Steve Phillips, a veteran USAC team owner who earned 19 career wins in the USAC National Sprint Car Series with drivers Dave Darland and Jason McDougal between 2013 and 2019, passed away on October 4, 2025. He was 70.

Phillips' iconic black No. 71p became a fixture in USAC competition, collecting several marquee victories--most notably with Darland behind the wheel. The pair earned 17 series wins together, beginning with the Larry Rice Classic in 2013 at Bloomington Speedway (Indiana).

Darland's most successful USAC National Sprint Car season came in his first year with the Phillips team, when he captured seven victories, including the Sprint Car Smackdown at Kokomo Speedway (Indiana) and the Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway (California).

Together, Darland and Phillips won the final night of Smackdown for three straight years from 2013 to 2015. During the 2014 event, Darland drove Phillips' car to his 53rd career win--making him the all-time winningest driver in USAC National Sprint Car history at the time.

That same season, the duo scored six additional victories, highlighted by a win at the Tony Hulman Classic at Terre Haute Action Track (Indiana). Their final season together in 2015 produced four more wins, capping an impressive partnership that left a lasting mark on USAC competition.

In 2018, Phillips and his wife, Carla, returned to USAC National Sprint Car victory lane with Jason McDougal, who triumphed at I-55 Raceway (Missouri). The team's final win came in 2019 at Bridgeport Motorsports Park (New Jersey).

In total, Phillips' team made 260 USAC National Sprint Car feature starts between 2010 and 2025, fielding cars for drivers including Clinton Boyles, Shane Cockrum, Jerry Coons Jr., Shane Cottle, Dave Darland, Justin Grant, Darren Hagen, Jason McDougal, Cannon McIntosh, Billy Puterbaugh Jr., Carson Short, Mike Spencer, Stevie Sussex, and Kody Swanson. Most recently, during the 2025 season, the team competed in eight series events with rookie Chelby Hinton.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Phillips began his own racing career in sprint cars and midgets in his home state. In his rookie season of 1977, he scored his first career midget feature victory at Manzanita Speedway. He later claimed the Sprint Car Owners Association driving championship in 1990.

During the 1990s, Phillips relocated--first to Texas and later to Indiana--where he joined the Hall-VDS Racing IndyCar team as a full-time mechanic. There, he worked on cars driven by John Andretti, Teo Fabi and Gil de Ferran.

A member of the Arizona Motorsports Hall of Fame, Phillips also made 13 starts as a USAC Silver Crown team owner, fielding entries for Billy Puterbaugh Jr., Matt Goodnight, Dave Darland and Jason McDougal. The team's best Silver Crown finish came with Darland's fourth-place run at the 2017 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway (Ohio).

Image of Steve Phillips, left, and his wife, Carla Phillips, right, with USAC rookie Chelby Hinton, center. Image courtesy of Phillips Motorsports #71P.

 

Bobby Allen, one of the greatest Sprint Car drivers to emerge from Pennsylvania's racing scene and a founding member of the Outlaws in 1978, has passed away. He was 81.

Originally from Florida, Allen began racing in his home state before moving to Pennsylvania to advance his career. The transition wasn't easy--at times, he reportedly even slept in the Lincoln Speedway ticket booth--but his determination paid off. He soon became one of the region's top drivers, winning the 13th running of Williams Grove Speedway's National Open in 1975.

When Ted Johnson launched the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 1978, Allen was among the inaugural group of competitors. Allen, known then as "Scruffy," earned the second win in Series history on April 16, 1978, at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, added another at Indiana's Warsaw Speedway, and finished third in points that season.

Over the following years, Allen remained a formidable presence, collecting victories across the country. He captured the All Star Circuit of Champions title in 1980, topped the Tuscarora 50 in both 1982 and 1989, and earned his 30th and final World of Outlaws win at the 1990 Knoxville Nationals--his biggest career triumph, when he outran Sammy Swindell for the victory. 

In 1988, Allen was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

Allen's impact extended far beyond his driving career. He helped launch the careers of his son, Jacob Allen, and grandson, Logan Schuchart, and together they founded Shark Racing, taking two teams on the road with the World of Outlaws in 2014. Despite doubts they could last a full season, their perseverance proved otherwise. They finished the year and have remained fixtures on tour ever since.

