Jeff Butcher has joined KRC Power Steering in the newly created Director of Marketing position. As a longtime racing industry leader and past PRI Roundtable Member, Butcher brings his energetic experience to the KRC team, which includes over 50 wins as a NASCAR Crew Chief working with the top drivers in the country at the professional Cup,Truck and Late Model levels.

KRC Power Steering founder Ken Roper noted, “We added the new role to meet the demands of the growing KRC Brand. I have known Jeff Butcher for over 20 years, creating a natural addition to the KRC family.”

KRC has been innovating high end power steering and serpentine pulley systems since 1997. KRC Power Steering manufactures quality pumps, pulleys and components from its state-of-the-art manufacturing factory in Kennesaw, Georgia. The KRC plant contains a shop floor with a fleet of new precision CNC machines, ensuring sustainable quality.

The recent factory expansion is designed to grow with the trend of utilizing KRC Serpentine Pulleys and horsepower saving KRC Power Steering Pumps.

Roper added, “Butcher joins the team at the perfect time to maximize the investment we have made in top of the line CNC manufacturing equipment.”

The KRC team is comprised of successful race car drivers, crew chiefs, race team members, engineers, machinists and technical experts. With over 150 years of combined racing and high-performance experience, customers are assured of receiving expert guidance to identify the perfect KRC Power Steering System for their specific application.

Learn more at www.krcpower.com

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is ready to welcome the next generation of stock car drivers to the track, with the inaugural season of the Bandit youth racing division in 2016.

The division will offer a structured introduction to real racing competition with safety courses, a driving school, and a series of races for aspiring drivers age 10–15. Training and events will be held on both the half-mile Asphalt Track and the three-tenths-mile Dirt Track at Devil’s Bowl.

The division, which will utilize the technical specifications from the four-cylinder Portland Glass Mini Stock division, has been a work-in-progress for several seasons. A test race at Devil’s Bowl in 2013 led to a successful bid to have Vermont state laws changed in 2014 to lower the legal race track pit area admittance age to 10 years old. Originally branded as the “Young Guns,” the division was initially scheduled to begin last year before Devil’s Bowl officials elected to postpone until this season in order to ensure a more successful program.

Four pre-season training and instructional classes will be held to outline the division and educate all hopeful young competitors in safety, car control, and race procedures. Bandit drivers must satisfactorily complete a minimum of two training classes before being approved for competition and must attend three additional classes throughout the season.  A total of 10 Bandit races will be held from May to September.

“The Bandit division has been a dream of ours for a while, and we feel that we’re finally ready to give it a go,” Devil’s Bowl promoter Mike Bruno said. “We’ve heard from many local families who are ready to take this step with their children, and we’re encouraged by their support.  We want these kids to learn the knowledge and skills that they’ll need to have a fun, safe, and rewarding experience. The Bandit division will help to build the future of Devil’s Bowl from the ground up, and we hope that these new young racers will advance through our NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions as they get older.”

IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE), a TPG portfolio company, Sunoco, and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that the World Series of Drag Racing is returning this summer, but to a new and larger facility in a major league sports market. The world's longest continually running drag racing event will celebrate its 63rd year at the Mid-South's premiere motorsports destination, Memphis International Raceway (MIR), August 26–27, with support from Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The transition to MIR moves the historic event to a centralized location that can withstand the growth potential and bring in even more racers, fans, vendors, live music and much more. The new facility will serve as a fitting showcase for the world's fastest drag racing and focus on a fan and racer friendly atmosphere. The two days of nonstop drag racing action will include professional racers from around the country as well as local sportsman racers competing to become the next Champion of the World Series of Drag Racing presented by Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"The IRGSE Board of Directors have a vision for the World Series of Drag Racing. The event will be home to all things related to drag racing and we thank Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau for partnering with us and sharing this vision," stated IRGSE Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO Chris Lencheski. "The World Series of Drag Racing is a place where fans can walk through a swap meet, find drag racing collectables or images, bring the family and go RV'ing and camping, watch two days of incredible racing, and celebrate their favorite sport. We believe that "The World Series of Drag Racing" will become a lifestyle event similar to what Comic-Con is for fans of Sci-fi/Comics in San Diego. We plan to continue the existing traditions and add some new exciting elements to drag racing's premiere fan event," Lencheski continued.

