Sonoma Raceway and Della Penna Motorsports Next Gen Foundation, a 501C-3 organization, announced today a partnership that will kick-off with two events – Karting Day and a NASCAR Race VIP Tour – that will go to support the DPM Next Gen Foundation’s mission to nurture a new generation of women in motorsports by sharing a love of racing, helping young girls to see it, dream it, and do it. As part of the partnership, Sonoma Raceway will donate a karting day and host eight girls from Della Penna on April 27. The partnership will continue during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race with pit tours and meet and greets.

The first event, which will take place on April 27, is a Karting Initiation Program that will introduce eight local girls to the dynamic world of motorsports with hands-on experience on the track guided by Sonoma Raceway professionals. The karting day will also feature talks by two champion women drivers – Tati Ziemer, who just ​​competed in the International Formula Woman competition, and Michele Abbate, four-time champion in road racing and professional racing driver. 

“I grew up at Sonoma Raceway watching my father win so many races there. To partner with them now, share our love of racing and together provide girls inspiration on the ground to learn more about motorsports really feels like a full circle moment,” said DPM Next Gen Foundation Founder & President Michelle Della Penna. “We are so grateful to the Sonoma Raceway, and look forward to giving young girls the opportunity to see how motorsports work in real time and the joys of being around a track.”

The April 27 program will wrap with a reception to recognize the partnership with DPM Next Gen Foundation founder Michelle Della Penna, DPM Next Gen Foundation acting Executive Director Susan Lucas-Conwell, EVP and General Manager Sonoma Raceway Jill Gregory, and some of the families of girls attending the event.

The second event will take place on June 11 for a larger group of local girls and will be a VIP tour behind the scenes at a NASCAR race, which will include tours of garages and an opportunity to speak with drivers and engineers who will share what the motorsports industry has to offer. More details about this event will be announced closer to the date.

These events follow the successes of the DPM Next Gen Foundation’s first-ever event at The Firestone Grand Prix at Laguna Seca on September 18, 2021, playing host to the Bay Area’s Radical Monarchs, an organization that seeks to create opportunities for young girls of color to form fierce sisterhood, celebrate their identities, and contribute radically to their communities. The foundation has since hosted a “women in motorsports” panel at the LA Auto Show.

The foundation was launched in 2021 by Michelle Della Penna to honor the legacy of her father, IndyCar team owner and legend John Della Penna, by encouraging a more diverse motorsports community and nurturing a next generation talent pipeline that provides opportunities to young women to learn more about motorsports and get involved on and off the track.  

To find out more about the Della Penna Motorsports Next Gen Foundation – how your organization can participate, or how you can donate to the cause – visit www.nextgenfoundation.org. Additionally, the foundation can be found on Instagram at @dpmnextgen, on Facebook at @dpmnextgenfoundation, and on Twitter at @DPMNextGen.

Two-time F1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi had a chat with the VegasInsider team where he praised Lando Norris and McLaren for their performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Here's what Fittipaldi had to say:

• Lando Norris got third place because of what happened to Charles LeClerc but he deserved it

"What happened to LeClerc gave him (Lando Norris) third place but I always say, he has to be there to get third place. He was there. He was there and he deserved it."

"Lando did a very good job in qualifying. Remember he was fast."

"In the race, he was by far the fastest Mercedes engine car (driver). He was consistent and quick."

"Norris is driving really well. On the wet he's fast. Always very fast. He's consistent."

• McLaren is the most consistent Mercedes engine car and they'll keep on improving

"I think McLaren, talking to Zak Brown, McLaren is working hard to develop. The new rules, the new car, I think they've improved."

"I think you can see, normally, they're the most consistent Mercedes engine car. They're always ahead in the positions of other Mercedes engines (cars). That means the chassis is not bad, the mechanics are not bad. Mercedes has improved the engine."

"I think working in the same direction, they are going to improve for sure."

• McLaren are poised to be extremely competitive after Monaco

"I think McLaren will be more and more competitive at every new grand prix."

"I would say after Monaco, they should be extremely competitive. This is my personal opinion."

"McLaren started on the third row of cars (at Imola). That means they're good, they're fast and they're consistent cars."

Fittipaldi was speaking to VegasInsider, and you can find the entire interview here.

High Rock Vodka and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) today announced an expansive strategic partnership making High Rock the Official Celebratory Partner of RLL and associate sponsor for Graham Rahal throughout the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

High Rock Vodka will serve as primary sponsor for Rahal’s No. 15 Honda for Race 1 of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Weekend doubleheader at Iowa Speedway on July 23. In addition, High Rock branding will adorn the No. 15 engine cover at the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. High Rock branding will also appear as an associate sponsor on Rahal’s driver suit throughout the season.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sugarlands in this new category, as well as with Dale and Amy. As the Earnhardt’s know, our sport has some of the most devoted fans who pride themselves in supporting our sponsors,” said Graham Rahal. “Sugarlands and High Rock have a fun product, not only to enjoy, but in the experience they want their consumers to have from the fun ‘shines to the High Rock Moments and toasting to milestone memories in one’s life. There’s no doubt we’ll have a few of these High Rock Moments ahead of us this year to celebrate, and I’m looking forward to raising a glass of High Rock when it’s time to do so!”

