The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced the complete 20-race schedule for the IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular. The historic Wilkesboro Dragway, of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, has been added to the schedule.

The IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular features double-race weekends with increased purses and is said to be affordable for grassroots, bracket-racing competitors who support their local tracks each week.

The opening weekend of races is March 9-11, 2018, at Xtreme Raceway Park in Ferris, Texas and Farmington Dragway in Mocksville, North Carolina. The races feature a $10,000-to-win payout on Saturday and a $5,000-to-win race on Sunday.

There is a national contingency program available to all IHRA members who advance to the final two rounds each day. As part of its contingency program, Summit Racing Equipment will now pay for the winner, runner-up and semifinal positions. There are also cash bonuses for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries member that goes the furthest in eliminations or wins the event.

"We are pleased to finalize the great venues and schedule which will bring grassroots bracket racers their shot to win two races for only a $150 pre-entry," IHRA Vice President Skooter Peaco said. "This new program provides big money races without the big money entry fees. With all the extra features packed into this weekend, especially for IHRA members, these events present a tremendous value."

For pre-entry and on-site entry fees, visit here.

2018 IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular Schedule
    •    March 9-11 - Xtreme Raceway Park, Ferris, Texas
    •    March 9-11 - Farmington Dragway, Mocksville, N.C.
    •    April 20-22 - State Capitol Raceway, Port Allen, La.
    •    May 18-20 - Keystone Raceway Park, New Alexandria, Pa.
    •    May 25-27 - Darlington Dragway, Darlington, S.C.
    •    June 8-10 - Dragway 42, West Salem, Ohio
    •    June 28-July 1 - Wilkesboro Dragway, Wilkesboro, N.C.
    •    Aug. 17-19 - US 131 Motorsports Park, Martin, Mich.
    •    Aug. 24-26 - Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, Md.
    •    Sept. 28-30 - Memphis International Raceway, Millington, Tenn.

Patterson Elite Performance announced the addition of Valori “VeeJay” Booth as a new member of the leadership team at its performance racing engine shop in Augusta, Kansas.

Booth, a racer since the age of eight, competed in Junior Dragsters, Pro Stock Trucks, and more. She also received her bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas and master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Southern California. She spent her early career at NASA as a Space Flight Trainer for astronauts and flight controllers, teaching them to live and work on the International Space Station.

“It was a dream come true to spend my days working with astronauts and supporting America’s exploration of space, and it is as much a dream to be returning to my roots and working once again in motorsports,” Booth said. “It is an incredible honor to be a part of a legendary drag racing team.”

Since the 2016 retirement of company founder Allan Patterson, his son Todd Patterson has taken over the reins to run the daily operations.

“With my changing role here, I have been looking to add someone to our team that has both a background in racing and the drive to take our business to the next level,” Todd Patterson said. “I’ve known VeeJay since her days racing Junior Dragsters. She came to work for us in ’96 and was in charge of public relations for our Pro Stock Truck team. Her family campaigned a Super Pro altered with Patterson power, which VeeJay drove, so I knew her commitment to the sport and the quality of her work.”

NASCAR recognized Homestead-Miami Speedway Sr. Director of Communications Neal Gulkis for his efforts during the 2017 NASCAR season at the NASCAR Marketing & Communications Awards in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday.

Gulkis was awarded the Track PR Rep of the Year award for his work as a liaison between Homestead-Miami Speedway and the South Florida community, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and NASCAR.
 
Gulkis joined the Homestead-Miami Speedway staff in 2014. He plays a pivotal role in the execution of a number of media-related events throughout the year. Gulkis is also representative of the track, and in 2017, became the public voice of Homestead-Miami Speedway following the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

As a part of the community, Gulkis facilitates the track’s relationship with the Jason Taylor Foundation’s Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, which won the Institution Award at the 2018 NASCAR Diversity Awards in Daytona earlier this week. Gulkis also supports many other ISC tracks and events as it pertains to public relations and communications.

The Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) is now accepting applications for the 2018 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Students preparing for careers in the auto or auto-parts industries can apply at www.sema.org/scholarships.  

New this year, high school and part-time students can apply for a scholarship. The change is part of an effort by SEMA’s Scholarship Committee to start students down the automotive path and support their efforts at an earlier stage.

“SEMA is dedicated to activating the next-generation automotive workforce by providing financial support and career resources to students enrolled in various high schools, universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in the United States,” said SEMA Chairman-Elect Tim Martin.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at www.sema.org/scholarships. The deadline for the program is March 1, 2018.

Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, such as accounting, sales and marketing, and engineering. Dozens of awards ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 will be given out, with a $5,000 award going to the top student.

The program also includes a loan-forgiveness aspect that offers financial awards to employees of SEMA-member companies who are paying off a loan for a completed program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the United States.

For more information, contact SEMA Manager of Student Programs Juliet Marshall at 909/978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

ProMedia Events will host the 50th Anniversary Ford Performance Parts Cobra Jet Reunion at its NMCA All-American Nationals event at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, August 23–26, 2018.

Presented by Tasca Ford and TascaParts.com, this special event is open to all Ford vehicles powered by the iconic Cobra Jet engine combination including Cobra Jet vehicles (Mustangs, Fairlanes, Cougars, Torinos, Cyclones/Montegos, and Rancheros).

“NMCA is thrilled to be a big part of Cobra Jet’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said Steve Wolcott president and CEO of the National Muscle Car Association. “Cobra Jet’s iconic platform is the predecessor to today’s Detroit factory-built racecar programs that add to the excitement of NMCA series events.”

The event takes place the weekend after the “world-famous” Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit and one week before the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy, setting the stage for a potential motorsport road trip.

