NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious late model stock car race, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 on October 4 at Martinsville Speedway, will have a new format in 2015.

After years of stopping the feature race at half-way and again with 10 laps to go, the race will only stop once, at lap 150, setting up a 50 lap shootout to the finish, Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell announced Monday.

“With the level of competition being tight, lately the restarts with 10 to go have caused a lot of problems and torn up race cars,” Campbell said. “Now that the drivers will have the final 50 laps to settle who’s best, I’m sure we’ll see an exciting race to the checkers.

“I won’t be surprised to see numerous cautions in the last few laps, but it will be because of the aggression of the drivers wanting so badly to win this prestigious event.”

Longtime sponsor of the halfway award, Clarence’s Steakhouse, will now sponsor an end-of-the-race award given to the winner.

The day starts with four 20 lap heat races to set the field, a 20 lap last chance race and then the 200 lap feature race.

Joe Gibbs Racing launched its new interactive pit crew competition app, Pit Road with Pals, on Wednesday.

The new version of the popular pit stop game is now available for download on all Apple and Android devices.

Pit Road With Pals App is a free app and provides fans the opportunity to test their skills in all facets of a pit stop. New to this version is the opportunity to play with friends in a best-of-three round competition style similar to many popular word games.

CJB Motorsports has announced that the team will partner with Mainstream Holdings in 2016 and the Big Game Treestands brand will serve as the primary partner for the No. 1 sprint car driven by Sammy Swindell.

“From the very beginning when my wife Jenn and I started CJB Motorsports, we had the dream to build a world class organization,” said team owner Chad Clemens. “As we welcome Tod Quiring and Mainstream Holdings into our team, I firmly believe that they will play a large role in our continued pursuit of that dream. Tod is an ardent supporter of sprint car racing and that is clear by his involvement with Danny Lasoski, Dale Blaney, the National Sprint Tour and more. He also has a very rich history with Sammy Swindell. They’ve won several major races together like the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway and the Morgan Hughes National Open at Williams Grove Speedway.

“Our entire program is the strongest that it has ever been between the No. 51 and No. 1 machines. Paul McMahan has proven that we’re a World of Outlaws championship contending team. Sammy has been lightening quick every time he has hit the track so far. Barry Jackson and the crew have put together some of the best cars anywhere in sprint car racing. This new partnership with Tod and Mainstream Holdings will push the bar even higher.”

Quiring and the Mainstream Holdings organization fields the No. 2 for Danny Lasoski in the Midwest and the No. 1 for Dale Blaney in the Ohio region. Lasoski currently leads the FVP National Sprint League standings while Blaney leads the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions standings.

“Mainstream Holdings is looking forward to partnering with CJB Motorsports for 2016,” said Quiring, owner of Mainstream Holdings. “Our plan is to market our Big Game Treestands brand through both of the CJB Motorsports teams. We have a great past history with Sammy and we are looking forward to this new partnership.”

Swindell, a native of Germantown, Tennessee, is a revered legend in the sprint car ranks. After taking some time to step back, the veteran, who currently sits second on the all-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series wins list, has returned to compete in a limited capacity. In nine starts with CJB Motorsports, Swindell has five top-fives, six top-10’s and one quick time award.

“This is honestly a dream come true type of deal for me,” said Swindell. “I don’t have any interest in running a full time deal or running my own team. I’m able to show up, drive and make this team better. At this stage in my career, that’s what I want to do. I’ve had a great relationship with Tod over the years and we know how each other likes to work. That will be nice to have as we continue on with CJB. Chad and this team have some very fast race cars. We’ve run in the top-5 pretty much every time we’ve hit the track so far this year. Barry (Jackson) and I are already talking about somethings we can try for next year. We’ve made a few small changes so far and it’s seemed to have helped a bit. Our main focus is to go out and win the big races. With what we’ve assembled for next year, I feel like we will be over prepared, which is never a bad thing.”

Barry Jackson, crew chief for the organization is equally excited to continue the partnership.

“Since Sammy has started with us, he has been extremely fast,” said Jackson, a Carlisle, Pennsylvania native. “He brings an awful lot to the table from an experience and know-how stand point. Having him here has helped our #51 program, which was already extremely good. His professionalism is second to none and that’s something we pride ourselves on a lot here at CJB Motorsports. I really am looking forward to continuing this relationship with him and expanding it with this partnership. Tod is a great supporter of sprint car racing and it means an awful lot to us to have him associated with CJB Motorsports.”