Schuchart earned Shark Racing's first World of Outlaws win in 2016 at Cedar Lake Speedway, the first of 44 victories to date--placing him 20th all-time. Jacob Allen secured his first Series victory in 2020 and added four more in 2022. Today, Schuchart continues to compete full-time in the No. 1S, while Ashton Torgerson drives the No. 1A on a select schedule with Jacob's involvement. Allen remained an active presence with the team through his final weekend, attending the National Open at Williams Grove Speedway.

"Our hearts are broken but we know he lived his life to the fullest and touched so many. Anyone who ever got to meet him or know him always got to share a story and/or a smile. He did it his way and that was the 'Scruffy way.' He will be loved and terribly missed by all. He was a legend on and off the race track and his contributions will live on forever," said Shark Racing in an online statement. "You could commonly find him with a glass of his favorite wine, smiling and laughing, making calls about race cars, and enjoying being surrounded by beautiful women. He was a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a brother, a friend and so much more. An announcement will follow giving details for a celebration of Bobby's amazing life at a later date. The Shark Racing family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time."

 

Images courtesy of Shark Racing

As part of a comprehensive realignment, Porsche will exit the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and focus on competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA Formula E World Championship.

With its involvement in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which features the 24 Hours of Daytona as its highlight race, Porsche is underlining the importance of the North American market and endurance racing for the brand. In addition to the two factory commitments in Formula E and IMSA, customer racing remains an important pillar of the Porsche motorsport strategy, the company said.

Additionally, the German marque will continue its Formula E effort, citing the insights gained into electric production sports cars.

"We use motorsport as a development platform for future technology and to illustrate the potential of our sports cars," says Thomas Laudenbach, vice president, Porsche Motorsport. "With the Porsche 963 in the North American IMSA series and the Porsche 99X Electric in the Formula E World Championship, we want to continue to fight for overall victories in the future. That is our tradition and our focus."

For more information, visit racing.porsche.com.

IROC Holdings, owner of the IROC branding, and General Motors recently announced that Chevrolet is now the presenting sponsor of IROC.

This renewed relationship builds on a storied history between the two brands that has seen Chevrolet involved throughout IROC's history. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Chevrolet as our presenting sponsor for IROC," said Ray Evernham, co-principal of IROC Holdings. "Chevrolet has not only played a key role in my own personal career, but they've been a vital part of IROC's history, too. Rob [Kauffman, co-principal] and I have had a lot of fun bringing the IROC brand back to life, and to now have our friends at Chevrolet and General Motors involved makes it even more exciting." 

"Chevrolet is proud of our long and rich history with IROC, which dates back more than half a century, and honored to be the presenting sponsor," said Todd Christensen, director of Chevrolet Motorsports marketing. "We look forward to seeing the stars and cars back on track in a revitalized IROC."

The partnership debuted at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 13-16, where IROC Presented by Chevrolet was a featured run group at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In total, 27 authentic IROC race cars participated in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion's IROC Unser Family Cup class, with many being original Chevrolet Camaros that were campaigned in IROC competition between 1974-1989. Several drivers--including Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan and Ken Schrader--reunited with the original machines they raced during IROC competition.

The history between General Motors and IROC dates back to 1974 when 12 identically-prepared Chevrolet Camaros took to the track with motorsports legends like Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi and Graham Hill behind the wheel. While Chevrolet's Camaro was the designated car for the IROC Series from 1974 until 1989, General Motors returned to IROC once again in 1996 with the Pontiac Firebird, which would be utilized through the final year of series competition in 2006.

For more information, visit iroc-racing.com.

Motorsports competition is alive and well across the nation. Here's a roundup of racing events taking place this weekend:

 

NASCAR

Event: South Point 400
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Sunday, October 12
Time: 2:30 p.m. EDT

 

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series

Event: Texas NHRA Fall Nationals (Stampede of Speed)
Location: Texas Motorplex – Ennis, Texas
Date: October 10-12

 

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series

Event: MOTUL Petit Le Mans
Location: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta – Braselton, Georgia
Date: Saturday, October 11
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

 

Image courtesy of Getty Images/NASCAR

PRI, along with its parent company SEMA, is celebrating an announcement that North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein will allow House Bill 926 to become law, a move that will preserve North Carolina's vibrant motorsports community at a time in which it is threated by unreasonable, NIMBY-generated nuisance complaints.

• The bill includes the "Protect the Right to Race" provision, introduced and shepherded by Rep. Allen Chesser, which insulates motorsports race tracks from so-called "nuisance" actions made by surrounding property owners who arrived after a motorsports facility had legally established development rights and received all necessary permits and approvals to begin construction and operate.