Partnering with Ford Performance Parts to celebrate Cobra Jet’s golden anniversary, NMCA has secured support from the following organizations: the Mustang Club of America, Mustang Times, the 428 Cobra Jet Registry, the Fairlane Club of America, the Cougar Club of America, the Galaxie Club of America, select rare Cobra Jet vehicle owners and collectors, and a group of influential Cobra Jet owners responsible for the 40th anniversary event.

For more information, visit here or call 714/444-2426. For participation credentials, visit here.

Bill Bader Jr.’s Energize, LLC has been hired by Maple Grove Raceway to help pave a prosperous path for its Mohnton, Pennsylvania, facility.
 
Through his motorsports marketing company, Bader Jr., who is also president of Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, will be part of inventing and implementing management and marketing programs for the track.
 
“I will be involved in every aspect of Maple Grove Raceway’s operations, from staff and sponsors to track prep and ticket sales,” said Bader Jr., who has more than 40 years of experience in the motorsports industry. “Maple Grove Raceway’s market includes parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Washington and other states, and it is extraordinary. It is steeped in rich tradition, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for it.”
 
In addition to offering a wide variety of events April through October, the family-owned Maple Grove Raceway will host the 47th Annual Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, May 24-27, 2018 and the Dodge NHRA Nationals, Sept. 13-16, 2018, and among Bader Jr.’s goals is to help the facility captivate capacity crowds at each of those events.
 
“There are 200 sanctioned dragstrips in this country, and if they all operated to their potential, drag racing would be right up there with stick-and-ball sports,” said Bader Jr. “That would be the ideal scenario.”
 
For information about the track and its events, visit www.maplegroveraceway.com or call 610/856-9200. For information about Bader Jr. and Energize, email energizeme@icloud.com or call 419/577-5210.

Champion Oil is now available for purchase through Airheart Sales. Champion Brands, LLC announced Airheart as its newest rep agency covering the Western United States and Canada.

“We are very excited to bring this team on board as our representation in Canada, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii. Their excellent reputation and tremendous work ethic are a natural fit that we know will help us take care of our customers,” Champion Director of National Sales Karl Dedolph said.

“This group has been in business over 25 years and is driven to succeed for companies like Champion utilizing their award-winning personnel and sales philosophy. They are active members of SEMA, PRI, CAN/PWA, and SEMA Data Co-op Certified,” Dedolph added.

Champion Brands produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets.

Pioneers of diversity were honored Thursday, February 15, at Daytona International Speedway during the 11th annual NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards. A list of this year’s awardees is below.

The NASCAR Drive Diversity Awards highlight exceptional accomplishments by drivers, motorsports professionals, industry facilities and organizations, as well as graduates of highly competitive programs, NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development and Pit Crew Development and the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program.

Past notable awardees include Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers and NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduates Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez and Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.

“The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards offer an outstanding platform to recognize individuals and organizations whose significant contributions drive our efforts of inclusion and strengthen the future of our sport,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “Our commitment to diversity is part of our core values and it’s our sincere pleasure to recognize this year’s outstanding group of winners for their efforts and achievements.”

The 2018 NASCAR season kicks off at the Daytona International Speedway with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday, February 16, followed by the debut of the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the POWERSHARES QQQ 300 on Saturday. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Daytona 500 will air on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Award Recipients
National Series Driver Award—Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver Joey Logano
NASCAR Diverse Driver Award—NASCAR K&N Pro Series driver Jesse Iwuji
NASCAR Partner Award—PEAK
NASCAR Diverse Crew Member Award—Kevin Richardson
NASCAR Young Racer Award—member of the 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver class Isabella Robusto
NASCAR Industry Ambassador Award—Sam Belnavis
NASCAR Diversity Intern Award—Precious Makuyana and Jorge Jones
NASCAR Institution Award—Jason Taylor Foundation
NASCAR Track Award—Las Vegas Motor Speedway
NASCAR Team Award—Roush Fenway Racing

Track officials announced that Lonesome Pine Raceway (LPR) in Coeburn, Virginia, will not reopen its gates for the 2018 season.

“With the 2018 racing season upon us we regretfully must announce there will be no racing activities at the 3/8 mile paved oval,” a Facebook post to the track page stated, signed by Keith and Ervin Stiltner, the couple that has leased the track since 2007.

LPR previously hosted NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing for the last several years. Initially opened in 1972, the track hosted the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series, attracting drivers including Dale Earnhardt, Jack Ingram and Harry Gant during the 1970s.

LPR also hosted ASA, ARCA and USAR touring series as well as weekly racing.

The post noted low fan and car counts, along with the “struggling economy in Southwest Virginia” as reasons for ceasing operation.

“We would like to thank each and every driver, fan, sponsor, crew member and employee that has given their time to keep cars roaring around Lonesome Pine Raceway,” the post said.

LPR officials have invited racers and fans to its sister track Kingsport Speedway in Kingsport, Tennessee, which begins its 2018 season March 24.

After months of speculation, Lydden Hill (Wootton, Kent, United Kingdom) has been confirmed as the venue for the double-header season finale of the 2018 Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) on October 27–28.

The "birthplace of rallycross" will welcome racers from across the pond—together with a number of select “wildcard” entries—as the UK takes on the US for the first time in Red Bull GRC history.
 
“Bringing Red Bull Global Rallycross to Lydden Hill’s historic venue makes perfect sense for the series’ long-awaited return to Europe,” said Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne. “Our teams and drivers are looking forward to battling it out for the championship on the circuit where the sport first began, so fans will be sure to see some of the most intense racing of the year over this double-header weekend.”

To purchase tickets to Red Bull Global Rallycross Lydden Hill event, visit here. For more information on the event, visit here.