In collaboration with Digital Ally, Inc. and platinum-selling recording artist O.A.R., High Rock and RLL will present one of the more unique liveries in NTT INDYCAR SERIES history during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on August 7. Digital Ally will turn the design of its livery that weekend over to O.A.R., who will develop the artwork for Christian Lundgaard’s No. 30 in Nashville. The livery, which is a primary for Digital Ally and its Shield Cleansers brand, will incorporate O.A.R. branding and the band’s custom artwork. O.A.R. will perform as part of its headlining United States tour at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville on Saturday, August 6, the night before the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.

“I’m proud to call Nashville home, so the opportunity to design a car for the Music City Grand Prix, which is the day after our concert at Ascend will make this a special weekend for myself and the entire band,” said O.A.R. drummer Chris Culos. “We’re thankful that Digital Ally has been gracious enough to turn over the design of its livery to us, and appreciate all the folks at High Rock, Sugarlands and Rahal Letterman Lanigan for making this happen.”

High Rock is a premium, handcrafted vodka created by Sugarlands Distilling Company in collaboration with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Earnhardt. Beginning with a base of 100% corn and crisp, clean water from the Great Smoky Mountains, High Rock Vodka is distilled seven times and then triple filtered using the Lincoln County Process. Made famous by Tennessee whiskeys, the Lincoln County Process uses sugar maple charcoal to remove any impurities. The result is premium vodka that is undeniably smooth and pure. High Rock checks in at 88 proof, a nod to the number Earnhardt drove for a decade in the NASCAR Cup Series. High Rock will be available nationwide in April.

The High Rock partnership deepens Sugarlands' relationship with RLL, which began in 2021. In addition to RLL, Sugarlands has strategic partnerships with the Atlanta Braves, Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, Boston Red Sox, New Orleans Saints, Grammy-nominated country superstar Cole Swindell, Major League Bow Hunting, and multiple Speedway Motorsports properties.

“Working with the team at Rahal Letterman Lanigan has been a fantastic experience and expanding our partnership to include the High Rock brand is a natural fit,” said Sugarlands Chief Revenue Officer Patrick Sullivan. “Integrating High Rock into our RLL partnership will increase awareness to a whole new group of racing fans while creating unique branding and activation opportunities, like the O.A.R. paint scheme in Nashville.”

Founded in 2014, Sugarlands Distilling Company produces a full line of craft moonshines and sippin’ creams with flavors like Dynamite Cinnamon, American Peach, Dark Chocolate Coffee and Butter Pecan. Sugarlands also produces Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey, which won Best Whiskey in the 2019 American Craft Spirits Association Awards.

This month, Deluxe (NYSE:DLX), a Trusted Payments and Business Technology™ company, announced that it has signed Porsche North America to a multi-year contract in its Promotional Solutions business. With the agreement, Deluxe has also signed on as title sponsor for the new Porsche Carrera Cup signature racing series in North America.

Deluxe will be the premium preferred supplier to Porsche brands in North America, providing all printed products, apparel, signage kitting and other services at events across the country and to the Porsche family of brands. The Porsche racing performance team will use the exclusive Deluxe promotional solutions online technology to order custom materials and products for their team members and racing fans across the country.

“Porsche North America is another important win for Deluxe, further accelerating our transition as a platform service provider in cloud and promotional solutions,” explained Barry McCarthy, President and CEO of Deluxe. “Through our advanced technology, we are able to provide end-to-end, customized promotional solutions for Porsche to enrich the exclusive Porsche brand and racing experience.”

Deluxe is further enhancing its brand in the marketplace by sponsoring and helping promote the Carrera Cup racing series in North America. Along with its sponsorship, Deluxe will also receive dedicated brand exposure on one of the vehicles in the competition, while also delivering digital content across the racing series.

“Today, we are proud to announce Deluxe as a major partner to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America. “The culture of innovative problem solving shared by Deluxe and Porsche is inspiring. It is a perfect fit from the start, and we believe time will provide additional symmetries between our two companies.”

“This is an exciting win for Deluxe to not only provide exclusive promotional solutions support to the Porsche family of brands across North America, but to also partner with such a deeply respected company,” said Garry Capers, President of Promotional Solutions for Deluxe. “Our experts in promotional solutions along with our technology solutions makes it easy for customers and partners like Porsche to customize their promotional solutions and manage their inventory in real time.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup series features identical Porsche racing vehicles—the same model, make, and generation – placing extra emphasis on the driver’s skills, rather than technical advantage, to win. This is the second season of the Carrera Cup racing across tracks in North America.

To learn more about the Porsche Carrera Cup, go to porschecarreracup.us.

Toyota announced today that Ron Capps and his newly formed race team of Ron Capps Motorsports will begin fielding the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car at this weekend’s 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C. The addition of Ron Capps Motorsports will expand the footprint of Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) to three GR Supra Funny Cars competing for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series championship.

