Brandt Professional Agriculture has partnered with NASCAR star Kyle Larson to offer the highest guaranteed purse in Outlaw Kart racing during Kyle Larson’s Outlaw Kart Showcase at Cycleland Speedway set for September 4—5.

The race will feature a $25,000 purse in the open division, with $6000 going to the winner of the third annual Kyle Larson’s Outlaw Kart Showcase presented by Brandt.

“I’m thrilled to have Brandt come on board for the Outlaw Kart Showcase. They have a big presence in the California agriculture industry and motorsports, both in NASCAR with Justin Allgaier as well as regional and national events, and they only add to the prestige of this event,” said Larson.

The Outlaw Kart Showcase will also include the Box Stock and 250 Intermediate outlaw karts. New this year will see preliminary events for all three divisions on Sept. 4, with feature events on Sept. 5. Also on Sept. 4 will be a special “Mystery Feature,” paying $1000 to the winner will be contested in the Open Division.

Drivers from all parts of the country are expected to contest the event. A total of 210 entries were received last year and Larson expects 2016 Open winner Logan Seavey to be at the top of the list of possible winners of this year’s edition. Also expected to return is 250 Intermediate victor Carsen Perkins and Box Stock feature winner Preston Carr.

The Capitol Renegade United Racing Club honored the retired racer Garry Gollub on Saturday, July 8 at the Delaware International Speedway by welcoming him into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The 1974 and ’75 URC Champion was honored on the front stretch and in front of the United Racing Club community including its past owners and crew members.

Gollub has now joined the other 25 members in the Hall of Fame and is the first to be inducted since 2014.

After a month of being idle, the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club also returned to action on Saturday night during an event brought by Betts Garage.

Saturday night was also "Kid’s Night," which was an event giving children the chance to meet Curt Michael, Robbie Stillwaggon, Josh Weller, Davey Sammons, Cody Jourdan, Justin Whittall, Brett Michalski along with Miss URCs Tiffany Tyers and Kayla Stoltzfus.

Since the acquisition of Jiffy-tite Co. Inc. by the Oetiker Group in March 2016, the company has announced the full integration of both companies, scheduled for later this year. With this announcement came the decision for Jiffy-tite to adopt the Oetiker name.

As of July 1, 2017, the company name had changed from Jiffy-tite Co., Inc. to Oetiker NY, Inc. Product and packaging, signage, literature and business documents are in process of being updated with the Oetiker brand.
 
Along with the change in the company name and logo, customers can expect a wider range of connecting solutions that extend beyond quick connectors and into clamps, rings and straps for applications like cooling and heating, air intake, exhaust and occupant safety.

The company will continue to maintain a strong presence in many major markets, with over 20 sales and production locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
 
“We will continue to deliver the quality products and reliable services which have been our focus since our beginning in 1963. The culture that has been built over the past decades will not change and we will continue to stand for high-end, high quality connecting solutions,” the company said in a press release.
 
For additional information about Oetiker visit www.oetiker.com.

The American Drag Racing League (ADRL) has announced that Pro Stock and Pro Mod racer Larry Morgan has agreed to assume the role of president of the ADRL, assuming responsibilities from CEO and interim president Jeff Biegun. 

 

Biegun has held the position of interim president since April 20, 2017, after previous ADRL President Kenny Nowling stepped down. Nowling continued his relationship with the ADRL as an announcer and master of ceremonies after stepping down. 

 

Nowling, however, is no longer involved in the ADRL as of July 5. 

 

“The ADRL wishes Kenny Nowling success in all his future endeavors,” ADRL officials said in a press release. 

 

Long-time Maryland International Raceway (MDIR) and IHRA announcer Fabian Brown will become the new voice of the drag racing sanctioning body, assuming the master of ceremonies position starting with the US DRAGS at Dragway 42 September 7 and 8.

 

"We feel we needed to take a fresh look and approach to the ADRL while it’s still in its infancy after its resurrection late in 2016. The ADRL is evolving after each event and we are finding our niche and learning what works, what doesn't and which key personnel fit our vision,” ADRL CEO Jeff Biegun said. 

Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis has launched a major capital improvement project designed to improve the race-day experience for fans and provide an enhanced competition environment for race teams.

 

This is the third phase of a plan implemented in 2012 to completely update and upgrade the venue. The primary focus of this phase is to replace the track’s 20-year-old asphalt and dramatically improve Gateway’s parking capacity.

 

With a busy schedule of more than 300 event days per year, the optimal timing and conditions for paving placed the project in late June.

