Saturday, May 27
Adam Sinclair

Adam Sinclair

Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway more than 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of traveling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week.  

Adam spent several years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.

Be sure to tune in for his sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place (almost) every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network. 

Contact Adam: Email  

  

 

 Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, continues its run of three consecutive awe-inspiring Miles with the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, this Saturday, May 27.

 

The Miles hold a special place in Championship lore, featuring a unique blend of shifting strategies, triple-digit speed, and inch-close racing that makes for one of the most spectacular forms of racing to be found anywhere in motorsport. And since first joining the Progressive AFT tour in 2017, the Red Mile has earned its place amongst the legendary Miles that have helped define the sport for decades.

 

Despite being a relatively recent addition to Progressive American Flat Track, the Red Mile boasts its own storied history, serving as a famed horse racing facility for nearly a century-and-a-half. It’s since proven to be just as adept at hosting mounts with a hundredfold the initially envisioned horsepower, delivering fantastic competition along with lush accommodations and ideal sightlines.

 

The Red Mile’s more recent history is tied directly to the development of reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) as one of the sport’s great Milers.

 

When he took the first Red Mile victory in 2017, Mees had just three prior Mile wins to his name. He comes into this year’s event in Lexington with 24 – including wins at the Red Mile in 2018, 2019, and 2022 – and in need of just one more to equal Bubba Shobert and Bryan Smith for third all time.

 

However, Mees’ perfect record at the venue was blemished a year ago when he was beaten by Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Mees did get a measure of revenge the next day, however, only after Daniels lost power while leading on the final lap.

 

Daniels has since emerged as Mees’ primary title rival in 2023, currently boasting a 20-point championship advantage. Their rematch – both in Lexington and in the wake of Mees’ recent win over Daniels at the Sacramento Mile – is obviously the weekend’s lead story, but there is a plethora of riders who could factor for the win.

 

In fact, it was JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) who looked like the odds-on favorite to reign supreme at the Red Mile a year ago before mechanical issues spoiled his chances.

 

Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) showcased front-running speed in Sacramento despite suffering from some teething issues that negatively impacted his ultimate results. He’ll have a shot at redemption at a track where the KTM Duke sent shockwaves through the paddock when James Rispoli guided a Mission Production Twins-spec Wally Brown Racing-built KTM to the podium, finishing just fractions of a second short of taking the win himself.

 

Speaking of, Wally Brown Racing will be back in action this weekend with reigning Production Twins champ Jesse Janisch (No. 33 Wally Brown Racing/Haversack KTM 790 Duke) now at the controls of the developing machine after winning a support class race in Lexington in ‘22.

 

And then there’s Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), who came up just 0.126 seconds short of stealing the win from Mees last year after Daniels faded from contention.

 

The list goes on, including a stacked field of independent riders with the potential to battle up front, including Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750), Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke), and Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods Indian FTR750).

 

Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER

 

As unpredictable as the premier class promises to be, it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite for the Red Mile Main Event in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Main Event class. That’s no hyperbole considering the season has already seen five different riders representing four teams and three makes stand atop the podium.

 

The discussion always begins with defending champion and points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). That said, Kopp is still seeking a career-first Mile win, although he did come within 0.053 and 0.111 seconds of snagging one here a year ago.

 

Instead, the two wins went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), adding to American Honda’s remarkable record of Miles success in recent years.

 

Mischler will be joined in the effort to continue that streak by rolling teammates Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), the pair combining to score a win, three seconds, and a third in the season’s last three Main Events.

 

Gauthier has since switched allegiances, forming an all-new KTM satellite outfit. He should be considered a favorite nonetheless, as should Kopp’s teammate, Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F), who was less than two tenths away from a pair of Red Mile wins himself last season.

 

Estenson Racing Yamaha boasts its own Mile aces in Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), the latter fresh from his maiden victory at the Sacramento Mile.

 

Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) have each come close to making it four different makes of winners in 2023, and Cose, in particular, was right there in the hunt at Sacramento.

 

And finally, there’s Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F), the class’ greatest-ever Miler, who teased that form last time out despite doing so without her dedicated Mile motor.

 

And since it’s Parts Unlimited AFT Singles, there’s always a chance for an emerging rider to step forward and battle it out with the established powers the way Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F) did at Sacramento.

 

There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including the Kid Zone featuring two bounce houses, numerous vendors, expansive food and beverage options, live music, extensive motorcycle parking, and a fireworks display following the Mission SuperTwins Main Event.

