The NHRA competition committee has announced changes to qualifying procedures at all NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events, changes to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and also announced an added point-and-a-half scale to the season ending Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona, Calif.

Starting in 2017, drivers at the final event of the year in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be racing for increased valuable points that could secure a world championship.

The winner of the Auto Club NHRA Finals in each Pro class will claim 150 points; the runner-up will earn 120 points; the semifinalists will earn 90 points apiece; the second-round finishers will earn 60 points each; and the first-round finishers will all claim 30 points.

A maximum of 191 points is available to a single racer at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in each Mello Yello Series category through the points increase, which also includes 15 points to each driver who makes at least one qualifying attempt. In addition to 165 points for winning and making a qualifying attempt, drivers can be awarded 10 points for earning the No. 1 qualifying position and a max total of 16 points for earning 4 qualifying bonus points for leading each of the four qualifying sessions.


New for every event in the 2017 season, qualifying will be based off the quickest 16 elapsed times at the end of each qualifying session.

Changes to the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship will also be in store for all the racers battling for a championship during the six-race playoff system. The regular season champion will have his or her Countdown points reset to 2,100 while positions two through 10 will again have their points reset on 10-point increments from 2,080 to 2,000.

NHRA also announced a change to qualifying at Countdown events in 2017. If a driver who qualified for the playoffs and is eligible for the championship does not qualify at a Countdown event in which two qualifying sessions were not completed, said driver will be guaranteed a qualifying position in the event’s final 16 car field.

That driver will be inserted into the ladder in the position of the non-championship eligible driver with the least amount of points entering the event. First round money will remain with the original qualifier.

Round points will be awarded to the Countdown driver but qualifying points will remain with the original qualifier.

“We believe the changes for the 2017 season will increase the level of competition in all the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series categories,” said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations. “The points-and-half up for grabs at the Auto Club NHRA Finals will bring a heightened level of excitement for the fans and the racers at the conclusion of the thrilling race season.”

The Board of Directors of Max-Trac Tire Co., Inc. (Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels) has elected Dominick Wycoff President.

Wycoff, former Vice President of Business Development for Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels, succeeds Chris Barbara as President. He is responsible for leading and executing the strategic plan to continue to profitably grow the Mickey Thompson business.

“Dominick has consistently contributed to the growth of our premium brands and has been a tremendously effective leader,” said Phil Kortokrax, Chairman of Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels. “We are excited to have him at the helm, and we look forward to his continued contribution to the success of the Mickey Thompson brand.”

Wycoff has nearly 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. Prior to joining Mickey Thompson, Wycoff enjoyed a 17-year career with Terry’s Tire Town where he held a number of leadership positions including regional General Manager and Vice President of Market Development. Wycoff holds a bachelor’s degree from Marietta College in Ohio.

Barbara has accepted a new role as Director of Dealer Channel Sales at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.

“We want to thank and congratulate Chris Barbara,” Kortokrax continued. “Chris has made a meaningful contribution as Mickey Thompson’s President during the past four years, and we wish him well as he transitions to his new role.”

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is now accepting applications for the 2017 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for students preparing for careers in the auto or auto parts industries.

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 sema.org/scholarships.

“The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a way for us to help develop the future innovators and leaders of the aftermarket industry,” said SEMA President & CEO Chris Kersting. “We encourage all students working toward a career in our industry to apply and take advantage of this great program.”

The deadline for the program is March 1, 2017. Scholarships are available in a variety of categories, including technical and business disciplines. 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 have completed and are paying off a loan for a program of study at an accredited university, college or vocational/technical program within the U.S.

For more information on the program, please contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA manager of education projects, at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

In the high-speed world of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, things can happen in the blink of an eye. Wins and losses are decided by milliseconds but when things go wrong on the track, NHRA racers know that they also can rely on the lightning-quick response of the NHRA Safety Safari presented by AAA.

Through the 2017 season, the NHRA will pay tribute to the legion of first responders, the heroes who are among the first people to arrive and assist at a scene of an emergency.

NHRA Salutes First Responders will honor medical professionals, law-enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the armed forces, and a number of other professions charged with the safety and well-being of the public, much like the Safety Safari is charged with the safety and well-being of the racing community.

The Safety Safari, initially created in 1954 to travel the country and educate racers about how to conduct events, was the first full-time team devoted to safety in North American motorsports and has ultimately become world famous as one of motorsports’ premier safety and rescue teams, always first and fast to arrive on the scene to help racers in need.

The NHRA is encouraging fans to participate in the NHRA Salute to First Responders program by posting their own salute to a special first responder in their local community.  Fans can post videos and photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram telling the NHRA why they want to honor this person using the hashtag #NHRASalutes. Fans can also email their salutes to social@nhra.com for a chance to have their posts featured at the races.

