Racing News (9914)
Racing News from around the World
NTT IndyCar Series driver Ed Jones has been cleared to drive in the INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of The Americas following a re-examination by Dr. Geoffrey Billows, INDYCAR medical director.
Jones sustained a small non-displaced fracture of the distal fourth metacarpal in his left ring finger when his No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Scuderia Corsa Chevrolet made contact with the wall during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10. Jones met with a hand surgeon in Miami in the days following the race and had the hand properly splinted.
INDYCAR Classic activities begin with practice on Friday. NTT P1 Award qualifying is scheduled for Saturday with the 60-lap race on 3.41-mile permanent road course taking place Sunday (1 p.m. ET, NBCSN and Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network).
IndyCar PR
Adam Lemke Wins for Jr Motorsports in First Appearance at Hickory Motor Speedway
21 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonIt is not often that a driver shows up at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway for the first time and walks off with a victory, but that’s exactly what 16-year-old Adam Lemke did on Saturday night. Lemke charged from fourteenth starting spot to finish sixth in his JR Motorsports prepared No. 98 in the first of the two 40-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series features, and then outraced some of the most talented late model stock car drivers in the country to win the second feature event.
“I can’t believe I just did that!” the Hollister, California native said with a big smile after the event. “This was such a competitive field of cars. I would never have dreamed I’d walk out of my first night here with a win. I was getting a lot of heat on my back bumper the last few laps. I was determined to keep them behind me. That was so much fun! I can’t thank Bryan Shaffer, Josh Berry, Steven Civitarese, and Ernie Mayo from JR Motorsports enough for what they do. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to have around me. Josh knows these tracks and the cars so well and has had so much success. To be able to learn from him is an incredible advantage for me. I’m sure I’ll learn even more when I have to race against him next weekend.”
Lemke, a part of the Team Chevy Driver’s Edge development program in conjunction with JR Motorsports and GMS Racing, is also a member of the CARS Tour’s “Touring 12” commitment program this season. He will return to Hickory this coming weekend for the second CARS Tour event of the season. In his initial outing with the series at Southern National Motorsports Park, he was forced to start the feature in a borrowed car after another competitor got sideways and came down the track in front of him in practice, leaving him nowhere to go but into the spinning car, putting his car out of action.
He now goes into the second CARS Tour event at Hickory this weekend with some momentum after two strong runs on Saturday. “Tonight’s outcome definitely gives me confidence going into the CARS Tour race,” he stated. “But I still have a lot to learn. I feel like we made progress every time I got in the car today and that’s important. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in the MTP Tire 300.”
The MTP Tire 300 for the CARS Tour takes place this Saturday, March 23 at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C. The main event is scheduled for a 7 p.m. Eastern time start. Those who cannot make it to the track can watch the event via pay-per-view on www.carstour.TV.
Adam Lemke PR
Grassroots Racers To Share Spotlight At Richmond's PASS Commonwealth Classic
20 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonIn just over a week, short track racers from across North America will converge on Richmond Raceway for the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic. While a lot of the focus will be on the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models as they kick off the 2019 PASS National Championship season, that will be just a fraction of the nearly 400 laps of action fans will be able to see at Richmond next Saturday afternoon. In addition to the PASS Super Late Models, 40 ACT Late Models are currently entered, along with the return of the Tour-Type Modifieds to Richmond, and first-time trips for the MASS Street Stocks and NEMST Mini Stocks.
As of today, 50 Mini Stocks from up and down the Eastern Seaboard are set to try and qualify for their $1,000 to win, 25-lap race. And, like the ACT Late Models, the Mini Stocks will compete in heat races to set the starting lineup for the biggest field in NEMST history. While top southern runners like AJ Sanders, Shane Canipe, Michael Tucker, and Jesse Yopp look to defend their home turf, Rochester, NH's Josh Rheaume will be leading a strong contingent of New England 4-Cylinder racers.