 

Fans are also invited to attend the Indian Motorcycle of Lexington Red Mile AFT Celebration Open House on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27, from 9:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The Open House will include the Royal Enfield Demo Truck which be on site and offering demo rides both days. Additionally, a rider meet-and-greet will take place at the dealership on Friday from 4:00pm to 5:00 p.m ET. Afterwards, fans can head over to The Break Room in the Lexington Distillery District for a pre-party that will go until midnight.

 

General Admission - Standing Room Only tickets are just $30 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult) while Reserved Grandstand tickets located along the front straight are $55. Additionally, a limited number of tickets for the Mid-Level Box Seats and Turn 1 Hospitality Suite - VIP Experience - Wait List are still available so act fast.

 

Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport.

 

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/red-mile-59131 to purchase your tickets today!

 

Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT).

 

For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.

 

FOX Sports coverage of the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. PT).

 

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

 Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, is shifting into high gear as it heads to the Entertainment Capital of the World for its annual Las Vegas Auction, June 22-24, 2023. Hosted in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center spanning 1.4 million square feet under one roof, this year’s three-day Las Vegas Auction will feature a docket filled with a diverse offering of collectible vehicles and automobilia, as well as dozens of interactive sponsor and exhibitor displays. Among the early consignments is the actual 1972 De Tomaso Pantera featured in “Fast Five,” the fifth film in the blockbuster “Fast & Furious” franchise and is selling with No Reserve. Auction guests may also join Toyota and Dodge for Thrill Rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track or take a test drive in the all-new 2023 Lucid Air at the Lucid Driving Experience.

“Another record-setting year began in Scottsdale and continued through our Palm Beach Auction last month,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We have built incredible momentum as we look toward Las Vegas, where we’ve hosted auctions since 2008. We have one of our most diverse dockets in the making with highly desirable collectible vehicles, including the 1972 De Tomaso Pantera that starred in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movie series, and a custom 1971 Ford Bronco that pays tribute to the year Parnelli Jones won his first Baja 1000.”

The 1972 De Tomaso Pantera “Fast Five” movie car appeared with Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in the iconic train heist scene in “Fast Five.” The Pantera is powered by a 351ci Cleveland engine connected to a ZF 5-speed manual transmission and rides on the original movie car's 17-inch Campagnolo wheels. The current owner restored the Pantera after acquiring it in 2013 from a Universal Studios consignor. The Pantera comes with a limited-edition Hot Wheels model car and is pictured on the “Fast Five” limited-edition Hot Wheels packaging.

Also selling with No Reserve is a 1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T that is one of approximately 136 HEMI 4-speed Challenger R/T hardtops built in 1970. It is powered by a matching-numbers 426ci HEMI V8 engine with a race HEMI camshaft and Hooker long-tube headers. Other key features include a matching-numbers New Process A833 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst pistol-grip shifter, the original Dana 60 rear axle with Sure-Grip differential and 4.10 ratio gears. The interior has a Rallye instrument cluster with trip odometer, wood-grain instrument panel, heater control, flood light, tachometer and a 2-watt AM radio. Rotisserie-restored and finished in its original black color using the correct TX9 paint, this piece of vintage American muscle also comes with a Wise Validation Report.

“Barrett-Jackson has demonstrated that the No Reserve docket is the absolute best way to grow the collector car hobby,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “We build each auction docket with the vehicles that collectors want and it’s the ideal way to demonstrate how the collector car hobby is thriving. We can’t wait to showcase some of the very best vehicles in demand right now in Las Vegas, including a date-code and part-number-correct 1968 GT500KR convertible.”

Crossing the auction block in Las Vegas, home of Shelby American, is a 1968 Shelby GT500KR convertible and 1968 Shelby GT500KR fastback. The four-time Mustang Club of America Concours Gold award-winning convertible is #4122 and is powered by its original Cobra Jet engine paired with an automatic transmission. It has 45,512 documented miles and includes a factory Build Sheet, Shelby order sheet, original dealer invoice and owner documentation. The “King of the Road” fastback is #2367 and is also powered by a Cobra Jet engine paired with an automatic transmission. It is one of only 1,053 fastbacks built in 1968, one of 95 in Highland Green and one of only 16 with Saddle trim.

