The 35th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship Presented by NAPA Auto Parts is set for Oct. 16-17 at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event will have a new format.

This year’s record setting, $100,000-to-win event will feature the popular passing points format. Drivers will compete in two rounds of qualifying heat races, with the passing points total from both rounds determining the B-Main and Feature line-ups.

The activities will get underway on Thursday, October 15, with preliminary events for the Modified division. On Friday, October 16, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for Hot Laps and two rounds of qualifying Heat Races. Saturday night’s program will include: Late Model B-Mains, the $4000-to-win Modified feature, the $3000-to-win DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier race, and the 100-lap, $100,000-to-win Dirt Track World Championship main event.

Twenty-one sprint car drivers, including eleven Americans and ten Australians, have entered the 22nd annual SPEED SPORT Knoxville World Challenge to be held this Friday, August 14, during the 55th annual FVP Knoxville Nationals.

Amongst the entrants are former Knoxville World Challenge winners Randy Hannagan (1999), Daryn Pittman (2004, ’05, ’14), Brooke Tatnell (2006, ’13), Kerry Madsen (2008), Lynton Jeffrey (2009), and Lucas Wolfe (2011).  The entries for the $10,000-to-win, SPEED SPORT-sponsored race are as follows:

1z Lucas Wolfe – Mechanicsburg, Pa., USA

3 Tim Kaeding – San Jose, Calif., USA

3G James McFadden – Brisbane, QLD, Australia

7s Jason Sides – Bartlett, Tenn., USA

9 Daryn Pittman – Owasso, Okla., USA

11K Kraig Kinser – Bloomington, Ind., USA

11N Randy Hannagan – Pittsboro, Ind., USA

12 Lynton Jeffrey – Sydney, NSW, Australia

13x Jac Haudenschild – Wooster, Ohio, USA

18 Ian Madsen – St. Marys, NSW, Australia

21AU Garry Brazier – Sydney, NSW, Australia

24 Terry McCarl – Pleasant Hill, Iowa, USA

29 Kerry Madsen – St. Marys, NSW, Australia

35AU Jamie Veal – Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia

49 Brad Sweet – Grass Valley, Calif., USA

55 Brooke Tatnell – Sans Souci, NSW, Australia

67 Christopher Bell – Norman, Okla., USA

75 Glenn Saville – Razorback, NSW, Australia

84 Scott Bogucki – McLaren Vale, SA, Australia

93 Sheldon Haudenschild – Wooster, Ohio, USA

96AU Bruce White – Merrylands West, NSW, Australia

Americans qualified for the event by participating in specific sprint car events last winter in New Zealand and/or Australia.  International drivers qualified by coming over and participating in the FVP Knoxville Nationals in Iowa.  The starting line-up for the 20-lap SPEED SPORT Knoxville World Challenge will feature the first 14 cars inverted based on points, provided that they are in the top 106 in points after both qualifying programs (Wednesday, Thursday).

Since the start of the event in 1994, ninety-one (91) drivers have won a total of $604,340 in the Knoxville World Challenge, with thirteen Americans and eight Australians being victorious.  No Canadian nor New Zealander has ever won the event.

The Lime Rock Park Historic Festival 33 Chairman Murray Smith has scored a coup by securing yet another historic Mercedes competition car to join the five already confirmed; he’s arranged for one of the very few remaining 1928-1932 Mercedes-Benz SSKs to join the already outstanding display.

In particular, it’s the streamlined SSK built for Count Carlo Felice Trossi. The spectacular “Trossi SSK,” owned by Ralph Lauren, won best of show at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the 2007 Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

The SSK’s extreme performance and numerous competitive successes made it one of the most highly regarded sports cars of its era. Fewer than six entirely original SSK models remain. The SSK was the last Mercedes-Benz designed by Ferdinand Porsche before he left to found his own car company.

In case you missed last week’s announcement about the Indy 500-raced 1908 Mercedes “Brooklands” car joining the incredible collection that will be at Lime Rock Friday-through-Monday of Labor Day weekend, here’s the complete grouping as of today:

• The “722” 300 SLR driven to victory by Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson in the 1955 Mille Miglia

• 1954/55 W196 Grand Prix Silver Arrow

• 1939 W154 Grand Prix Silver Arrow

• 1930 Mercedes Trossi SSK

• 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix car (French G.P.)

