NASCAR announced the hiring of Jimmie Walker as the series director of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

Walker, from Midlothian, Virginia, brings more than 13 years of officiating experience from several NASCAR Whelen All-American Series-sanctioned tracks throughout the southeastern United States.

“We are very pleased to announce the hiring of Jimmie to this leadership position with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour,” said Brad Moran, NASCAR’s managing director of touring series. “We’re happy to bring on a new director that has a wealth of experience as a track official and technical inspector to our team of series directors at the NASCAR Research & Development Center.”

Prior to joining NASCAR as the Whelen Southern Modified Tour director, Walker served as race director since 2012 at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia. His previous roles at the historic oval include flagman and pit road official.

The 56 year-old Walker also contributed in special late model events at South Boston and Martinsville Speedways last season, and most recently he assisted in the running of the UNOH Battle at the Beach at Myrtle Beach Speedway in November.

The 11-race NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour 2016 schedule will get rolling on Saturday, March 12 at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, North Carolina.

Changes to the points structure and the qualifying process for the Daytona 500, plus the addition of an "overtime line" greeted NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams when the 2016 season kicked off over the weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

The changes were announced by the sanctioning body last Thursday, and two—the points structure revision and qualifying format—were adopted as a result of NASCAR's Charter system that was announced earlier last week.

Because Sprint Cup race fields going forward will consist of a maximum of 40 cars (36 Charter team cars and four Open team cars), the race winner will be awarded 40 points instead of the 43 that had been previously awarded. Second place will receive 39 points, third 38, etc., with 40th place receiving one point.

The total does not include bonus points awarded to the winner, or those awarded for leading the most laps or leading a single lap.

Likewise, the race points structure in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck series have also been re-configured based on a 40-car field for the XFINITY Series and a 32-truck field for the NCWTS. Last season, drivers in all three series earned 43 points, excluding bonus points, for finishing in first place regardless of the size of the field.

For the Daytona 500, which is scheduled for February 21 at 1 p.m. ET, the 36 Charter teams will be assigned a starting position based on either their qualifying effort or their result in one of the two Can-Am Duel races.

The remaining four positions will be awarded to Open teams attempting to qualify for the event.

The highest-finishing Open team in each Can-Am race will earn a starting spot in the 500. The two remaining Open positions will be determined based on Coors light Pole qualifying, if a team is not already a top finisher in one of the Duels.

As in the past, only the top two starting spots for the Daytona 500 are determined via qualifying. The starting lineup for the Can-Am Duel races will be based on qualifying results with the number of Charter and Open teams divided equally among the two fields.

If qualifying is canceled due to weather, the top two finishing Open teams in each Can-Am Duel will be awarded starting spots in the Daytona 500.

If both Duels are canceled due to weather, officials will use qualifying results to determine the four Open teams that would advance.

Should only the second Can-Am Duel be canceled due to weather, the highest finishing Open team from the first Duel would earn a starting berth, with the remaining three positions determined based on qualifying results.

Also, if no qualifying or Can-Am events are held, combined practice speeds will determine the lineup and the four Open teams; if there is no on-track activity whatsoever, 2015 owner points will be used to determine the Open teams making the 40-car field.

The final procedural change, which impacts NASCAR's green-white-checkered rule, dictates that a race may go beyond its scheduled distance only once if the race leader has advanced beyond an "overtime line."

In that instance, it will be considered a clean restart and any caution coming after that point would effectively conclude the event. Cars would proceed to the start/finish line under caution and be scored accordingly.

The location of the line will vary by track, according to officials.

After taking the green flag, if a caution flag appears before the leader has reached the overtime line, the restart will be waved off and another attempt will be made. If necessary, multiple attempts will be made until a clean restart is achieved.

The overtime line will be in effect for all three national series.

IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) and The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced several long-term agreements with multiple individuals and their respective companies to assist with the reorganization and future growth of the IHRA and IRGSE properties. These announcements come on the heels of the appointment of Mike Dunn as the new IHRA President.

