Monday, Mar 27
Adam Sinclair

Adam Sinclair

Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway more than 30 years ago. He has had the privilege of traveling to races all across the state of Florida (as well as one race in Ohio), watching nearly everything with a motor compete for fame and glory, as well as participating in various racing schools to get the feel of what racecar drivers go through every week.  

Adam spent several years covering motorsports for Examiner.com., where he had the opportunity to see the racing world from behind the scenes as well as the grandstands. He invites everyone to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for all things racing with the readers of SpeedwayDigest.com.

Be sure to tune in for his sports talk program, Thursday Night Thunder, where he discusses the latest in motorsports news with drivers, crew members, and fans. The show takes place (almost) every Thursday at 8:00 pm EST on the Speedway Digest Radio Network. 

Contact Adam: Email  

  

 

 AMA Pro Racing announced today that its board of managers has named Gene Crouch as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Crouch, who has served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, brings a wealth of multidisciplinary expertise and leadership capabilities gained from nearly two decades of motorsports experience. 

 

“Gene has proven himself as an experienced and forward-looking leader,” said Mike Helton, Chairman of the AMA Pro Racing Board. “His knowledge of the motorcycle industry combined with his ability to balance all the stakeholders in AMA Pro will be important to the company’s future success.” 

 

Crouch has played an instrumental role in shaping the direction of AMA Pro Racing since joining the company when it was founded in 2008. He’s spearheaded several critically important initiatives, including developing AMA Pro Racing’s industry-leading timing & scoring as well as the innovative FansChoice.tv livestreaming service. Crouch has also played a critical role in securing major sponsorship and media rights agreements for the series brands that are operated out of the company’s Daytona Beach headquarters, including Progressive American Flat Track and American Hillclimb

 

As Chief Executive, Crouch will now provide strategic leadership for North America’s premier professional motorcycle racing organization. His primary directives include developing growth strategies for the company’s professional racing disciplines and fostering synergistic relationships with strategic partners and licensees, including the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), MX Sports Pro Racing and Feld Motor Sports. 

 

“I’m deeply honored and grateful to the Board for the opportunity to lead this incredible organization,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “The motorcycle racing industry has entered an unprecedented era of cooperation and collaboration. I look forward to working closely with the Board and our strategic partners as we usher in the next chapter of growth for the sport.” 

 

Crouch takes the baton as CEO from predecessor Michael Lock, who led the strategy to revitalize Progressive American Flat Track after taking the helm in 2016. Lock will now transition to the role of Executive Consultant for AMA Pro Racing where he will also support NASCAR and IMSA with special projects such as international racing strategies and NASCAR’s Garage 56 program for the 100th running of the 24 hours of Le Mans, scheduled for June 10-11 of this year.  

 

Both Crouch and Lock will assume their new roles effective immediately. 

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is thrilled to announce its 2023 broadcast package with MAVTV Motorsports Network, which will see Trans Am races air in a one-hour format the Thursday night after 12 National Championship event weekends, in addition to being streamed live on social media.

"We couldn’t be more excited about our 2023 broadcast package with MAVTV,” said Tony Parella, CEO of Trans Am. "We are thrilled to be able to offer fans coverage of Trans Am races on a consistent night and time. MAVTV’s Thursday-night block is the place to be for fans of all of Trans Am’s classes, and pairing the races with Road to Glory allows fans to see the ins and outs of our sport and get to know its drivers and teams. We’re also pleased to continue to provide our free, live race coverage on social media.”

MAVTV Motorsports Network is the only linear television network and media platform dedicated exclusively to the global culture of motorsports and powered by a passion for speed. Offering an unparalleled line-up of exclusive events and narrative programming, MAVTV explores the people, vehicles, races and places within the depth and breadth of global motorsports.

"Trans Am has been a leader in motorsports for years in this country and we feel privileged to collaborate with Tony’s team to bring the marquee category to our audience,” said CJ Olivares Interim President of MAVTV. "The program will be a major pillar of our new primetime programming block ‘World of Racing.’”

