At circle tracks, drag strips and road courses across the US, season openers are filled with anticipation and excitement. It’s where competitors begin their pursuit of ambitious goals, be they rookie of the year, a division, track or series championship, or simply keeping the car out of the garage.

And why not? The previous year’s kinks have been worked out, equipment has been retooled or refreshed, new strategies are in place, and all that’s left now is the inevitable run to glory.

There are striking similarities here at Performance Racing Industry—although it should be noted that for us there really is no offseason. Each year nonetheless brings with it fresh enthusiasm for our own defining event. And though preparations for each year’s PRI Trade Show are continuous, certain mile markers do help remind us that, yes indeed, Show season has begun.     

At no time was that more evident than with the recent opening of Registration and Housing for PRI 2017. Call it our own season kickoff, complete with all the requisite fanfare and exhilaration that goes into planning a landmark anniversary.   

As this issue goes to press, the atmosphere in our South Orange County headquarters is charged with an energy that feels just a bit more, shall we say, potent than in years past. Perhaps it’s because 2017 marks our big 3-0, and the team has been working overtime to ensure that Race Industry Week and the Trade Show itself are packed with more opportunities than ever for motorsports professionals at all levels of the supply chain to learn, grow and prosper.

This year, an all-new Featured Products Showcase—located in the 8000 exhibit area of the Indiana Convention Center’s Green Hall—will provide unmatched brand exposure for participating exhibitors before, during and after the Show, while buyers, media and others will be directed to this dedicated space housing scores of the industry’s hottest race-winning parts.

Two more exhibit rooms will accommodate a pair of special features at PRI 2017: In one, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is showcasing a selection of cars from its new exhibit honoring the legendary AJ Foyt. And in another, attendees will get to test their skills against some of racing’s top drivers in our brand-new simulator challenge. Details on both will be revealed in the near future.     

Plus, those in the market for a new or upgraded race trailer will be pleased to know we’ve added more outdoor exhibit space this year—in addition to lining Georgia and Maryland streets, top trailer and race hauler companies will now display their latest offerings along Capitol Avenue, too.

We can also report that finishing touches are being put on traditional Show favorites like our Grand Opening Breakfast, the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge, the Advanced Engineering Technology Conference, and more. So stay tuned, as we’ll provide regular updates on need-to-know information online and in upcoming issues of PRI Magazine ahead of the Show, December 7–9.

In the meantime, we encourage all racing professionals to register for the Show online at www.pri2017.com/register and make Indianapolis hotel reservations through PRI Housing at www.pri2017.com/hotels17 today. And if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to give us a ring at 949/499-5413. We’ll see you in Indy!      

Following a storm canceling the main feature of the Memorial Classic back on May 28, Mansfield Motor Speedway officials have announced new events for its 2017 season.

The Memorial Classic's postponed A-main feature, which included 24 drivers for the Arctic Cat All Start Circuit of Champions, will take place on October 13. The night will also include a second 30-lap feature race, with both competitions going towards ASCoC 2017 championship points. The series season finale takes place the following night in in Rossburg, Ohio, at Eldora Speedway.

“It is extremely rare to get to see these guys run 2 main events in one night, so this sets up a really big weekend of racing in October at Mansfield,” said Cody Sommer, President of Mansfield Motor Speedway. 

The other canceled feature from the Memorial Classic, involving the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series (BOSS), will be made up on Aug. 11 as part of Great Lakes Dirt Nationals weekend. The weekend will now have a total of seven main event races across two days.

Tickets from the Memorial Classic will be valid at the gate for Aug. 11 and Oct. 13 events.

The track also announced it will host the Ohio Summer Fair later this month on June 21-24. The four-day event will feature carnival will feature thrill rides and special attractions as a way to celebrate summer in Ohio.

Additional information regarding tickets, discounts and pricing will be released in the coming weeks. Visit www.mansfieldmotorspeedway.com for more details.

VP Racing Fuels welcomed the return of Tommy Chapman as an Independent Sales Representative in support of VP-South, a region that encompasses Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama.

Chapman will be responsible for developing and servicing customer accounts while also providing technical consulting on race fuels and VP’s StayWet track conditioner. He’ll also be involved in activating VP’s marketing and promotional programs.

Having spent 18 years earlier in his career with VP, Chapman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position according to Mark Ticen, VP’s Director of Race Fuel Sales.

“Tommy will be a great asset for us given that he’s been embedded in the motorsports scene for nearly 60 years and knows virtually everyone who’s raced on a track or built an engine for competition,” Ticen said.

Chapman started his career in 1957 as a full-time drag racer, ultimately winning the Georgia State Championship. He continued racing part-time while working for the U.S. Treasury Department as a criminal investigator for 25 years before retiring in 1990. In 1992, Chapman joined VP Racing Fuels as its Regional Manager-South where he stayed until retiring again in 2010.