IRGSE, a TPG portfolio company, recruited highly notable and accomplished motorsports and automotive manufacturer professionals Rod Campbell and John Coletti via their Automotive Performance Partners to lead the newly developed IHRA Manufacturer's Council. The creation of a Manufacturer's Council marks the first time in IHRA history that a specific working group has been developed by professionals from the major automotive manufacturers with experience across many OEM's and global engine platforms. The group just conducted their first of several major off-site meetings at new IRGSE partner; the Jupiter, Florida-based PGA Resort and Spa the week of the 10th.

Rod Campbell and John Coletti from Automotive Performance Partners, bring almost 100 years of automotive experience between them. They have been appointed to oversee the newly formed Manufacturer's Council for the IHRA. The duo will take the lead on the development of the highly anticipated Dragster 1: D1 and oversee the project.

Campbell has spent 50 years in the automotive world as a marketer and creator of niche vehicles, motorsports and related business. His career included stints in automotive publishing, radio and television, and as leading public relations executive serving racing greats Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss. Campbell was the founder of Detroit based Campbell & Co. and also founder of California's RWB LLC in Torrance, California. Mr. Coletti's extensive background includes 45 years of experience in the automotive industry working with such companies as EcoMotors International, and Ford Company where he is credited with leading the team that saved the Mustang from extinction in 1994 and led the team that brought the 2004 Ford GT supercar to market in a short 26 months.

The IHRA also appointed Suzy DaSilva with Los Angeles-based Competitive Edge Media and Marketing to assist all IHRA membership tracks and future partners with media planning and strategic communications. This marks the first time that the IHRA has made this available to all 98 member tracks to utilize their strength in collective media buying and assist their regional advertising planning across every form of media including digital. CEMM plans and executes all traditional media, sponsorship's, events and digital/social communications. Mrs. DaSilva brings 20 years of experience with her and offers CEMM's services to IRGSE, IHRA and all IHRA Member Tracks.

Finally, the IHRA appointed Business Marketing Communications "Industry-Thought- Leader", Joe Favorito, to assist and consult all matters of strategic corporate communications. Favorito has been added to support the existing IRGSE and IHRA communications team led by IRGSE Director of Corporate Communications Shayna Keller and help with the restructuring of the department to be more proactive with non-traditional business media. Favorito has 30 years of experience and has managed the day-to-day activities in strategic communications for NBA's New York Knickerbockers, Philadelphia 76ers, The WTA Tour, The United States Tennis Association and much more.

Chris Lencheski, IRGSE Vice Chairman of the Board of Managers and CEO stated, "These additional appointments and assignments are just a few of the early tactical transformation strategies being employed now to assist the 2016 "gateway" year through the beginning of the 2017-2020 master plan. The IRGSE ecosystem of Membership Tracks, IHRA Team Owners, Racers and IHRA Sponsors had addressed these items with myself and our IRGSE board when we requested their opinions on what a future sanctioning body should be offering its collective members as benefits of their participation and relationship." Lencheski added, "There will be additional announcements over the next several weeks and months on human talent, media advisory to assist our global TV and digital planning and of course additional development of the Dragster 1: D1 strategy."

The 2016 IHRA season kicked off two weeks ago to record breaking participation numbers at the Summit Pro-Am Tour at Immokalee Regional Raceway and the Summit Pro-Am Tour at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The IHRA Drag Racing National Series kicks off March 4 - 6 at Orlando Speed World Dragway with the AMSOIL Nitro Nationals. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit IHRA.com or IHRADRS.com

Mazda announced the 2016 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires schedule, following the series’ tradition of racing at iconic race tracks on major race weekends. The 2016 schedule includes one new venue and the return of a driver and fan favorite circuit. Each of the six weekends will be a doubleheader, making for a 12-race championship.

The MX-5 Cup is the signature spec series for the Mazda Road to 24, the sports car counterpart to the Mazda Road to Indy. On both paths, Mazda-powered champions earn a Mazda scholarship to advance their career. The MX-5 Cup champion earns a $200,000 scholarship.