Paying tribute to Parnelli Jones’ first Baja 1000 win, the 1971 Ford Bronco custom “Big Oly” tribute is powered by a Dart Block Ford engine paired to a 3-speed automatic transmission and is capable of producing 723 horsepower. Performance modifications include Ross 11-to-1 competition pistons, Ford Performance custom CNC heads, forged steel crank and Petersen 5-stage dry-sump pump system. In addition to being featured in national automotive publications, this “Big Oly” tribute vehicle was displayed at the San Diego Automotive Museum for two years and in the entrance of the Petersen Automotive Museum for the “Braving Baja – 1000 Miles to Glory” exhibit.

Contemporary custom vehicles will also be featured, including a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Hennessey Custom Edition “Resurrection” with a 1,200-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine connected to an upgraded 10-speed automatic transmission. Crossing the auction block with No Reserve in Las Vegas, this Hennessey conversion is Serial #01 out of 24 produced and has 1,438 actual miles.

Collector car enthusiasts interested in registering to bid for Barrett-Jackson’s 2023 Las Vegas Auction may do so here. Those interested in being a part of the auction may consign their collector vehicle here.

To purchase advance tickets to the event, click here. On Location, Barrett-Jackson’s new VIP hospitality partner, is offering several VIP Experience packages, including access to Craig Jackson’s Skybox, the Luxury Lounge and the Staging Lanes for auction-goers interested in taking in all the auction action with a one-of-a-kind experience. To learn more about On Location’s offerings, click here.

Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube.

 Indianapolis, Ind., remains as the focal point of the open-wheel auto racing world this week. Following an intensely competitive and dramatic Pole Day qualifying weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to set the grid for next Sunday’s 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge, the attention for dozens of potential future stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES this week will switch to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for Friday night’s traditional Carb Night Classic.

 

An action-packed night of racing on the banked 0.686-mile oval will feature two steps on the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel development ladder, plus the 70th Annual Hoosier Hundred, one of the crown jewel events on the USAC Silver Crown Series calendar, and a 30-lap National Pavement Midget Championship feature. The entry list for the Midget race includes 2006 USF2000 Champion, 2009 INDY NXT (Lights) champion and 2011 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year JR Hildebrand, who will step out of his comfort zone to drive a car prepared by Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Development.

 

For drivers competing in the Cooper Tires Freedom 90, the seventh round of the USF Pro 2000 season, and the Cooper Tires Freedom 75, round eight in USF2000 competition, this Friday, May 26, will represent their only chance this year to gather race experience on an oval track.

 

On Thursday morning, all drivers – including 19 who have not competed previously at IRP – will benefit from an Oval Clinic hosted by Andersen Promotions and featuring advice and consultation with current INDY NXT title contender Hunter McElrea, who finished second in the 2020 USF2000 event at IRP, accomplished driver coach Jonatan Jorge and hugely successful team owner/race engineer Dominic Cape.

 

Rowe Heads Tight USF Pro 2000 Field

Two main talking points have emerged from the opening six USF Pro 2000 races of the season: the closeness of the field and the consistent pace displayed by points leader Myles Rowe as he chases a Discount Tire Driver Advancement Scholarship valued at $664,500 to graduate onto the next step on the ladder, INDY NXT, in 2024.

 

Entry List

 

Rowe, a 22-year-old rookie from Brooklyn, N.Y., already has three wins to his name and has recorded the fastest lap in each of the last three races for the Pabst Racing with Force Indy team. He finished third in last year’s USF2000 race at IRP, and currently holds a 39-point edge in the standings.

 

The next seven drivers in the championship rankings are blanketed by only 20 points, led by Brazilian Kiko Porto, the 2021 USF2000 champion, who has finished on the podium three times this year for DEForce Racing.

 

Francesco Pizzi (TJ Speed Motorsports), from Rome, Italy, has been one of the revelations of the season, especially in qualifying having started each of the first six races from one of the top three positions. Pizzi currently lies just one point adrift of Porto, with fellow rookie Joel Granfors (Exclusive Autosport), from Sweden, only four points further back and a similar margin ahead of Rowe’s Pabst Racing teammate Jace Denmark, from Scottsdale, Ariz.

 

This week will represent the first ever taste of an oval for both Pizzi and Granfors, who claimed his first win in the most recent road course race at Indianapolis, as well as fellow rookies Reece Ushijima (Jay Howard Driver Development) and Lirim Zendeli (TJ Speed Motorsports).