Based in Georgia, Chapman can be reached at 706-466-3790 or tommy.chapman@vpracingfuels.com. For more information, visit www.VPRacingFuels.com.

After a two-week hiatus, Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway will continue its popular Cruise Nights.

The track announced the weekly events will start up again on Wednesday, June 7, complete with new procedures and security, in an attempt to correct some of the issues that presented itself in the past.

One of the changes includes a new security company. U.S. Security will provide guards for events at the speedway for the remainder of the season; ten guards will be on hand for each of the remaining Cruise Nights.

This change comes after three guards from the previous security company were involved in two separate altercations, both which occurred during Wednesday Cruise Nights.

Another change includes a new entry fee. Visitors who participate in Cruise Night will be asked to pay a $5 entry fee to get their vehicle onto the infield area. That fee allows for one free run down the dragstrip. Track President Tim Packman said the fee is to deter people who were coming out and riding around the infield area causing problems.

"We want everyone to be able to race at our track in a controlled situation on our strip instead of public places, like Ohio Street," he explained.

Wednesday Cruise Nights will continue to have free general admission for anyone that wishes to enter the facility through the main entrance.

“We feel very confident going forward that Cruise Night will now be a much better experience for everyone involved,” Packman said. “In the past few weeks, we have heard from many families who said they quit coming here on Wednesday nights because they didn’t like the atmosphere. That pained me greatly because the number one thing we want is for families and patrons of all ages to have a good time while at Lancaster National Speedway. You have been heard and we welcome you back."

For more information on the changes to Cruise Night, visit www.LancasterSpeedway.com.

Universal Trailer Corporation (UTC) announced that its board of directors has named Gary DiCamillo the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, effective June 5, 2017.

DiCamillo succeeds Terry Carlson who has served as CEO since 2011 and has accepted a position as CEO of a consumer products company based in the northeastern United States.

DiCamillo, a Managing Partner of Eaglepoint Advisors, was engaged in 2010 to assist UTC in its operational and financial turnaround. He joined the board of directors in 2011 after the conclusion of that assignment.

Previous positions include president and CEO of what is now Advantage Resourcing, a $1.6 billion group of staffing companies, chairman and CEO of Polaroid Corporation and president of Worldwide Power Tools and Accessories at Black & Decker Corporation.

He began his career at Procter & Gamble Co. in brand management in 1975, followed by several years as a manager at McKinsey and Co.

DiCamillo is a board member of Whirlpool Corporation, Pella Corporation, Sheridan Group and Global Partner Acquisition Corp (GPAC). He is a Trustee of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Babson College and the Museum of Science (Boston). DiCamillo holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

“This is the perfect time for Gary to step in as UTC’s next Chief Executive Officer,” said Ali Wambold, Chairman of UTC and a Managing Principal of Corporate Partners. “As UTC takes the next step to transform the trailer industry, his management experience and vision make him an ideal fit. He is a tremendous leader and I am sure that he will be able to unharness the vast potential of our business.”

For more information, visit www.universaltrailer.com.

Sonoma Raceway will unveil a new fan entertainment area, the RevZone, during the upcoming Toyota/Save Mart 350 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event weekend, June 23-25.

Located above Turn 7 on the road course, The RevZone will feature a brand-new permanent restroom building, 200-foot stand-up bar, shade tent with picnic tables, refreshments, an array of food options, entertainment and more—all overlooking one of the most exciting corners of the road course. Access to this area is open to all ticket holders.

The RevZone is scheduled to host a variety of activities throughout the weekend, including an appearance by Daytona 500 champion Kurt Busch on Sunday morning and a Happy Hour concert with California Dueling Pianos by 2 Grand Entertainment on Saturday afternoon.

"The fan environments around our road course have really evolved into distinct neighborhoods over the last few years and The RevZone at Turn 7 is going to be a terrific addition to that trend," said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager. "Our guests have told us what they want—expansive views, a cool place to hang out with quality food and beverage, shade, and, of course, good, clean restrooms. We think The RevZone will be a huge hit."

The RevZone is one of several new environments the raceway has added around the road course where fans can relax and enjoy the on-track action. The raceway worked with Humboldt Redwood Company to construct two Grill Garden seating and shade areas in 2015. Located above Turn 2 and Turn 9, these redwood arbors offer a place for fans to relax, cool off and enjoy a bite to eat throughout the weekend.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Sonoma Raceway, June 23—25, for the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The weekend will mark the final NASCAR Cup race in wine country for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who will retire at the conclusion of the 2017 season. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sonomaraceway.com.

Custom Automotive Network (CAN) has announced the nominees for the 2017 CAN Member Awards. Nominees are selected based on significant contributions the company or individual has made to support the custom automotive distribution channel during the previous 12 months. 

