West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, West Virginia, has officially set the reopening of the facility and its new 3/8-mile dirt oval for Saturday, October 11.

Headlined by a $5,000-to-win Super Late Model feature, the Saturday-night slate will include a UMP Modified showcase, Pro Late Model battle and a Sport Mod showdown.

"This is a milestone moment for West Virginia Motor Speedway," said track owner Mike Hurley. "We've put countless hours and resources into building a new short track that will deliver close, competitive racing to keep the fans engaged in the action. October 11 will be the first chance for fans to experience the new track, and we are looking forward to everyone's support".

The speedway originally opened in 1984.

For more information, visit wvmotorspeedway.com.

Image courtesy of West Virginia Motor Speedway/Buckeye Drone.

Former NASCAR Driver Ricky Craven Takes Ownership of Speedway 95 (ME)

Former NASCAR Driver and Maine native Ricky Craven has purchased Speedway 95, Hermon, Maine, from current owner Del Merritt.

Craven will share his plans for the paved oval during the track's annual season awards banquet on November 8, including a discussion of 2026 rule packages for the track.

According to published reports, Craven is planning multi-phase renovations for the facility.

For more information, visit speedway95racing.com.

Drag Illustrated is now accepting nominations for the 10th edition of its 30 Under 30 list.

Nominees who are selected will appear in the upcoming DI 30 Under 30 Issue, which will be released in the week leading up to the 2025 PRI Show, December 11-13, downtown Indianapolis. Honorees will also be recognized during a press conference at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, September 26. 

Past 30 Under 30 lists have included 2024 NHRA Funny Car world champion Austin Prock, 2023-2024 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera, 2023 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster world champion Julie Nataas, 2023 FIA European Top Fuel champion Ida Zetterström, 2024 PDRA Pro Street world champion Ethan Steding, 2025 Spring Fling Million winner Cooper Chun, and many other highly accomplished young drivers, tuners, fabricators, media members, track officials and other personalities operating in the sport.

The 30 Under 30 nomination process is used not as a voting process or popularity contest, but as a way to learn about potential honorees who might not compete on the national stage or in a prominent position. The DI editorial team uses the information submitted to help decide the list, but also to write the 30 individual features on each honoree.

The 30 Under 30 Issue will make its debut at the PRI Show in Indianapolis, where honorees will also take part in a press conference and induction ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center. During the ceremony, honorees will receive a custom jacket, as well as gift certificates and other gifts from 30 Under 30 program sponsors.

To nominate someone for Drag Illustrated's 2025 30 Under 30 list, please submit your nomination here: www.dragillustrated.com/nominate.

MemberTrackNetwork.com has launched a new online hub built to connect members with a reciprocal track program that is designed to improve and expand opportunities for track access.

The site will offer a system to request and manage track-time requests, a list of participating and reciprocal facilities that welcome cars and motorcycles, plus tools for connecting with tracks and event planning. The site will always require financial contributions from member tracks that will be reinvested into the not-for-profit program, program officials said.

"For too long, drivers and riders have relied on scattered processes to access their favorite facilities. Nearly all membership-based tracks have some sort of reciprocity in place with other facilities," program officials said in a statement announcing the site's launch. "MemberTrackNetwork.com creates a central point of connection, helping ensure that tracks are supported, members are verified and access is fair and efficient."

For more information, visit membertracknetwork.com.

The Cadillac Formula 1 Team announced that nine-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Colton Herta will serve as a test driver as the team prepares to join the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.

For Herta, 25, the 2026 season will mark a return to the European racing ranks. He made his European racing debut in 2015. Over a two-year period, he secured four victories, six podium finishes and five pole positions in the Euroformula Open Championship and went on to compete in six British F3 events, earning three podium finishes, including a victory at Brands Hatch, before returning to America in 2017.

Coming off his seventh INDYCAR season, Herta has recorded nine wins, 16 pole positions and led more than 1,000 laps in his 116 career starts. He also holds the title of youngest driver to win an INDYCAR SERIES race and pole position, a feat he achieved in 2019 at the Circuit of the Americas – home of the F1 United States Grand Prix. In addition to a successful INDYCAR career, Herta has scored multiple IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship class wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona (2019 and 2022) and an overall win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024.

Transitioning into a new role within TWG Motorsports, Herta is the first test driver named by the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, following the announcement last month that experienced F1 duo Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will form the team’s first-ever race driver line-up during its debut season next year.

For more information, visit cadillac.com/performance.

The Rock Motorsports Hall of Fame in Orem, Utah, has announced that it will induct Shannon Campbell and John Currie as the Class of 2025.

