UniFirst and Hendrick Motorsports have reached an eight-year agreement that will make the workwear and textile service company a primary sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolet SS driven by Kasey Kahne.

The contract runs through the year 2023.

As the new official workwear provider of Hendrick Motorsports, UniFirst will be a two-race primary sponsor in both 2016 and 2017, with the relationship increasing to three primary races annually from 2018-2023. In addition, UniFirst will be a full-season associate sponsor of the No. 5 team.

UniFirst will make its Sprint Cup Series primary sponsorship debut later this season with back-to-back races October 23 at Talladega Superspeedway and October 30 at Martinsville Speedway.

“UniFirst’s broad customer base, which includes 300,000 business locations across North America, employs thousands of enthusiastic NASCAR fans, so this relationship is a natural fit,” said Adam Soreff, director of marketing and communications for UniFirst.

UniFirst is one of North America’s largest workwear and textile service companies, providing managed uniform, protective clothing, custom corporate image apparel, and ancillary facility services programs to businesses in virtually all industries. As part of the new relationship, UniFirst will supply work clothing and uniforms to Hendrick Motorsports and sister company Hendrick Automotive Group, which is the largest privately held retail automotive organization in the United States.

“When a sponsor feels strongly enough to commit for eight years, it sends a clear message,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “There’s tremendous excitement about the opportunities our team and our sport present for UniFirst. They have a reputation for world-class service, the highest quality products and services, and having incredible people. We share a similar mindset and culture, and we’re looking forward to working together across our entire organization.”

Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2012, Kahne has earned three Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berths and five race wins with the No. 5 team. The Enumclaw, Washington, native has 17 career victories, 27 pole positions and 166 top-10 finishes in NASCAR’s top division.

“UniFirst will be a great addition to our partners at Hendrick Motorsports,” Kahne said. “They’re a reliable company that we’ve worked with at Kasey Kahne Racing for a long time, so I was happy to hear they are coming on board. I’m looking forward to having them as part of the No. 5 team and working with them in the years to come.”

Leavine Family Racing has announced that Todd Parrott will assume crew chief duties for the No. 95 entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the remainder of the 2016 season. The previous pit crew chief, Dave Winston, will move to a race engineer role within the organization.

“Todd brings a depth of knowledge to our team and I’m excited to have him on top of the pit box at all of our races for the remainder of 2016,” said Jeremy Lange, VP of CSLFR. “Todd has been calling the races while Ty Dillon has been in the car and we’re pleased to be able to continue our alliance with Richard Childress Racing and use their resources to help our growing team.”

Parrott has more than 20 years of experience in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and won a championship with driver Dale Jarrett in 1999.

The North Carolina Motorsports Association will honor one of motorsports’ most successful and prolific car owners, Roger Penske, during its 11th Annual N.C. Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank January 31 at the Embassy Suites Ballroom in Concord.

Penske will join North Carolina motorsports notables such as Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Junior Johnson, O. Bruton Smith, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Ned Jarrett family, Dale Earnhardt, Benny Parsons, Mike Helton and Jeff Gordon as NCMA Achievement in Motorsports Tribute honorees.

“Roger Penske is one of the most respected individuals in the world of motorsports,” said NCMA Chairman Greg Fornelli. “The Penske name is synonymous with class, both on and off the race track. For 50 years, he has proven to be a winner and champion and NCMA is elated to have the opportunity to honor him with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute award on our biggest night.

Penske, known to many simply as “The Captain,” celebrated his 50th year in motorsports during the 2016 season. After retiring from a brief but successful driving career in 1965, Penske has fielded cars in nearly every discipline of motorsports including NASCAR’s premier series, Formula One, IndyCar and sports car racing. Team Penske entries currently compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series the Verizon IndyCar Series and Australia’s V8 Supercar Championship.

Under his leadership, Team Penske has amassed 29 national championships including the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title and 14 Verizon IndyCar Series championships — the latest coming this season with French driver Simon Pagenaud. Penske is the winningest car owner in the history of the Indianapolis 500 with 16 BorgWarner trophies in his collection. Penske has also won a pair of Daytona 500s.

Team Penske drivers through the years include Mario Andretti, Mark Donahue, Rick Mears, Tom Sneva, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Al Unser Jr., Danny Sullivan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, Kurt Busch, Helio Castroneves, Will Power, Juan Pablo Montoya, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.

In 2004, Penske purchased the former Matsushita Compressor plant in the Mooresville, N.C., Business Park and renovated the 424,697-square-foot facility to house his racing operation. In 2007, all Team Penske operations were brought under the roof of this facility, making him the first team owner to have an IndyCar team based in North Carolina.