“Ron Capps is a proven champion in NHRA competition and all around one of the truly entertaining and engaging personalities in the pit area,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, Motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “The drivers that pilot not only our GR Supra Funny Cars, but all of our TGRNA vehicles in NHRA competition are not only talented behind the wheel, but also as ambassadors for our brand on and off the race track. And we couldn’t be happier to welcome Ron and his team to the family.”

Capps has been a dominant driver in Funny Car competition every time he rolls to the starting line, as the California-native owns the second-most wins in NHRA Funny Car history. The two-time (2016 and 2021) and defending Funny Car World Champion has amassed 68 event titles (67 in Funny Car, 1 in Top Fuel) to date in his career and has made 131 final round appearances (129 in Funny Car, 2 in Top Fuel).

TGRNA provides its NHRA teams with tow vehicles, along with engineering, technology and trackside support. In addition to Ron Capps Motorsports, Toyota will continue to support the GR Supra Funny Cars fielded by DC Motorsports and Kalitta Motorsports.

“For Ron Capps Motorsports to partner with Toyota is literally a dream come true,” said Capps. “One thing I’ve learned pretty quickly as a team owner is how important it is to surround yourself with good people, and nothing exemplifies that more than what I’ve experienced with Toyota already. The commitment, the passion and the history with Toyota goes hand-in-hand with our NHRA fans, and as someone who grew up in the sport, I can’t tell you how exciting it is for me to represent and join the family of Toyota drivers. It’s an exciting partnership for us and being able to debut the NAPA AUTO PARTS GR Supra Funny Car is one of the highlights of my NHRA career.”

Ron Capps joins a TGRNA driver lineup that includes four-time Top Fuel Champion Steve Torrence, three-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown, U.S. Nationals winner Alexis DeJoria, 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year Justin Ashley, 49-time race winner Doug Kalitta, 2013 Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon and 2018 Funny Car champion J.R. Todd.

Toyota drivers have won 138 Top Fuel and 44 Funny Car races along with six Top Fuel and three Funny Car championships during its tenure in the series.

• Fastest Formula E car yet with a top speed over 322 kph / 200 mph.
• Most efficient formula racing car ever with more than 40% of the energy used within a race produced by regenerative braking.
• Around 95% power efficiency from an electric motor delivering up to 350kW of power (470BHP), compared to approximately 40% for an internal combustion engine.
• First-ever formula car with both front and rear powertrains. A new front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the current Gen2 to a total of 600kW.
• Ultra-high speed charging capability of 600kW for additional energy during a race, almost double the power of the most advanced commercial chargers in the world.
• The first formula car that will not feature rear hydraulic brakes with the addition of the front powertrain and its regenerative capability.

• Gen3 batteries are among the most advanced, sustainable batteries ever made consisting of sustainably-sourced minerals while battery cells will be reused and recycled at end of life.
• Linen and recycled carbon fibre will be used in bodywork construction for the first time in a formula car featuring recycled carbon fibre from retired Gen2 cars and reducing the overall amount of virgin carbon fibre used. This will reduce the carbon footprint of the production of the Gen3 bodywork more than 10%. All waste carbon fibre will be reused for new applications through adoption of an innovative process from the aviation industry.
• Natural rubber and recycled fibres will make up 26% of new Gen3 tyres and all tyres will be fully recycled after racing.
• The carbon footprint of the Gen3 has been measured from the design phase to inform all reduction measures taken to reduce environmental impact, while all unavoidable emissions will be offset as part of Formula E’s net zero carbon commitment.
• All Gen3 suppliers will operate in line with top international standards to reduce environmental impacts of manufacturing (ISO 14001) and be FIA Environmental Accreditation 3-Star rated.

Let's face it...South Florida traffic is no fun! As a lifelong Floridian, I've seen things steadily decline for years. The fun of driving is almost gone, and then you have to worry about parking!

During the F1Miami Grand Prix weekend,  RedCoach is offering intercity bus travel as an affordable travel option to save money and avoid going over budget due to skyrocketing airfares and hotel rates, along with high gas prices due to inflation and world events.   

"With the Miami Grand Prix around the corner, my biggest concern is that airfare and gas prices are skyrocketing across the country, which will force many F1 enthusiasts to go over budget or have to rearrange their plans," stated Florencia Cirigliano, VP of Marketing for RedCoach. "If visitors need another option, intercity bus travel is exponentially more affordable and eliminates the stress of driving yourself or navigating a crowded airport. Consider bus travel if you are in the position of needing to adjust your plans due to costs. There’s no reason to sacrifice your long-awaited vacations this year.”   

 RedCoach is a luxury motorcoach and great cost-effective alternative for those traveling to the Miami Grand Prix across the state. RedCoach has transported over 2 million business and leisure travelers over the last decade, offering riders dynamic pricing and rates starting as low as $15. 

With 16 stops across the state including Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, RedCoach is an affordable, luxury travel experience fit for everyone.