Veteran Verizon IndyCar Series driver Justin Wilson has died from injuries suffered in a crash during Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.

IndyCar CEO Mark Miles made the announcement Monday night at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“On behalf of the Wilson family, it is with profound sadness that we announce that Justin Wilson died this evening at Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as a result of the head injury he sustained yesterday at the Pocono Raceway,” Miles said. “He passed away in the company of his family, his brother Stefan, his wonderful wife Julia and his parents, Keith and Lynn. Justin’s elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility, which made him one of the most respected members of the paddock.

“As we know the racing industry is one big family and the focus now is rallying around Justin’s family to insure they get the support that they need during this difficult time,” Miles said. “Anyone who follows our sport knows Justin is one of the most well respected, highly regarded and liked people in the entire paddock. He will be missed.”

Ed Carpenter, a team owner and fellow driver, was on hand during the announcement at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and offered his condolences to Wilson’s family.

“Days like this are extremely hard on all of us and I just want to offer our sincere condolences to Justin’s family, to his parents and especially Julia, Jane and Jess and Stefan,” Carpenter said. “Obviously Justin was a great professional driver and extremely good at his craft. Beyond that, he was a great guy. One of the few, if only, guy that was a friend among everyone in the paddock and competitors and that everyone respected for the way that he carried himself.

“For me, for what Justin has gone through the past couple of years and how hard he worked to get back into the car this season and the opportunity he had with Andretti (Autosport), I think he exemplified the reason we all love doing this,” Carpenter continued. “He fought so hard to get back. As challenging as today is and yesterday was, he was doing what he loved to do and what we all loved to do and why we’ll be back competing in his honor in the near future.”

Wilson’s family also released a statement Monday night.

“Justin was a loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers,” the statement read. “The family would like to thank the staff at the Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital, Pocono Raceway, Andretti Autosport and the Verizon IndyCar Series as well as the entire racing community for the amazing outpouring of support from fans around the world.”

Wilson, 36, was involved in a crash with Sage Karam with 21 laps to go in Sunday’s ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Karam lost control of his car coming out of the exit of turn one and slammed hard into the outside wall while leading the race.

Wilson drove into the debris field left by Karam’s crashed car and it appeared that part of the nose that had broken loose off Karam’s Chevrolet hit Wilson, rendering him unconscious and sending his car out of control into the inside wall.

Wilson was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pa., where he died Monday evening.

A native of Sheffield, England, Wilson recorded seven Indy car victories and eight poles in 174 races. He led 711 laps, including two on Sunday.

He competed in Formula One in 2003 with Minardi and Jaguar, and his initial Formula One points were scored that year in the U.S. Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He co-drove a Michael Shank Racing sports car entry to the overall victory in the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2012.

Wilson was considered one of the most talented drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series because he is competitive on all types of circuits. In 2009, he drove under-funded Dale Coyne Racing to its first-ever victory when Wilson won at Watkins Glen International. In 2012, he drove Dale Coyne Racing’s Honda to another win in the Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Wilson was able to get the most out of his race car and that is why he was a competitive force even on smaller teams. His goal was to get a full-time ride at Andretti Autosport—the top Honda team in IndyCar—because he believed it would be his best chance at winning the Indianapolis 500 and a Verizon IndyCar Series championship.

Instead, he had to settle for part-time duty in an effort partially funded by Honda. He started and finished in 18th position in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, started sixth and finished 21st in the 99th Indianapolis 500.

Wilson finished second to Graham Rahal in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 2.

Wilson is survived by his wife, Julia, and two daughters. His younger brother Stefan is an accomplished race car driver who has competed in the Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up for Wilson children. Donations may be sent to: Wilson Children’s Fund, c/o IndyCar, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222.

NASCAR, which has had an office in New York City since the 1990s, has completed a new lease agreement to move into new space just a block away from its current location. The new location keeps NASCAR in close proximity to important industry marketing and media partners and the chance to streamline and customize the office for its needs.
 
“We will be moving to a much more efficient and effective space for our current and long term needs in New York,” said NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Brent Dewar. “We are very pleased with the location, amenities and very significant cost savings we’ll achieve over the term of the agreement. Our New York office is important not only to NASCAR, but to the entire industry. It is important we have a strong presence in the financial and marketing capital of the world.”
 
NASCAR expects to complete the move in the spring of 2016.

LA Car announced that seasoned journalist, publicist, and one-time race car driver Doug Stokes is its new editor.
 