In addition to his racing interests, Penske is an extremely successful entrepreneur with a variety of businesses in the automotive industry. He is a champion of the American automotive industry. Penske was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1995 and the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2015.

The 11th Annual NC Motorsports Industry Awards Ceremony presented by Fifth Third Bank will also honor North Carolina companies impacting motorsports in a positive way during the January 31 banquet. For more information, visit www.northcarolinamotorsportsassociation.org.

Scott Bowen is the new pit crew coach for Roush Fenway Racing.

Bowen replaced Andy Ward after New Hampshire on September 26.

The team offered the following statement regarding the change:
 
“We continuously evaluate our race team operations at Roush Fenway, and as part of a mid-season restructuring we have implemented a change in the department structure with our pit crew teams. We have placed Scott Bowen, who previously was our head of purchasing, in charge of our pit crew operations.  Scott is long time employee of Roush Fenway, and worked as an over-the-wall pit crew member for several years.  We believe this change will prove beneficial in our continued effort to improve on-track performance.”

Ward has 18 years experience on pit road. He graduated from Appalachian State with BS in Exercise Physiology. The Kannapolis, N.C. native was with Roush when both Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch won titles for the Ford operation in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

Although Ward was recruited by Robert Yates Racing 2008, he returned to Roush three years later and had been with the company since. Ward hopes to continue teaching/coaching in the sport.

“I want to thank Jack Roush for the opportunity to compete and provide for my family,” Ward told motorsport.com. “I am proud of all we accomplished over 12 seasons together. I wish him and the RFR all the best.”

Bowen started his career with RFR in 2003. The North Carolina State University graduate carried tires earlier in his career for Roush. After a short stint with Petty Enterprises, Bowen returned to Roush. He most recently worked as the Purchasing Manager for RFR.

The move comes after Roush Fenway Racing failed to qualify for the Chase to the Sprint Cup for the second consecutive season. Roush currently fields three Cup cars for Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne.

After a four-year run as Volusia Speedway Park’s weekly promotor, Wendi Underwood was packing up her office and preparing to move out Tuesday morning.

She was helped by family, friends and soon to be former employees at the half-mile dirt oval, which is owned by World Racing Group based in Concord, North Carolina.

“Because of circumstances beyond our control, we had to make a decision that came deep from the heart to move on and close our doors,” Underwood said.

“It’s been a difficult four years and even though this was one of our best years, we just had to call it quits.”

Underwood said she told her regular competitors on Saturday night that the track would be closing. The track had seven more nights of racing scheduled this year.

“I told them I was not going to renew my lease for 2017,” she said. “I was hoping what is happening this week would not happen, but it did. We were hoping to finish off the year and it just didn’t happen that way.”

World Racing Group spokeswoman Cristina Cordova said the decision was made “not to continue weekly racing.”

Cordova was quick to point out that the DIRTcar Nationals program, scheduled for February 14-25, will still be held.

“The Nationals will go on as planned,” she said.

VSP has become a national racing landmark because of its long history and for hosting major events. Volusia Speedway Park was sold by Dick Murphy to DIRT Motorsports 2005 for a reported $2.5 million.

DIRT was later bought by the World Racing Group, which runs top traveling dirt-racing series such as the World of Outlaws.

The track opened as a quarter-mile dirt oval in 1968. It expanded to .4-mile oval in 1969 then went to full half-mile in 1972.

In 1989 the track was paved, became NASCAR affiliated and played host to Xfinity Series races from 1989-92.

During the 1994 racing season David Rogers won NASCAR’s national short-track championship racing at Volusia.

VSP was converted back into a dirt oval in 1997.

The track was shuttered in the second half of 2011 and all of 2012 because the World Racing Group could not find a suitable promoter until Underwood came along.

Cordova said WRG has received “some offers” from potential new tenants.

“We are exploring some potential leasers for the track to bring back weekly racing next year,” she said.

After Underwood leaves, WRG will have a representative to continue the maintenance of the track, according to Cordova.

John Allen, who co-owns Allen Plumbing in West Volusia, has entered race cars, sponsored cars and races at the track for decades.

“She’s put a lot of heart and effort into it,” Allen said of Underwood. “Closing the track has a huge impact. I know hundreds of people that are saddened by it. It’s a struggle to keep the doors open.

“I’m sure the track will open again. We’ll let the dust settle and pick up the pieces and move forward. It didn’t work for her. Somebody will pick it up and run with it.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the INOX Kartway, a go-kart track next to VSP, said it will stay open and continue to run its weekly program.

