Speedway Digest Staff

What Does It Take to Broadcast a Formula 1 Race?

Friday, Jan 20

Formula 1 is one of the fastest sports in the world that is not easy to capture and broadcast. As digital technologies evolve, we can benefit from high-quality cameras, drones, and even helicopters that help broadcast the action. The audience can see what is going on inside the car, how it rides, and looks from the sky. People feel like they participate in a race thanks to cutting-edge broadcasting technologies. In this article, you will find the ins and outs of F1 filming.

Broadcasting a motor race is quite challenging as millions of viewers worldwide wait to see their favorite track and race venue. A lot of technologies and staff are engaged in F1 broadcasting. High-quality cameras, microphones, and drones capture every movement and sound to convey the vibe of the race. Professional broadcasters use the latest technologies to add music to video, captions, and other details for a better viewer experience.

The Process of F1 Filming and Broadcasting

In order to film a single F1 race, over 120 trackside cameras, onboard cameras, a helmet camera, and a camera in a helicopter is used. Every car is equipped with small cameras and sensors to capture everything in the cockpit and broadcast live. The television production teams are responsible for monitoring the filming equipment and seamless broadcasting. The TV director chooses either the replay or the track feed will go onto the world feed. We should understand that it’s impossible to capture all 20 cars, so broadcasters focus on impressive shots and figures. Let’s find out more about what they use to send action to viewers.

Onboard Cameras

Firstly, we shall speak about onboard cameras that show the action from the driver’s perspective. They help to show people how speedy cars are and what a driver feels when driving. Five onboard cameras are usually used in Formula 1 cars. The “T-cam” in F1 is found on top of the car and has two cameras pointing forwards and backward. The other three cameras are located at different places on the chassis. Small and lightweight 360-degree cameras capture incredible footage. Helmet cameras give the audience a driver’s view of the race.

Helicopter Cameras

Helicopter cameras are expensive, but they are really worth it for professional Formula 1 broadcasting. You know that flying a helicopter isn’t cheap, but filming equipment is even more expensive. The helicopter flies over the circuit and takes dynamic shots. It produces a steady image thanks to an advanced camera stabilizer. Viewers enjoy great footage as the helicopter moves smoothly. The pilot and the operator collaborate to generate incredible Formula 1 footage.

Experiments With Drones

Formula 1 experimented with drones to broadcast the race. They used drones with cameras for the first time in Spain and called it a “testing on air” approach. Producers believed that viewers get a closer aerial view from different corners. However, drone shots cannot replace traditional helicopter footage. Drones pose a safety risk if they were to malfunction. Additionally, they’re not fast enough to follow the cars. As a solution, Formula 1 uses a cable camera that’s hooked up to a cable system. It can move at up to 80 miles per hour and perfectly tracks the cars giving viewers a dynamic angle.

Other Types of Cameras

Formula 1 uses Grass Valley cameras and Canon broadcast lenses. They are mounted on a Vinten tripod for stable footage. Slow-motion cameras are used for replays. It also benefits from different specialty cameras to capture the cars from more angles. They make the footage more versatile and engaging. These are small cameras built into the curbs, roaming cameras in the pit lane, camera crews, cameras in the grandstands, and pit stop cameras. Besides, they may send up an operator with a scissor lift to film from an aerial perspective.

Final Thoughts

As you see, filming and broadcasting Formula 1 is a time-consuming, difficult and expensive process. More than 120 cameras, a helicopter camera, onboard cameras, and microphones help to convey the spirit of the race and give viewers unforgettable emotions as they drive a car. So the next time you watch a race, remember the efforts of a dedicated production team.

Racing News

Cadillac V-LMDh makes competition debut

Friday, Jan 20

For starters, it was a productive day.

Cadillac Racing’s three new hybrid prototype race cars made their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition debut in two practice sessions on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course on the first day of preparation for the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Resources: Cadillac Racing media info for Roar and Rolex 24 At Daytona | Livery reveal video

Validating the complex operating system components and beginning work on car set-up for performance while running for the first time in traffic were among objectives for the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken, the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon, and the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook.

Cadillac cars totaled 142 laps, with the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh leading the charge with a best lap of 1 minute, 35.585 seconds. The No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh recorded a best lap of 1:36.013 and the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh posted a best lap of 1:37.128.

"All in all, a pretty positive day for Cadillac Racing," Bamber said. "It's a new era so there's a lot of excitement around the paddock and great to see so many fans out already. We have two new cars, so we're getting everything ironed out as we go along and learning constantly like throughout the development phase we're still learning. I think pace was good today and we'll keep going faster."

Van der Zande agreed: "The second session we ran all the way and made some nice improvements on the cars and the systems that are on the car. That's what you need to do at the Roar is chip away and make things better."

Said Aitken, who is making his first start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and saw the bulk of the laps in the afternoon session: “It was busy out there and good to get a feel for how it is going to be in the race. We were not necessarily looking for clean laps because we’ll have to deal with the traffic in the race. It was finding a rhythm, getting past people and doing it without taking too much risk. The car was solid. We have a good baseline from the test in December and the track is still rubbering in so it has low grip at the moment. It’s going to get better and better as the week goes on.”

In the opening session, teams essentially went through a shakedown of the new cars.

“Both cars are virtually new so it’s a lot of in and out laps, checking sensors, checking calibrations. This car depends a lot more on the data that it is generating itself to run itself,” Chip Ganassi Racing global director of operations Mike O’Gara. “Things like tire pressures, brake pressures, brake temperatures — things that were important before – are mission critical. So we have to make sure all those basic things work before all the other systems like the hybrid system, the electronic brake bias work properly. We were making sure all those things worked right before we start pushing om the rest of the systems.”

Three sessions totaling 270 minutes are scheduled for Jan. 21, with the 20-minute qualifying session at 2:40 p.m. ET Jan. 22. Peacock will provide streaming coverage of qualifying starting at 1:25 p.m.

The Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

Cadillac, the only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine for the new prototype in the GTP class, will seek to build on its legacy of success in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona with its fifth overall victory 2017.

Conditioning for endurance race and season

Leading into the nine-race GTP calendar has been the off-season work outside the race car that prepares the Cadillac Racing drivers for the physicality and rigors of racing.

With a heavier and more powerful car with less downforce, longer stints than previous years and unknown factors of the new race car, “You need to keep your fitness up particularly because our first race is a 24-hour race, which is quite unique in motorsports, so you have to be ready from the word go,” according to Richard Westbrook.