"Being able to race at Richmond, as a Mini Stock racer, is unreal," says Rheaume. "When the news came out, we knew we had to make it happen. Last year we struggled a bit with a new engine and chassis package, but ended strong with a podium finish at the World Series. We are beyond grateful for PASS stepping up to put on the show, and NEMST for working with them to allow us Mini Stock racers from all over the country another 'once in a lifetime' chance to race at a facility like Richmond."
Like the Mini Stocks, a big field of nearly 40 MASS Street Stockers are currently entered for Richmond and the chance to win $2,000 at the end of their 40-lapper. Stantonsburg, NC's Greg Barnette has won numerous Street Stock races over his career and multiple track championships at Southern National and on dirt at County Line Raceway. Since 2016, Barnette has been a regular with the MASS Street Stocks and is honored to have the chance to compete at Richmond Raceway.
"To come from such humble and simple racing roots to racing at a Cup track is unbelievable," says Barnette, who will debut a new body and paint scheme on the BlackPearl Racing #8. "This is the big stage, this is where we want to shine bright as we battle the other stars of the Mid-Atlantic Street Stock series. It's a long road from the Carolina dirt tracks and junkyards to the big city lights of Richmond. I hope to see our #8 on that huge scoring pylon when we pull through the tunnel with this car we built in a barn."
The PASS Commonwealth Classic weekend will begin on Thursday, March 28 with optional hauler parking and safety inspection from 12 - 4 PM. On Friday, March 29, rotating practice for all competing divisions will be from 11 AM – 5 PM. And then on Saturday, March 30, pit gates at Richmond Raceway will open at 7 AM, with practice from 9 AM – 12 PM, qualifying at 1 PM, and racing set to start at around 4 PM
Entry forms and rules contacts for PASS Super Late Models, Tour-Type Modifieds, and MASS Street Stocks are also posted at ProAllStarsSeries.com. PASS Super Late Model entry forms and the complete weekend schedules the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com. Entry forms are also available for upcoming events at Thompson, Oxford Plains, Hickory, and the 46th Annual Oxford 250 at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
PASS Racing PR
Eight Young Drivers Invited to Compete for Spots in NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Development Program
20 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonEight drivers from across the United States have been invited to try out for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Development Program during a two-day combine event Mar 23-34.
The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Development Program, managed by Rev Racing, promotes and trains ethnically diverse and female drivers ages 12-16 to compete in INEX Legend Cars.
The combine, which will determine the 2019 youth driver lineup for Rev Racing, will include an on-track evaluation at GoPro Motorplex located in Mooresville, N.C. Selected drivers will become year-long members of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity team and compete in the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, among other events, with Rev Racing.
“We are very enthused with the level of talent that we are seeing in our youth applicants,” said Max Siegel, owner of Rev Racing. “The talent pool continues to grow and connecting with these rising stars as early as possible is key. If we have the ability to engage drivers and their families early in their careers, we can prepare, train, and nurture their talents through every step of our program and beyond.”
In addition to the youth program, Rev Racing manages the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, which offers racing opportunities in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The program provides selected drivers with equipment, mentoring, and competition experience. The mission of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program is to provide top diverse talent with a path for development through the ladder system, with the goal of being identified as a prospect by NASCAR’s national series teams, sponsors and manufacturers.
“We are pleased to welcome a talented group of young, diverse drivers to our first NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Combine under the new program vision,” said Jusan Hamilton, NASCAR director of racing operations and event management. “We look forward to seeing members of this group rise up the ranks within Rev Racing and one day showcase their talent at the NASCAR touring series level.”
This year’s participants include a wide variety of driver backgrounds and competitive experiences. Isabella Robusto will have an opportunity to secure a third year with the program. In 2018, the Fort Mill, S.C. native finished third in the Young Lions Division at the Bojangles’ Summer Shootout and won the Battle at the Big Top race at Texas Motor Speedway, which was a U.S. Legends National Qualifier.
The invitees also include 15-year-old Lavar Scott from Carneys Point, N.J., who finished third in points at Airport Speedway in the 600cc Micro Sprint located in New Castle, Delaware and Rajah Caruth, a 16-year-old from Washington, D.C. who in just nine months earned more than 20 iRacing wins and 157 top 5s in 359 starts.