 

Ireland’s Jonathan Browne also enjoyed a breakthrough weekend at Indianapolis, claiming two fourth-place finishes. Turn 3 Motorsport teammate and 2022 USF2000 champion Michael d’Orlando, from Hartsdale, N.Y., has endured all manner of misfortune so far this season, but can reflect upon fond memories of the IRP oval after claiming victory in each of the past two years.

 

All drivers will gain some valuable experience during a pair of 45-minute test sessions on Thursday, May 25, which will lead into official single-car qualifying at 5:30 p.m. EDT. An additional 15 minutes of practice at 4:50 p.m. on Friday will provide one final opportunity to hone the cars in preparation for the 90-lap Cooper Tires Freedom 90 which is scheduled to see the green flag at 9:30 p.m.

 

USF2000 Trending Toward a Three-Horse Race

The ebbs and flows of a season-long battle for supremacy have characterized the opening three weekends of USF2000 competition in 2023. Four talented young drivers – Lochie Hughes, from the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, Jay Howard Driver Development teammate Evagoras Papasavvas, from Loveland, Ohio, Nikita Johnson (VRD Racing), from Gulfport, Fla., and Simon Sikes (Pabst Racing), from Augusta, Ga. – emerged as the leading contenders following the first event on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

 

Entry List

 

A few weeks later on the permanent road course a hundred miles or so to the east at Sebring International Raceway, Hughes and Sikes shared the victory spoils to put some distance in the points table between themselves and their pursuers, only for Johnson to work his way back into the conversation recently at Indianapolis with two pole positions and a trio of podium finishes.

 

Of the four, only Sikes has prior experience on the challenging oval – an eighth-place finish in 2022. But with the previously dominant Cape Motorsports team absent from the field this season, having stepped up to INDY NXT after winning eight times at IRP since 2010, the door is wide open this year.

 

The stakes are high, with a Discount Tire Driver Advancement Scholarship valued at over $433,000 up for grabs. Hughes currently holds a relatively slender 14-point edge over Sikes, 185-171, with 14-year-old Johnson not far adrift on 144.

 

In common with USF Pro 2000, additional points will be on offer for this round, with 45 available to the winner – a 50-percent bonus compared to the remainder of the season. As usual, single points also will be awarded for pole position, fastest race lap and leading most laps.

 

The event format for the USF2000 competitors closely mirrors that of the USF Pro 2000 contingent with two 45-minute test sessions on Thursday preceding qualifying at 4:45 p.m. and then a brief 15-minute warmup on Friday afternoon prior to the start at 8:30 p.m.

 

By Mark Robinson

IMSA Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ted Giovanis has carved his path through life by going against the odds. Whether it’s been beating the federal government in a court case involving Medicare reimbursements or being a competitive IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge team owner/driver at age 77.

 

Now, Giovanis is taking that same approach after recently announcing a $35 million donation to create the Giovanis Institute for Translational Cell Biology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Through the gift, scientists will study how cancer metastasizes, or spreads through the body, in the hope of discovering commonalities in the ways different cancers spread and leading to new therapies that may limit or prevent metastasizing in a patient’s body altogether.

 

The generous donation, a 15-year commitment, comes from the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy, named in honor of Giovanis’ wife who died from metastatic breast cancer in 2010.

 

“I think of myself as someone who wants to make a difference, and I can leverage the work of my foundation to a much broader and more impactful scale by providing this gift to Johns Hopkins,” Giovanis said when the donation was announced on May 10.

 

Giovanis stressed in a follow-up interview that he wants to change how medical research is done in the United States. Too much research, he says, focuses on confirming hypotheses that are likely to be proven before the research begins. What Giovanis wants through the Giovanis Institute is to encourage research without guarantees of success. The path to innovative treatments may lie outside the realm of traditional research thinking. At the least, undertaking unconventional research projects could help rule out a path to take.

 

“Like in racing, sometimes you try stuff and not know if it’s going to work until you do it,” Giovanis said, drawing the parallel to what he sees with Team TGM at the racetrack. “You may make wing or air pressure adjustments and see what happens. We can accept that what we just threw on the car may not work.

 

“Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do,” he adds. “In research, (most) only invest in things that they know are going to work out. That leaves a lot of exploration where interest might lie, and that’s the space that we play in. … That’s what’s potentially transformative about this. It will lead to better findings.”

 

Giovanis said he opted to partner with Johns Hopkins because of the vision of Dr. Andrew Ewald, director of the Department of Cell Biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who was named director of the Giovanis Institute. Ewald, Giovanis said, is just as passionate about exploring unique avenues of research with no assurances of successful outcomes.