 

“The asphalt blends, the polymers used and the application process was crafted specifically for Gateway and the types of racing that will take place on the track. All of the stakeholders in the sport, from tire companies to team owners, were included in the decision-making process. Both sanctioning bodies (NASCAR and IndyCar) fully supported the resurfacing project,” said Chris Blair, GMP’s executive vice president and general manager.

 

The project began immediately following the completion of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivin’ for Linemen 200 on June 17. The track will undergo a race conditioning process used at other venues in mid-July. This process will condition the track to be race-ready. The new surface will be used for an IndyCar test in early August and an Indy Lights test on Aug. 10.

 

In addition to the new pavement, Gateway also upgraded catch fences, paved a substantial part of the inside track and added additional SAFER Barrier. All of the on-track improvements are part of a continued process of positioning the venue for additional major events for 2018 and beyond.

 

Gateway also has reached a long-term agreement with the ownership group that owns the adjacent property. This additional property, slated for development of parking and a year-round campground, will triple Gateway’s parking capacity. Two lots, known as the “North 40s,” will be utilized at the IndyCar event as well as the upcoming AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. 

WELD Racing has announced it will once again be the presenting sponsor of the fifth annual Go-Kart Spectacular taking place during the 57th annual 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores in Knoxville, Iowa.

 

The WELD Racing Go-Kart Spectacular is a unique race that gives fans the opportunity to race alongside some of their favorite race car drivers. Proceeds raised from the event support the Tony Stewart Foundation and its primary initiative, Team One Cure. This will be WELD Racing’s fifth year supporting the event.

 

Two WELD Racing ambassadors will be competing in the 2017 race. “KamiKaze” Chris Day from the highly-rated television series “Street Outlaws” will be driving one go-kart and Pirelli World Challenge Driver, Shea Holbrook, will be in another. Prior to the race, WELD will unveil a specially designed kart commemorating its 50th anniversary.

 

The all-star line-up of professional drivers includes three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Tony Stewart, the current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points leader, Kyle Larson and two-time Xfinity Series Champion and most recent NASCAR event winner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

 

The fifth annual WELD Racing Go-Kart Spectacular will take place Wednesday, August 9 at the Slideways Karting Center. The event begins at 1 p.m. Central time and consists of 10 heat races, a last-chance showdown and a 20-lap feature event on the Slideways slick track.

 

Fans are able to participate in this event, but space is limited to 50. The entry fee/donation is $400 per person. (Participants must be at least 16 years of age.) The 50 fans will receive an event t-shirt and goodie bag containing WELD Racing merchandise and Tony Stewart autographed merchandise.

 

This karting event is open to the public for a $5 admission/donation per person (12 and under are free) with all proceeds benefitting Team One Cure.

IndyCar announced a multi-year extension with Xtrac, Inc. that continues the brand’s longtime position as the official supplier of transmissions for the Verizon IndyCar Series.

 

Xtrac is one of IndyCar’s longest-tenured partners and its parts are utilized across the motorsports landscape in disciplines such as Formula One, sports cars – including IMSA, GT and touring cars – and rally competition. Xtrac began supplying transmissions for several Indy car teams in the 1990s and became the exclusive supplier to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2000.

 

“Working with IndyCar since the 2000 season, when Xtrac was first awarded the sole gearbox supply contract, has been an extremely rewarding time for us,” said Andrew Heard, Xtrac vice president. “We are now on the third design of gearbox and each one has been developed to help increase reliability and safety. Having the contract extended gives us the confidence to keep investing in our support of this fantastic open-wheel race series.

 

“In May of this year, we increased the size of our support facility in Indianapolis by nearly 100 percent, which will allow us to help the Verizon IndyCar Series to continue to flourish in the coming years.”

 

As part of the agreement, Xtrac will continue providing a championship award at the season-ending Verizon IndyCar Series championship celebration and an award to the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

 

Xtrac was established in 1984 and has locations in England, Mooresville, North Carolina, and the newly renovated space in Indianapolis.

Luken Communications, LLC has announced the appointment of its new president, Joel Wertman. As Luken’s new leader, Wertman will spearhead operations of all Luken networks including Rev’n, among other channels like Retro TV, Heartland, The Family Channel, The Action Channel and Frost Great Outdoors.

Wertman got his first taste for television as a writer with Hart to Hart and Taxi and a songwriter/producer for Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi.
 