The 2016 season will feature the all-new fourth generation Mazda MX-5 Miata. For the first time, Mazda has commissioned complete turnkey racecars ensuring all cars are as close to identical as possible, all to ensure the best drivers rise to the top. The first orders for the new race car were accepted starting on October 1, 2015 and within the first 36 hours after the announcement, more than 40 racers placed $10,000 deposits for the $53,000 race car.  More than 80 deposits have been accepted, and nearly 100 cars have been spoken for. Information on the car is online at www.mazdamotorsports.com    

The 2016 season will kick off at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the IMSA WeatherTech weekend at the end of April. Mazda Raceway has hosted at least one MX-5 Cup race every year since the 2006 season opener.

New for 2016 is a visit to historic Watkins Glen International Raceway, where the MX-5 Cup teams will be sharing the May 13-15 weekend with Trans Am.

Next, the teams will travel to Road America to headline the SCCA June Sprints weekend. This weekend could also see crossover from club racing to the MX-5 Cup series, as the new MX-5 Cup race car has been approved for the Touring 3 class in SCCA Club Racing.

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will host the annual north-of-the-border trip in July.

August will see the teams return to VIRginia International Raceway for the first time since 2012. VIR is both a racer and fan favorite.

The season will conclude at Road Atlanta during the Petit Le Mans weekend. Road Atlanta has hosted the MX-5 Cup finale each year since 2011.

Rounds, Date, Venue, Racing with

1-2, April 28 – May 1, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, IMSA

3-4, May 13-15, Watkins Glen International Raceway, Trans Am

5-6, June 17-19, Road America, SCCA

7-8, July 8-10, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, IMSA

9-10,     August 26-28, VIRginia International Raceway, IMSA

11-12, Sept 28-30, Road Atlanta, IMSA


During the previous generation of the MX-5 Cup, the series visited 20 different tracks over 10 years for a total of 100 races.

The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association announced its first All-America Team following the 1970 season. That annual tradition continued with the team being announced for 2015's top performers.
 
A group of special drivers representing multiple forms of professional motorsports is elected each year by AARWBA. The association's members vote on drivers within their participating categories of racing. The driver receiving the most votes from each discipline is elected to the All-America Team.
 
The 2015 All-America Team:
 
Scott Dixon was the top vote getter in the Open Wheel division. Dixon claimed the Verizon Indycar Series Championship driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. He clinched the crown with a victory at the season finale in Sonoma.
 
Road Racing saw the driving team of Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi, earn the most votes on the strength of their United SportsCar Championship with Action Express Racing. The team scored a pair of wins at Sebring and Road Atlanta during the 2015 campaign.
 
World of Outlaws Sprint Car kingpin Donny Schatz led the vote tally in the Short Track Division. Schatz's 31 wins, 60 top-fives and 70 top-tens highlighted his championship year. Schatz's title was his seventh crown in the last ten seasons.
 
Schatz is also recognized as the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy winner for the driver having the most overall votes.
 
Kyle Busch led the way in the Stock Car category. Busch claimed his first-career NASCAR Sprint Cup championship after missing the season's first 11 events due to an injury suffered in the Daytona Xfinity Series event. He capped off the year by winning the title and the final race in Miami.

The Drag Racing category was led by Erica Enders who won her second straight NHRA Pro Stock championship. Enders scored the Las Vegas Toyota Nationals win in November and clinched her title with one event remaining in the season.
 
In the Touring Series, NASCAR Truck Series Champion Erik Jones earned the most votes. He won three races at Iowa, Bowmanville Canada, and Ft. Worth, TX.

Indy Lights champ Spencer Pigot was the At Large category's top vote earner. He swept the series' final two races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and won a scholarship to compete in the 100th Indianapolis 500 for 2016.
 
Rico Abreu was voted the Rising Star award on the strength of multiple open wheel dirt short track victories including back-to-back Chili Bowl wins. Abreu will compete full-time in the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Thorsport Racing.
 
The country's top forms of professional motorsports are represented in this championship group voted on by AARWBA as the 2015 All-America Team.

The EXR Racing Series announces a schedule of 16 races for its inaugural season, with competition set to take place over eight weekends at some of the most iconic motorsport facilities in the United States.
 
