Adam Sinclair - Results from #90

Pinnacle Racing Group to Launch Motorsports Development Program in 2023

Saturday, Feb 11

Pinnacle Racing Group (PRG), a new professional Motorsports team officially announced today its plans to compete in several grassroots racing series in 2023 beginning with the ARCA Menards Series East season-opener at Five Flags (Fla.) Speedway next month.

The Mooresville, N.C.-based team’s purpose is to provide productive and fulfilling careers for all Pinnacle Racing Group team members while being a leader in on-track performance and driver development.

The team will run Chevrolets in its ARCA Menards Series and Late Model platforms and has selected No. 28 for its primary entries.

Veteran crew chief and former NASCAR driver Shane Huffman will serve as the team’s general manager and crew chief.

“The great thing about a new start-up team or business is you have a clean slate to build the foundation and set the principles for PRG to operate,” offered Pinnacle Racing Group spokesperson Mark Webb.

“From our earliest discussions, our key focus points were on excellence, integrity, performance and sustainability for the long term. Acquiring Shane (Huffman) was the first important piece of the building block we needed.

“Shane has a vast knowledge of racing at many levels and has done a tremendous job in a short amount of time putting together an excellent group that is highly talented, motivated and most importantly team-oriented.

Huffman, who most recently led the crew chief efforts at Bret Holmes Racing in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series respectively is excited about the next chapter in his Motorsports career and believes the foundation that PRG is constructing will not only lead to success but to Victory Lane.

“We have been quietly working on building PRG and I am thrilled to have the formation of the team finally announced,” Huffman said. "PRG has given me the green light to build a team from the ground up.

“We have not rushed anything. We want to make sure when we unload at Five Flags Speedway in March, PRG sets a tone on what our drivers and members of our team can expect on a weekly basis. We realize that there likely will be some initial growing pains, but we feel we can emerge from those quickly and start producing results with our talented driver lineup.”

Webb concurred with Huffman’s assessment of not rushing to the team’s first green flag.

“We purposefully delayed our opening race until March 25 at Five Flags to be certain we were prepared and had everything in place to be our best,” he said.

The team did offer a clue about its first-named driver.

“We are really excited about our new driver,” sounded Huffman. “Lorin Rainer, Josh Wise and Chevrolet have been instrumental in fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together and we believe the driver can really create some attention under the PRG banner.”

Webb added, “Lorin Ranier has been an excellent voice and sounding board in providing insight into our decision-making processes.

“We look forward to Shane’s leadership and the dedicated work of our PRG team members for a successful inaugural season.

PRG will officially unveil its full 2023 driver lineup in the coming weeks.

For more on Pinnacle Racing Group, please like them on Facebook (Pinnacle Racing Group) and follow on Instagram (@RacePRG) and Twitter (@RacePRG).

Racing News

17-Year Old Racer/You Tuber Haiden "DangerBoy" Deegan Makes Supercross Debut

Saturday, Feb 11

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Eli Tomac returned to his winning ways, holding firm through a dramatic Round 5 of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Team Honda HRC's Chase Sexton had the lead in his sights but had to settle for second inside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (95)

2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (88)

3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (83)

4. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (76)

5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (73)

6. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (65)

7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (64)

8. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (56)

9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (56)

10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (53)

Hunter Lawrence (96), the favorite going into the opening Eastern Regional 250SX Class round, established himself as the racer to beat with a convincing win.

17-year-old star Haiden Deegan made his Monster Energy AMA Supercross professional debut at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. 2021 250SX West Champion Justin Cooper will also line up for his premier class debut aboard the all-new YZ450F at the fourth round of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship series. Haiden Deegan has one of the largest dirt bike-related YouTube channels in the world — if not the largest. The channel has over 1.22 million subscribers and over 340,000,000 views since it was started on 27, 2014.

Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda (26)

2. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda (23)

3. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha (21)

4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (19)

5. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha (18)

6. Michael Mosiman, Minneaola, Fla., GASGAS (17)

7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM (16)

8. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (15)

9. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda (14)

10. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki (13)

Racing News

TMT Racing Announces Conor Daly to Attempt to Qualify for the 2023 Daytona 500 and Race Up to Six Additional NASCAR Races

Saturday, Feb 11

The Daytona 500, also known as "The Great American Race," is the most prestigious race in NASCAR and is held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

In addition to his full NTT IndyCar Series schedule, Daly will vie for one of four non-guaranteed ("open") spots available in the 40-car field. So far, five other talented drivers and teams have announced their intention to enter as open cars, including 7-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jimmy Johnson, Zane Smith, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith and his thrill-seeking friend, Travis Pastrana.

“The Money Team Racing shocked the world by making the Daytona 500 last year and I believe in this team and know we will prepare a great car for this year's race. Like a fighter who’s always ready to face the best, Conor has the courage to buckle into this beast without any practice and put that car into the field," stated Floyd Mayweather. "Conor is like a hungry fighter and my kind of guy. I sure wouldn’t bet against him.”

In addition to the 500, Daly will race up to six NASCAR races with Floyd Mayweather’s TMT Racing (+ sponsorship with BITNILE.com).

"We are thrilled to announce that Conor will be attempting to run in the 2023 Daytona 500," said TMT Racing co-owner, Willy Auchmoody. "Conor is a talented driver who performed well in his first Cup race for us last fall and, together with BITNILE.COM, we believe he has what it takes to compete at the highest level in NASCAR's premier event.”

TMT Racing co-owner and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather added, “The Money Team Racing shocked the world by making the Daytona 500 last year and I believe in this team and know we will prepare a great car for this year's race. Like a fighter who’s always ready to face the best, Conor has the courage to buckle into this beast without any practice and put that car into the field. Conor is like a hungry fighter and my kind of guy. I sure wouldn’t bet against him.”

Sponsoring Daly’s quest for the Daytona 500 is BITNILE.COM, an immersive digital marketplace launching March 1, 2023. “We are going ‘All-In’ with the launch of BITNILE.COM,” stated BITNILE.COM’s Executive Chairman Milton “Todd” Ault, III. “Our next generation marketplace launches just 10 days after the Daytona 500, and is going to offer incredible real and virtual experiences and products. To help promote our marketplace, we asked Conor to run a number of NASCAR events this year in addition to our sponsorship of his full-time job in INDYCAR. We are looking forward to Conor’s ‘Texas Two-Step,’ where he will compete in the NASCAR Cup race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Sunday, March 19, and then the following Sunday in Fort Worth at Texas Motor Speedway in the BITNILE.COM #20 INDYCAR. Then in August, Conor will do the ‘Daly Double’ at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he will be the first driver to race in both the NASCAR and INDYCAR events over ‘Brickyard’ weekend.”

BITNILE.COM President Douglas Gintz added, “As part of our launch, the first 5,000 people that register at BITNILE.COM will get their name listed on Conor’s #50 BITNILE.COM NASCAR CUP car at Circuit of the Americas. Plus, we are planning to give away free tickets, merchandise and at track experiences to race fans this year. Wherever you see a BITNILE.COM sponsored car on the track, there will be fans enjoying monumental real and virtual experiences right there with us!”

Conor is excited for the opportunity to run in the Daytona 500, and is looking forward to the challenge. "I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to attempt to run in the Daytona 500," said Conor Daly. "It is the most prestigious race in NASCAR and to have the chance to compete in it is truly an honor. I am also excited to be running the entire IndyCar Series season and select NASCAR Cup events. I am looking forward to the challenge and can't wait to get behind the wheel of whatever BITNILE.COM race car, boat, dune buggy or vehicle they ask me to drive. Bring it on."