Added Sebastien Bourdais: “The years of experience helps you to know exactly where you need to be physically to not to have any issues inside the car, which is all you really care about unless you want to prepare for an ironman. The biggest thing that is hard to quantify and hard to prepare for because every physiology is different is the heat inside the car. That can demolish your physical abilities really rapidly once you overheat. That’s the one unknown with the new car because they tend to be very hot with the batteries inside the cockpit. It’s one extra factor.”

Cycling, rowing, running and weight training are all parts of conditioning regimens.

“I think the physicality of endurance racing is right up there with any form of motorsports, because these cars are seriously fast with a lot of G forces and we have to stay in there and give our absolute maximum for two to three hours at a time, which is a lot. I do a lot of work in the gym and also on the bike to get an all-around fitness because you have to be strong enough to muscle the car but also have the stamina to last for hours at a time,” Alex Lynn said.

Said Pipo Derani: "I try to mix all of that – some days doing weights and cardio together then other days doing longer periods of cardio to make sure my heart is good. That’s the balance I find works for me. The more cardio I do the easier it is in terms of brain capacity later into the run. You see easily after you’ve been in the car very long that your brain can start taking some time to make decisions, and that’s really because there’s not enough oxygen. Once you train your cardiovascular condition to be bigger and better, you delay that feeling to later into the run. It’s different when you train in a gym with the air conditioning, you don’t quite put yourself into an extreme situation."

Jack Aitken, endurance race driver of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh, added rock climbing to his regimen.

“Grip strength is very important for us, and it also involves decision-making under physical pressure -- something that is valuable in the car too,” he said. “The bike always proves to be a great head-clearer, as you can head out for a proper adventure for hours and hours.”

Decade of competing in the U.S.

Renger van der Zande’s helmet design for 2023 commemorates his 10th year of racing in the U.S. He is a two-time winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (2019, 2020) both with Cadillac Racing. … Teammate Scott Dixon is competing in his 20th Rolex 24 At Daytona. He is a four-time winner. … GTP teams have 33 sets of Michelin tires (12 soft “low temperature” and 21 soft “high temperature”) at their disposal for this weekend and the sessions leading into the twice-around-the-clock race. They will have 21 sets total for the race.

GM PR

Racing News

2023 California Micro Sprint Speedweek Announced

Friday, Jan 20

Officials from the California Speedweek have announced a return of the famed Micro Sprint classic, featuring action from June 30 to July 4 throughout all four of California’s weekly Micro Sprint facilities. The Speedweek will open on Friday night June 30 at Keller Auto Raceway at Plaza Park in Visalia, Calif. The action moves West to Lemoore Raceway on Saturday July 1. An off-day on Sunday July 2 will allow teams time to regroup and travel north to Dixon Speedway on July 3. The series finale will take place on July 4 at Delta Speedway in Stockton, Calif.

Drivers will compete in Super 600, Non-Wing, and Restricted with registration opening soon for all four nights of competition. Previous champions of the series include Fresno’s Gio Scelzi, who announced on Friday that he will compete full-time in the World of Outlaws in 2023. Other former champions include Chili Bowl A-Main starters and Tulsa Shootout driller winners such as Mitchel Moles, Tristan Guardino, Jake Hagopian, Tj Smith, Chris Andrews, Nikko Panella, and Michael Faccinto.

Sponsorship information is available by contacting Steven Blakesley at (916) 316-4854 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CA Micro Sprint PR

Racing News

Cadillac Racing: Chip Ganassi Racing transcript

Friday, Jan 20

Cadillac Racing enters a new era of prototype sports car racing with the competition debut of the Cadillac V-LMDh in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will attempt to secure the pole Jan. 22 for the 61st edition of the race on Jan. 28-29.

Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi, managing director Mike Hull, global director of operations Mike O'Gara, and drivers of the Nos. 01 and 02 Cadillac V-LMDh cars Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon, Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook met the media at Daytona International Speedway.

Transcript:

WHY HAS YOUR TEAM HAD SO MUCH SUCCESS HERE AT THE ROLEX 24 AND WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE TO ADD TO THAT NEXT WEEK?

Chip Ganassi: “I think when I look back on all of the wins we’ve had here, it’s a combination of great people, great drivers, great cars, good people screwing the cars together, good people engineering them, good people, having the complete program. It’s worked well for us over the years. This is obviously a new endeavor for a lot of people on pit lane this year. Everyone’s having to change their way of thinking a little bit, the way they approach these practice sessions, the way we approach things like just understanding how to get the most out of the car with the little time you have in practice. These cars are very complex.”

MIKE, CAN YOU SPEAK TO SOME OF THE COMPLEXITIES AND WHAT IT HAS BEEN LIKE FOR YOU TO WORK THROUGH THAT?

Mike Hull: “If we need to speak to the complexities, there’s too many to mention. It’s terrific to be racing in this category, GTP. The open wheel racing in the United States and closed wheel racing, sports car racing, in America, went through this period of time where there were two factions. They’ve come back together. IndyCar is starting to come out of the dilemma it was in finally, and sports car racing certainly is doing the same thing in a very positive way globally. I think what we’re seeing here at Daytona is exactly what’s going to happen for the future. This is like the down payment, what we’re seeing this year. By 2025 or 2026, not only are you going to be fighting for 61 positions in the garage area and in pit lane, but the quality of the teams are going to be way, way higher than it is today. The complexity that we’re dealing with today will be standard fare by then. Anytime that you start with a new race car, you forget all the things that you have to do to make it run. And so that’s what we’re all going through in any category that that happens.

“More importantly to that, and Chip said it, the two of us and Chip, and the drivers here, what we represent are 150 or 160 people that are working to make this a success at Daytona. It’s all about those people, it always has been and always be at Chip Ganassi Racing. We’re really happy about that. That’s what creates results and goes back to what you said at the beginning about winning here multiple times. We’ve won with different people doing the same jobs. We’ve had one goal in common and that is to work together to win.”

A COMPLEX PROGRAM FOR BOTH THE TEAM HERE AND IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP, MIKE, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO MANAGE THAT.