The schedule for the new arrive-and-drive series includes highlight stops at Circuit of the Americas, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway.

"We selected only the best venues where drivers could be guaranteed a great experience both on and off the track," said series co-founder Romain Thievin. "It's going to be an incredible season of racing with the EXR Racing Series."
 
The new series, first announced late in 2015, offers accessible arrive-and-drive racing in the brand new EXR LV02 race car. Competition takes the form of either short and fast Sprints or Endurance races lasting between two and six hours.
 
"Our original vision was to run our first season on our home tracks in Las Vegas and Los Angeles but, as we heard from more drivers that they wanted to race their favorite tracks, we accelerated our plan to travel the series," said Thievin.
 
The objective of the EXR Racing Series is to make motorsport accessible to anyone who has shared the dream of becoming a racing driver. Drivers can opt to run one race, the whole season, or test the car either on the permanent Exotics Racing Los Angeles track or at special EXR Racing Series track days held at select venues throughout the season.
 
The EXR Racing Series provides every driver in the field with a full complement of the best equipment and any training needed to get started, including a licensing program. The brand new fleet of EXR LV02 cars, purpose-built tracks, excellent trackside facilities, personalized coaching and skilled technicians are all supplied. Arrive-and-drive weekend experiences are available for $9,990 for two full races. Vehicles are also available for purchase from the EXR Racing Series, with service packages designed to simplify the racing experience and maximize the fun factor.
 
To secure the best racing venues, the series is working with Speed Ventures, a motorsport group operating out of California that has been organizing track events since 2001.
 
"We are very pleased to host the EXR Racing Series. They are offering one-of-a-kind arrive-and-drive competitions that will give road races unprecedented opportunities in 2016. I urge developing and experienced racers alike to consider participation. We look forward to an exciting year with EXR Racing Series," said Aaron Bitterman, CEO of Speed Ventures.
 
The EXR LV02 is a lightweight, rear-wheel drive machine that is as easy and fun to drive as it is rewarding for novices and pros. The car is a proven performer in Europe's MitJet Series. It features a sedan-style body over a tube-frame chassis, a six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shift, and an enviable power-to-weight ratio. The next-level racing car, the more powerful EXR LV03, features a V6 engine, more horsepower and slick tires. It is also available for testing, with a dedicated series planned for 2017.
 
"We searched around the world for the best car for our series and are excited to introduce the EXR LV02 to the U.S. market," said series co-founder David Perisset. "This is a race car that has a very strong history with MitJet, one of the most successful series in Europe over the past decade, and we know people are going to enjoy racing it here in the United States."
 
It is expected that the series will attract entrants ranging from gentlemen racers and professional drivers looking for a new challenge, to motorsport newcomers. By providing support to drivers of all skill and experience levels at every step of their careers, the series also hopes to offer a venue for beginning drivers looking to climb the ladder to the professional ranks.

"Young drivers who want to build their skills as racers will find everything they need right here in the EXR Racing Series," said Thievin.
 
As part of the series' commitment to uncovering new talent, organizers are giving away a fully funded 2017 season to a driver who proves their skill. Novices participating in EXR LV02 test sessions are invited to submit their best laps to the EXR Racing Series leaderboard. The fastest drivers will be invited to a year-end shootout where they will have the chance to compete for the full-season scholarship.
 
In addition, the winner of the 2016 EXR Racing Series is awarded a funded 2017 season in the more powerful cousin of the EXR LV02, the EXR LV03.
 
The series culminates in an exciting Las Vegas Superfinal four-day event at the end of the season where racers from a wide variety of competition backgrounds will battle it out for cash and prizes.
 
EXR Racing Series 2016 Schedule*

April 29-30, May 1 / Circuit Of The Americas / Austin, Texas
May 20-22 / Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca / Salinas, California
June 11-12 / Auto Club Speedway at Fontana Roval / Fontana, California
July 16-17 / Sonoma Raceway / Sonoma, California
August 5-7 / Utah / NASA Utah
September 17-18 / Buttonwillow Raceway Park / Buttonwillow, California
October 1-2 / Auto Club Speedway at Fontana Roval / Fontana, Californa
November 11-13 / Las Vegas, Nevada


*subject to change

Baer Brake Systems, an international performance brake manufacturer, is announced the addition of Mark Fowler in Technical Sales. Fowler has over 15 years of sales in the performance aftermarket, and has been involved in motorsports for over 20 years.