"Few places in the U.S. capture the spirit of motorsports like North Carolina, and Gov. Josh Stein has cemented his legacy as a champion of racing by allowing HB 926 to become law," said Michael Good, president of PRI. "Too often our vibrant motorsports community finds itself playing defense against opportunistic residents and developers who see race tracks as ripe for exploitation, rather than appreciating and respecting the positive benefits such facilities offer to the surrounding community. SEMA and PRI thank Rep. Allen Chesser, who affirmed his race fan bonafides by standing up for local tracks and the enthusiasts who enjoy them and helping push these protections into the final stretch."

BACKGROUND

Motorsports in the U.S. has a $69 billion annual economic impact.

• In North Carolina, that annual output is $3.82 billion, including nearly 20,000 jobs, paying over $1.35 billion in wages, and contributing more than $477 million in taxes.

Many race tracks are locally owned small businesses that operate with limited resources, but nonetheless provide the surrounding community with affordable, family-friendly entertainment. Local tracks foster the next generation of racers and enthusiasts, and spark engineering innovations that serve as the foundation for our nation's automotive aftermarket industry.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Looking for powerful exposure at the PRI Show? The Featured Products Showcase is designed to amplify your reach. Hundreds of motorsports journalists, influencers and buyers use this hub to spot what’s new and what’s next. 

Submit an entry here.

With placement in a high-traffic area near the Capitol Cube car display and PRI Paddock, your products will command attention where it matters most. 

Submitting an entry means your products will command attention and help deliver increased attendee traffic, elicit coverage from industry media, extra presence on the PRI Show floor and more, plus year-round exposure on the PRI website.  

The math is simple. More PRI Show coverage equals more industry impact. Submit your entries into the PRI Show Featured Products Showcase, starting at just $75.
 

 

Registration is officially open for the PRI Hoosier 500, a sim race contested at the virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the iRacing platform.

The virtual event, sponsored by PRI is accepting entries until November 3. There is no fee to enter.

By providing the most authentic "500" experience, it strives to be the crown jewel special event for open-wheel racers on the iRacing platform.

As the official broadcast partner of the 2025 Hoosier 500, PRI will stream next year's race live on the organization's Facebook and YouTube channels, in addition to lead-in coverage for qualifications weekend. The race is scheduled to be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

For more information or to register for the PRI Hoosier 500, click here.

QA1 Brands, the Minnesota-based chassis and suspension manufacturer, is expanding to meet surging demand with the construction of a 81,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, and the launch of a sales and development center in St. George, Utah.

Production is being consolidated into QA1 Brands' facilities in Lakeville, Minnesota, as well as the new facility in Mooresville. These strategic investments will elevate product innovation and manufacturing standards, reinforcing QA1 Brands' reputation for delivering exceptional performance products to the industry, company representatives said.

"Every chassis we build will benefit from our ISO-certified processes, precision sheet metal fabrication, CNC machining, advanced welding and assembly by our most experienced teams," said Rob McPherson, senior vice president of business development. "By concentrating manufacturing in these centers of excellence, we ensure faster lead times, enhanced on-time delivery and robust quality assurance for builders and dealers alike."

The brand seeing the most immediate impact is Speedtech Performance. Relocation of subframe and chassis production to Lakeville's ISO-certified facility will bring accelerated delivery through integrated and streamlined production processes, expanded capacity enabling high-volume output with full manufacturing integration and improved support with immediate technical issue resolution and proactive customer communication, according to the company.

"This expansion is a strategic investment in QA1 Brands' long-term vision, giving builders and dealers more reliability and shorter lead times than ever before," stated Melissa Scoles, President/CEO. "By expanding our manufacturing capabilities, we're enhancing our ability to innovate, scale efficiently, and maintain the high standards our customers expect from QA1 Brands."

The new sales and development center in St. George, Utah, will further industry collaboration, technical support and product development for customers, the company said.

For more information, visit qa1.net.

As motorsports evolve at a quarter-mile pace, so does the PRI Show. New elements are implemented annually at the racing trade show to stay fresh and relevant. Attendees who walk the aisles of the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium (LOS), December 11–13, can expect to see more than 100 new exhibitors on the Show floor; a new look to the PRI Paddock; a new industry event on Thursday evening, December 11, after the close of the Show's first day; and, oh, plan to wake up early that same day for an unforgettable Grand Opening Breakfast with the legendary Mario Andretti made possible by the MagnaFlow Group.