Mike O’Gara: There’s loads of stuff to do right now. As we’re here trying to focus on today, and the next ten days really, there are also bulletins and requests and things coming in to prepare for Sebring for the first WEC race. We have one-and-a-half eyes on Daytona and half an eye right now on making sure we don’t miss anything for the WEC. We’re trying to learn as much as we can about the car and what will be common between the two series, but also at the same time figuring out what’s going to be unique for the WEC series. There may be some electronics, some aero bits, some things like that. We’re trying to learn as much as we can. Every time we’re on the racetrack, we’re learning. This morning we took it slow a bit. One car was literally brand new, one car had just a few laps on it. We’re really taking things bit by bit and making sure we do everything right and that we’re prepared for Daytona. We just keep building on that for Sebring. Obviously, we will have two cars there, one in each paddock, then we sort of go our separate ways for the next race and join again later in the year. We’re just trying to take it all in and make sure we have the right people in place to build on this thing for the next few years.”

SCOTT, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS RACE AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN ONE OR MORE WATCH?

Scott Dixon: “I think it’s always been an extremely fun race. I think for a lot of us, especially on the IndyCar side with slightly longer off-seasons, this year especially with all of the testing and prep with the new GTP car, it’s been a lot of fun. For me, just this race. All of us are racecar drivers and once you get to race weekend and the 24-hour race, you’re in the car and driving. That’s the most fun part for me. Even from the start back in 2004, it was a very wet race. I think about 18 hours was going in the rain and we had like a stick with the wiper because we didn’t have a defroster. Then we didn’t have wipers, so a lot has changed since that first race. For me, to work with this group of people is always a lot of fun. I’ve got to thank Chip every year for allowing me to come along.”

RENGER, TALK ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND WHAT THAT’S BEEN LIKE WITH THE NEW CAR?

Renger van der Zande: “It’s a long offseason from the last race to Daytona but it’s very short at the same time for the team, especially for building the car. I think all of the manufacturers would have said it would have been nice to start the year earlier than we did because you’re still chasing stuff. As drivers, you’re updated about it and give your feedback but at the same time you’re just getting ready as a normal season. When you’re sweating in a basement on a bad weather day and you’re turning your laps in doing Daytona to get ready, those are the moments that where it really starts to come alive to say, ‘let’s go and try and win this one again.’ It’s the start of a season. It’s a full season in IMSA again. This time it’s nine races, and this the first race. You want to win the biggest one of the year but at the same time you want to focus on getting the season started nicely. Last year we didn’t have a great first three races and we caught up many points and good results on the way to still finish third in the championship. I think it’s going to be about reliability in this race and managing the package as a team, trying to get the most out of the package. Hopefully a reliable package, and then you can come a long way.”

SEB, YOU’RE STARTING YOUR SECOND YEAR HERE WITH RENGER SHARING A CAR. TALK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER STARTING LAST YEAR, AND WHAT THAT MEANS AS YOU HEAD INTO THIS YEAR?

Sebastien Bourdais: “We’ve had a really good run. We obviously had an up and down year last year. It was kind feast or famine, but with some really good runs and really good times. We very much enjoyed the whole relationship with Cadillac and bringing them those wins. We’re just looking for a bit more consistency and really hoping that this year is the year. There has been a ton of work leading up to that moment here in Daytona to get ready and get the cars there. Every time there’s a regulation change like that, you show up at Daytona, the hardest race of the year, it’s a 24-hour race, and it’s in January. Nobody feels ready, but you’ve got a job ahead and you have to make the best of it. Thanks for all of the efforts the team has done whether at Cadillac or at Ganassi. Looking forward to a great season, and it starts today.”

EARL, YOU’VE WON LE MANS A COUPLE OF TIMES OVERALL. NOW YOU’RE IN A POSITION WITH THIS CAR TO WIN HERE OVERALL. WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN TO YOU?

Earl Bamber: “I think it’s a really exciting opportunity to be able to come here and fight for overall wins. It’s one race that’s eluded me personally. Chip managed to beat us quite a few times for this one back in the day. It’s amazing to be able to join this organization. Obviously, the most successful team on the grid to win these races, and to be able to come here and do it with Cadillac. I think what we’re looking forward to as well in the WEC season, to go back to Le Mans with Cadillac to challenge for the overall victory is going to be something really, really special, and I think everyone’s eyes are on that big race. I think it will be the first time for an American manufacturer to, if we can achieve our ultimate goal, the first time for an American manufacturer and I think that’s what everyone wants to achieve with this program. We’ve got 160 people at the shop all with that common goal, so we’re looking forward to it.”

ALEX, WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE ROLEX 24 HOURS AS YOU PREPARE FOR THE WEC SEASON ALSO?

Alex Lynn: “This is only my second one, but it has always been one I’ve really wanted to do for numerous reasons. The prestige of this race is what has always attracted me to it. What it represents in racing’s history. If you can add a win here to your CV, it’s another big rubber stamp on what you want. From my side, it’s one I’m really motivated to win for many reasons, but certainly this one here in GTP would be really cool.”

TALK ABOUT HOW EXCITED YOU ARE TO BE BACK WITH CHIP GANASSI RACING

Richard Westbrook: “I always felt like there was unfinished business with the team. When Chip called me back, I actually thought he butt-dialed me when I saw his name on my phone and it was ringing. It’s just so good to be back. It felt natural to come back, and like I said, it felt like there was unfinished business. The program that we did before, it just felt too short. It was such a good time that we had. I’m back where I feel like I belong, and also back with General Motors (GM). I obviously had five successful years with GM, the Corvette GT program, and the Corvette DP program. Exciting times, and I can’t wait to get going.”

EVERYBODY’S DOUBLE-STINTING TIRES IN GTP THIS YEAR. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT AND HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THINGS FROM A STRATEGY STANDPOINT?

Sebastien Bourdais: “We’re looking at it. We tried to see what the tire evolution was like at the test in December. I don’t think it’s very different from what we had to do in DPi to be honest. We had to double-stint tires in DPi as well. We’re in a very similar scenario because the stints are a bit longer with the fuel that we have on board. Although we have less tires, the number of stints that you’re going to have to double-stint are going to be probably fairly similar. We’re, I’d say, a long ways off determining exactly where we need to be to make the tires last and optimize everything. There are quite a few things that have to happen before that. I don’t think it will be a major problem. Most of this race is survive, survive, survive and make it through the night, and then set yourself up the best way possible for the last couple of hours shootout. At that point you’ll be done with double-stinting tires.”

ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE TIRE, IS IT A BIG DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO THE DPi OR IS IT HARD TO TELL ON THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS?

