Keystone Automotive Operations has added McLeod Racing and A’PEXi to its speed and performance category.

“We are excited to add two pedigree performance companies to our product offering. Customers will have access to the full line of products from both aftermarket companies,” said Keith Evanosky, category manager of speed and performance at Keystone.

McLeod Racing is a longtime manufacturer of performance clutch and driveline parts such as clutch kits, clutch components, hydraulic bearings, flywheels, conversion kits, and bellhousings. Since 1971, McLeod Racing has been known for its products that span street and race performance segments, as well as its strong enthusiast support.

Additionally, Keystone will augment its current selection of Japanese performance products with intakes, engine components, exhausts, electronics, suspension, and accessories by A’PEXi. Since 1992, the company—based in Japan with a location in Orange, California—has evolved from a small tuning parts manufacturer to a multi-industry international powerhouse, says Keystone.

The 9th Annual Summit USMTS Winter Speedweeks presented by MSD Performance continues this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 9–11, when the United States Modifieds Touring Series (USMTS) invades three dirt tracks in Mississippi for a “twofer” featuring the Summit USMTS Southern Series and USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup.

All three events, including every lap of every division, will be broadcast live on www.RacinDirt.com.

The tripleheader begins Friday at the Jackson Motor Speedway, a semi-banked 1/4-mile dirt oval in Byram. Support classes include NeSmith Crate Late Models, NeSmith 602 Sportsmans and Factory Stocks.

The racing continues Saturday night at the Whynot Motorsports Park, also a semi-banked dirt oval. The 3/10-mile track, located in Meridan, will feature support classes including NeSmith Crate Late Models, NeSmith Late Model Sportsmans, NeSmith Street Stocks, Factory Stocks and Hot Shots.

The action rounds out on Sunday, March 11, at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus. The 3/8-mile dirt oval known as “The Mag” will offer wheel-to-wheel racing with four classes including 604 crate Late Models, 602 crate Late Models and Factory Stocks.

For more information, including start times and ticket pricing, visit here. 

The free driver safety seminar "Racing Goes Safer" will once again be offered by the Stand 21 Safety Foundation in cooperation with the Long Beach Grand Prix Association during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, racers, along with their team and family members, have been invited to get practical advice for health and safety at the track from internationally recognized experts and drivers.

Speakers at this 7th annual seminar will include IndyCar Director of Engineering/Safety Jeff Horton, as well as IndyCar and Formula E driver Oriol Servia. More speakers will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit www.racinggoessafer.org or contact Don Taylor at 626/688-2817.

Motor State Distributing has added Superior Fuel Cells to its vendor product line. Superior Fuel Cells specializes in fuel delivery for dirt Late Model and dirt modified racing classes.

Superior Fuel Cells are constructed from 20-gauge steel, laser cut and CNC formed with a cross-linked polyethylene bladder. Fuel spillage and evaporation are said to be greatly reduced with a double-sealed, billet fill cap with flapper gasket assembly. Cells come with -10AN fuel pickup, -8AN fuel return, -6AN vent with roll-over valve and fuel dipstick. All cells are said to “exceed” the SFI 28.3 specifications.

For more information, call 800/772-2678 or visit www.motorstate.com.

The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) is hosting the Hiring Manager Workshop on Tuesday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Roush Fenway Racing Theater in Concord, NC.

The workshop will focus on what managers can do immediately to increase the likelihood of hiring employees who will perform with excellence. Drawing on the latest research, strategies and best practices, participants will learn how they can more confidently and effectively hire individuals who fit the role, the manager’s style, the team and the organization.

Led by NCMA member Doug Bacon, a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and the managing director of Throwing Words, the two-hour event requires registration. Members may register for $10 while non-members must pay $20.

For more information, visit here or contact Haven Kerchner at 704/455-5606 or haven@motorsportsnc.com.

Edelbrock has announced its 13th Annual Car Show, which will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018, at its distribution center located at 510 Madrid Ave. Torrance, CA.

Automotive enthusiasts are invited to the event featuring over 400 cars and hot rods, food, and live entertainment. The show will host the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge as well the “Kids Corner” with activities for children of all ages.

Many aftermarket manufacturers will also be in attendance to exhibit their products. Show hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and spectator entry is free.

All makes and models of vehicles are welcome. Interested car show participants can register online at www.EdelbrockCarShow.com. Lower registration fees are in effect until April 29.

Edelbrock will also once again open the doors of its corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility the day before (on May 4, 2018) to the public for free shop tours. This will take place at 2700 California St., Torrance, CA.