The former International Kart Federation executive director, MPG MilePost editor, and Mickey Thompson, LA Grand Prix, Honda, Suzuki, GM and Perris Auto Speedway publicist will take the helm of the Southern California publication on September 1, 2015.
 
Stokes, who currently serves as a board director for the Motor Press Guild, has been writing for LA Car as its Editor-at-Large. He's the proprietor for stokescommunications, and serves as the Vice President of Communications for Team 211 Entertainment-the driving force behind Irwindale Speedway. LA Car/LACar.com syndicates automotive articles to print and internet media sources. 

"Doug has an extraordinary understanding of the region's car culture," said publisher Roy Nakano. "Doug's wit and insight shine brightly in his writings," says Automotive Design Organization Executive Director John Grafman, who also serves as a senior editor for LA Car. In 2005 Stokes was the recipient of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's Jim Chapman Award.

The greatest driver in the history of the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix, Mesa, Arizona’s Ron Shuman, has been named grand marshal of the historic running of the 75th edition of the race at Perris Auto Speedway on Thanksgiving Night. The race will match the Honda USAC National and Western Midgets.

The announcement was made to an appreciative crowd last Saturday night when infield announcer Chris Holt interviewed Shuman at the USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at the famous Riverside County racing facility. About an hour earlier promoter Don Kazarian asked Shuman if he would be grand marshal while he was signing autographs in the track sports bar and the racing legend gladly accepted.

“Some of the greatest drivers in racing history have won the Turkey Night Grand Prix including A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Tony Stewart, Bill Vukovich and Kyle Larson just to name a few,” Kazarian said. “However, no driver with the exception of Ron Shuman has won it more than three times and he won it an amazing eight times. And, if it had not been for a flat tire on a last lap, he would have won it nine times. To show how impressive he was at Turkey Night, you can take all of the other drivers who won it and you cannot combine three of them to get as many wins as Ron Shuman had.”

Shuman won his first ever Turkey Night Grand Prix at J.C. Agajanian’s legendary Ascot Park in Gardena in 1979. He then proceeded to win the next three years after that as well. After a one-year hiatus from victory circle on Thanksgiving in 1983, Shuman again won at Ascot in 1984. His last win in the race at Ascot came in 1987. After Ascot closed in 1990, the Turkey Night Grand Prix hit the road at a number of different tracks and Shuman visited victory at Bakersfield in 1992 and 1993.

When Shuman presides over the Turkey Night Grand Prix on Thanksgiving, it will mark the fourth straight year the race has been back on dirt at The PAS after 13 successive years on the pavement at Irwindale. Kyle Larson, Dave Darland and Christopher Bell have won the races at The PAS since 2012. The first time the race was ever staged at The PAS in 1996, Billy Boat scored his second of three Turkey Night Grand Prix wins. With the exception of Shuman, he is the only other driver to have won the holiday classic more than two-times.

Advance tickets for the historic 75th Turkey Night Grand Prix are available 24-hours a day online at the following link http://pas.tix.com/Schedule.aspx?OrgNum=7 or by calling 1-800-595-4849.

Holley has announced that Holley EFI has been selected by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to power all Pro Stock teams starting in 2016. Holley EFI will be controlling both the fuel injection and ignition in these vehicles.

NHRA made the announcement official last month, and Pro Stock’s transition to electronic fuel injection is one of several changes the NHRA is making in an effort to make the class more relevant from a technology standpoint, increase spectator appeal, and enhance the overall pit experience for fans of the 200-mph factory hot rod class.
 
“Holley has proven success in providing spec EFI systems in other forms of motorsports,” said Tim White, director of engineering at NHRA. "They will also provide a high level of technical support to the Pro Stock teams during the transition and into the future."

The Holley system that the NHRA Pro Stock teams will use is the same system that can be found on GM’s successful COPO Camaro factory drag race car, ARCA stock cars that are running the new ARCA/Ilmor 396 engine, as well as on thousands of sportsman race cars, off-road trucks, and others around the world. It is virtually the same system that can be purchased by any racer or automotive enthusiast for their vehicle.

“We are extremely gratified to have Holley EFI selected to power the best of the best drag race cars in the world. We’ve worked very hard to make Holley EFI products capable, robust, easy to use, and cost effective.  We continue to have great success in a wide variety of motorsports with our EFI and having it selected by the NHRA for use in Pro Stock further demonstrates the capability of our systems,” said Tom Tomlinson, President and CEO of Holley, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
 
Teams will have the remainder of 2015 to prepare and make the switch to be ready for the first race of the year in February 2016.