 

The initial focus will be on how breast cancer metastasizes, but Giovanis said there are commonalities in the ways different cancers spread, so the research may benefit those other types as well.

 

“If you look at the cancer cell as a seed, it’s looking for someplace to go (when it spreads),” Giovanis explains. “If we can find out what it’s looking for, maybe we can test for that. … If we can know how it operates, we believe there will be ideas that emerge on how we can disrupt that – how it metastasizes and lands someplace.”

 

Using another racing analogy, Giovanis considers the JKTG Foundation’s donation to create the Giovanis Institute like the fuel that goes into the car. From there, it’s up to the crew, engineers and drivers to take it across the finish line.

 

“We’re trying to make a difference,” he says. “I’ve been pretty fortunate in life so this is a way to give back, but I’m not going to be the one to make a difference. It’s Andy Ewald and all those people, it’s that team.”

 

Photo credit: Team TGM

As popularity and participation surge in other classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced today that the exclusive IMSA home for Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) will be in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge through the current 2026 homologation period.

 

The introduction of the hybrid-powered Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class this season has generated added global excitement and interest in the WeatherTech Championship. The first customer car will join eight manufacturer-backed entries in the upcoming race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and with more customer entries expected, as well as a fifth manufacturer on board to join next season, double-digit GTP fields are on the horizon.

 

IMSA also recently announced that current-generation Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) cars remain eligible to race in the WeatherTech Championship through 2025. The stability of this prototype platform has sparked fierce competition in the class in recent years, and there is strong potential of even more entries next year.

 

Meanwhile, the GT3-spec classes continue seeing massive global popularity from manufacturers, competitors and fans. The GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) class featured eight manufacturers competing in the opening two endurance races of 2023, with five continuing through the full season. GT Daytona (GTD) has had nine manufacturers compete this year, with the class field ranging from 15 to 20 cars through the first three events. Participation is expected to increase in both classes in 2024, with Ford re-entering WeatherTech Championship competition with the new Mustang and Chevrolet launching its new Corvette C8.R with both GTD PRO and GTD aspirations.

 

“The LMP3 class has contributed to the growth and success of the WeatherTech Championship since 2021,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “With that has come expanded fields at many events that can test the capacity limits we have at some IMSA tracks. We expect that growth trend to continue into 2024 and beyond, making it necessary to just have the GTP and LMP2 classes for Prototypes with GTD PRO and GTD classes for Grand Touring (GT) competing together going forward.”

 

The LMP3 class will complete its three-year run in the WeatherTech Championship at the Motul Petit Le Mans, the season finale in October. The true intent of the LMP3 platform has been to nurture and develop aspiring prototype teams and drivers, and that continues in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, where LMP3 drivers compete for overall race victories. The multiclass sprint-race series featuring LMP3 and GT4 machines racing together has built great momentum in its first season.

 

“We’ve already seen the promise that the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge holds through the first two event weekends,” Doonan said. “We saw a considerable increase in entries between the first race of the season at Daytona and Round 2 at Sebring, and the competition is tight. The format of two 45-minute sprint races on a weekend allows LMP3 entrants to race for overall wins while competitors in both the LMP3 and GSX classes gain valuable multiclass racing experience. It’s the best learning environment for drivers and teams looking to move up the IMSA ladder.”

MAVTV, the premier destination for motorsports entertainment, is proud to announce it’s expanded partnership with SpeedFreaks, the leading motorsports media platform founded by Kenny Sargent. The new collaboration taps into SpeedFreaks’ talent, access and a 20-year legacy of motorsports commentary and lifestyle entertainment, leveraging MAVTV’s broad distribution across television and digital media with the shared objective to serve and expand global motorsports fans.

As part of this partnership, MAVTV will work closely with SpeedFreaks to produce exclusive content, such as interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and special features. Fans can expect to see more of MAVTV's popular programming showcased in SpeedFreaks' coverage, as well as opportunities for fan engagement and giveaways.

MAVTV is known for providing the best in motorsports entertainment, with a wide range of programming that includes dirt track racing, Trans Am, drifting, Superbikes, Arenacross, and more, and has become a favorite among racing enthusiasts around the world. As the channel continues to grow and expand its reach, it remains focused on delivering the most thrilling and exciting programming possible, while providing motorsports enthusiasts with the content they crave.

