quality automotive electrical products for the street rod, muscle car, race care and off-road markets. Founded in 1990 with one basic chassis wiring harness, the company has grown the years to offer fuel injection wiring, switch control centers, battery management systems and a variety of electrical accessories with over 400 products in all.

Adrian Murray joined Painless in 1998 as vice president of sales and has been president and CEO since 2004.

Painless has been recognized as Manufacturer of the Year by CAN’s predecessor the Performance Warehouse Association in 2002, 2010 and 2011.

CAN also awarded Truck Hero as its 2018 Manufacturer of the Year. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Truck Hero offers a full range of truck bed covers and other truck and Jeep accessories with market-leading functionality, engineering, quality, and design. Truck Hero ’s family of brands includes Extang, TruXedo, BedRug, UnderCover, Advantage, Retrax, BAK, A.R.E., N-FAB, Husky Liners, Rugged Liner, Superlift, Omix-ADA, Rugged Ridge, RealTruck and AutoCustoms.

Also recognized by CAN for the 2018 Sales Rep of the Year was Harry Miller Sales (HMS). Founded in 2010 to serve performance and racing manufacturers, resellers and consumers, HMS provides an "old school" bridge between the factory and their target market base, helping both sides embrace the "new age" of parts distribution and technology.

Each year, HMS visits countless businesses and enjoys sound working relationships with companies of all sizes, ranging from “Mom & Pop” shops, all the way up to the largest performance parts distributors in the US. The HMS goal is to engage at all levels of the entire distribution channel.

The awards were presented by CAN President Tracie Nunez at the 45th annual CAN Connect Conference on September 9, 2018, in Frisco, Texas.

On November 15–18, the 14th edition of the Street Car Super Nationals (SCSN) will utilize all four lanes of Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s unique layout to provide an all-new experience—one that also expedites the racing from class to class.

The plan, spearheaded by SCSN Promoter Mel Roth and Director of Racing Operations for The Strip Jeff Foster, calls for standard slick tire classes to be run on the west track with radial tire classes on the east track. The lanes will be used in an alternating format, eliminating the need to slow the program to prep for the upcoming class.

In addition, prep specialist Kurt Johnson has been hired by the track to assist in this massive undertaking.

“This is the biggest project we’ve undertaken for the Street Car Super Nationals,” Roth said. “The racing is going to flow a lot better with less downtime due to track prep. And this is a team that can do it. We’ve got a track crew that is already one of the best in the world and now, they’re going to be working even harder with less time between prep since we’re running essentially two different drag strips.

“If you’ve never been to this race, this should be what gets you out here because it’s going to be incredible.”

Meyer Distributing, Inc., one of the leaders in automotive specialty products marketing and distribution, announced the addition of its new Spokane, Washington, location.

The new cross-dock will have a direct, next-day feed from Meyer's Portland, Oregon, distribution hub which houses one of the largest inventories of automotive accessories and RV parts in the region.

“We continue to reinvest in inventory, personnel, and equipment in the Northwest,” Meyer CFO Jeff Braun said. “We’re way ahead of schedule on our growth plans in the region and have opened two new logistics points in Washington recently to handle the increased volume. We thank the customers for putting their trust in us.”

The 2018 inductees into USAC's Hall of Fame were honored in ceremonies this week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Inductees Mike Devin, Jimmy Sills and Paul Goldsmith were on hand, along with family representatives of inductees Jason Leffler, Bill Lipkey, Troy Ruttman, Tony Elliott, and Bob and Gene Shannon.

Pat Sullivan acted as the emcee, and distinctive plaques were distributed by USAC President Kevin Miller.

For more information, visit usacracing.com.

The second Annual East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals has been expanded to a third night of racing to accommodate new racers interested in competing. The event featuring the 600cc wingless Micro Sprints will again be held at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, with racing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night December 13–15. Racing will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Entries will be split into two preliminary night programs on Thursday and Friday evening. The first two nights of action will set the lineups for Saturday’s main event program, where all entered racers will compete.

“We have already received close to 90 entries for the event and its 3 1/2 months away from race day,” said promoter Len Sammons. “The great dark clay racing surface and awesome three-wide groove action at the inaugural event caught the attention of racers from different forms of racing that want to be involved. The split preliminary night schedule will allow us the pit space to expand the entry list to 120 cars with 60 competing each night.”

A list of what drivers are presently competing each night is posted and will be updated as they are received at indoorautoracing.com. Entries will be limited to 120, so teams are urged to enter quickly to avoid being left out.

For more informationon entering the East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals, technical and competition rules, and host hotel information, visit indoorautoracing.com.

Edelbrock, LLC has announced that Chris Crecelius is joining the company's sales team as the new Regional Account Sales Manager. Working out of Memphis, Tennessee, Crecelius will be handling accounts throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Western Tennessee.

A 24-year veteran of the aftermarket performance industry, Crecelius comes to Edelbrock after 13 years as National Sales Manager for Hypertech, where he was responsible for the company's sales and marketing programs for all sales channels including retail, wholesale, dealer, and specialty markets. Prior to that he was the Regional Sales Manager for Holley Performance Products, where he managed $20 million in sales for all accounts in the Midwest region.

Creselius will report directly to Cary Redman, Edelbrock's National Sales Manager.

"We are extremely excited to have Chris join our Edelbrock Sales Team," said Redman. "His many years of experience, product knowledge, and personality, will fit right in with us at Edelbrock!"

In addition to his extensive background in aftermarket sales, Creselius is also a past SEMA leader who has served on the Young Executives Network Committee and the Emerging Trends and Technologies Select Committee.

For more information, visit edelbrock.com.

MAHLE Aftermarket in Europe has a new leader, as Joanna Szkudlapska-Wlodarczyk recently took over the unit’s business activities.

A 17-year veteran of the MAHLE Group, Szkudlapska-Wlodarczyk has been the Head of European Aftermarket Business at MAHLE since August 1. Most recently, she’d served as the head of MAHLE Aftermarket for Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states since 2006.

In her new function, Szkudlapska-Wlodarczyk reports to Olaf Henning, Corporate Executive Vice President and General Manager Aftermarket at MAHLE.

"Europe continues to be a promising market for MAHLE Aftermarket in which we will step up our efforts even further. This is also demonstrated by the majority takeover of BRAIN BEE and the planned takeover of Behr Hella Service. In doing so, we are expanding our comprehensive solution and service expertise for workshops—be it in workshop equipment or in areas such as thermal management, which will play a key role regardless of future types of powertrain," said Henning. "With Joanna Szkudlapska-Wlodarczyk, we now have a proven market expert in a key position to further develop MAHLE Aftermarket in Europe."

For more information, visit us.mahle.com.