• The 1908 Mercedes “Brooklands”

“All of these very rare, very special Mercedes in one place at one time? Well, that pretty much speaks for itself, doesn’t it? I can’t tell you how pleased Lime Rock is to bring these cars to its fans and the media in such an intimate, beautiful and historic setting. Having Sir Stirling Moss and Jochen Mass as the weekend’s Honored Guests adds immensely to the Mercedes celebration, of course,” said Smith.

The first two levels of the highly successful Mazda Road to Indy—the unique driver development program providing a clear, scholarship-funded path for drivers to follow toward the pinnacle of the sport—are set for a revitalization as Andersen Promotions has announced plans to introduce a new chassis in each series.

Request for Proposals (RFP) have been circulated to constructors for a new car in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2017 and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in 2018. Andersen Promotions debuted the track record-shattering Dallara IL-15 in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires competition, the third step on the ladder system, to rave reviews this season.

The new carbon composite chassis will be a “common chassis” between USF2000 and Pro Mazda with specific elements defining both visual and performance differences in the two series including variations in horsepower and aerodynamics. It will be designed to the latest FIA specifications with added safety enhancements to accommodate US road, street and oval circuits and a more modern appearance, and will share many of the current F4 specifications but with improved performance designs and increased horsepower.

The new chassis will be powered by a 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine producing approximately 170 horsepower in USF2000 and 270 horsepower in Pro Mazda. All chassis will run on Cooper tires. Other applicable Mazda Road to Indy partner components will also be used. There will be tightly controlled car and spare costs. Current USF2000 cars will still be eligible for the recently announced “B Class” in 2017.

“The current USF2000 race car has served us very well for a long time and is still a terrific training vehicle, but the time has come to provide our teams and drivers with more current technology and upgraded safety,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “This new car will take many features from the worldwide F4 car, but will be built with important safety enhancements, higher performance and more driver tools. We believe it will be an even better trainer for the future stars of the Verizon IndyCar Series.

“The Pro Mazda version, which will roll out a year later, will offer more horsepower and other aero improvements to effect the higher level of training that defines Pro Mazda as the next step in the Mazda Road to Indy. We have been thinking about producing new chassis for quite some time and we feel the time is right. This is a game changer and we are excited to announce these plans.”

The new USF2000 chassis will be unveiled at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 next May with prototype testing expected to begin in June. Car deliveries will take place in the fall and a similar schedule will follow for Pro Mazda.

“The Mazda Road to Indy has a firm foundation in driver development and has been gaining more notoriety around the globe,” said John Doonan, Director of Mazda Motorsports in North America. “This future chassis and powertrain strategy that Dan and his team at Andersen Promotions have now put in place further solidifies this program and should get even more attention by young talent. Mazda is all about bringing the latest technology to the marketplace in our road cars. These new chassis platforms will be exactly that for the open-wheel stars of the future. We could not be more proud of our place in the Mazda Road to Indy and our partnership with Andersen Promotions.”

An announcement regarding the new USF2000/Pro Mazda chassis constructor will be made in October.

“This is great news for the Mazda Road to Indy Series as the current USF2000 and Pro Mazda cars have served the drivers and teams well,” said Chris Pantani, Director of Motorsports for Cooper Tires. “However, these new platforms will better prepare the drivers for the demands and expectations of progressing in the Mazda Road to Indy and eventually driving the new Indy Lights Dallara IL-15 car. These changes continue to solidify everyone’s expectations that the Mazda Road to Indy is the one true ladder system in open-wheel racing; there is no substitution.”

Michigan International Speedway announced it will be extending the exiting wall in the tri-oval to improve overall safety ahead of this weekend's Pure Michigan 400 race weekend.
 
The speedway will add approximately 150 feet of temporary wall to the existing wall separating pit road from the frontstretch tri-oval, extending toward Turn 4. In addition, attenuators will be put at the end of the wall to absorb any impact.

The decision came following a pre-race review of the facility by International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR.