Sebastien Bourdais: “It is different. It’s the best of the best that Michelin has. There are many differences between the fact that the car is heavier, it has a lot less downforce, it has more power. It’s much harder on tires. So comparing the two with different tires, there’s not a single thing that lines up to be able to have a fair comparison. We just know that Michelin is doing their best to give us the best product possible, and give us the most grip, and sustainable performance level. That’s all we can ask for, and it’s a very safe tire. I’m feeling pretty good about that.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU LOVE ABOUT THE NEW GTP CARS

Chip Ganassi: “I personally like the sound of our car. I think the V8 says a lot. My first outing this morning with all of the other cars, it’s nice because you know when it’s coming by. I like that.”

Mike Hull: “What I like about where we’re racing now with this category of car, the GTP car, is the technology that it represents going forward. Going forward, we need to embrace alternate technologies if we want to continue racing cars and have manufacturers help us do that. That’s a big deal. The cars are complex. The reality is the complexity is secondary to the message. That’s what I like about it.”

Mike O’Gara: “The technology is my most and least favorite thing about them. I started at CGR in 2004 as a race engineer. The engineer in me loves the new technology and trying to figure that out. Now that means more people, more computers, more wires, so that adds a level of complexity. One thing we’ve done over the 30-plus years that Chip Ganassi Racing has existed is figure things out better than everyone else. That’s a good challenge for us is to we just have to be a little bit better than everyone and we’re working hard to do that in every way on this car. The technology is what definitely intrigues me the most about it.”

IMSA DRAWS SUCH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAIR OF DRIVERS, FANS, MANUFACTURERS. WHAT IS IT ABOUT IMSA THAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL AND SO APPEALING TO EVERYONE TO WANT TO BE IN THIS SPORT?

Sebastien Bourdais: “I think everybody just loves racing. Coming to Florida in January when no other series has started is kind of the appeal. There’s no conflict on schedules, everybody knows that. No matter what you race, where you race, you know you’ll be available, and you can commit to it. There’s obviously a big number of cars which provides opportunities. We’re all racers, we all love going around racetracks and fighting each other. There’s plenty of really cool cars to drive. It’s a great challenge, a very historical race to try and win. A nice watch at the end if you did the job, so why not?”

YOU’VE REPRESENTED CADILLAC IN IMSA. WHAT IS THE ENERGY LIKE FROM PARTNERS AT CADILLAC WITH THIS NEW GTP EFFORT?

Chip Ganassi: “I think, obviously, they’re interested in all of the races, but certainly when you add Le Mans into the equation, that’s something they’ve mentioned in the first two or three sentences of getting together, I can tell you. While the eye is on that prize as well, there are plenty of races before that, including this one, that we want to win.”

TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT CHIP WAS SAYING ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CAR AND APPROACHING THE PRACTICE SESSION DIFFERENTLY, HOW DID THE FIRST SESSION GO, AND DID YOU MAYBE APPROACH IT DIFFERENTLY?

Mike O’Gara: “For today, like I said earlier, both cars are virtually new so it’s a lot of in and out laps and checking sensors, checking calibrations. This car depends a lot more on the data that it is generating itself to run itself. So, things like tire pressures, brake sensors, brake pressures-things that were important before are critical now. They are mission critical, so we have to make sure all those basic things work before all the other systems like the hybrid system, the electronic brake bias… We have to have those basic things right before those other things work properly. So, this morning with two new cars, we were just making sure all of that worked right, so this afternoon, and the rest of the weekend, we can just start pushing. There is a mountain of work and a mountain of data for all of our folks to look at just to make sure all of that is functioning properly before we can start pushing on the rest of the systems in the car.”

IS THERE A DRIVER IN PARTICULAR THAT MIGHT WANT TO ADDRESS THEIR IMPRESSIONS? I KNOW YOU’VE BEEN IN THE CAR BEFORE, BUT HERE IN AN OFFICIAL SESSION HERE AT DAYTONA HOW DID IT FEEL AND IF THERE WERE ANY SURPRISES?

Sebastien Bourdais: “It was very busy this morning that is for sure. With 61 cars, everyone was trying to find their references and it did feel a bit like a gymkhana in heavy traffic which is a little scary because everybody is really scarce on spare parts and we all got the message loud and clear. You are already finding yourself in situations you do not want to be in because you can’t afford to damage anything, so that is going to be a consideration for sure.”

THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ENDEAVOR FOR THE MANUFACTURERS, WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES GETTING TO THIS POINT IN DEVELOPING THE CAR, AND GETTING IT TO WHERE CADILLAC WAS PLEASED?

Mike O’Gara: “Again, from my perspective it goes back to technology. Not just technology, but also getting the right people. I have to look after who we employ, that is one big portion of my job. Making sure we have the right people with the right backgrounds so they can help us make the right decisions and tune that car. We are lucky enough to carry several people over from our DPi program and some from our INDYCAR program. Those are engineers and people who know how to use and operate the last car. Now we are looking at systems engineers and hybrid engineers and battery specialists and things like that. So for me, it is a big challenge, aside from learning the car, is making sure we have the right people in place because once the race season starts, it’s hard to find good people is difficult. It’s easier in the off season and I think we are really close there. I think we have a few of the WEC staff here with us for sort of on-the-job training. We have a pretty wide range of experience and personalities to mesh and learn how to work together.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE COLLABORATION BETWEERN THE TEAMS AND MANUFACTURERS FROM NOT ONLY CADILLAC AND TEAMS, BUT OTHERS?

Chip Ganassi: “For us, we are obviously working closely with Action Express and their people. But, more importantly something for people to understand is that GM is making a big effort at this obviously. They have taken a lot of their championship people from Corvette program over on to this program, and with our experience of our team and the Action Express team, we have plenty between the two teams, Action Express has a lot of Dpi championships as well, it’s the meshing of three championship winning companies coming together, working together coming together-us, Action Express and GM-coming together, working together and learning best practices as you will. Simple things like how to communicate with one another. People like to communicate differently and how to understand what to do. Here we are in a race situation, and that is what we are excited and what we like to do. It’s all coming together this weekend.”

WHAT SORT OF CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS?