The entire TMT Racing and BITNILE.COM teams are excited to support Conor in this endeavor and can't wait to see him take on the challenge of the Daytona 500.

Racing News

Thad Moffitt Ready For 2023 Race Season. Ready for All Opportunities

Saturday, Feb 11

Coming off a successful test session at the Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway, Thad Moffitt is eager to get back behind the wheel and start his 2023 race season. Moffitt recently completed his first test session with his TeamSLR team in the No. 43 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet Camaro in preparation for his season in the Trans Am TA2 class.

Competing in his first season in the Trans Am Series, Moffitt continues his climb to the top of professional motorsports. This will be the 22-year-old’s first full season competing for a championship. Incredibly, Moffit finished fourth in the ARCA Menards Series in 2021 after running only 16 of the 20 events. In 2022, Moffit returned to the series for one race and finished fourth at the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway where he finished 18^th.

Heading into 2023, Moffitt is focused and determined to grow his racing resume.

“I’m ready to start this race season more than any other,” said Moffitt. “My focus is racing for the Trans Am TA2 class championship with Team SLR and for Safety-Kleen. This is a very competitive series, and I learned a lot at our first test. I know it will give me a ton of road course experience and make me a better driver. I just want to learn as much as possible and it is my focus this year.

“I also want to keep to my stock car and NASCAR roots, too. Right now, that means we’re looking at other opportunities that do not interfere with our Trans Am program. I want to look at ARCA or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series options. We’re always talking to different people about what’s possible and we want people to know that I’m still ready to race in those series this year, too.

Moffitt will make his Trans Am debut when the 2023 season begins on February 23-26.

Racing News

Avalanche Andretti Formula E announces partnership with NAGASE Group

Saturday, Feb 11

Avalanche Andretti Formula E announced today an official partnership with NAGASE Group, a global leader in innovative products and solutions through their expertise in chemicals, plastics, electronics, automotive and life sciences with more than 100 group companies and over 7,000 team members around the world, for the 2022/2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Spanning 30 countries and regions, NAGASE Group is connecting the world with high-end materials and technologies while creating a platform for sustainable growth. NAGASE Group believes in the power of combining science and great people to create customized solutions for the world’s changing economic, environmental and social needs, all values that clearly align with Avalanche Andretti Formula E as a team and as an entrant in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

NAGASE Group will be featured on both Avalanche Andretti Porsche 99X Electric entries throughout Season 9, making their first appearance at the upcoming Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix for Round 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

DOUG BRESNAHAN, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT:
“We are delighted to have NAGASE Group join the team. It’s clear that the values of the family-owned NAGASE Group align perfectly with those of Andretti including family legacy, the pursuit of excellence, performance and sustainability. We look forward to kicking off this partnership and working together.”

TIMOTHY J. WILLIAMS, MANAGER, GLOBAL MARKETING, MARKETING PROMOTION DEPARTMENT:
“When looking for a partner to help us tell NAGASE’s story to the world, no one stood out to us more than Avalanche Andretti Formula E. As a winning team focused on excellence and performance — with deep ties to sustainability — this racing team embodies everything NAGASE stands for. We’re excited to partner with them in their pursuit of a world championship and a brighter future.”

Racing News

Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Named Title Sponsor for TA2 in 2023

Saturday, Feb 11

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is pleased to announce that Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers will sponsor the TA2 class in 2023. The growing class, which saw record fields of 50+ cars in 2022, will be known as the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series for this season’s 12 events. Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers, “The Official Ready to Drink Cocktail of Trans Am and SVRA,” joins Big Machine Vodka’s continued brand partnership as “The Official Vodka of Trans Am and SVRA.”

With three locations in the Nashville area, Big Machine Distillery is owned by TA2 owner/driver Scott Borchetta and boasts a proprietary Platinum Filtration system, distilling its vodka 25 times for “The Smoothest Tasting Vodka, Period!” Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers are made with a blend of ingredients including Big Machine Vodka, real fruit juices and natural flavors, creating the perfect cocktail in a pouch. Borchetta, the reigning TA2 Masters Champion and owner of Scott Borchetta Racing, drives the No. 48 Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Ford Mustang and finished seventh in the overall TA2 standings last year.