At each event, NHRA will honor local heroes and first responders with discounted tickets and a special Safety Safari parade as well as acknowledgement and salutes on a number of NHRA platforms including, NHRA.com and the FOX Sports/FS1 telecast.

NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI), owned by Universal Technical Institute (UTI) student Madison Conrad has been awarded the Roger Penske Outstanding Student Award by the TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit that champions students through their education and into careers as professional technicians in the transportation industry.

The award grants $8,500 in funding to one exceptional UTI student nearing graduation, who has completed 52 weeks of core curriculum in auto and/or diesel, electives and/or manufacturer-specific advanced training. Students honored with the award must display high academic achievement, a record as a team player and serve as a role model to fellow students.

Conrad will graduate in February from the Auto/NASCAR/Pit Crew program at NTI and plans to pursue her dream of becoming an engine tuner for a NASCAR premier series team.

A native of Albuquerque, N.M., Conrad began racing stock cars at a local dirt track at 14 years old and over the course of her racing career won prestigious awards including Rookie of the Year and the Ironman Award. She has also won a Points Championship. Driven by her passion for racing, Conrad moved 1,700 miles from home to attend NTI to receive the best training and education possible.

While at NTI, Conrad has been an active member of the community by serving as President of the Student Council and organizing activities, fundraisers, spirit weeks and volunteer activities for students. She also volunteers with a campus dirt wing sprint car team and helps prepare the cars for races.

She has received 15 Director’s List awards, seven Student of the Course awards and 48 Crew Chief awards. Despite her many commitments including serving on Student Council and interning with Roush Yates Engines, Conrad always takes the time to stay after class and explain difficult concepts to her fellow students.

“Madison’s commitment to excellence and passion for helping her fellow students illustrate why she is a worthy recipient of this award,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO and executive director of TechForce Foundation. “She inspires those around her to perform at their best, cultivates a sense of camaraderie in the community, and has the grit and perseverance that embodies the spirit of the Roger Penske Outstanding Student award.”

A new series for electric rallycross cars, called E/RACING, is set to get underway later this year in North America, it has been announced.

The Speedleague-owned series will utilize electric rallycross machinery built by Austrian firm STARD.

Owned by former World Rally Championship podium finisher Manfred Stohl, STARD revealed last year in October that it had created the world's first electric rallycross car.

E/RACING is projected to take place across five events in North American cities, starting in Las Vegas on October 31.

Los Angeles and New York are also expected to host events, although details about the types of circuit on which events will take place are yet to be confirmed. No teams or drivers for the series have yet been announced.

"Besides the clear environmental and technological benefits, it's obvious that, when it comes to rallycross, electric powered race cars will provide us with a superior competition platform," said Speedleague owner, Brian Gale, who previously co-founded the American-based Global Rallycross Championship in 2011.

"They also make available more venue options, offering a better experience for fans."

Stohl's STARD concern has been announced as the principle engineering partner for the series, supplying cars – based on a range of production models, engineering support and components.

"For the last couple of years we have believed that EV Technology is the future in motorsport, opening up a huge number of new possibilities," said Stohl.
"The success of Formula E and the huge interest in our world's first 'HIPER MK1' electric rallycross development car indicate that this proved correct. Rallycross-style racing and electric race cars seem to be a perfect match."

The four-wheel drive cars, based on STARD's 'HIPER MK1' prototype, will feature 500 kW, the equivalent of 670 horsepower and include a 'push-to-pass' feature.

"After the presentation of our EV rallycross development car we had a lot of opportunities and requests for a variety of project possibilities," said STARD CEO, Michael Sakowicz.

"Speedleague´s concept and approach to create this unique E/RACING series convinced us to be the perfect environment for our technology. Our entire team is very excited about this great undertaking and ready to sustainably revolutionize motorsport together with Speedleague."

STARD's prototype car made its competition debt at the Greinbach circuit last November, competing at the Race of Austrian Champions in the hands of former WRC and World Rallycross driver Stohl, and set competitive lap times against rallycross Supercar opposition.

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame announced the names of its eight inductees for 2017. Those that will be inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 3, during the twenty-eighth annual ceremonies in Knoxville, Iowa, are listed below.

Drivers:
Dave Darland, Tony Elliott, Terry McCarl

Owners-Mechanics-Builders-Manufacturers-Car Sponsors:
Guy Forbrook, John Singer

Promoters-Officials-Media Members-Event/Series Sponsors:
Doug Auld, W. Pat Sullivan

Pre-1945:
Earl Cooper

According to National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation executive director Bob Baker, “I know I say this every year, but we truly are very proud of the work done by our 72-member National Induction Committee. I think we have a great group of inductees this year, with most being honored in their lifetime. We look forward to our twenty-eighth induction banquet on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa, on June 3.”