2019 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Youth Driver Combine participants:
| DRIVER | HOMETOWN | 2018 RACING EXPERIENCE |
| Rajah Caruth | Washington, D.C. | iRacing |
| Lacy Kuehl | Sarasota, Fla. | Dirt Oval Flat Kart |
| Blake Lothian | Wellesley, Mass. | World Formula Kart |
| Laci Minton | Beaver Dam, Ky. | U.S. Legend Cars |
| Sarah Napora | Pemberton, N.J. | 125cc Micro Sprints |
| Isabella Robusto | Fort Mill, S.C. | U.S. Legend Cars |
| Lavar Scott | Carneys Point, N.J. | 600cc Micro Sprints |
| Violet Townsend | Ravenna, Mich. | Cup Karts of North America |
Rev Racing PR
Danieca Patrick To Join NBC Sports Coverage of 103rd Indianapolis 500
20 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonDanica Patrick, one of motorsports’ most popular figures, will join NBC Sports’ inaugural coverage of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge when drivers start their engines for the 103rd iteration of the race on Sunday, May 26. This year marks the first time that the Greatest Spectacle in Racing has been broadcast on NBC.
The former INDYCAR and NASCAR driver will serve as a studio analyst on race day, contributing to NBC Sports’ pre-race, in-race, and post-race coverage alongside host Mike Tirico. Patrick will also participate in NBC Sports’ coverage of Indy 500 Pole Day on Sunday, May 19.
NBC Sports will host a media conference call with Patrick today at 12 p.m. ET. Media interested in participating should call 334-323-0522; Passcode: 6008235.
A seven-year INDYCAR veteran, Patrick immediately broke barriers and set numerous records when she joined the circuit in 2005. In just her first season, she became the first woman ever to lead a lap in the Indy 500 on her way to winning Rookie of the Year honors. In 2008, she became the first woman ever to win an open-wheel race in a major series when she finished first at the Indy Japan 300.
In 2013, Patrick pivoted to NASCAR and became the first woman ever to win the pole for the Daytona 500. Before retiring last season following the 2018 Indy 500, Patrick completed the “Danica Double,” racing in both the Daytona 500 and Indy 500 in the same season.
“Danica has a perspective unlike any other driver in the history of motorsports and will be a great addition to our first-ever coverage of the Indy 500,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President, Production, NBC Sports & NBCSN. “She has proven to be as fearless with her opinions and analysis as she was in breaking barriers while racing in the most competitive motorsports circuits in the world.”
“The Indianapolis 500 holds a very special place in my heart,” said Patrick. “The moment I drive into the facility, I’m flooded with positive emotions. I have no doubt it’ll be the same this year when I come back as an analyst. To be on the NBC Sports team with Mike Tirico will be an honor and I look forward to adding my unique perspective. I’ve been in the race eight times, including last year, so I’m familiar with the dynamics within IndyCar after being away for seven years. To me, Indy feels like home!”
In addition to her analyst responsibilities, Patrick will help promote the Indy 500 by appearing across numerous NBCUniversal programs and platforms in the days and weeks leading up to the race.
This won’t be Patrick’s first time as a race analyst. While still an active driver in NASCAR, Patrick gained broadcasting experience by serving as a guest analyst for Fox Sports’ coverage of NASCAR Xfinity races in Michigan, Pocono and Talladega.
The 2019 INDYCAR season is the first under a new media rights agreement that was announced in March 2018 in which NBC Sports Group acquired the exclusive rights to all NTT IndyCar Series races – including the Indianapolis 500 for the first time – qualifying and practice sessions, and Indy Lights races across its numerous platforms. Click here for more information.
NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series continues March 24 with the INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app.