CAN’s President, Tracie Nunez, stated “this year’s nominees are a great reflection of CAN members who continue to actively support distribution and have been large supporters of CAN this last year.”
 
Membership voting will take place from June 5—19. The 2017 Member Award Winners will be announced during the CAN Connect Celebration on Sunday, September 10, in Anaheim, CA.
 
The nominees for the 2017 CAN Member Awards are as follows:
 
Person of the Year - Nominee ballots are cast by CAN Resellers and Manufacturers.
    •    Bob West - Westin Automotive
    •    Les Rudd -  Bob Cook Sales
    •    Mitch Fogle - Lund International
Manufacturer of the Year - Nominee ballots are cast by CAN Resellers.
    •    Edelbrock
    •    Fabtech Suspension
    •    Westin Automotive
Reseller of the Year - Nominee ballots are cast by CAN Manufacturers.
    •    Competition Specialties
    •    National Performance Warehouse
    •    Transamerican Auto Parts
Manufacturer Rep of the Year - Nominee ballots are cast by CAN Resellers.
    •    Ballard & Allen Marketing
    •    Bob Cook Sales
    •    R&R Marketing Consultants

For more information, visit www.customautomotivenetwork.com.

IndyCar team owner Sam Schmidt has been inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements in and out of the cockpit.

Schmidt, who had scored his first Indy car win and pole position at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1999, was paralyzed four months later in an accident at Walt Disney World Speedway.

However, since then, he has built up the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team (née Sam Schmidt Motorsports) and won seven Indy Lights championships, more than 70 Lights races, and six IndyCar wins.

As well as his team’s accomplishments on track, Schmidt set up the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation and has also done considerable work with one of his team sponsors, Arrow Electronics, to inspire paraplegics and quadraplegics to work around their physical boundaries.

Schmidt’s efforts have included lapping several race tracks in a specially adapted Chevrolet Corvette which uses sip ’n’ puff technology to accelerate and brake, and whose steering is defined by the driver’s eye and head movements. Last year Schmidt earned the first license to drive a semi-autonomous car.

Although born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Schmidt has been a resident of Henderson, Nevada, for 22 years. Other 2017 inductees into the Southern Nevada Hall of Fame include boxer Floyd Mayweather, late football star Overton Curtis, legendary golf instructor Butch Harmon and the Las Vegas Bowl sports arena.

Schmidt commented: “It’s a huge honor to be included in this years Hall of Fame group, not to mention the incredible list of previous inductees. The HOF not only recognizes athletic achievements, but also emphasizes community and philanthropic efforts.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends and team members who, on a daily basis, allow me to keep living the dream!"

Holley recently announced that pre-registration is now open for Holley LS Fest 2017. The company is preparing for the eighth annual all-LS celebration that has become one of the places to be in the world of GM LS performance. Pre-register now here.
 
Some updates to consider when navigating the pre-registration site:

•Holley has added a new drag class called Grudge Test-N-Tune for 2017. This is a no payout class focused on keeping fun at a premium. This class is perfect for those who are looking for a fun-run style class just like they have at their home track. Team up against a friend or race against the clock. The class will be run throughout the entire weekend and is only available to competitors that are not competing in another class during the event. The only exception would be for competitors that are running True Street on Saturday. These will be able to enjoy Test-N-Tune on Sunday. Click here for details.

•Returning to LS Fest is the Grassroots Motorsports Road Course Challenge at the NCM Motorsports park. Track lapping will take place on the 2-mile long West Course, where the goal is five 20 minute sessions per day per driver. Click here for more details.

•In addition to these new events, LS Fest will continue with the drag racing, drifting, show-and-shine, Track X, 3S Challenge, dyno challenge, countryside cruise and the Grand Champion & Fastest Vette competitions.

•Spectators can enjoy a day at LS Fest for $15 at the gate.

•Since last year, Holley has updated each event segment page on the website with a photo gallery featuring photos of participant's vehicles in action. Make sure you check out the event segment page that you participated in, as you might see your ride on the site.

LS Fest event staff are also continuing its search for teams to compete in this year’s Engine Swap Challenge. You can read up on the details of the event here. Put together your potential team and send your submissions to engineswap@holley.com for consideration.
 
For more information on Holley’s LS Fest head over to www.lsfest.com or look them up socially at www.facebook.com/lsfest.

Years of hard work and funding from donors have made it possible for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum to complete its new staging building behind the museum.

On June 3, following the 28th annual National Sprint Car Hall of Fame induction festivities, a dedication will be held at the staging building located just north of the museum.

The event will be dedicated to the donors of the “Expand the Dream” project, as well as the workers who were involved in the construction of the facility.

The staging building will provide easier access to hold exhibits such as the current “Salute to Champion Sammy Swindell” exhibit that has been made famous at the museum.

The dedication will take place at approximately 3 p.m. following the festivities surrounding the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

For more information, visit www.sprintcarhof.com.