The go-kart facility is independent of Volusia Speedway Park.

Roush Yates Engines will add 10 jobs to its Mooresville shop as it expends $3.5 million to buy new production equipment and expand its buildings there.

The three Roush Yates buildings, located in Lakeside Business Park and across Interstate 77 in Talbert Pointe Business Park, currently contain 185 employees.

Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates, says the Mooresville and Iredell County are “great partners” to the company, which has operated the facility for more than a decade.

In exchange for the additional jobs and investment, Iredell County and Mooresville agrees to grant Roush Yates $157,265 in incentives.

Roush Yates makes engines for NASCAR race teams as well as teams that compete in the International Motor Sports Association and Federal Internationale De LÁutomobile racing events.
All told, the company provides 114 types of engines across five racing series, Yates says.

James Mallory, chairman of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, says the 10 new jobs are “good, high-paying jobs.”

“We are excited to see one of our existing companies improve and expand their manufacturing capabilities,” Mallory says.

More than 1100 exhibiting companies are set to unveil the newest racing products and technology at the 2016 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show, where buyers from all over the world will gather to do business in every segment of the racing industry.

From engine parts, suspension components, data acquisition and safety gear, to new metal alloys and coatings, machine equipment, and race electronics, every race product and accessory imaginable will be on display at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 8-10, 2016.


“Since returning to Indianapolis in 2013, the PRI Trade Show has grown to new heights,” said Bill Miller, Trade Show general manager. “The industry has embraced the show being held in the Racing Capital of the World, and we’re seeing increased business activity throughout the Show floor.”


Buyers echo that sentiment: “We get to see all the vendors we deal with during the year, (and) this is a place where you can see the machines work and put your hands on them,” said 2015 attendee Robert Bartlett of Virkler & Bartlett. “Most of our major machine purchases are made here.”


Exhibiting alongside established race brands will be dozens of first-time exhibitors from 25 states, as well as 14 new international exhibitors. UK-based R.T. Quaife Engineering, Ltd., which exhibited for the first time in 2015, will be returning to the PRI Show this year.


“Quaife is delighted to be making a return to the prestigious PRI Show to showcase our products to competitors, manufacturers and development companies," said Michael Quaife. "The US market is very important to us and we believe that this is an ideal time to return where we can demonstrate that our products are a must piece of equipment at PRI."


In addition to hands-on demonstration from exhibitors, the PRI Show includes an entire week of conferences, seminars, social gathering and events dedicated to the motorsports industry. As with the overall focus of the Show, events are targeted to those involved with Drag Racing, Sprint Cars, Stock Cars, Road Racing, Sport Compact, Modifieds, Dirt Late Models, Karting, Off-Road Racing, Tractor Pulling, Open Wheel, Muscle Car, and Performance Marine.


For additional information on the 2016 PRI Trade Show, including hotel and travel information, visit www.pri2016.com. 

Editor’s Note: Corey Perlman will present an exclusive seminar, “Social Media Overdrive,” at the 2016 PRI Trade Show on December 10, from 8–9 a.m., in Room 242 of the Indiana Convention Center. In it, he will discuss best practices for your website, Facebook, Instagram and content creation.
 
What is social proof?
 
Here’s how it’s defined on Wikipedia:
 
Social proof, also known as informational social influence, is a psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behavior for a given situation.
 
When someone visits our website or social media profiles, we want people to feel like they’re not the first one. As quickly as possible, we want them to see that we’re a legitimate, formidable business that will take good care of them and their money.
 
When we do live website evaluations during an eBoot Camp workshop, it’s one of the critical pieces of information we look for. Here are some common ways to communicate social proof:
 
– Industry specific certifications
– Logos of companies you’ve done business with
– The amount of connections you have on a particular social network
– Quality testimonials (even better if it’s a recognized name!)
– Industry awards or recognition
– Major or local news quotes
– Published article, report or book
 
Action I want you to take: 
 
1. Write down three pieces of ‘social proof’ that would mean something to a prospect.
2. Make sure this ‘social proof’ is displayed in a clear and obvious place on your website and social media sites.
 

Corey Perlman is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and nationally recognized social media expert, as well as owner and founder of eBoot Camp, Inc. He’s delivered presentations to notable brands such as Sysco Foods, Cox Media, The PGA Tour and The Dallas Cowboys. Connect with Corey at www.coreyperlman.com or www.socialmediaoverload.com. To see Corey in action, go to YouTube.com/eBootCamp.
 