NBC Sports PR
Unified DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Purse and Points Fund Exceeds $330,000
20 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonThis season marks the return of the unified DIRTcar 358 Modified Series schedule, with over $330,000 of purse and point fund money available over the course of 13 highly competitive events across New York State and Ontario. The season kicks off on Sunday, May 12, at Utica-Rome Speedway, and concludes with the $10,000-to-win Bullringer 100 season finale October 19 at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
“We have put an added focus on the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and the 358 Modified class overall, and it’s showing a resurgence,” DIRTcar Northeast Director Dean Reynolds said. “We kind of turned the clock back a little and went with one series again, and set the schedule up to be as travel-friendly as possible. With the response from several of the 358 teams, I think it will be an exciting battle for the Championship, right down to the final event at Brockville.”
Each Series event pays a minimum $4,000-to-win, with $2,500 for second place and $1,500 for third. The season opens with the St. Lawrence Healthcare 100 at Utica-Rome Speedway on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12. Series regulars will face a strong local field of DIRTcar 358s. Last year Billy Dunn, Marc Johnson and Pat Ward took the top three tops in the Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Track Championship at Utica-Rome.
Next up is Can-Am Speedway on Wednesday, June 26. Can-Am is another haunt of the No. 49 358 Modified of Billy Dunn, the 2018 Track Champion. Three of the top drivers in points at Can-Am Speedway — Ryan Bartlett, Jordan McCreadie and Ryan Arbuthnot — will make a run at the Series Championship in 2019.
The next day, Thursday, June 27, the Series rolls into Fulton Speedway for the Showdown at Sundown 100. Defending Series Champion Larry Wight will certainly look to defend his home territory against Tim Sears Jr. and Ron Davis III. Sears and Davis rounded out the Fulton Speedway Track Championship podium in 2018 with Larry Wight on top of that as well. They’ll both take on the entire Series in 2019.
Corey Wheeler plans to make all the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series races in 2019. He’ll have home-track advantage when the Series rolls into Cornwall Motor Speedway on July 14, which is immediately followed by the July 15 Series race at Mohawk International Speedway. Last year Tim Fuller dominated 358 Modified competition at Mohawk. Can he hold off the Series regulars in 2019? Track Championship runner-up Lance Willix is taking on the Series in 2019, as well.
Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway’s Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship field is looking stout for 2019. The Series will need to get by Mike Mahaney in the No. 35, who plans to make as many Series races as he can at his home track.
At the halfway point of the season, the Series returns to Can-Am Speedway and Mohawk International Raceway in September. October brings the traditional NAPA Super DIRT Week 358 Modified Series marathon starting with Utica-Rome Speedway on Tuesday, October 8. The next day, the Series swings into Weedsport Speedway, and then Brewerton Speedway on Thursday for the famous Hurricane 100.
Friday night of NAPA Super DIRT Week features the Friday Night Lights Triple 25 qualifiers for Saturday’s $20,000-to-win event at Oswego Speedway. Last year, Peter Britten won a stunner in front of a huge crowd in the 150-lap Feature. The purse for the Triple 25s is $10,100 and the 150 boasts a purse of $54,000.
Finally, the unified 2019 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series season concludes with the $10,000-to-win Northeast Fall Nationals Bullringer 100 at Brockville Speedway in Ontario, Canada. Mat Williamson took the checkered flag in last year’s Bullringer, but Larry Wight in the No. 99L triumphed in the overall Series Championship.
Other drivers who plan to make all the Series races are Steve Bernard from Granby, Quebec, Tyler Meeks out of Evans Mills, NY, Andrew Spurback, and Chad Brachmann, who races weekly at Ransomville Speedway. Drivers looking to make the most of the schedule are Mat Williamson, Danny Johnson, Billy Whittaker and Kyle Dingwall. Clearly, there is no shortage of highly competitive DIRTcar 358 Modifieds to make these Series races truly special in 2019. Cagey veterans, wily rookies and drivers in their prime make up the genetics of a promising season of exciting DIRTcar competition.
In addition to the healthy purses throughout the season, $6,000 goes to the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Champion as a part of a $25,000 fund. Furthermore, VP Racing Fuel offers $6,000 in fuel. The Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Champion takes home $3,000 out of the $11,000 total point fund. Drivers and hands alike are excited for the 2019 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series season to get under way.