“The Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers brand and products are growing at an accelerated rate, much like the Trans Am Series and TA2,” said Borchetta. “It’s the perfect match for our continued growth in the ready-to-drink category, and we're equally excited (and bullish) about the future of both Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers and the TA2 Series.”

“We are so happy to welcome Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers as the entitlement sponsor of TA2,” said Trans Am President John Clagett. “We’ve had a long relationship with Scott Borchetta and the distillery, which sponsored our TA2 CBS broadcasts in 2022, in addition to Scott’s No. 48 Ford Mustang. Scott is dedicated to our series as an owner, driver and a partner, which is evidenced by his passion and performance behind the wheel and his investment in Trans Am and the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series.”

The Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series takes the green flag for the first time in 2023 on Saturday, February 25 at Sebring International Raceway, where NASCAR legend Richard Petty will serve as grand marshal.

Big Machine Vodka also sponsors Trans Am’s Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Challenge, which runs on August 5, 2023, on the Nashville street course as part of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.

(Trans AM PR)

Racing News

FloRacing becomes official streaming partner of CARS Tour

Saturday, Feb 11

FloSports, a leader in sports streaming and original content, today announced that for the 2023 season all 19 race weeks split between the CARS Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) and Pro Late Model (PLM) divisions will be streamed live on FloRacing.

Founded in 2006, FloSports was established with the goal of providing broader coverage for underserved sports. As FloSports grew during the 2010s, motorsports became a central focus for the company, particularly when it came to grassroots racing. In 2019, FloSports acquired DirtonDirt.com before purchasing Speed Shift TV the following year, acquiring over 400 races in the process.

CARS Tour founder Jack McNelly knew that 2023 was a perfect time to partner up with FloRacing and utilize all their resources following an offseason of momentous change that included a new ownership group for the series consisting of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Justin Marks.

McNelly said FloRacing displays immense professionalism when it comes to highlighting the overall appeal of short track racing. He is confident FloRacing will do the same with the CARS Tour and showcase the passion that has been prevalent in the series since day one.

“We are excited to work with FloRacing this season,” McNelly said. “We feel this series has been elevated to a new level and it deserves more visibility, which is what Flo brings with their extensive audience capturing the best asphalt late model racing in the country.”

Multi-year deals with NASCAR, United States Auto Club (USAC), Tony Stewart’s Eldora and All Star Circuit of Champions, the Chili Bowl, MAVTV and NASCAR Champion Kyle Larson, amongst others, have cemented FloRacing as an essential destination for motorsports fans.

Partnering with NASCAR only bolstered the company’s mission to amplify grassroots racing, as FloRacing currently provides live broadcasts for all three ARCA divisions, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Pinty’s Series and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.

Michael Rigsby, who serves as the vice president of motorsports through FloRacing’s parent company FloSports, said it's imperative for short track racing to receive as much coverage as possible and is looking forward to introducing the exhilarating action of the CARS Tour to a larger audience.

"Last year we partnered with NASCAR Roots to really step up our short track pavement offering, and now we've taken another step by bringing the CARS Tour to the FloRacing airwaves,” Rigsby said. “From our perspective, the CARS Tour is the premier pavement late model touring series in the country, and we plan to build a robust production and content strategy around this partnership. We are beyond excited to work with the CARS Tour and help grow the sport further.”

Many drivers in the CARS Tour have already received recognition through FloRacing broadcasts, as the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown, which culminates in the prestigious ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway, always has healthy representation from the LMSC division.

The first chapter of the CARS Tour’s relationship with FloRacing will commence on March 11 when both divisions travel to Lucama, North Carolina for the season-opener at Southern National Motorsports Park.