Renger van der Zande: “I think developing of the car is coming from the people and the companies like Dallara, GM, Ganassi, that cooperation of putting things together. Bosch with systems, Williams with the engine, electronics. It’s a lot of people from different companies that suddenly have to work together and find solutions if things are not working. Going testing as a driver is a lot of waiting, doing a few laps, and waiting a long time because you want to make sure everything is correct and doesn’t blow up. If you blow up something, then it takes even longer. It’s a mix of trying to do as many laps as you can, trying to get a feel for the systems in the cars, at the same time doing it systematically with the group of people that tries to work together. This is a human sport. If you have the right people, the good people, that’s when things are successful. That’s the game. Trying to get everyone connected and make the most out of what they bring to the table. As a driver, there’s a lot of waiting. Once the car is running, for example, at Sebring we did a 24-hour test. It’s beautiful to do so many laps with so many people in the garage working one goal. As a driver being a part of that, giving feedback of what’s wrong, basically, they’re trying put the best car on the track and the first thing they ask you is ‘what’s wrong?’ So it’s kind of a weird thing as a driver. You want to give compliments but you have to tell them what’s wrong. That’s how you move forward, with the critics and how to get better. As a driver, it’s really cool to be a part of that.”

GM PR

Racing News

Dean Thompson Joins Venturini Motorsports for a Partial Schedule in 2023

Friday, Jan 20

Venturini Motorsports (VMS) has announced another addition to their 2023 roster: 21 year old Dean Thompson, from Anaheim, California. Thompson is set to take on a program of five races with VMS in the 2023 season; Kansas Speedway (May), Charlotte Motor Speedway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Pocono Raceway, and Phoenix Raceway (ARCA-W).

“I’m super stoked to continue my partnership with Toyota by signing with Billy and Venturini Motorsports. They have established themselves as the pinnacle of ARCA and contenders to win at every race they enter. I know we will be competing for wins and I can’t wait to get started,” explained Thompson.

Thompson’s racing career has only continued to gain momentum as he has worked his way through the various series. He distinguished himself throughout his successful late model racing career. The season of 2020 saw Thompson grasp six wins and garner a collection of 14 top five finishes. After a string of successes and dominating the season, Thompson procured his first Irwindale Speedway Late Model Championship. Augmenting his accomplishments, Thompson fought his way to the championship title again in 2021.

The 2021 season also marked Thompson’s ARCA debut with seven ARCA West Series races. Additionally, he took on a race in the ARCA Main Series where he secured a top ten finish at Kansas Speedway. Having demonstrated his quick growth as a driver as well as his adaptability, Thompson has set himself up to advance quickly through the ranks.

In his most recent season, Thompson completed a full slate of races in the NASCAR Truck Series. “My goals are to always be up front and win races. My time in the truck series has taught me so much about the tracks I’ll be racing at this year with VMS so I know that I’ll be able to accomplish these goals with the team,” asserted Thompson.

Thompson joins Venturini Motorsports this season with a desire to sharpen his skills and prepare to perform at the highest levels of NASCAR. His strong racing resume and ingenuity will ensure a successful run in the ARCA Menards Series with VMS. As an experienced driver working with the most successful team in the history of the series, Thompson will have every resource needed to further his career. In combination with his ARCA schedule, Thompson will also be taking on a full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

The Venturini Motorsports team have expressed their enthusiasm over their most recently signed talent. “Dean will be a strong addition to the program. He has experience out West and in truck which will make him tough to beat. I expect him to be contending for wins,” stated team owner Billy Venturini.

Thompson will make his VMS debut at Kansas Speedway on May 6. The race will be viewable on FS1 and the Fox Sports App at 2pm ET.

VMS PR

NASCAR Cup Series News

United Rentals Racing: Ryan Preece Previews Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum

Friday, Jan 20

Notes of Interest

● United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world, is serving as the primary sponsor of Ryan Preece and the No. 41 team of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) for select NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023, beginning with the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum Feb. 4-5 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,449 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 24,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals is available at UnitedRentals.com.

● Perseverance has paid off for Preece. SHR promoted the 32-year-old racer from Berlin, Connecticut, from his reserve driver role with the organization to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023 where he will drive the team’s No. 41 Ford Mustang. Preece had spent 2022 performing simulator work while running a mix of races across each of NASCAR’s top-three national touring series – Cup, Xfinity and Truck – a schedule punctuated by a Truck Series win from the pole June 24 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, his second straight at the 1.333-mile oval near Music City.

● One of the NASCAR Cup Series races Preece ran last year was the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum. Preece drove for Rick Ware Racing and advanced into the 150-lap main event. It was a herculean effort for the small team, and Preece played a key role even from outside of the racecar. To simply have a car ready for the race, Preece worked side-by-side with his mechanics in the days and nights leading into The Clash building the racecar, a rarity in the ultra-specialized world of NASCAR’s premier division.

● Preece made a name for himself on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – NASCAR’s oldest division and the only open-wheel series sanctioned by NASCAR. Preece won the Tour championship in 2013 and worked hard to leverage that title into additional opportunities in the Xfinity Series – NASCAR’s stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series. After spending all of 2016 in a scrappy effort with an underfunded team that delivered a best finish of 10th, Preece mortgaged his house to secure two races with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in 2017. In equipment finally befitting his talent, Preece finished second in his JGR debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon and then won in his very next start at Iowa Speedway in Newton. In his next five Xfinity Series starts, Preece never finished outside of the top-10, a run capped with a second victory in April 2018 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

● The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is filled with short tracks, so competing at a quarter-mile oval – the shortest track the NASCAR Cup Series will compete on in 2023 – is nothing new for Preece. That experience will prove incredibly useful because only 27 cars can line up for the 150-lap feature. Getting to the main event is a process. Here's how it works...

● On Saturday, Feb. 4, NASCAR Cup Series competitors will take to the track for practice prior to single-car qualifying to determine the starting order for four heat races. On Sunday, Feb. 5, on-track action will begin with four, 25-lap heat races consisting of 10 cars each. Below is a breakdown on how the heat races will be filled out:

● The top-four fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s single-car qualifying session will be on the pole for each heat race, while cars that qualified fifth through eighth will make up the other half of the front row in each heat.

● The remainder of each field will be filled using this methodology: Heat one will be made up of cars with qualifying positions of one, five, nine, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37.

● The top-five finishers (20 total cars) from each heat race automatically advance to the Busch Light Clash, with the winner of heat one winning the pole and the winner of heat two earning the outside pole.

● The winners of heats three and four will fill out the second row, with the remaining order being determined in the same manner.

● The remaining finishing positions from each heat that did not advance will continue to one of two 50-lap Last Chance Qualifying (LCQ) races. Below is a breakdown on how the LCQ will be filled out:

● The starting order for these two events will be determined based on finishing positions in the heat races.

● Those who did not advance from heats one and three will make up the first LCQ race. The second race will be made up of those from heats two and four.