2019 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Schedule | ||
*Subject to Change* | ||
Day/Date | Location | Event Name |
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | Utica-Rome Speedway, Vernon NY |
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Wednesday, June 26, 2019 | Can-Am Speedway, Lafargeville NY |
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Thursday, June 27, 2019 | Fulton Speedway, Fulton, NY |
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Sunday, July 14, 2019 | Cornwall Motor Speedway, Cornwall ON |
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Monday, July 15, 2019 | Mohawk International Raceway, Akwesasne NY |
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019 | Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY |
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Wednesday, August 21, 2019 | Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway - Rain Date |
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Saturday, September 7, 2019 | Can-Am Speedway, Lafargeville NY |
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Friday, September 13, 2019 | Mohawk International Raceway, Akwesasne NY |
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019 | Utica-Rome Speedway, Vernon NY |
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Wednesday, October 9, 2019 | Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY |
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Thursday, October 10, 2019 | Brewerton Speedway, Brewerton NY |
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Saturday, October 12, 2019 | Oswego Speedway, Oswego NY | Super DIRT Week - $20,000-to-win |
Saturday, October 19, 2019 | Brockville Ontario Speedway, Brockville, ON | Bullringer 100 $10,000-to-win. |
DIRTcar Racing Series PR
Sioux Chief to Sponsor ARCA Menards Series Race at Toledo Speedway
19 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonThe Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and Sioux Chief Manufacturing have jointly announced that the rough plumbing components manufacturer will become the race entitlement sponsor of the May 19 ARCA Menards Series event at Toledo Speedway in Northwest Ohio.
The Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 will take the green flag at 2 pm ET Sunday, May 19, and is scheduled for live flag-to-flag coverage on MAVTV.
Sioux Chief Manufacturing first partnered with ARCA and then the series’ presenting sponsor, Menards, in 2015. The business-to-business relationship between Menards, the country’s third-largest home improvement retail chain, and Sioux Chief, a leading rough plumbing manufacturer and supplier of cutting-edge products for plumbing and mechanical contractors, brings opportunities for Sioux Chief to promote its products to the Menards contractor and customer base. The Northwest Ohio retail market for Menards is a growth market for Sioux Chief, which is based in the Kansas City, Missouri metro area.
“We’re excited to move our sponsorship to Toledo and the Northwest Ohio area,” said Joe Ismert, President of Sioux Chief. “Northwest Ohio, in fact the entire state of Ohio, is an emerging market for our products and the ability to sponsor the ARCA race there is a fantastic opportunity.”
"We’ve enjoyed sponsoring the ARCA races at Lucas Oil Raceway and Elko Speedway the past couple years,” Ismert continued. “We enjoy our relationship with ARCA and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the ARCA Menards Series."
Sioux Chief is also the title sponsor of ARCA’s Short Track Challenge, a series within the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in which drivers earn points toward a championship contested on tracks one mile or less in length. The eleven events that will make up the Short Track Challenge kicked off with the March 9 Pensacola 200 from Five Flags Speedway in Florida and will conclude at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis October 5. Teams and drivers will race for the Short Track Challenge championship under a special race-only points system, and officials will count a team’s ten best finishes toward the championship, throwing out each team’s worst finish.
The Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 at Toledo Speedway will be the fourth race of the Sioux Chief Short Track Challenge Series. Race fans will have the opportunity to “Save Big Money” at Northwest Ohio area Menards store by purchasing advanced tickets on or before May 17.
The Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200 will mark the 78th ARCA event at Toledo Speedway. The event was known as the Menards 200 the past ten years, and has witnessed current NASCAR Drivers Michael McDowell (2007 ARCA Winner and current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver); Justin Allgaier (2008 Toledo ARCA winner and current NASCAR Xfinity Series regular); Chris Buescher (three-time Toledo ARCA winner and current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver), Ty Dillon (2011 Toledo ARCA winner and current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver), and NASCAR Star Ken Schrader win at the high-banked, half-mile oval. Other race winners at Toledo include ten-time ARCA national champion Frank Kimmel (nine Toledo wins); Harrison Burton, a current NASCAR Truck Series rookie and the ARCA winner at Daytona earlier this year; and Todd Gilliland, son of former NASCAR regular David Gilliland, who won in his first ARCA start at the age of 15 years and 2 days, the youngest winner in the 67 year history of ARCA.