Shannon Campbell

Known as one of the most dominant and innovative drivers in the history of rock sports, rock crawler and racer Campbell has helped shape rock crawling and rock racing into the premier motorsport categories they are today, according to the Hall of Fame. Campbell’s career has been defined by fearless competition, groundbreaking vehicle design and a relentless pursuit of excellence on some of the most demanding terrain in the world. His accomplishments include multiple championships and marquee victories across premier rock crawling and rock racing series, cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

John Currie

Building on the foundation established by his father, who founded Currie Enterprises, Currie helped transform the family name into one of the most trusted and recognized brands in the off-road industry. Through his brand, RockJock by John Currie, he developed suspension components that have earned recognition at the SEMA Show, where he has been honored with awards for innovation and engineering excellence. As a competitor, Currie participated in series such as American Rock Crawling Association (ARCA), Rock Crawlers Association of America (RCAA), WEROCK and UROC, capturing championships and helping legitimize rock crawling as a professional motorsport.

The 2025 Rock Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala Dinner will be held during Trail Hero at Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah, on Wednesday, October 1.

For more information, visit rockmotorsportshof.com.

The new global identity unifies motorsports and production vehicle development under one banner.

Ford has announced that its performance division will now operate under the name Ford Racing, marking a renewed commitment to aligning motorsports programs with the development of production vehicles, the company said.

The transition to Ford Racing reflects a global strategy that integrates engineering, design, and technology from Ford's racing efforts directly into its consumer lineup. Aerodynamic and performance innovations proven in competition will influence future production vehicles, including the Mustang and F-150 Raptor.

"The technology we validate in the world's most demanding racing environments will inform the vehicles we deliver to customers," said Will Ford, General Manager, Ford Racing. "This is a direct line from the track to the driveway."

Ford Racing will debut its first production vehicle born from this new approach in January 2026. The launch coincides with Ford's participation in high-profile events including the Dakar Rally, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the FIA World Endurance Championship season opener.

The division will also expand customer engagement through racing schools and off-road driving experiences, designed to showcase the real-world applications of Ford Racing technologies.

Ford Racing will continue competing at the highest levels of global motorsport, including Formula 1, the World Rally Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

For more information, visit the Ford website.

Limited to just 30 units, the track-only GT2 Edition W16 blends Formula 1® technology with GT racing DNA.

The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport portfolio is expanding to include a new, highly attractive model: the Mercedes-AMG GT2 Edition W16, a limited-production track car delivering up to 818 HP--the most powerful customer racing car ever built by the brand.

Inspired by the Mercedes-AMG F1 W16 E PERFORMANCE, the model features a Push2Pass system, drag reduction system (DRS), lightweight magnesium wheels and a hand-painted livery accented in PETRONAS green. Only 30 units will be built, each signed by F1 driver Kimi Antonelli. Deliveries will take place at a European race track, where owners will also enjoy a meet-and-greet with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Designed exclusively for track use, the GT2 Edition W16 is positioned as both a performance benchmark and an exclusive ownership experience.

Read more information, including technical specs, on the Mercedes-Benz USA website.

The acquisition includes 16 cars and equipment, opening up new opportunities for customer programs and specialty racing events.
 

GMS Race Cars has acquired the vehicle fleet and equipment formerly used in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) from Ray Evernham Enterprises. The package includes 16 high-performance stock cars, pit equipment, race-day infrastructure and spare parts, marking an expansion for the Statesville, North Carolina–based manufacturer.

The cars, originally designed for the SRX television series that ran from 2021 to 2023, were purpose-built to deliver close racing and strong driver experiences. GMS plans to repurpose the vehicles for premium track-day programs, turnkey customer experiences, and specialty events nationwide.

"This acquisition represents a huge opportunity to lead with the craftsmanship and durability that GMS is known for," said Joey Cohen, president of GMS Race Cars.

"It's incredibly gratifying to see these cars live on in a new format--whether in the hands of champions or first-timers, GMS is the perfect group to carry that torch forward," Ray Evernham said.

The deal does not include SRX trademarks, branding or broadcast rights, GMS announced.

For more information, visit the GMS Race Cars Facebook page.

Brittany Force added another milestone to her record-setting 2025 season during the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, where she delivered the fastest speed in NHRA history. 

Force, the No. 1 Top Fuel qualifier, launched her dragster to a blistering 343.51 mph at 3.69 seconds in the opening round of the race, surpassing her own 343.16-mph record set earlier this summer in Sonoma. The run marked her 10th pass in the 340-mph range this season.

"To be able to do that at Indy, in the first round, which is always the toughest round, and have a speed like that, I'm very proud of my team, and we're not done yet," said Force to NHRA.com.

Force is the daughter of drag racing legend John Force and a member of the John Force Racing team.

For more information, visit nhra.com and johnforceracing.com.