Racing News

NHRA Launch program continues it's success

Saturday, Feb 11

Entering the 2023 season in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, the NHRA Launch program continues to boast impressive levels of success. The Vance Family Foundation and the NHRA worked together to create the online portal, one that has helped present a large number of job opportunities within the industry.

Since its start, NHRA Launch – Motorsports Careers has filled more than 125 jobs, receiving 2,000-plus total applications for the more than 250 jobs and opportunities that have been posted on the website. It’s filled a much-needed space in the industry, offering a central location to see the vast number of positions available in drag racing and motorsports.

From working on a nitro team, at a track or with a business within the industry, NHRA Launch has consistently grown since its start in 2020. The online portal now features more than 120 employers from across the industry, with nearly 1,500 job alert signups from potential hires taking place.

“We’re extremely pleased with the success of the NHRA Launch program thus far and we continue to be thrilled about the growth and how it has become an important platform to those seeking a job in motorsports,” NHRA Senior Marketing Manager John Baadilla said. “It’s allowed teams and companies within our industry to find qualified candidates, and it’s also given job seekers one spot to see all the great opportunities in our sport. To have filled more than 100 jobs and to help get people started on their career path, it’s a really exciting thing for the NHRA Launch program.”

The program has received strong support from all areas of motorsports since its start. A number of race teams – including John Force Racing, Don Schumacher Racing and Head Racing – have filled positions thanks to the program, while NHRA member tracks and manufacturers also utilize the free portal to post job listings and hire employees.

Baadilla and NHRA Senior Manager of Marketing and Research Mike Rau handle the day-to-day program operations of the program, working closely with both job seekers and employers. The Vance Family Foundation contributed $1 million to fully fund the startup and rollout of NHRA Launch, helping fuel the consistent growth of the program.

The generous contribution gave NHRA the resources to facilitate the early connections between job seekers and employers, and that momentum continues to grow. It’s opened a number of doors already, creating a wealth of opportunities for a new generation of motorsports professionals.

“It’s really created so many great possibilities for those who are interested in working in our sport or industry,” Baadilla said. “Someone can go online and see what fits their skills, abilities or interests. Plus, it’s such a wide variety of opportunities. NHRA Launch can be for someone wanting to work on a car, or it can be for someone wanting to work at a track or be involved in the business side of our sport. It really has been exciting to see such a wide variety of opportunities available at NHRA Launch.”

NHRA Launch was highlighted throughout the 2022 season through various segments during the NHRA on FOX broadcasts, as well as social media and in-venue at each national event. A new commercial is also sent to air during the 2023 campaign and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/AYOngaWpJcM

Job seekers are welcome to explore the career portal available in the top ribbon, reach out to our dedicated staff via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 626-250-2330 to receive résumé advice, interview coaching, and additional information on the program. Employers within the motorsports community looking to fill open opportunities should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 626-250-2330 to get on board.

For more information about NHRA Launch – Motorsports Careers, visit www.nhralaunch.com. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

(Courtesy of NHRA Communications)

Racing News

FR Americas 2023 Champion Eligible for Super Formula Scholarship

Saturday, Feb 11

Formula Regional Americas Championship Powered by Honda (FR Americas) has confirmed its championship prize for the 2023 Driver Champion, and is once again offering the winner an opportunity to advance their racing career. Working with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the 2023 FR Americas Champion will receive a scholarship to compete in Super Formula, along with a host of other prizes.

“Nothing makes the staff at FR Americas prouder than watching our champions go on to do great things in their careers, and we’re pleased to once again put together a prize that assists them in taking the next step,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for FR Americas. “Awarding our champion with not only the on-track opportunity, but also the equipment they need to be competitive, and the FIA Super License points to help them achieve their motorsport goals, proves that FR Americas can be a pivotal step in any driver’s career—and especially to those hoping to advance on the Road to F1.”