Prior to adding the temporary wall, MIS had already installed 700 linear feet of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers to the walls at pit entrance and exit.

After this weekend's NASCAR events, the track will work with Cheaha Construction to install an additional 7500 linear feet of SAFER barriers to the outside walls along the frontstretch and backstretch, as well as the inside tri-oval pit wall.

"We will continue to review the facility to provide updates as circumstances warrant," the track's statement read.

Two weeks ago at Pocono Raceway, three vehicles spun off the racing surface and onto pit road, making contact with the pit wall. Rookie Jeb Burton did so in Sprint Cup Series practice, Ray Black Jr. spun out in the Camping World Truck Series event, and Kasey Kahne had a frightening incident in the Sprint Cup Series race, which everyone walked away from.

After that weekend's events, NASCAR vowed to work with the speedway to keep cars from spinning onto pit road.

Six Verizon IndyCar Series drivers will participate in on-track testing August 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST session will incorporate a Firestone tire test to be conducted with Marco Andretti in the No. 27 Andretti Autosport Honda and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet, along with four drivers participating in team testing on the 2.5-mile oval.

Five of the drivers who will turn laps are Verizon IndyCar Series championship contenders with two races left in the 2015 season.

According to Rule 6.5.8 of the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook, in-season tire testing will be under INDYCAR-approved special circumstances only. If approved, participation is restricted to two days per team by invitation from Firestone. All teams are permitted to have one car participate in team testing that runs concurrently with the tire test.

The Chevrolet-powered cars of Tony Kanaan (No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing), Ed Carpenter (No. 20 CFH Racing) and Simon Pagenaud (No. 22 Team Penske), along with the Honda-powered car of Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 Andretti Autosport), are scheduled to participate in team testing.

Firestone annually tests at IMS “as we’re continuously seeking to innovate and make the tire better and make sure we’re prepared for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500,” according to Dale Harrigle, chief engineer for Bridgestone Americas Motorsports and manager of race tire development.

“We have a right- and left-side compound to evaluate. We have 24 different specs of tires to evaluate and that will make up 10 sets of tires,” Harrigle said, adding that introduction of aerodynamic bodywork components to the race cars this year makes testing to determine the 2016 IMS oval tire compounds more essential.

“It’s about how to improve the tire to give the drivers a better feel with the aero kits,” he said. “It’s also to make sure we’re comfortable with the speeds that we’ll be running next year. I expect to see an increase in speed with just the continuation of development of the aero kits and the engines.”

The tire specification selected for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 29, 2016, will be unique to the race track. The left-side tire specification used at this year’s Indy 500 also will be used in the penultimate race of the Verizon IndyCar Series season August 23 on the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway tri-oval.

Cars participating in the team test will run with the rear wheel guard infills that were added for Indianapolis 500 qualifications and the 200-lap race in May as a safety element.

Fans may watch the test from the South Vista grandstand and the Turn 2 viewing mounds. There is no admission charge.

Robby Gordon’s Stadium Super Trucks will return to Australia later this year for a two-round series including a stadium event at the Spotless Stadium at the Sydney Showgrounds on October 31.

Created by former IndyCar, NASCAR and off-road driver Robby Gordon, the Stadium Super Trucks were a crowd favorite when they made their debut on the temporary street course at the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar event in Adelaide in March.

A continued wave of interest from fans has encouraged promoters to create a serious two-round Australian series, which will include the first stadium event outside of North America.

The series will also include street/ramp races at the Castrol Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise from October 23–25.

The series of races will include 10 trucks from Robby Gordon’s Charlotte-based stable which are set to be piloted by a mixture of US and Australian drivers, who will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

“We had a hell of a time at the Clipsal 500 in March and we were delighted with the way the Aussie fans embraced our spectacular trucks,” said Gordon. “We have no shortage of US or Australian drivers wanting to be involved in this two-event series so the quality is going to be outstanding.

“While the Australian fans have seen how spectacular our trucks can be on the ramps on a street track, they are in for a special treat with our stand alone stadium event at Spotless Stadium, Sydney Showgrounds. It’s going to be crazy.”

The Stadium Super Trucks are purpose-built machines with 600 horsepower that are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 200 kph. Even more impressive is their unique suspension which allows them to jump almost 10 metres in the air and much further than that in distance.