 

The eighth annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place in Charlotte next year.

Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick, Mark Martin, Raymond Parks and Benny Parsons will be honored during this year’s ceremony set for Friday, January 20, 2017. Induction ticket prices range from $45 for general seats to $350 for the Exclusive Driver Dinner Package (plus tax and applicable service fees).

Drivers, celebrities and legends of the sport will take the stage during this premier celebration that will honor the eighth class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Prior to the ceremony, a special Induction Dinner at the Charlotte Convention Center, which is connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will include a jacket presentation for the living inductees and an award presentation honoring Benny Phillips, the sixth recipient of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

Returning this year, fans also have the exclusive opportunity to purchase a seat for the dinner that puts them at a table with a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver (limited quantities are available.)

After dinner, the Induction Ceremony will take place in the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center and will honor the five Class of 2017 inductees as well as H. Clay Earles, the third recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

Following the ceremony, a special NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day will take place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 21, 2017. More details on driver appearances, activities and programming for this day will be announced at a later date.

INDUCTION WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 19
    •    5:30-7:00 p.m. - Legends and Champions Club Member Reception (Legends Room)

Friday, January 20
    •    3:30 p.m. – Members-only Hall of Famer Autograph Session (Great Hall)
    •    4:00 p.m. – Red Carpet Arrivals (Great Hall/Glory Road)
    •    5:30 p.m. – NASCAR Hall of Fame Reception (Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; Charlotte Convention Center Richardson Foyer)*
    •    6:00 p.m. – NASCAR Hall of Induction Dinner & Jacket Ceremony (Must be seated by 5:45 p.m.; Charlotte Convention Center Richardson Ballroom)*
    •    6:00 p.m. – Presentation of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence (Charlotte Convention Center Richardson Ballroom)
    •    8:00 p.m. – NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Induction Ceremony (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; must be seated by 7:30 p.m.; Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom)
    •    8:00 p.m. – Presentation  of Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR (Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom)
*Business attire is required for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Reception, Induction Dinner & Jacket Ceremony, and Induction Ceremony. Tickets to these events are not available individually to the public; they are only available as part of the 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame Exclusive Driver Dinner Package and 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame VIP Induction Package.

Saturday, January 21
    •    8:00-5:00 p.m. – Free NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day (NASCAR Hall of Fame)
    •    8:30 a.m. – First Look at Class of 2017 Inductee Exhibits (Hall of Honor)**
    •    3:30-4:15 p.m. – Members-only Class of 2017 Autograph Session (Hall of Honor)
    •    Time TBD - Class of 2017 Granite Marker Unveilings (NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza Ceremonial Garden)
    •    Time TBD - Class of 2017 Fan Q&A (Great Hall)
    •    Time TBD - Member Reception (Great Hall)

** Tickets to the First Look at the Class of 2017 Inductee Exhibits is not available individually to the public; they are only available as part of the 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame Exclusive Driver Dinner Package and 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame VIP Induction Package.

Please note: Events and even times during Induction Weekend are subject to change.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the NASCAR Hall website.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Kanaan will be competing in the 2017 edition of the Race Of Champions in Miami, Florida.

Kanaan and Montoya hail from the IndyCar series, having finished this past season in seventh and eighth respectively.

Brazil's Kanaan made his first and only ROC appearance so far in 2004, the year when he was crowned IndyCar champion.

Partnering compatriot Felipe Massa, he made it to the semi-finals, where the Brazilian duo were knocked out by Jean Alesi and Sebastien Loeb.

"I absolutely loved when I raced at the Race Of Champions in France back in 2004 and I always wanted to do it again," he said. "I live in Miami, so having the race here in my backyard is the perfect opportunity to be part of it and to race against the biggest names from motorsport around the world."

For Colombia's Montoya, 1999 CART champion and a winner of seven Formula 1 grands prix, Miami will represent a Race Of Champions debut.

"I’m really looking forward to competing in my first Race Of Champions. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to do, and to be able to race here at home in Miami makes it even more special," said Montoya. “The Race Of Champions is such a unique event, bringing together the top drivers from the main series around the world and from different generations. When I was racing in Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel was a young talent in Formula BMW, now he is a four-time World Champion…"

The announcement of Montoya and Kanaan brings the total number of drivers confirmed for the Marlins Park event up to eight, as they join Vettel, Kurt Busch, Petter Solberg, Tom Kristensen, Travis Pastrana and fellow IndyCar driver and Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.

For more information, visit here.