ARCA Racing PR
For the fourth straight year, USAC and Track Enterprises have combined forces for "The Week Of Indy", three big events leading up to the Indy 500. This year's events will be Wednesday-Friday, May 22-24. The three night show features open wheel cars from the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car tour and the USAC Silver Crown Champ Cars. The events will be held at the Terre Haute Action Track, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and Lucas Oil Raceway. Just announced, a superticket, which gives fans a 25% discount if they attend all three events.
USAC's "The Week Of Indy" begins at the Terre Haute Action Track on Wednesday, May 22. The Tony Hulman Classic will feature the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car tour and the UMP Dirtcar Modifieds.
Terre Haute pits are scheduled to open at 3:00, grandstands at 4:00, hotlaps at 6:30, and racing action is scheduled to begin at 8:00. General admission tickets for the Tony Hulman Classic will be sold at the gate for $25 on raceday. Infield tickets are also available for $15, while children 11 and under are free.
On Thursday, May 23, fans will make the short trek to the east and the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the 64th running of the Hoosier Hundred. The 100-mile race features the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series and the DIRTcar Modifieds.
Hoosier Hundred pit gates will open at 12:00, grandstands at 3:00, hotlaps start at 5:00, racing begins for the Modifieds at 6:00, with the Hoosier 100 scheduled for an 8:00 green flag. Reserved seating is available for the Hoosier Hundred by calling the Track Enterprises office, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, or through Ticketmaster. Reserved seats for adults are being sold for $25 presale or $30 at the gate. Infield tickets will be available for $15 for adults and $5 for kids 11 and under.
The final event of the Track Enterprises promotion is on Friday, May 24 at Lucas Oil Raceway. For the fourth time, the USAC Silver Crown Series will be running at the Brownsburg, IN complex on Friday in an event that will be known as the Carb Night Classic...The Race Before The 500. The Carb Night Classic will also feature action from the USF2000 and Pro Mazda divisions from Road To Indy.
Lucas Oil Raceway pits will open at 12:00, grandstands at 2:45, with on track activity beginning at 3:15. Silver Crown qualifying will be at 5:45 with the Road To Indy features to follow. Green is scheduled to drop on the Carb Night Classic at 9:00. General admission tickets will be available at the gate for $25 on raceday.
A great deal is available for those who don't want to miss a single lap of "The Week Of Indy". A Superticket is being sold for a savings of 25% off of the regular three day prices. For just $60, a savings of $20, a fan will receive general admission at Terre Haute and Lucas Oil Raceway as well as a reserved seat for the Hoosier Hundred. To purchase a Superticket, visit https://usacracing.ticketspice.com/2019-week-of-indy-ticket-sales.
For more information on any of the events, visit www.trackenterprises.com, www.usacracing.com, or call the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
Track Enterprises PR
ECR Cadillac Engines Wins Second-Consecutive IMSA Race of 2019
18 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. Wilson
Brandon Lynn Determined to Tame Talladega Returns to the ARCA Menards Series
18 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsonBrandon Lynn will return to the seat driving for Venturini Motorsports (VMS) in the ARCA Menards Series (ARCA) during the upcoming General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, April 26.
Lynn, 24, who made his ARCA Series debut in 2015, returns to the series after most recently competing in a pair of races last year with VMS earning top-10 finishes in both starts at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
With ten-career ARCA starts under his belt, Lynn nearly won at Talladega in 2017 but fell victim to fuel mileage in an overtime thriller. Leading on the final lap in regulation, Lynn’s hopes emptied as he ran out of gas after a late race caution forced overtime.
Lynn will make his only scheduled series start of the season driving VMS’ No.20 Toyota Camry (sponsorship to be announced) with Billy Venturini serving as crew chief.