"For more than 20 years, Kenny, Crash and Statt Mann have been distinctive, passionate and beloved voices in the motorsports world, and we could not be more excited about sharing SpeedFreaks with our audience,” said CJ Olivares, MAVTV's Interim President. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing the best in motorsports entertainment to racing fans across the country and around the world."

In addition, the partnership will provide opportunities for fan engagement and giveaways, allowing viewers to get even more involved in the sport and connect with their favorite drivers and teams. This will include social media contests, exclusive merchandise giveaways, and other interactive features that bring fans closer to the action than ever before.

"We are stoked to partner with MAVTV and anchor the motorsports network’s Sunday nights," said Kenny Sargent, President and founder of SpeedFreaks. "SpeedFreaks’ Freak Radio and Podcast Network has been the go-to source for its unrivaled motorsports content the past 23 years. Teaming with the internationally recognized TV home for motorsports, MAVTV, provides a massive visual component that only enhances our motorsports coverage.”

For more information on MAVTV's partnership with SpeedFreaks, please visit MAVTV.com or SpeedFreaks.tv.

As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins the second half of its most competitive and record-breaking season yet on the track, Formula E and global title partner ABB today announced the ABB Driver of Progress award to honor the extraordinary, intelligent and efficient driving on display in the series. 

The ABB Driver of Progress award will recognize the driver who successfully balances the demands between pace, overtaking and energy efficiency to ultimately make up the most positions in a race. A league table recording the positions gained by every driver will be revealed immediately after each of the eight remaining races. The driver finishing the season with the most positions gained across all 16 races will be named the ABB Driver of Progress for Season 9.

Going into Round 9 and the Monaco E-Prix at the spiritual home of world motorsport this Saturday, May 6, André Lotterer (Avalanche Andretti Formula E team) tops the ABB Driver of Progress table with 46 positions gained in eight races to date, ahead of the current leader of the Drivers’ world championship standings, Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team) on 43 positions gained.
The new award will spotlight Formula E drivers who demonstrate the highest degree of skill and efficiency, regardless of starting position on the grid or where they finish on the podium and is sure to reveal powerful examples of outstanding competitive driving performance.

Already this season, fans have seen most of Formula E’s on-track records shattered including the most overtakes in a race (190), lead changes at the line (20), and different race leaders (eight) all achieved in Round 7 of the SABIC Berlin E-Prix double-header race weekend.

The fastest-ever lap in the series was set in Round 5 at the Cape Town E-Prix. Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan Formula E Team) qualified for pole position with an average speed of 154.987km/h, approximately 96 mph, the fastest lap in Formula E history.

In the next race, the 2023 Julius Baer São Paulo E-Prix, Sérgio Sette Câmara (NIO 333 Racing) set the fastest top speed in a Formula E race to-date of 264.1km/h, approximately 164 mph.

The new GEN3 race car, which debuted in the championship this season, has enabled the 23 drivers who have competed in Formula E this season to demonstrate their world-class capabilities in the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built. The GEN3 is also the first formula car specifically designed and optimised for street racing.

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said:
“Progressing through the field is not an easy task in Formula E. It requires patience, quick reactions and a crucial ability to balance driving efficiently and carefully to preserve energy while fearlessly challenging to make up places. These are essential skills required to be an effective Formula E driver. The ABB Driver of Progress award will recognise the competitors who proves they lead the way when it comes to Formula E’s unique demand for intelligent, efficient and dynamic driving.”

Daniela Lužanin, Head of the ABB Formula E partnership, said:
“ABB is committed to driving sustainable progress off-track, so it is fitting for ABB, as a global technology leader, to reward drivers making the most progress on-track. This new award furthers ABB’s partnership with Formula E and underlines their shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology to drive progress.

“Mastering energy management and maximising energy efficiency are vital driver skills, particularly when they’re faced with the challenge of progressing through the pack. The same qualities underpin ABB’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future, as seen in ABB Formula E, where ABB Ability™ OPTIMAX® energy management software is helping to deliver more efficient energy use at all E-Prix.”

 Landmark Recovery, a leading addiction treatment company, is thrilled to announce a game-changing partnership with up-and-coming stock car driver Madison Snyder. This dynamic collaboration aims to raise awareness about addiction recovery while supporting Snyder's promising racing career throughout the 2023 season.

Madison Snyder, a talented and dedicated racer from Richland, MI, has made a name for herself on the stock car racing circuit with her impressive driving skills and determination to succeed. Landmark Recovery recognizes the value of Madison's endorsement and will work together to promote the powerful message of #RacingforRecovery.