Mercedes has placed executive technical director Paddy Lowe on gardening leave ahead of him leaving the Formula 1 title-winning team.

The team did not name a replacement for Lowe, instead saying that in the short term, its technical structure will continue in its current form.

Lowe played a key role in helping Mercedes win three consecutive double F1 world championships, and negotiations with motorsport boss Toto Wolff about extending his stay were delayed until after the 2016 season.

Following talks, no deal could be reached, with Lowe most strongly linked to Williams, but it is understood that a deal has not yet been finalized and discussions are continuing.

Wolff said: "Paddy has played an important part in our success during the past three and a half years and we thank him for his contribution to this significant chapter in Mercedes' motorsport history.

"Success in Formula 1 is not about single individuals but about the strength in depth and technical capability of an organisation.

"We have the talent in place to continue our success of recent years and we plan to build upon it in 2017 and beyond."
Lowe added: "I have had a fantastically successful and enjoyable three and a half years at Mercedes working with an incredible team of people.

"I am now looking forward to a new challenge and wish everyone well at Mercedes."

In a statement, Mercedes said: "The company's board wishes Paddy well with his future endeavors and thanks him for his significant contribution to the team's achievements.

"In the short term, our stable technical organization will continue to operate under the proven and established leadership of our senior directors Aldo Costa (engineering director), Mark Ellis (performance director), Rob Thomas (chief operating officer) and Geoff Willis (technology director)."

It added that further information on the team's plans will be "communicated in due course.”

Ferrari technical director James Allison is expected to replace Lowe, once his period of gardening leave is over.

The first ever indoor event in the history of USAC’s IMRA and Midwest Thunder Midget series comes to the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The racing extravaganza at the Mini Magic Mile features a full-slate of racing with two separate events in one single day.  The morning’s racing program includes complete shows for the Winged Outlaw Karts, Pro Clone 350+ Go-Karts and Junior 2 Go-Karts.  Morning practice for the three classes begins at 8:30am (CT) with the day’s first of two programs scheduled to conclude around 2:30pm.

After an intermission and a rework of the track surface, the afternoon session begins with hot laps at 5:30pm and includes two classes from USAC’s Speed2 Midget division: IMRA and the Midwest Thunder Midget Championship as well as 600cc Winged Micro Sprints.

Load-in day for all cars takes place one day prior to the race on Friday, Feb. 17 from 2-6pm.

Purse structures as well as ticket prices, pit pass prices and pre-entry information will be announced in the coming days.

The Midwest Thunder Midgets and IMRA Midgets began their first seasons under USAC sanction in 2016 with Gage Etgen taking the MTM title and Jeff Mallonee capturing the IMRA crown.

The Feb. 18 program will be the sixth appearance of a USAC-sanctioned event at the one-sixth-mile dirt track located adjacent to the legendary one-mile dirt oval in which the USAC Silver Crown Championship competes at each year in the “Ted Horn 100.”

A pair of Ford Focus Midget events in 2005 were USAC’s first appearances at the SIC and, in recent years, the USAC National Midgets have competed in December’s “Junior Knepper 55” and March’s “Shamrock Classic.” The 2017 “Shamrock,” scheduled for Saturday, March 18, kicks off this year’s USAC National Midget schedule.

The USAC-promoted event that will be conducted by Levi Jones, George Gass and Tom Via is the first of its kind at the SIC featuring five classes of cars on one racetrack in one day.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to bring all these open wheel classes together under one roof and provide a showcase event to begin the 2017 USAC season in the Midwest,” Jones said.

For all inquiries regarding the event, contact Levi Jones at the USAC office at (317) 247-5151 or Aaron “George” Gass at 618-402-5020.

Originally reported by USAC Racing.

Toyota Racing made offseason waves recently, unveiling the new Camry for this season's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series alongside its road-going counterpart at the North American International Auto Show.
 
Team Chevy will have its own ripple effect in place for the following 2018 season.
 
Chevrolet racing officials confirmed Monday that the automaker will cease production of the Chevrolet SS at the end of the 2017 model run. The news means the manufacturer will have a new race car for NASCAR's top division for the 2018 season.
 
Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's US Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, said in a statement that there was no firm timetable for a 2018 replacement.
 
"It was already known that the Chevrolet SS was going to be discontinued in 2017," Campbell said in a statement provided by Team Chevy. "That information was originally announced last summer. As you know, we don't talk about future projects. We'll make any announcement regarding our next Cup entry at the appropriate time."
 
The SS made its major-league debut in the 2013 season, when NASCAR introduced the Gen-6 stock car to reinforce brand identity among its manufacturers. The SS succeeded the Impala, which Chevrolet used in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from 2007-2012.