Hoping to make the most of his opportunity, last year’s seventh-place finisher is amped up and ready to get after it again.
“Excited to have another shot at Talladega,” Lynn said.
“This will be my third shot at this track – the first two didn’t go our way but I’m hoping to capitalize this year with my Venturini Motorsports team. Last year we had an amazing car and I’m glad to be back in that same ride. It’s a fast car for sure. Definitely a lot more pressure this time as Harrison (Burton) got it done in the same car at Daytona. I’m ready to help pull off the superspeedway sweep for VMS with our number twenty Toyota Camry.”
All but three of Lynn’s 10 career ARCA starts have come on either intermediate or superspeedways tracks. With limited chances the New York native has posted four top-10 finishes.
The General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway will air live on FS1 April 26 at 6:00pm EDT.
Follow Brandon Lynn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @BLynnRacing.
VMS PR
iK9 Backs Hailie Deegan’s Six-Race ARCA Campaign; Sponsorship Debuts in April 6 NKNPSE Race at Bristol
16 Mar 2019 Written by Steven B. WilsoniK9, a global leader in canine security services and training, will support TRD (Toyota Racing Development) and NASCAR Next driver Hailie Deegan in her six-race campaign in the 2019 ARCA Menards Series, specifically by serving as her primary sponsor for the May 31 General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway while being an associate sponsor at the five other ARCA races.
The 17-year-old racer from Temecula, California, will make her ARCA debut May 19 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway in a Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. Deegan will then race at Pocono before competing June 14 at Madison (Wis.) International Speedway, July 13 at Elko Speedway in New Market, Minnesota, Oct. 5 at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg, Indiana, and Oct. 18 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. This augments Deegan’s existing slate of races, which includes a full season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West where she is contending for the championship, along with select Pro Series East events, which includes the April 6 Pro Series East race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway where iK9 will make its debut as her primary sponsor.
“We think Hailie is an exceptional talent who has proven to be an up-and-coming leader in the racing world,” said Landon Ash, founder of Birmingham, Alabama-based Xtreme Concepts, the parent company of iK9. “Motorsports is a powerful marketing platform and this partnership with Hailie is great for the sport, but also for iK9 and Xtreme Concepts as we reinforce our commitment to NASCAR and the development of its future stars. Hailie is a strong personality who strengthens our existing lineup of Jeffrey Earnhardt, Kyle Busch and Brandon Jones. They’re all specialized athletes who align very well with iK9, as we provide the skills and support necessary for our clients to care for their highly specialized dogs.”
Deegan became the first female to win a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race when she took the checkered flag last September at Meridian (Idaho) Speedway. She ended the season as the Pro Series West Rookie of the Year, another female first in any NASCAR regional or national series. Deegan recently added to her burgeoning legacy when she won the season-opening Pro Series West race Feb. 28 at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to build my NASCAR career and I’m extremely proud to represent iK9 along with Toyota, TRD, Monster Energy and Craftsman,” said Deegan, the only female racer to have won multiple championships in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. “Partnerships are key to earning these kinds of opportunities, and iK9’s mission appeals to who I want to be as a racer and also as a person.”
Deegan is the daughter of legendary X Games Motocross champion Brian Deegan, who has competed in every X Games since its inception, medaling 10 times with three golds and seven bronzes. He has also competed in in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, TORC Series, Global RallyCross Championship and even select Monster Jam events in his Metal Mulisha Monster Truck.
The younger Deegan began her racing career at age eight in the Junior Kart division of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series before advancing to Pro Trucks. She won three championships along the way – the 2013 Junior 2 Kart title, the 2015 Modified Kart Regional crown and the 2016 Modified Kart National championship, the latter of which earned Deegan the 2016 Lucas Oil Off Road Driver of the Year award.
“Hailie and her dad, Brian, embody the all-out, never-quit attitude of our personnel, who have risked life and limb for our country and are now using their skills on behalf of iK9 and Xtreme Concepts,” Ash said. “These are the kinds of traits that resonate with our personnel and, in turn, the clients we represent.”
TSC PR