Fowler has established himself in the industry with his keen ability to merge relationships with vendors and customers.

Baer representatives said that the company is fortunate to have Fowler, and they are looking forward to a great future with him.

For additional information or to set up a dealer account, you may contact Mark Fowler at 602-233-1411 ext 7012 or email MarkF@Baer.com.

Series officials announced VP Racing Fuels will be the Official Fuel of the Ultimate Super Late Model Series as part of a multi-year agreement beginning in 2016. With the sponsorship, VP will be the preferred fuel for USLMS racers and will benefit from substantial brand exposure at race venues and on the series’ digital and social media platforms.

“I could not be more excited about VP being a partner of the series not only now, but well into the future. The VP brand exudes quality which is the exact same thing we hope to bring to our fans at each and every ULTIMATE event," said Stan Lester, president of the series. “The staff at VP has been very cooperative in designing this agreement and together I see a long future ahead as partners.”
 
“With talented drivers and exciting races, the Ultimate Super Late Model Series has enjoyed robust growth since its inception and it’s a great platform for our brand,” said Chris Wall, VP’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Not only will we be able to promote the consistency and superior performance of VP’s fuels to drivers on the track but we can raise awareness among series race fans for our newest product lines, including ethanol-free VP Small Engine Fuel for two- and four-cycle outdoor power equipment and VP Madditives for gas and diesel engines.”
 
Technical questions about fuel selection and tuning can be directed to VP’s Tech Support staff at 302-521-1767 or ovaltracktech@vpracingfuels.com. More information about VP products is available online at VPRacingFuels.com.


 

 

DEI, in support of grassroots motorsports and local, regional and national project builds, offers both racers and builders the opportunity to become a member of TEAM DEI. Team DEI is open to racers of any series from drag to road racing, dirt or oval, to receive support in exchange for promotion of DEI on and off the track.

Each month, a racer or project builder will be selected to be featured through DEI’s website and social media as the featured vehicle of the month. To be sponsored and participate in TEAM DEI, simply fill out the online form at www.designengineering.com, or download the application as a PDF and fax to 440-930-7967.

DEI staff will review and determine eligibility based on the information submitted on the application form. The form requests information such as the type of events entered, year of vehicle, class (racing or show), make and model, in addition to other details about the vehicle and sponsor information. Event updates and vehicle images are required from the participants to be considered. Once accepted, updates of shows and race events can be submitted online.

Each sponsored racer or builder will receive DEI decals, a TEAM DEI tee shirt and hat. To receive sponsorship, participants must also sign an authorization to allow DEI to use the person’s name and image for future promotion.

This month’s TEAM DEI featured vehicle is Joe Cram’s 2006 Mustang GT Saleen featured in Race Pages Magazine.

For more information about DEI’s race sponsorship program, or DEI products, visit www.DesignEngineering.com, call DEI at 800-264-9472, or e-mail: Sales@DesignEngineering.com.

A well-known announcer is returning as “The Voice” of the PDRA. Al Tucci has one of the longest running commentator careers in drag racing with his own unique style of entertainment. After a one-year hiatus from the PDRA, Tucci will join the 2016 tour at each event.

Tucci joins Carl Robinson and Lee Sebring to cover events from the tower, the top end, and in the pits. The PDRA will also continue its coverage through the Live Feed by Motor Mania TV.

Years ago, Tucci got his start announcing for track operators Broadway Bob and Jim Ledford, and has announced both in the US and internationally. In 2015, Tucci continued his presence at major radial tire events, including the Radial Tire Racing Association, as well as other high profile drag racing events.

Tucci can be heard over the PDRA Public Address and Motor Mania Live Feed beginning at the Series Opener at Tulsa Raceway Park, March 11-12. The Live Feed will continue to provide the Quarter-Max Starting Line and Top End Zones online, among other features.