As part of this partnership, Snyder's race car and trailer will showcase a captivating Landmark Recovery design, and she will don a custom fire suit featuring Landmark Recovery's colors and an approved patch. Madison will also participate in appearances and events to strengthen the relationship between her racing career and Landmark Recovery's mission.

Fans can expect to see Madison's involvement with Landmark Recovery on social media, using the hashtag #RacingForRecovery, and during her appearances on Landmark Recovery's podcast, as well as other media engagements throughout the year.

Landmark Recovery has created a dedicated webpage on their website to celebrate the partnership, and will regularly be updating fans with Madison's race results and providing behind-the-scenes glimpses into her racing journey.

"We are incredibly excited to sponsor Madison Snyder and unite our passion for addiction recovery with the exhilarating world of NASCAR," said John Hood, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Landmark Recovery. "Together, we hope to inspire fans and spread the message of hope, strength, and perseverance."

For more information about the partnership and to follow Madison Snyder's racing career, please visit the Landmark Recovery website at landmarkrecovery.com.

From ninth on the starting grid, Max Verstappen delivered a driving masterclass to take a thrilling win in today’s FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. In front of a sell-out crowd, the Red Bull ace came through the field to overtake his team-mate Sergio Perez with just nine laps to go. As the pair went wheel-to-wheel at Turn 1 on lap 48, the crowd leapt to their feet to celebrate. It was a thrilling end to the second-ever Formula 1 race held at the state-of-the-art Miami International Autodrome.

Verstappen’s 38th victory in his career and his second in Miami Gardens extended the Dutchman’s lead over his team-mate Perez at the top of the FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship to 14 points. His performance was particularly impressive given his starting position of ninth on the grid. Max chose to start on the hard tyre, the majority ahead of him began on mediums, meaning he ran longer into the race before making his pitstop.

“It was a good, clean race and I picked off the cars one by one,” said the reigning World Champion. “I could stay out long on the hard tyres and that made the difference today. I then had a good little battle with ‘Checo’ at the end but the most important thing is that we kept it clean. To win from P9 is extremely satisfying — a great win today.”

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso joined the Red Bull pair on the podium to record his fourth top-three finish of the season ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. Behind them Carlos Sainz finished fifth, but his final classification included a five-second time penalty for speeding in the pitlane.

Throughout the 57-lap event there was action up and down the field with drivers running on alternate tyre strategies and taking advantage of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) ensuring there was plenty of overtaking action at three main areas: Turn 1, Turn 11 and at the end of the back straight into Turn 17. The quality of the racing and the excellent reliability meant all 20 cars made the chequered flag — with South Florida’s very own Logan Sargeant the final runner to finish the race.

The overtaking action was so good, that at one stage Fernando Alonso came across on his team radio to complement a move his team-mate Lance Stroll had made late in the race, having watched the pass on one of the circuit’s big screens as he was driving around the track. Alonso started the race on the medium Pirelli compound and made his one and only pitstop on lap 25, four laps after Perez. When the time came for Verstappen to finally stop to change his hard compound tyres (at the end of lap 45) he emerged just 1.5s behind his team-mate. Despite a spirited attempt from Perez to hold Verstappen back, the decisive move for the lead of the race took place into Turn 1 on lap 48.

In addition to the exciting action on the track, the sell-out crowd was treated to a full day of entertainment at the Miami International Autodrome. There was music from award-winning DJs Tiësto and Cedric Gervais headlining at the Hard Rock Beach Club, and FISHER performed a set to round out the weekend after the podium celebrations. There were also pre-grid performances from bilingual Latin girl group Bella Dose, while the national anthem was sung by chart topping Puerto Rican singer and songwriter, GALE. The pre-race grid ceremonies were a new feature for 2023 with LL COOL J announcing each of the 20 drivers in turn, conducted by will.i.am and attended by the F1 Grid Kids, hailing from the local Miami Gardens community.

“It has been a fantastic weekend, an incredible race day and I’m proud of the entire team who have worked so hard to put together this year’s event,” said Tom Garfinkel, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium and Managing Partner of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2023. “Thanks to Stephen Ross and the hard work of so many people on our team, we were able to deliver an event that showcased Miami to the world and stayed true to our commitment of improving from Year 1 to Year 2. It is our goal to provide a best-in-class experience for everyone, from the guests enjoying the new Paddock Club, to the fans around the Campus soaking up the atmosphere, to the teams enjoying their new home on the field of Hard Rock Stadium. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year and celebrate another weekend of great racing together.”