Later in his career, Wertman held executive roles with multiple record labels including President of Eureka/EMI, Eureka/BMG, Eureka Records and Sire/Discovery Records. During his tenure, Wertman was instrumental in the careers of many artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, Heart, KISS,  No Doubt, Bush, Young MC and Tiffany among others, according to Luken. Additionally, Wertman develops and produces television programming for children.
 
“I’m excited to join a company with such great promise. I look forward to working with everyone at Luken and doing significant things together.  This is an exciting time in the digital television industry and I believe Luken is on the cusp of substantial growth,” Wertman said.

Luken Communications offers diverse, family-friendly programming with its collection of networks delivered via a blend of over-the-air, cable and satellite television. The current network offerings include Retro TV, The Heartland Network, Rev’n, The Action Channel, The Family Channel and Frost Great Outdoors (FGO).

Charitable programs combined to raise record amounts for local youth groups during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Sonoma Raceway, June 23-25.

More than $266,000 was raised during the race weekend, the majority of which will benefit Sonoma County youth organizations through the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC). The record amount for the NASCAR weekend marks over $50,000 more than 2016. SCC has distributed more than $5.6 million to youth-serving non-profit groups since 2001.

The Children's Champions Grand Marshal Banquet, held on Friday, June 23, at Cline Cellars in Sonoma, featured comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo, the voice of the "Cars 3" elite trainer Cruz Ramirez. Alonzo served as the Grand Marshal of the Toyota/Save Mart 350.

The sold-out sit-down dinner also featured an exclusive and sentimental history of the "Cars" franchise by Sonoma resident John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Voice-over characters from "Cars 3," including NASCAR's Ray Evernham, "The King" Richard Petty and NASCAR on FOX broadcaster Mike Joy, took part in a Q&A session during the banquet.

A live auction at the banquet featured exclusive items, including a NASCAR Race-Day Experience, which included a meet and greet with the NASCAR on FOX Broadcast team and a behind- the-scenes tour of the iconic Hollywood Hotel. In addition, a special Pixar Studios package included a "Cars"-themed gift basket and a private tour of the Emeryville headquarters, as well as a Ride of a Lifetime with Dale Earnhardt Jr. were auctioned. Overall, the banquet and live auction generated a record-setting $252,000.

In addition, more than $19,000 was raised through various donations during the weekend, including a $5000 donation on behalf of the Transporter Drivers of Motorsports Association (TDMA), which participated in the 7th annual NASCAR Hauler Parade in Sacramento on June 22. Great Clips raised over $4000 in donations throughout the weekend at its mobile hair salon in the main paddock and the online charity auction raised nearly $8000.

For more information about the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities or to make a donation, visit SonomaRaceway.com/SCC or contact Cheri Plattner at (707) 933-3950 or cplattner@SonomaRaceway.com. If your non-profit group is interested in working with Levy Restaurants at an upcoming event, contact Kim Conte at kconte@Levyrestaurants.com or 707-939-1454.

Richmond Int’l Raceway will move the driver/crew chief meetings for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series to The Classic Amphitheater beginning with the upcoming NASCAR race weekend on Sept. 8-9.

“Shifting the driver/crew chief meetings to The Classic Amphitheater provides another unprecedented Richmond fan experience for our loyal and dedicated fans,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “In working with NASCAR, we continue to find unique ways to immerse fans into the sport.”

The NASCAR XFINITY Series driver/crew chief Meeting on Friday, Sept. 8, is open to fans with a Virginia529 College Savings 250 ticket. The gates to The Classic Amphitheater will open at 2 p.m. for fans to grab a seat for the meeting beginning at 3 p.m. No coolers will be allowed and fans are required to have a ticket to the race to attend the meeting.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver/Crew Chief Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 9, is open to 2017 Richmond Nation season ticket holders. Richmond Nation patrons who renew as part of the 2018 Early Bird campaign, July 7 through Aug. 31, will be eligible to receive preferred seating in the front half of the facility. All seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

To claim their spot in Saturday’s Monster Energy Series Driver/Crew Chief Meeting, 2017 Richmond Nation members must present their membership card at one of The Classic Amphitheater gates, which will open at 4 p.m.

The driver/crew chief meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., but a host of events will take place leading up to the event. Fans are encouraged to make their way to The Classic Amphitheater early as the event is expected to be full.

This exclusive access to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver/Crew Chief Meeting is a new membership benefit for 2018 Richmond Nation patrons, and is one of many enticements that make being a Richmond Nation member a must for next season. For more information on renewing a Richmond Nation membership for 2018, visit rir.com/richmondnation or call 866-455-RACE (7223).