Participants will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of Edelbrock's Research & Development, Manufacturing and Quality Control departments and see what it takes to design and manufacture Edelbrock’s performance products. Shop tours begin at 10 a.m. and will end at 1 p.m. Limited spots are available, so registration at www.EdelbrockCarShow.com is encouraged.

Crower Cams, a manufacturer of automotive drivetrain components for the high performance and racing industries, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Doug Evans to president and CEO.

Evans has spent more than 30 years running media properties in the racing industry including brands like Hot Rod and Four Wheeler. He began his new role on March 1.

“Doug brings serious leadership credentials to Crower that include his experience as SEMA’s former Chairman of the Board and recent SEMA Hall of Fame induction. Doug’s extensive management experience and heavy-duty sales and marketing credentials will help us take Crower to the next level and the next generation of enthusiasts,” Bruce Crower said.

“I couldn’t be more excited about my opportunity to take the helm at Crower,” said Evans. “Crower is a legendary name in the world of performance and racing. Together with our terrific team we aim to dramatically increase Crower’s share of market in the racing and enthusiast space while modernizing our operations to make way for new product innovations.”

Founded in 1961 and located in San Diego, CA, Crower manufactures camshafts, roller lifters, rocker arms, crankshafts, connecting rods and clutches.

(Photo courtesy of VP Racing Fuels).

VP Racing Fuels, Inc. officials announced the appointment of Bob Merz as senior manager of Corporate Communications.

“Bob is very passionate about developing creative, strategic marketing initiatives that deliver results,” President of VP Racing Fuels Alan Cerwick said. “His deep experience in B2B and B2C, strategic brand marketing and communications, and his significant, successful roles working with companies like 7-11, Pennzoil, Texaco, and Anheuser-Busch make him a great addition to the VP Team. At VP our culture is all about passion and results and he’s a great fit.”

Merz’s first experience in motorsports came when he ran the Budweiser brand that included sponsorship of car owner Junior Johnson and drivers Darrell Waltrip and the late Neil Bonnett on the NASCAR circuit.

“Having admired VP Racing Fuels for several years, I am delighted to be joining the VP team,” Merz said. “The product lines, the expansion opportunities and the overall growth prospects make this a truly exciting time to join.”

Lee USA Speedway, a 3/8-mile speedway in Lee, New Hampshire, has been purchased by Nashua businessman Norman Wrenn Jr.

The track had previously been owned for 33 years by John “Red” and Judy MacDonald.

Wrenn himself is a stock car racer, driving in events dating back to 1983. Wrenn has competed in Pro Stock, Pro-4 modified, and Modified Racing Series competition over his career, and even won his first Pro Stock race at Lee USA Speedway in 1993.

The track will continue to run NASCAR-sanctioned events and the Whelen All-American Series. Wrenn noted he would look into track upgrades, including at with the VIP tower, track lighting, the PA system, and more.

The 2018 season at Lee USA Speedway begins Sunday, April 15, with the American-Canadian Tour Governors Cup 150. Late Models and NE Classic Lines will run during this race that starts at 12 p.m.  

For a complete schedule, visit here.

The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series has released its 2018 schedule, which is compromised of five events at the Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA.

The 29th season kicks off on Sunday, May 27, with the 21st running of the Modified Traffic Jam. The big block modifieds and 358 modifieds are joined by the Sportsman and Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series for a full night of racing action.

A sprint car summer season is celebrated with the AMSOIL USAC National Non-Wing Sprint Car Series in combination with the 358 modifieds on Thursday, June 14. The 12th running of the Jesse Hockett Classic brings the USAC non-wing sprint cars in for its only east coast stop.

Tuesday, July 3, the 410 sprint cars will roar into action as part of Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek, teaming up with the 358 modifieds.

Summer events roll to a close on Thursday, Aug. 23, where the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions 410 sprint cCars compete for the 4th Annual Thunder Cup. The 358 modifieds will also compete.

The 29th Thunder season comes to a close on Saturday, Oct. 13, with the Mods at the Madhouse Thunder on the Hill Halloween Party, when the Sportsman and the Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series join the event.

Thunder On The Hill 2018 Schedule
Sunday, May 27 – 21st Annual Traffic Jam Big Block/358 sodifieds, Sportsman, MASS Sprints
Thursday, June 14 – 
12th Annual USAC non-wing sprints Jesse Hockett Classic Plus 358 modifieds
Tuesday, July 3 – 24th Annual 410 Pennsylvania Sprint Speed Week Series Plus 358 modifieds
Thursday, Aug. 23 – 
All Star 410 sprints & 358 modifieds
Saturday, Oct. 13 – 
Mods at the MADHOUSE Halloween Party
Big Block/358 modifieds, Sportsman, MASS Sprints