"We are honored to be a presenting sponsor for an event that will feature some of the fastest drag racers in the world and the fans will be able to enjoy heart pounding action in a family-friendly festival atmosphere. Of special significance to us is that the grassroots sportsman racers who have been at the core of our business model as they will be participating at a track that has been a loyal partner to our brand," commented Sunoco's Vice President & General Manager of Performance Products Rob Marro.

The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Sunoco partnered with IRGSE to become the presenting sponsors of the historic race. The CVB is a big supporter of their hometown track and has partnered with MIR on various national events throughout the years. In addition, the Sunoco name is synonymous with drag racing and a proud supporter of IRGSE-owned facilities and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

"We look forward to hosting race fans from across the country as the World Series of Drag Racing continues to grow in its new home at Memphis International Raceway," said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Drag racing has a long history in Memphis, and with the city's central location and strong racing facilities, major racing events are always an economic success for the region."

"With IRGSE looking to grow the World Series of Drag Racing, I was very pleased Memphis got the nod to host the event," stated Memphis International Raceway GM & VP Pam Kendrick. "The World Series of Drag Racing has a long standing tradition that matches MIR's tradition of top notch competitive and entertaining events, it's a perfect marriage. Our fans have been looking for this type of an event since we opened in 2012 and I can't express how excited the team and I are about it. We'd also like to thank Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau for their support. Two great partners that will make an impact on the overall success of this historic event. Make your plans today, it will be an event to remember."

The World Series of Drag Racing attracts sportsman and professional racers from around the country to compete against each other. The top names in drag racing participate in exhibition runs, match racing, and competitive eliminator action in front of capacity crowds. Notable participants in past World Series of Drag Racing events include: IHRA President Mike Dunn, hometown favorite Clay Millican, 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowney, T.J. Zizzo, Cruz Pedregon, Tony Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson, Bruce Litton, Chris "The Greek" Karamesines, Warren Johnson, Larry Morgan, Dom Lagana, and many more.

The World Series of Drag Racing has a storied history with the first-ever event taking place in Lawrenceville, Illinois in 1953 and later transitioning to IRGSE-owned Cordova International Raceway (CIR). Since its conception, the event has featured the world's best drag racing in a family friendly environment with vendors, good food and open access to the pit area for autographs and to meet the drivers. The tradition will continue at MIR with additional events and a star studded driver line-up.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 4 at Ticketmaster or call (800)745-3000. Additional announcements will be made in the coming months regarding the professional driver line-up, live performances during the event and much more. Please check RaceMIR.com for pricing and schedule updates regarding the World Series of Drag Racing presented by Sunoco and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau on August 26–27.

The 31st Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, the biggest and most prestigious midget racing event of the year, has been scheduled for Tuesday-Saturday, January 10-14, 2017, at the River Spirit Expo Center, Tulsa Expo Raceway. Fans and teams of this "Mecca of Midgets" can start planning their next trek to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with ticket renewals beginning Wednesday, March 2, 2016.

Current ticket holders will receive a renewal form in the mail, but are also encouraged to call in. New buyers are advised to call to get their spot in line if tickets become available. For new reserved seat ticket hopefuls, tickets are sold in four-day Wednesday-Saturday packages for $227 and five-day Tuesday-Saturday packages for $282. Tuesday night, March 10, is the only day individual tickets are sold. General admission Pit Passes are sold at the event and can be purchased for single or multiple days. General admission seating is along the back straightaway, while reserved seats overlook turns three and four as well as the front straight.

Beginning Wednesday, tickets can be ordered by calling (918) 838-3777, Monday-Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CT. Those receiving their ticket order forms can mail them back to 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112 or fax them to (918) 836-5517. Orders are not taken via email or social media. The deadline to renew tickets is Friday, April 29, 2016.
 
For continued updates on the 31st Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, visit www.chilibowl.com or call 918-838-3777.

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket North America has announced a multi-year renewal of its technical partnership with 11-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports.

Dating back to 2001 with an agreement to supply spark plugs to the racing powerhouse, the scope of the relationship has since expanded to include alternators, starters, oxygen sensors, fuel injectors and fuel pumps.

Entering its 16th season, this partnership has yielded seven Sprint Cup Series championships and a wealth of knowledge and insights. Hendrick Motorsports engine builders have worked closely with Bosch engineers over the years to develop some of the most powerful vehicles on the track.

“It has been a privilege to be a member of the Hendrick Motorsports partner family for so many years, sharing successes and celebrating victories along the way,” said Tony Pauly, director of advertising and brand management, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket North America. “The entire Hendrick Motorsports team has pushed the performance of Bosch products to new levels as demonstrated by the seven NASCAR Sprint Cup championships our partnership has generated during its tenure.”