The Stadium Super Trucks will also be supported by a range of action sports activity that will allow local riders and drivers the chance to perform on the world stage.

Buddy Baker, one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history, died at his Lake Norman, North Carolina, home Monday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 74.

Elzie Wylie “Buddy” Baker Jr. was often referred to as the “Gentle Giant,” standing a burly six feet, six inches tall. Baker, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, raced stock cars for 33 years.

Baker, who retired from driving in 1992, won 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the 1980 Daytona 500, driving the famed No. 28 “Gray Ghost.” Baker is a nominee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

In 1970, Baker became the first driver to eclipse the 200-mph mark on a closed course while testing at Talladega Superspeedway. Although he didn’t win at the 2.66-mile superspeedway that year, Baker visited Talladega Victory Lane four times throughout his stellar career.

Baker also won the 1970 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway where he lapped the field. In 1972–73, Baker became the first driver to win consecutive World 600s. He also won the inaugural preseason event now known as the Sprint Unlimited in 1979. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Baker later became an analyst for TNN and CBS’s coverage of NASCAR racing and hosted a racing radio show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“Many of today’s fans may know Buddy Baker as one of the greatest storytellers in the sport’s history, a unique skill that endeared him to millions,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “But those who witnessed his racing talent recognized Buddy as a fast and fierce competitor, setting speed records and winning on NASCAR’s biggest stages. It is that dual role that made Buddy an absolute treasure who will be missed dearly.”

Baker was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in early July.

The FVP National Sprint League has added Tommie Estes to its leadership team. Estes was instrumental in the expansion of the ASCS 360 Series and worked in that capacity for 12 years.

Estes will be directing the NSL series’ expansion into the 360 sprint car division and setting up regions from Minnesota to the gulf. Though Estes will be joining the NSL in these capacities, he will also continue to focus on his duties at Dodge City Raceway Park.

“I’m very pleased to have Tommie join our NSL team,” said FVP National Sprint League founder Tod Quiring. “Tommie was key in setting up the entire ASCS series several years ago and brings a wealth of knowledge to the NSL. He will be a great asset to our series.”

He has also been an active part of both the Chili Bowl, the Short Track Nationals and other large events over the years, and is the General Manager of Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas.

“I’m really excited about this,” Estes said. “Tod and I have had numerous conversations, and he asked me if I be interested in this. I decided that this would be a good opportunity for me to work back on this side of things. It’s a great bunch of people he’s put together with that NSL team and I’m looking forward to it.”

Recently, the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) and the North Carolina Motorsports Foundation (NCMF) honored motorsports legend Sam Belnavis with the announcement of the Sam Belnavis Scholarship Award. At the same time NASCAR legend Richard Petty presented him with a NCMF Lifetime Achievement Award. The Sam Belnavis Scholarship will be given annually in the amount of $5000.

Sam Belnavis has been a pioneer in motorsports for more than thirty years. He joined Miller Brewing Company in the late 1970s, and in 1978 was chosen to manage the new sports marketing department. He broke into NASCAR when he signed driver Bobby Allison to a Miller sponsorship contract. Two years later Bobby Allison won the series championship in the #22 Miller High Life Ford.

Belnavis blazed paths, as a general manager and race team owner. He introduced the National Guard to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series as a sponsor of his team, BelCar Racing, with legendary crew chief Travis Carter and Todd Bodine as the driver.

“The most gratifying part of my motorsports career was spent working to ensure that diversity and inclusion from a career perspective was not overlooked. NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program has helped to bridge that gap. Most people, namely students, do not realize that career opportunities NASCAR offers outside of the driver. I hope to change that perspective” said Belnavis.

Although Belnavis has retired as Chief Diversity Officer and Owner-Designate at Roush Fenway Racing, he is still active, keeping up the sport and the team.  He is Chairman Emeritus of the board for the North Carolina Motorsports Foundation.

Belnavis resides in Concord, North Carolina. He is past president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte. He and his wife, Chris, of 55 years, are the parents of four children and seven grandchildren. Belnavis is a life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and a member of Jonesville AME Zion Church in Matthews, North Carolina.