The FR Americas champion will be granted a 2024 Super Formula Scholarship from HPD and HRC. With a value of up to $600,000, the scholarship covers a substantial portion of the cost to run a full season, and includes an engine supply to run with a Honda-powered team selected by HRC. Additionally, the championship-winning driver will receive FIA Super License points, a carbon Bell helmet, a custom OMP Racing Suit, a Haas F1 Team guest experience at a U.S. F1 event, and an invitation to the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony at the conclusion of the season.

The internationally-respected Super Formula series is the top level of open-wheel racing in Japan, featuring high-downforce Dallara chassis powered by engines producing in excess of 550-horsepower. Successful graduates of Super Formula include Honda-powered Formula 1 race winner Pierre Gasly and the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series Champion Alex Palou.

This year’s Super Formula grid will include 2022 FR Americas Champion, Raoul Hyman.

“When the scholarship was announced, I knew that [FR Americas] was something that I needed to seriously consider and try to be a part of,” said Hyman. “I knew that if I was able to go back racing after a two-and-a-half-year layoff during COVID, there had to be something [to help me advance] if I was able to win. We don’t have the funding to just pay our way to the top, or into a professional seat in single seaters; I needed to have something at the end of the season to work toward. I knew if I could win the scholarship, I could extend my career by another year and give myself a shot.”

FR Americas continues to be a pivotal step, not only on the Road to F1, but also within open-wheel racing in America. Successful graduates have gone on to race in INDYCAR, IMSA, SRO, Indy Lights, and FIA Formula 3. In addition to the champion, drivers finishing through ninth in the championship standings are also eligible to receive FIA Super License points.

Promoted by Parella Motorsports Holdings and sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, FR Americas aligns with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable, and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success. Racing the Ligier JS F3 chassis on Hankook Motorsports tires, the 2023 FR Americas Championship will include 16 rounds of competition beginning at NOLA Motorsports Park and culminating at Circuit of The Americas. Stops in between are planned at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, New Jersey Motorsports Park and VIRginia International Raceway.

The 2023 season kicks off at NOLA Motorsports Park, March 9-12.

About Formula Regional Americas Championship & Formula 4 United States Championship, Powered by Honda: The FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship & Formula Regional Americas Championship are designed as entry-level open-wheel racing series offering young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements. The Championships align with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.

Racing News

Pirelli revs up for 2023 motorsports season in the US

Saturday, Feb 11

Pirelli is reinforcing its commitment to North American racing in 2023 with large-scale involvement and tire distribution to both global and domestic competitions taking place across the continent. Pirelli is set to participate in 10 major North American motorsport championships, with almost 40 Pirelli and partner personnel committed to over 100 races, supplying more than 30,000 tires throughout the course of the season.

Drawing from more than a century of its own history within the industry, Pirelli continues to leverage motorsports as an extension of its research and development work. Only by pushing the limits of competitive performance on the track can Pirelli’s Ultra High-Performance tires be ideated and built for the road. This “open-air laboratory” approach fosters innovation globally for Pirelli, though North America provides a unique opportunity with all but one major competition’s vehicles closely resembling the make-up of street vehicles.

Through its extensive relationships with more than 350 racing championships worldwide, Pirelli is positioned as one of the industry’s top research and development investors via motorsports that allow for its competitive products to be as closely aligned to road car tires as possible.

FORMULA 1

As Pirelli’s longest standing motorsports involvement globally since its inception as a tiremaker, the 2023 season is an especially exciting year for Formula 1 in North America with three Grand Prixes being hosted in the United States (Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas) and two more split between Montreal, Canada and Mexico City, Mexico.

The introduction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which fills the penultimate spot on the schedule this year, will take place on November 18 and marks the second consecutive Grand Prix to be introduced in the United States in as many years. Synonymous with Pirelli’s growth in North American motorsport, Formula 1’s expansion on the continent is the next step in meshing global motorsports history with America’s unique automotive tradition.