Hendrick Motorsports general manager Doug Duchardt understands the value of the Bosch partnership, which has yielded 143 points-paying Sprint Cup race victories from 2001-2015.

“Bosch’s technical expertise has been a critical resource since day one of our relationship,” Duchardt said. “With a combination of world-class products and people, they’ve helped us improve performance and supported our efforts through major transitions like the adoption of fuel injected engines. We’ve established a true winning partnership and look forward to continuing it into the 2016 season and beyond.”

Turn 14 Distribution has agreed to sponsor the 2016 edition of the TS Performance Outlaw Diesel Drag Race & Sled Pull.

"TS Performance is a valued partner, and Turn 14 Distribution is happy to support their annual Outlaw Diesel Drag & Sled Pull event. As a performance WD we strongly believe in the importance of events that encourage the involvement of grassroots enthusiasts and sportsman racing,” said Daryl Sampson, Turn 14 Distribution’s Director of Marketing.

The drag racing portion of the event takes place Friday, June 3, 2016, at the legendary Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, also the home of TS Performance. There are six drag classes scheduled for competition, from ET Bracket to Pro Mod and Pro Dragster diesel machines. Time trials start at 10:00 AM, with qualifying and eliminations scheduled shortly afterward.

On Friday afternoon, Jim Roberts Community Park in Franklin, Kentucky, becomes the home of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League sled pull competition portion of the event. Eight separate classes from the 2.6 class to the Super Modified Tractor class will be on-hand. The 2.6 class begins pulling at 11:00 AM, with the main pulls scheduled for 6:00 PM.

In addition to the second day of the sled pulling competition at Jim Roberts Park on Saturday, June 4, the TS Performance event will offer a Show’N’Shine, Vendor Alley, and bikini contest, where Miss TS Performance 2016 will be crowned. The same sled pull schedule will be in effect on Saturday, with 2.6 pulls starting at 11:00 AM and the main pulls stating at 6:00 PM.

Champion Oil, a manufacturer of racing and performance products, announced that Moss racing Engines headquartered in Bessemer, North Carolina, now offers the complete line of Champion Racing Motor Oils, Chemicals, Additives, and Lubricants.
 
“It is extremely important for Champion to identify an engine builder that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide racers with first class service and product support,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of the Racing and Performance Division for Champion Oil. “Moss Racing Engines clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to distribute our motor oil, chemical, additive and lubricant line in key enthusiast demographics, applications, and strategic markets.”
 
Dedolph added, “Chris Moss, owner of Moss Racing Engines, develops, builds, and services competition race engines, transmissions, and carburetors for the motorsports market. Their primary focus is 410ci and 360ci racing motors where customers compete in sprint car racing. Moss’ customers have won numerous national, regional and divisional championships.”
 
For more information about Moss Racing Engines, contact the company at 5706 Dallas Cherryville Highway- Bessemer, NC  28016 or at 704-718-3430.
 
Champion Racing Motor Oils contain Champion’s proprietary TVS (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer), special lubricity modifiers, and a premium level of anti-wear additives which includes a high quantity of ZDDP. These additives are proven to meet the lubrication demands of competition engines, create a tough film strength, which controls wear and provides more horsepower and torque in Dynamometer testing. Champion Racing Oils are suitable for use in all competition and race engines especially those using flat tappet and/or roller cams operating at high RPM’s and requiring high-pressure valve springs.  
 
Champion PowerShield Break-In Motor Oil is formulated to reduce the potential of engine failure during hard break-in. The formulation is based on proprietary technology containing unique high levels of zincthiophosphates, in combination with Champion’s proprietary TVS (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer), which extends oil film capacity for proper ring seating. Professional engine-builders that use Champion PowerShield Break-In Motor Oil will experience the difference provided by numerous barriers of protection.

The Lucas Oil Triple Crown, a $50,000 payout that awaits any driver who can top three of the Midwest’s biggest ASCS events in 2016, has been revealed by officials with the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series.

Competitors will have to win the finale of the Arnold Motor Supply ASCS 360 Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway. Next, they’ll have to top the High Roller Classic at the Missouri State Fair Speedway. The final step: winning the final night of the Hockett/McMillin Memorial at the “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” at the Lucas Oil Speedway.