Of course, Miami isn't the only F1 event in the USA. After the epic weekend, the eyes of racing fans turn to the next huge event in the states - Las Vegas! Of course, with any good thing, there is a South Florida connection. 

"After acquiring The Mirage in December 2022, and knowing we now sit at the 50 yard line of the strip, we knew having a presence at the inaugural Las Vegas GP could be a big opportunity to expand our brand’s presence in the sport," stated Keith Sheldon, President of Hard Rock Entertainment. "As a presenting partner of the Formula 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX, we will have our own Strip-adjacent grandstand structure with seating for 3,000 fans, which will also give us the opportunity to offer best in class hospitality experiences on property, as well. We think the Vegas Grand Prix will have a similar cultural effect on the city as the Miami Grand Prix did and should continue to raise American awareness of just how incredible the sport is.  Also, as part of our deal with F1, we will be offering retail collaborations, VIP activations, and will be working with the Las Vegas Grand Prix team to launch a made-for-Vegas educational program with a focus on global hospitality which we will share more info on in the coming months."

As the official beer sponsor of F1, Heineken had a big, star-studded presence around the track, with celebs like Hayley LawDamson Idris and Hilary Knight hitting up hot spots like the Heineken Silver Paddock Club, Heineken Highline and Heineken’s Greener Bar at Paseo Park.
 
As momentum builds towards the F1 race in Austin this October and ultimately the first-ever Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix this November, we here at Speedway Digest are committed to bringing you all the latest news and insight into America’s fastest-growing sport!

 

PETA sent a letter today to Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles pledging to match or exceed the $10,000 that the American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. pays the Indy 500 winner to drink cow’s milk if Boles puts the brakes on that plan and instead agrees to switch gears to sustainable, animal-friendly, vegan milk. This year, race cars are providing drivers with better protection through the addition of stronger rear-wheel tethers and higher padded headrests, and a move away from dairy would add protection for their health, the environment, and cows.
 
“In the dairy industry, mother cows are forcibly impregnated over and over, and their calves are taken away from them within hours of birth,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Instead of promoting a high-cholesterol, cruelly obtained product that’s responsible for greenhouse gas emissions galore, it’s time the winner chugged a glass of vegan milk in the victory lane, or even orange juice, as Emerson Fittipaldi did.”
 
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or abuse in any other way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on TwitterFacebook, or Instagram.
 
 
 
PETA’s letter to Boles follows.
 
May 8, 2023
 
J. Douglas Boles
President
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
 
Dear Mr. Boles:
 
Greetings! I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including many thousands in Indiana—with an exciting offer we hope will help fuel the shift toward an ever-growing demand for vegan milks. We will match or exceed the $10,000 that the American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. pays the winner of the Indianapolis 500 to drink cow’s milk in Victory Lane if you agree to replace it with some of the many delicious varieties of plant-based milks widely available. We’d even supply these tasty vegan milks for the teams!
 
As you know, ahead of the race the drivers are asked whether they prefer fat-free, 2%, or whole milk, but dairy-free options are not included—and that’s not right. We want everyone, including race car drivers, to consider that they now have choices and may want to avoid consuming cow’s milk for ethical, environmental, health, religious, or other reasons—perhaps they are lactose intolerant or perhaps they might simply want to try plant-based milks. Our sponsorship would allow them to do so, while paying homage to a legend like Emerson Fittipaldi, who preferred orange juice.
 
A most compelling reason to encourage Indy 500 drivers (and fans) to leave dairy in the dust is that like all mammals, cows produce milk to feed their babies. In the dairy industry, mother cows are forcibly impregnated over and over and their deeply loved calves are taken away from them within hours of birth so that humans can sell their milk. This milk actually leaches the calcium out of human bones, increases the risk of prostate cancer, and is among the top sources of saturated fat in the American diet. When you consider that the production of plant-based milks emits less greenhouse gases and uses less land and water than dairy farms do and that dairy milk consumption recently hit an all-time low, while vegan milks are now a staple for 48% of Americans, it’s clearly time to put the brakes on this old-style dairy promotion.
 
We’d love to work with you to drive a cruelty-free vegan milk onto the podium at the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
Very truly yours,
 
Ingrid Newkirk
President
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