SRO

Pirelli continues to supply tires to all ultra-competitive SRO series and, in turn, some of the top manufacturers around the globe. The wide array of GT racing includes championships dedicated to GT3, GT2, GT4, and Touring Cars. The 2023 race season kicks off with GT America powered by AWS on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS March 3-5. The whole of SRO Motorsports America- Fanatec World Challenge America presented by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America, TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School and GT America powered by AWS then take on Sonoma Raceway March 30 through April 2. The North American collection takes on nine of the United States' top race circuits in 2023 in total. The season concludes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli, playing host to its penultimate round, the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS.

TRANS AM AND SVRA

Pirelli now enters its second year providing 18-inch tires for the Trans Am Series TA Class, which will continue to provide valuable feedback for road car tire development as it simultaneously raises the ceiling of speed, performance and intensity for competing drivers.

Tire testing for Trans Am will take place on January 25-26 at Sebring International Raceway, with the 2023 season kicking off at the same track on February 23-26. This marks the seventh season since Pirelli and Trans Am began their motorsports partnership, and represents a major step for Pirelli in its ongoing journey to strengthen bonds with the manufacturers of America’s classic performance muscle cars and the broader car culture.

Together with the Trans Am races, Pirelli is also involved with SVRA – the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. SVRA, the largest vintage racing organization in the United States open to virtually any vintage or historic race car, will share a number of key dates with the Trans Am Series as part of the ‘Speed Tour’.

MORGAN PERFORMANCE GROUP (MPG)

Pirelli North America has signed a new three-year extension to supply racing tires for the growing Morgan Performance Group (MPG) sports car tour which includes a 2023 nine-weekends with the first race starting at Spring Mountain April 21-23.

Since the inception of the GT Celebration series in 2019, Pirelli has been a major partner with the sports car campaign that includes GT3, GT4, LMP3, Porsche Cup and BMW M2 machinery. And the tour hasn’t strayed from their core value of creating a quality, fun, run group designed for “sports car racing, designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts.”

Heading into their fourth season, the MPG series entered the 2023 sports car season with some exciting new developments with four divisions including GT Celebration (three classes), Prototype Celebration (two classes), Cup Celebration (four classes) and M2 Celebration (three classes), that will race on historical racetracks such as Sonoma Raceway, VIRginia International Raceway and Watkins Glen.

INTERNATIONAL GT

Pirelli North America signed another three-year contract extension with International GT, a North American racing series for Ferrari and Porsche models made up of The Stuttgart Cup, Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy and The Maranello Cup championships. This will bring the partnership well over the decade mark, as the Pirelli’s rubber first hit the track for International GT in 2014.

Similar to the SVRA racing calendar, the 10-month-long 2023 schedule for the International GT kicks off in Sebring from February 23 to 26, and wraps up in early December at one of the pillars of American motorsports heritage in Daytona International Speedway.

SINGLE-MAKE & MISCELLANEOUS SERIES

Key parts of the Pirelli USA program are also the P Zero-equipped single-make championships including the Ferrari Challenge and the Championship of the Porsche Club of America (PCA).

The Ferrari Challenge North America kicks off at the Miami-Homestead Speedway on March 1-5, and traverses the continent with races at several iconic tracks like Road America, Sonoma Raceway and Circuit of the Americas.

The Championship of the Porsche Club of America, in partnership with Pirelli, will bring together many of the PCA’s 175,000 members to cheer on more than 2,000 licensed racers competing across a similar bevy of historic racetracks, including Watkins Glen International in upstate New York, Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., and several others. As the title sponsor of this single-make motorsports series, Pirelli continues to build on a strong partnership with Porsche that spans decades of both competitive and road car collaborations. The PCA club racing season begins on February 3 at Sebring.

Pirelli also continues to support the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb and will have a significant presence in this year’s rendition of the American motorsports classic.

More news to follow on Pike’s Peak as the event draws closer.