“We wanted to tie together three big events, that are easy for drivers to get to and with Knoxville announcing an increased payout, plus the High Roller going to $15,000 to win, and the Hockett/McMillin going to three days and $10,000 to win, they made the choice of events easy—plus, it just adds to the excitement that these events are already building,” said ASCS National Coordinator Matt Ward.

The Arnold Motor Supply ASCS 360 Knoxville Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway takes place August 4-6, 2016. More information on the Knoxville Raceway can be found online at http://www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

The High Roller Classic at the Missouri State Fair Speedway is slated for Sunday, August 21, 2016. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MISSOURISTATEFAIRSPEEDWAY/timeline.

The Hockett/McMillin Memorial at the Lucas Oil Speedway is scheduled for September 22-24, 2016. More information is online at http://www.lucasoilspeedway.com.

For continuous updates on the American Sprint Car Series, from the Regional tours to the National Tour, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.

The Extreme Pro Stock division will return to the Professional Drag Racers Association for five select events in 2016.

During Extreme Pro Stock’s one-year hiatus, racers, fans and staff felt the class’ absence and worked diligently to ensure it would once again be contested on the eighth-mile circuit.

“We are excited to welcome Extreme Pro Stock back,” said PDRA Race Director Bob Harris. “Last season we got many phone calls, emails and questions about its absence. It’s a fan favorite with a rich history and we are excited to make it a part of the PDRA show once again.”

Extreme Pro Stock will be contested at the PDRA events at Rockingham Dragway (April 8-10), Texas Motorplex (May 19-21), Maryland Int’l Raceway (July 14-16), GALOT Motorsports Park (Sept. 8-10), and Virginia Motorsports Park (Oct. 20-22).

“We made sure that the events we chose to run Extreme Pro Stock would not conflict with other events they may already have on their schedule for this season,” said Harris. “We have several racers who would like to run both series available to the class and we want to encourage that.”

One such racer who plans to run both PDRA and IHRA, John Montecalvo, applauds the PDRA for bringing the class back to eighth-mile racing.

“We’re looking forward to running with the PDRA again and visiting the great facilities on the schedule,” said Montecalvo. “The goal is to build up the class and get more participants over all. Running with the PDRA gives our type of cars another outlet in which to compete. We’re looking forward to growing the class.”

Extreme Pro Stock will begin as an eight car qualified field. The class will run for PDRA points and crown a World Champion at season’s end. Long-time Pro Stock proponent and co-owner of the Mountain Motor Mafia brand, Dave Roach, was instrumental in bringing Extreme Pro Stock back to PDRA.

“Many of the racers prefer the eighth-mile format,” told Roach, who also serves as Team Manager for Pro Stock competitor Dwayne Rice. “I think this is good for the PDRA and I think it’s good for our class. That’s obvious from the amount of people who have pulled behind it. Going forward, the class has to increase its following and fanbase. We want to educate the people and involve them. The fans want the experience. The Pro Stock class needs to be redirected and re-formated with that intention. There are a lot of Mountain Motor Pro Stock fans out there.”

Roach also feels there’s a strong possibility for a 16 car qualified field in the future as the class regains solidarity with the PDRA.

Along with a dozen or more of the country’s most avid Pro Stock racers, John Pluchino shares his enthusiasm for returning to the PDRA.

“We’re all very excited to go back to the PDRA. It’s a great organization. We have a lot of fun there. It’s run very professionally. We have a lot of good friends over there and we’re excited to get back to it,” said Pluchino.

A page of NASCAR history was made on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as six-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson tied seven-time champion and Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with his 76th career victory in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

Johnson led the final 45 laps of the event after a call by crew chief Chad Knaus to short-pit for tires with 49 to go, but had to survive an overtime restart after a blown tire sent Ryan Newman spinning with two laps to go in the scheduled distance and put race-long dominator Kevin Harvick to his outside.

Johnson, however, got a huge push from behind by Kyle Busch to get away from the pack and then received the aid of a caution after crossing the overtime line—for a crash involving Aric Almirola, Ryan Blaney, David Ragan and Landon Cassill—that froze the field and gave him the historic win.

“It is such an honor,” Johnson said of tying Earnhardt Sr. in victory lane. “With the chaos at the end and the crash and wondering how overtime worked, I (actually) lost sight of that (at first), but I remembered on my victory lap coming down that I could throw a “3” out the window and pay my respects to the man.”

“There’s a huge void in my career I never got to race with him, but at least I was able to tie his record there.”