Here's a snapshot of what you can expect at this year's PRI Show.
 

 

Mario Andretti Headlines

Kick off the first day of the PRI Show with a living legend. Put the always-entertaining Grand Opening Breakfast on your calendar and arrive early to the Sagamore Ballroom (located on the second floor of the ICC) when doors open at 6:30 a.m. This is one event worth the early-morning alarm. Enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast with racing great Mario Andretti! Ralph Sheheen will once again provide a mesmerizing interview covering stories from the legendary driver who earned championship titles in Formula 1, IndyCar, USAC, IROC, plus numerous prestigious race victories. Andretti's attendance is made possible by The MagnaFlow Group.

 

Full Throttle Social

After putting in a full day on the Show floor, attendees and exhibitors are invited to visit the Lucas Oil Stadium for the PRI Full Throttle Social Fueled by Aeromotive, which begins as soon as the Show closes at 5 p.m. PRI has combined our traditional exhibitor reception and PRI Happy Hour into one event with complimentary drinks, food, games, music, and plenty of entertainment. Supporting sponsor El Bandido Yankee Tequila will also provide complimentary margarita samplings and margaritas for purchase at the bars. 

New elements are being planned to bolster the fun and numerous networking opportunities at this happy hour-type social event. Head up the escalators to the Lucas Oil Stadium Concourse as soon as the Show closes on Thursday to discover what's different, reconnect with established friends, meet new industry folks, and relax before departing for dinner.

 

 

Off-Roaders Rejoice

PRI is making a concerted effort to welcome the off-road market and will debut its new section on the Show floor called Hammertown. Located in the Green Hall at the bottom of the escalators from the Westin, Hammertown will feature several off-road companies exhibiting their products and services designed for this intense market. Radflo Suspension Technology, Edelbrock Group, Currie Racing Enterprises, and Yukon Gear & Axle are just a few of the companies that have already signed up to exhibit here alongside some popular off-road show vehicles that showcase this segment's amazing technology.

 

PRI Education

A revamped PRI Education program (view the schedule here) is on tap in addition to other changes to this year's Show. Four seminars will take place on Friday, December 12, in meeting rooms 231–233, which are upstairs in the ICC.

Starting the program at 9:00 a.m. will be the return of Dan Begle of King Engine Bearings, Randy Neal of CWT Industries, and Lake Speed Jr. of SPEEDiagnostix to present "Key Performance with Bearings, Oil, and Balancing." The team will examine current performance technology through the interaction of engine bearings, oil film, and crankshaft harmonics.

Alex Striler returns at 11 a.m. for his popular and updated "Sponsorship 101." Learn why brands sponsor and what they want, ROI, valuations and pricing, networking and meeting new sponsors, plus more in this impactful 90-minute seminar.

AI (artificial intelligence) is on the mind of every business owner and operator today. Chuck Tate and Kevin Barber of Digital Momentum will present "Drive Momentum With AI" beginning at 1:00 p.m. AI has transitioned from some odd form of tech speak to an integral part of our daily lives, especially for racing businesses. Learn how to apply AI to improve marketing, data collection, sponsor relations, and so much more in this thought-provoking session from the team at Digital Momentum. Then you can take these valuable tips and quickly apply them to boost your company's engagement.

Our PRI Education program concludes with a moderator and panel of company leaders and social media influencers who will participate in "How Influencers Can Influence YOUR Audience." From 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m., the panel will discuss how to attract the right influencers for racing businesses and create plans that get the marketing message across to customers in an effective and accurate manner.

 

 

PRI Paddock

The PRI Paddock has been reimagined. This year, it will greet PRI Show attendees and exhibitors with five different race cars on display, plus the nearby Hanging Race Car—representing six types of racing—in the Capitol Cube at the Capitol Avenue entrance to the ICC. A stage will be set up for live interviews with industry icons and decision-makers conducted throughout the PRI Show. Stop by and hear what they have to say.

 

Student Focused

Students in college motorsports programs, as well as those in automotive trade schools, are invited to attend the PRI Show. We now offer several programs for students to get the most out of the Show while away from their studies.