● The sixth-place finishers from heats one and two will be on the pole in their respective LCQ races. The sixth-place finishers from heats three and four will be on the outside pole.

● This pattern will continue to fill out the remaining cars in each LCQ.

● The top-three finishers (six total cars) from both LCQ races will advance to the Busch Light Clash, filling out positions 21-26 of the 27 available positions.

● The final spot in the Busch Light Clash will be reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2022 points standings who does not transfer on finishing position in their heat race or in their LCQ race.

● All other drivers will be eliminated from competition for the remainder of the event weekend.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang

You won the second LCQ race last year to advance to the Busch Light Clash. Talk about that LCQ race and how frantic the final laps were, and how your poise earned you the win, even after crossing the stripe in second place. (Ty Dillon was originally declared the winner, but NASCAR determined he jumped the final restart. He was disqualified. Preece, who had finished second to Dillon, was awarded the win and the final transfer spot to the Clash.)

“Going there with Rick Ware Racing and having to race our way in, we knew it was going to be tough. It was a level playing field for the most part just because not many people had been testing with the NextGen car, so it was all still pretty new. I felt like we had a pretty decent car right away and we just kind of tuned on it and we were able to make it into the big show. That was huge for that team, and I come from quarter-miles, so it was nice to be a part of it and get some experience.”

Which was tougher – advancing to the Clash via the LCQ or just getting your car ready to compete at the L.A. Coliseum. Rumor has it you built your own NextGen car to race at the Clash. Is that true?

“I didn’t completely build it, but I did help at times, and after the B-main (LCQ), I had to get in there and do a little bit of work just because we were short-handed. It’s always nice to get your hands dirty and be a part of the process, but at this level, there are so many smart people, and people who are seasoned and knowledgeable, so it’s nice to be at SHR and have the opportunity to lean on my teammates.”

You’re a bit old school in that you’ve always worked on your own racecars. Talk about growing up with that mentality and how it has helped you get back to the NASCAR Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing.

“The one takeaway you really have from being old school and working on your own racecars is that it teaches you the will to win. It teaches you to be a fighter. It teaches you how to make things possible. Racing, as much as it is a competitive sport and it’s about winning, there are so many life lessons that come along with it. I’m proud of my grassroots, weekly racing background and from where I come from. It’s rewarding to be back and have this opportunity.”

When it comes to the primary partner on your racecar, United Rentals, you’re pretty hands on with them too. You know your way around all the equipment they provide. Is it a badge of honor to be able to jump on a scissor lift or a forklift, or to grab a generator or an air compressor and just know what you need to do with them?

“My father, he owns an HVAC company, and you’re using forklifts or scissor lifts, really all of United Rentals’ equipment all the time. It’s really a natural fit for me. When some guests from United Rentals show up and I get to talk to them, I can have a genuine conversation with them, even if it’s not about their equipment or what they’re doing. Those are the types of people and partners that I really enjoy working with. Getting to meet all of the different contractors that they bring and hearing their stories.”

For a guy who is used to working on his own stuff and making parts and pieces for his racecars, is there any better place to be than at a race team that’s co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas?

“I’m really excited about this because Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, they’re both innovators. They’re racers. Tony’s a racecar driver and just look at everything Gene Haas has built, this empire he has created with Haas Automation. It’s a great opportunity that I have to race for this team and this organization and, hopefully, we’ve done a good job preparing and we can go out and have an extremely successful year.”

In regard to the actual racing at the Coliseum, how did reality line up with your expectations, and what are your expectations for this year’s Clash?

“We surpassed our expectations at The Clash last year. For every race, my expectation is to show up and try to win, but just making that race was a big deal for me and for that team. I felt like we could’ve had a top-10 effort but, unfortunately, we had a brake failure. As far as our goals and what we have set for this year, I know what my goal is and that’s to win. I feel really strongly about the relationship that I have with Chad (Johnston, crew chief) and what we’re capable of doing together.”

TSC PR

Speedway News

Ron Silk Ready to Contend for NAPA Spring Sizzler Crown at Stafford

Friday, Jan 20

When Stafford Speedway kicks off its 2023 season with the 51^st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler®, Ron Silk is sure to be counted among the pre-race favorites. Silk and the #16 Blue Mountain Machine / Future Homes team finished third in last year’s Sizzler® and won the season ending NAPA Fall Final in September. With an average finish of 4.3 in three Stafford starts last season, Silk and his team are eager to return to the Connecticut half-mile facility.

“The team and I are certainly looking forward to coming back to Stafford,” said Silk. “We thought the Sizzler® was an awesome event last year with a lot of cars, a lot of people in the stands, and a really good payday. We ran well in the Sizzler® and finished third but we needed just a little more to be able to keep up with Matt [Hirschman] and Ryan [Preece]. We made some improvements over the two remaining races we ran at Stafford and it was really good to get a win at the Fall Final last year. It’s a new year and a new race, but it’s always nice to come back to a track after your last visit there was a victory. We’ll try to take all the positives we can from the Fall Final to the Sizzler® but you’re still going to have to have a fast car and make the right decisions, so we still have a little bit of work ahead of us.”

“We’re all pumped for the Sizzler®,” said Silk’s co-car owner Joe Yannone. “Ronnie is comfortable at Stafford and the team always has a great time when we race there. We feel like our car has everything it takes to make it happen at Stafford so we’re all looking forward to the Sizzler®. The Sizzler® will be one of our highlight races for the 2023 season for sure and we’re definitely confident and looking forward to April.”

Last year’s 50^th running of “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring” brought about several changes to the format. Rather than time trials, teams had to qualify for the race by finishing in a qualified position in one of two 40-lap NAPA Duel races. Drivers who didn’t qualify through a NAPA Duel went into a 15-lap last chance qualifier to earn the final starting positions in the 100 lap NAPA Spring Sizzler®. The new format saw 41 cars attempt to qualify for the 33 car starting field and brought about an atmosphere around the race that was appreciated by all competitors.

“I was really impressed with the atmosphere,” said Silk. “It felt like being at the track 15 or 20 years ago when I was younger with a buzz around the track and the race. Honesty as a racer, I’m kind of a fan of time trials, but for the fans it’s more exciting to have heat races, especially when the race is spread out over two days like the Sizzler®. I really like the idea of a 40-lap heat race rather than a 10-lap heat because if you get a poor starting draw, you at least have some time to do something about it. Last year we were fortunate enough to win our duel race, which was a great payday in itself for a 40-lap race, and I think that’s one of the main reasons why there was so much excitement around the race last season. With everything that happened last season, the race should only be bigger and better this season.”

