What Does It Take to Broadcast a Formula 1 Race?
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.
Cadillac V-LMDh makes competition debut
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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." |
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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
2023 California Micro Sprint Speedweek Announced
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
Cadillac Racing: Chip Ganassi Racing transcript
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GM PR
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
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
● 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.
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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 |
When Stafford Speedway kicks off its 2023 season with the 51st 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 50th 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 51st 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
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 Motorsports Promotes Veteran Leadership
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 27th 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
The nomination ballot has been set for the 47th 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 1st, 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 46th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year in February of 2022 at the 49th 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
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