Friday morning, December 12, begins with the PRI Show Student Program Industry Networking Breakfast presented by Carlye Tools. Students will have an exclusive opportunity to learn about pursuing careers in motorsports while enjoying a complimentary breakfast. Meet industry representatives, build peer-to-peer networks, and learn about the vast diversity of career paths in the performance racing industry directly from PRI Show exhibiting companies.

Directly after the Breakfast, two educational sessions created specifically for students will cover how to enter and thrive in a career in the motorsports field. The Breakfast and the educational seminars will be held in the Sagamore Ballroom.

Female students: Keep your Friday lunchtime plans open for Gear Up Girl, Powered by SBN Industry. Reserved only for women, this fun and dynamic event is a networking opportunity for professionals to give back to, share advice with, and inspire today's young females. Lunch will be served. To RSVP, add this event to your My Show Planner feature on the PRI Show website (performanceracing.com) or in the PRI App. For more information, contact Nicole Bradle at nicoleb@sema.org.

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) is back by demand. High school teams from throughout the country will tear down and reassemble engines in a timed competition to determine a national champion. Stop by the 7100 aisle of Green Hall to see future industry members competing to set the fastest time.

 

 

T.O.P.S.

Track Operators, Promoters and Sanctions (T.O.P.S.), presented by MyRacePass.com and supporting sponsor PJH/TrackBite, has a new expanded location upstairs in the ICC in rooms 240–242. Anyone who is involved in race track promotion and/or management can visit the T.O.P.S. HQ anytime during the PRI Show for a variety of seminars, including the 5th annual Drag Racing Track Operator-Promoter and Sanction Body Meeting and an Electric Vehicle Racing Roundtable.

Join the T.O.P.S. Breakfast, Friday December 12, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m., to start your day with breakfast compliments of the sponsors Trackwalk, DZE, Geobrugg, The Fod Control Corp and Tecpro Barriers. That same evening, head back to T.O.P.S. for the return on the popular BS & Brews--presented by MyRacePass, PJH/TrackBite, Professional MotorSports Solutions, Racing Promotion Monthly/Race of Champions, and TicketSpice--on Friday, December 12, from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

For details and a schedule of events, visit pri2025.mapyourshow.com and enter T.O.P.S. in the search bar, or visit here.

 

PAC Lounge

Take a break from the Show floor to visit the exclusive SEMA & PRI PAC (Political Action Committee) Lounge. Open only to PAC members who contribute at the Winner's Circle level or higher, this VIP lounge offers a quiet space to relax, network, and recharge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, comfortable seating, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders in a calm, upscale setting. It's the perfect spot to take a break and make meaningful connections—all while supporting our industry's advocacy efforts. It is located adjacent to the Founding and Business Members Lounge in the Green Hall by the escalators from the Marriott Downtown.

SEMA and PRI PAC members are also invited to an exclusive reception on Thursday, December 11, at the Westin from 6–8 p.m. The PAC pools contributions from members to support lawmakers who champion the motorsports industry, ensuring that the rights of racers, manufacturers, and tracks are protected. Your attendance at this reception helps drive meaningful advocacy for the future of motorsports. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders and make a difference. Separate admission is required. For more information on the SEMA and PRI PAC, including how to join, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

 

 

Registration Tips

PRI has worked diligently to improve the registration process, making it faster and smoother than in years past. Now, several team members can be registered at the same time, rather than each person having to register individually. Also, fewer steps are required during the process.

November 20 is the deadline to register to receive badges in the mail so you can walk into the ICC or LOS and directly onto the Show floor. However, we understand that this date could easily be overlooked as our industry stays busy through the end of race season and into the off-season when orders are placed for new engines and cars. The good news is that PRI registration never closes. In fact, industry members can register after the November 20 deadline and pick up their credentials at the Show.

PRI will utilize Scan and Go Stations in the ICC at the Registration area off the Maryland Street entrance and at the Capitol Avenue entrance in the Capitol Cube across from the Hanging Race Car and Featured Products Showcase. Just print the confirmation email or pull it up on your cell phone when you arrive at the Show, then scan the barcode in the email to print your badge onsite.

To register, book hotel accommodations, and learn more about the 2025 PRI Show, visit pri2025.com/attend. We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis!

To read more like this for free, sign up for a digital subscription to PRI Magazine on Zinio here.    

Once you download the Zinio mobile app or are logged into Zinio on a desktop browser, you will gain immediate access to more than a year's worth of content, including more coverage from the October 2025 issue here.