Last year’s NAPA Spring Sizzler® paid a guaranteed $15,000 to win plus any contingency money earned and it paid $1,250 to start the race from total posted awards of over $130,000. For the 2023 NAPA Spring Sizzler®, the purse has increased to pay the winner a guaranteed $20,000 with $1,500 to start the race from total posted awards of over $140,000.

“Stafford has done a fantastic job with the purse,” said Silk. “I was looking at the purse the other day, and although it would be a very tough feat to pull off, if a driver could win their duel race and lead all 100 laps to win the race, the payout would be around $38,500, which would really be something remarkable.”

“The Sizzler is always exciting with the amount of competitors who come to Stafford and the track is always packed with fans,” said Yannone. “Stafford does a great job with the purse and that really helps draw attention to the modifieds.”

Silk made his NAPA Spring Sizzler® debut in 2004 and he has since made 15 starts with a best finish of third, which he has done three times, including last season. Silk would like to add the Sizzler® to his career win list while his owner says that a Sizzler victory would be a bucket list item for himself and the team.

“The Sizzler is certainly a prestigious race and it’s one of the bigger races that I haven’t won yet, so it would certainly mean a lot to me to win a race like that against that field of competition with a great atmosphere surrounding the race,” said Silk. “It would be really good for the team to get some momentum early in the season and it would be a nice payday on top of that. Thanks to my car owners Tyler Haydt and Joe Yannone, Future Homes, Blue Mountain Machine, and all the crew guys who give up their free time to go racing with us. We all enjoy doing it but it’s still a big commitment and we couldn’t do this without their help.”

“If we were able to win the Sizzler®, it would definitely be something for our bucket list and we would all be ecstatic,” said Yannone. “Ronnie is the guy to do it and our crew chief Phil Moran along with Tyler Haydt, myself, and everyone on the crew, we all have the utmost confidence that we can make it happen and it would be totally awesome to win the Sizzler®.”

The 51^st Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler® kicks off on Saturday, April 29, and will consist of two 40-lap NAPA Duel qualifying races for the Open Modified division. The 40-lap races will each pay $3,500 to win and will set the field for Sunday’s NAPA Spring Sizzler®. The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Models will also make their return to Stafford Speedway on April 29th with a 75-lap feature with over 40 cars expected for the race. Limited Late Model, Street Stock, and Vintage All-Star divisions will complete Saturday’s racing program.

Order 51st NAPA Spring Sizzler® Tickets

Sunday, April 30th will play host to the $20,000 to win 51st NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler®. Filling out Sunday’s racing card will be qualifying and feature racing for the SK Modified®, SK Light Modified, and Late Model divisions along with last chance qualifiers for the Spring Sizzler®.

For more information, visit staffordspeedway.com, follow Stafford Speedway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.

Stafford Speedway PR

Racing News

Miguel Gomes Enjoys the Experience of Historic Arca Test at Daytona

Friday, Jan 20

Miguel Gomes had long dreamed to drive on the legendary Daytona International Speedway and he finally got a chance to make it into reality in mid January. The Portuguese driver made his United States debut as he became the latest EuroNASCAR driver to make the trip to NASCAR’s home country and try out America’s breed of stock cars through his participation in the ARCA Menards Series’ pre-season test with Fast Track Racing.

Gomes’ participation in the test was made possible thanks to the help provided by the team that gave him his debut in EuroNASCAR: Marko Stipp Motorsport. The German team made contacts with Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing on the build-up to the test and an agreement was reached which saw Gomes added to Fast Track’s thirteen driver roster for the test.

“The best word to describe the experience is ‘overwhelming’, different from anything I’ve done before!” said Gomes on the test. “To be able to drive in the legendary oval of Daytona and participate in an event of a series with so much history, working together with a team like Fast Track Racing owned by Andy Hillenburg, a champion himself who also won in this track, was a privilege. I have to thank Marko Stipp Motorsport once again for putting us in contact.”

Gomes has driven at the virtual version of Daytona many times before through simulation games such as iRacing, but the experience of actually driving in the Super Speedway oval itself gave him an unexpected surprise. “The first time you go out on the track you don’t believe it’s possible to go full throttle there, your body keeps telling you it’s not. But then you try for the first time and the car sticks, from there it’s an amazing feeling to go wide open all the way!” said the Portuguese.

Gomes added that the purpose of the test was to see if he was ready to race in ARCA, something that he was declared ready for based on the results – a lap time of 51.470 seconds. The Portuguese driver would love to make his return to the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2023, which starts on 6-7 May with the Valencia NASCAR Fest at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. All qualifying and race sessions for the 2023 season will be broadcast live on EuroNASCAR’s YouTube channel, Motorsport.tv and several TV services from all round the world.

NWES PR

Speedway News

Speedway Motorsports Promotes Veteran Leadership

Friday, Jan 20

Speedway Motorsports officials announced promotions today recognizing outstanding professional performance at Dover Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, while also expanding leadership responsibilities across all Speedway Motorsports venues. Jim Hosfelt was named vice president of safety and security at Dover Motor Speedway and director of safety and security for Speedway Motorsports. Kenton Nelson maintains his position as vice president of events at Texas Motor Speedway and adds director of events for Speedway Motorsports to his role. Kyle Nelson was named vice president of operations at Texas Motor Speedway.

Jim Hosfelt

Dover Motor Speedway Vice President of Safety and Security
Speedway Motorsports Director of Safety and Security

Hosfelt joined Dover Motor Speedway in 2014 after serving as chief of the Dover, Del., police force, capping a 26-year career with the department. Hosfelt, as Dover Motor Speedway’s assistant vice president for public safety and track operations, supervised the speedway’s expanded Public Safety department and coordinated partnerships among local, state and federal law enforcement and transportation agencies.

In addition to Dover’s annual NASCAR events, Hosfelt led security operations for the Firefly Music Festival, which annually hosted up to 100,000 people on speedway property. Hosfelt serves as a coordinator for monthly food distribution events conducted by the speedway with the Food Bank of Delaware. An Air Force veteran and graduate of the FBI National Academy, Hosfelt was elected to seats on Dover City Council (2015-2017) and Kent County Levy Court (2017-2019).