“The change in NHRA Pro Stock from carburetors to EFI is exciting,” said Robin Lawrence, Holley’s EFI Technical Sales and Motorsports Manager. “Holley has strong working relationships with many of the Pro Stock teams through our carburetor program, but now we are glad to be working closely with all of the teams. They are some of the most technically advanced race teams in the world, so making the switch to EFI will be no problem. With features like the ability to tune fuel and timing per cylinder and per gear the teams will be able to optimize their combinations in ways previously not possible with carburetors.”  

Bahrain based Mrk1 Consulting announced that it has signed an operational consultancy agreement with the promoter of the Baku Grand Prix (BGP).

“Mrk1 Consulting has an enviable reputation for operating the newest and best tracks in the world to the highest standards. We are thrilled to be working with Mrk1 Consulting and that they will be embedded into the BGP team and work closely with us to deliver the newest race on the F1 calendar next year,” said Arif Rahimov, Baku GP CEO.

The Baku European Grand Prix will be the first Formula One street circuit since the introduction of Singapore in 2008. The 6km, anticlockwise city circuit in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will start in Azadliq Square, looping around Government House before heading west and going as far as the Old City of Baku with its uniquely historic buildings, which make an incredible backdrop. The track then comes back along the beautiful Baku Boulevard on edge of the Caspian Sea.

Mark Hughes, Mrk1 Consulting founder and managing director said, “This is a stunning city and a truly unique environment in which to run a Grand Prix. I am extremely excited to be an integral part of the Baku Grand Prix team and play a role in bringing Formula One to Azerbaijan next year.”

Mrk1 Consulting is a motorsport venue and race consultancy based in the Kingdom of Bahrain with other clients in China, Thailand, Russia, Italy, Austria, the UK and the US.

Toyota’s impending move of its U.S. headquarters from California to Texas won’t affect its long-running title sponsorship deal with the Grand Prix of Long Beach, as the two groups recently reached a multiyear extension.



The deal, set to be announced this week, extends a title sponsorship that began in 1980, continuing one of the longest-running title sponsorships in sports. Toyota has been involved in some capacity for every year of the race’s running, dating to 1975.

The precise length of the multiyear deal is not being disclosed, according to Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach. Michaelian declined to disclose financial details, but a source valued the deal at between $1 million and $1.5 million annually.



Toyota’s side of the deal is represented by Toyota Motor Sales USA and the Southern California Toyota Dealers Association.


Toyota, which is moving the vast majority of its U.S.-based headquarters from Torrance, California—near Long Beach—to Plano, Texas, will continue to receive assets including signage, hospitality and activation space. It also will continue to provide the cars for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, an ancillary event held during the weekend that features celebrities racing FR-S models from Toyota brand Scion.



The company’s extension comes despite the absence of Toyota from the Verizon IndyCar Series, of which the Grand Prix of Long Beach is a part. Chevrolet and Honda are the series’ sole manufacturers. 



Denise Morrissey, Toyota Motor Sales’ marketing communications manager of motorsports and engagement, said Toyota still anticipates numerous benefits from the partnership because it gives local dealers an asset to leverage and holds a large hospitality gathering during the event. Southern California is one of the company’s key sales markets.



“It’s one of the most popular, dynamic events in Southern California—and it’s a well-known street race, one of the only street races,” Morrissey said. “More significantly, it’s in Toyota’s backyard.”



The dealers’ association has seen benefits through offering special deals associated with the event. For example, last year the association’s dealerships ran a program in which drivers who brought their cars in for service costing about $80 got two race tickets valued at $235. That promotion drew significant redemption numbers, Michaelian said.



The race, which has seen big three-day crowds in recent years, including 181,000 last year, benefits from having “date equity,” Michaelian said. The event has been held in April every year since the 1970s. 



The importance of consistency can be seen in the fallout over IndyCar’s decision to drop Auto Club Speedway from the 2016 schedule after the constantly changing race date in recent years led to small fan turnouts.



Michaelian, who has been with the event since its formation, takes particular pride in the fact that the association has continued despite at least seven to eight executive-leadership changes at Toyota over the duration of the deal.



“To see it go from one management team to the next to the next to the next, and for them to still recognize the value of this partnership with this event and this city,” Michaelian said. “I think it says a lot.”