Though Johnson ultimately scored his fifth Atlanta victory in the end, he recognized the sheer speed of race-long dominator Kevin Harvick, who led 131 of 330 laps but failed to come away with the spoils of victory.

“The 4 car was tough all day long, and it was going to take some strategy to get by him,” Johnson admitted. “It was definitely a gutsy call, but this win is a great team effort. When he (Knaus) told me to whip it as hard as I could there, I felt like I was going to take too much life out of the tires, but it worked in the end.”

The story of the race was long green flag runs, as the first 210 laps went uninterrupted and saw 18 lead changes between eight different drivers before debris on the backstretch slowed the pace.

In between, five sets of green flag pit stops tested drivers and saw the race’s early dominator—Joe Gibbs Racing’s Matt Kenseth, who led 47 of the first 115 laps—receive a crippling penalty for improper fueling by the gas man that ended his shot at victory.

The fueler, who by rule is not allowed to perform any function besides fueling when the gas can is engaged, laid a wedge wrench down on the rear decklid—sparking NASCAR’s ire and drawing the call at lap 117.

Kenseth stayed out for five laps under the black flag, finally coming to pit road after officials stopped scoring his No. 20 Dollar General Toyota. The 2003 Cup champion lost two laps during the exchange—one for the pass-through penalty and a second by virtue of not being scored by NASCAR—and finished 19th after never having a chance to regain those lost laps.

Following the caution, control of the lead position shifted back-and-forth between Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. over the next 65 laps. The most thrilling segment of the battle was from lap 256 to 262, in which the duo swapped the point four times between themselves in a span of seven laps.

ohnson, however, would change the game with Knaus’ short-pitting strategy when he ducked early to the pit lane with 49 laps to go. The Lowes Chevrolet dropped the hammer as Truex and Harvick stayed out until the 40 to go benchmark—emerging from the final cycle of green flag stops with a 13-second lead over a chasing Harvick.

That lead would start to evaporate as Harvick pushed his tires to the limit. 13 seconds became 10, and then eight. By the time the field hit 20 to go, the lead was six and a half seconds and began to stabilize. Johnson and crew’s gamble was paying off.

However, Newman’s spin – with one of the few in-run tire problems all day long – set up the race-deciding overtime restart. Johnson escaped off turn two with Kyle Busch in tow as Harvick spun the tires, then saw chaos erupt in his rear-view mirror as he headed for turn three.

Johnson flashed underneath the white flag as NASCAR waited to see whether all the cars involved in the backstretch crash would be able to pull away and finish, but when several were not, the caution flag came out and the field was frozen with Johnson in front.

His teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. was able to sneak through late and finish second, with the significance of the 48’s win not lost on him at all.

“I told him on a couple occasions that when he tied daddy, he’d better say something cool,” Junior said after the race. “(I said) he’d better tell them that it’s awesome for him to tie (Dale Sr.), because I know Jeff had the flag and all that, so it’s awesome when your competitors and peers recognize your father like that.”

“I knew this day was coming, but I didn’t know it until we got out of the car. I’m glad if he’s going to win and tie that record, I’m certainly glad that I got to run second today.”

Earnhardt Jr. also added that the new low-downforce package was “a blast” to drive with.

“I loved it. The fans probably thought it was boring, but we were sliding around and driving the hell out of those cars. … I had some good races there on the track with the 2, 18, and a bunch of guys there man it was so much fun. I’m glad we didn’t have a bunch of cautions today because sometimes those don’t show the true ability of the car.”

“Hated that we had a few of those cautions there, but at least they weren’t debris cautions. Those were legit ones today.”

Kyle Busch finished third after starting last due to a technical infraction in Friday’s post-qualifying inspection process, while brother and polesitter Kurt Busch was fourth. Three-time Atlanta winner Carl Edwards rounded out the top five.

Harvick faded to sixth at the checkered flag.

“We had issues about the last three runs. I had to start driving the car different and that just required a little bit different handling. Then we had a slow pit stop there (with 40 to go) and got way behind and the 48 was way out front and I had to drive the car really hard and got the right-rear burnt up,” Harvick said. “We just didn’t execute today.”

Truex, hometown rookie Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. rounded out the top 10 at the finish.

Sunday’s 210 lap opening run was the longest green flag run in Atlanta Motor Speedway history, and led to a near-record pace. The average speed of 155.863 mph was just a shade off of the all-time race speed record (under the current configuration) of 159.904 mph—set in Nov. 1997 by Bobby Labonte.