In his new role, Hosfelt will continue managing security and public safety efforts for DMS while serving as a security liaison on behalf of all Speedway Motorsports facilities with NASCAR and federal agencies. Hosfelt will be tasked with sharing best practices and finding ways to enhance the fan experience across all Speedway Motorsports venues.

Kenton Nelson

Texas Motor Speedway Vice President of Events
Speedway Motorsports Director of Events

Entering his 27^th season with Texas Motor Speedway in executive leadership, Kenton Nelson is expanding his role as TMS Vice President of Events to lend his experience, creativity and expertise to Events departments across all Speedway Motorsports venues. During his lengthy career at TMS, Nelson has led event production, marketing, advertising, facility maintenance and operations, guest services and logistics for both the 1.5-mile superspeedway and the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Capitalizing on his experience producing IndyCar and NASCAR race events, concerts and car shows, Nelson will support all 11 Speedway Motorsports venues to develop and share best practices for IndyCar, NASCAR and NHRA events as well as non-traditional consumer events.

In addition to his event experience at TMS, Nelson’s professional sports background includes seven years in sales and merchandising capacities for the Dallas Mavericks, National Basketball Association and San Antonio Spurs. He graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Kyle Nelson – Texas Motor Speedway Vice President of Operations

After graduating from Texas A&M University in 2015 with a degree in Sport Management, Kyle Nelson started his motorsports career with Atlanta Motor Speedway as an events coordinator. Nelson subsequently was promoted to event logistics manager and then director of events. Now entering his eighth year with Speedway Motorsports, Nelson returns to his home state of Texas where he will serve as the vice president of operations at Texas Motor Speedway. Nelson will lead the operations department in preparing and maintaining the 1,000+ acre Great American Speedway property to host hundreds of thousands of fans annually for IndyCar, NASCAR and dirt track races, as well as car shows and special events.

“Jim, Kenton and Kyle have demonstrated their event management abilities to exceed expectations and consistently enhance the fan experience,” said Speedway Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Mike Burch. “They are true examples of employees who consistently strive to be better and who create a positive impression not only on their teammates but our sports entertainment industry as a whole.

“Our company is proud to recognize them with these well-deserved promotions and we look forward to seeing them excel with in their new roles with additional responsibilities.”

Speedway Motorsports PR

Racing News

Nominations Set, Voting Opens for Regional Arpy Awards, the RPM Outstanding Event of the Year and the 47th Annual Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year

Friday, Jan 20

The nomination ballot has been set for the 47^th Annual Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, regional Auto Racing Promoter’s of the Year and the RPM Outstanding Event of the Year and is released below.

Voting begins today and will run through midnight on Wednesday, February 1^st, 2023 to determine all award winners.

Region 1 Nominees: Lyle DeVore, Albany-Saratoga Speedway, NY; Paul Cole, Land of Legends Raceway, NY; Bobby Webber, Star Speedway, NH; Kolten Gouse, BAPS Motor Speedway, PA; Brett Deyo, Fonda Speedway, NY; Zane Rettew, Buck Motorspports Park, PA.

Region 2 Nominees: Camron Ray, Citrus County Speedway, FL; Tim Bryant, Five Flags Speedway, FL; Jack McNelly, CARS Tour, NC; Scott Tripp, Lakeview Speedway, SC; Garrett Mitchell, Freedom Factory, FL.

Region 3 Nominees: Randy Maggio, Painesville Speedway/Lorain County Speedway, OH; Kevin Gundaker, Tri City Speedway, IL; David Deery, Rockford Speedway, IL; Larry Boos, Montpelier Motor Speedway & Rumble at Fort Wayne, IN; Rex Lejune, Attic Raceway Park, OH.

Region 4 Nominees: Todd Thelen, Slinger Super Speedway, WI; Wayne Brevik, Marshfield Motor Speedway, WI; Terry Tucker, Jefferson Speedway, WI; Steve Sinclair, IRA Sprint Car Series, WI; Toby Kruse & Ratajczak Family, 141 Speedway, WI; Cole Queensland & Queensland Family, Deer Creek Speedway, MN

Region 5 Nominees: Brad Stevens, & Jessi Mynatt, 34 Raceway, IA; John McCoy, Knoxville Raceway, IA; Scotty Allen, Dallas County Speedway, MO

John Allen, 81 Speedway, KS

Region 6 Nominees: Scott & Kim Russell, Placerville Speedway, CA; Dennis Gage, Marysville Raceway, CA; Peter Murphy, Skagit Speedway, WA; Kevin Sustaire, Rocket Raceway Park, TX; Brad Whitfield, Cocopah Speedway, AZ; Tim Huddleson, Irwindale Speedway, CA; Steve Faria, Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway, CA.

Outstanding Event Nominees: Knoxville Nationals, Knoxville Raceway, IA; Buckeye Figure 8 Nationals, Painesville Speedway, OH; Ironman 55, I-55 Raceway, MO; Brian Mize Memorial, Rocket Raceway Park, TX; Rumble in Fort Wayne, IN; Motor Mountain Masters, Jennerstown Speedway, PA; Fall Classic, 141 Speedway, WI; Spring Sizzler, Stafford Motor Speedway, CT.; The Gold Cup, Silver Dollar Speedway, CA.

The link for balloting is as follows: https://forms.gle/fqZdb6gXsdvvcJvo6 (All regions must be voted for. Ballots may be rejected).

Joe Kosiski, who promoted I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska, was introduced as the 46^th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year in February of 2022 at the 49^th Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops presented at the Daytona Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida, representing Region Five, the Great Plains region of RPM balloting.

The 47th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year Award will be presented at the 50th Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops at the Daytona Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida, February 12-14, 2022. Reservations may be made at the Shores Spa & Resort (the room block is open until, Monday, January 23, 2023); https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=17713&Chain=5433&arrive=2023-02-10&depart=2023-02-16&adult=1&child=0&group=2302RPMRAC

The Racing Promotion Monthly (RPM) Newsletter and RPM Workshops provide an educational and networking program to the motorsports industry. The program provides media and meeting platforms which offer promoters, motorsports management, tracks, sanctions and companies a forum to share, educate and network within. The newsletter and workshops are services of Hoosier Racing Tire and K&K Insurance, with supporting sponsorship coming from Chevrolet Performance Products, RACEceiver, Moffet Productions, IMCA Racing, Eldorado Hotel and Casino, Simes Graphic Design, MyRacePass and Firethorn Marketing.

Further information regarding the RPM e-newsletters and workshops may be found at the company’s website, www.promotersnewsletter.com

RPM PR

Page 9 of 5409