Produced by Greenlight International, races will initially air in their entirety live on Trans Am and SpeedTour’s YouTube channels, before being edited into 60-minute features and broadcast to MAVTV’s 22 million North American linear households and 175 million connected devices. The Thursday-night primetime slot will include a two-hour block of racing, with the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series airing at 8:00 p.m. ET and the TA/XGT/SGT/GT class race airing at 9:00 p.m. ET. The block will be capped off by the 30-minute Showtime Motorsports docuseries, Road to Glory.

The 2023 Trans Am season kicks off at Sebring International Raceway February 23-26, with the event airing on MAVTV on March 2.

The live broadcasts of Sebring can be seen on February 25 and 26 on Trans Am’s YouTube channel (@TheTransAmSeries), as well as SpeedTour’s YouTube channel (@SpeedTourTV).

Annika Sorenstam, one of the greatest LPGA golfers of all-time, and multi-platinum entertainer and TV/film actor Trace Adkins will each participate in key roles on the pre-race grid of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding next weekend, March 3-5.  

 

Adkins will perform the national anthem as two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Homestead Air Reserve Base fly over the track and the color guard from American Legion Post 273 Madeira Beach presents the flags. Sorenstam, an Orlando resident, will serve as the grand marshal and give the command for drivers to start their engines before the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the downtown streets of St. Pete on Sunday, March 5. Coverage of the race will be televised nationally on NBC beginning at 12 p.m. ET.  

 

During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, Annika Sorenstam collected over 90 worldwide wins, including 72 on the LPGA and 10 major championships. She also won a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards and is still the LPGA’s all-time money leader with over $22 million in earnings. Annika remains closely connected to the greater Tampa Bay area as the host of the penultimate LPGA event of the season, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, held at Pelican Golf Club in November.

 

“I’m excited to be the grand marshal of the first INDYCAR race of the year in St. Petersburg to help kick off both the racing season and Women’s History Month,” said Sorenstam. “For my entire life, golf has been a vehicle that’s helped shape me on and off the course. I can’t wait to see the cars speed around a different type of course through downtown St. Pete! Also, I'm looking forward to getting back to nearby Pelican Golf Club in Belleair later this year to host the best LPGA players in the world at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.”

 

Trace Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted 40 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, earned numerous awards and multiple Grammy nominations, plus garnered over 2 billion streams since his debut in 1996. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, he’s also known for notable roles as an actor in film and television, including voice-overs for Firestone commercials. Recently, Adkins set out for his headline Somewhere in America 2023 Tour which spans coast-to-coast throughout this year.

 

“It is always a distinct honor to perform our national anthem at any event, but it’s an extra thrill to kick off the start of the Firestone Grand Prix,” said Adkins. “As a longtime auto racing fan, I look forward to attending the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.”

 

“We are honored to have such accomplished performers in their respective fields joining us at the 19th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “Annika is the greatest female golfer to ever play the game, and Trace is a country music icon. We are thrilled to have them both be a part of this marquee event and add to the pre-race excitement next weekend as we kick off a new NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.” 

 

Tickets are still available for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, March 3-5, at gpstpete.com. Ahead of the race weekend, two community events will jump start the festivities on Thursday, March 2: INDYCAR Party in the Park and the Wellcare Ambetter Health 5K on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track.

 

INDYCAR Party in the Park will take place at North Straub Park from 5:30-8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 2. Free to the public, the second annual party will feature special guests, including NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, music, giveaways, food and drink. Race cars running on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend schedule will also be on display for fans to view up close.

 

The 5K returns for the first time since 2019 giving runners and walkers the unique opportunity to race on the same course as the race cars. Participants can register in advance for $40 at gpstpete5k.com with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. The race begins at 6 p.m. ET on March 2, starts and ends on Bay Shore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park, and will join the race track at Turn 9 on Central Avenue. 

 

For additional ticket prices, the event schedule and festival information, visit gpstpete.com. Follow Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.

By John Oreovicz

IMSA Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – There is, undoubtedly, some complexity that goes into powering some of the most technically sophisticated racing cars in the world.

 

Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche tested and developed the LMDh prototypes of IMSA’s new top class, Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), which debuted in January at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the opening round of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

 

Two key factors influenced that quartet of manufacturers (along with Lamborghini, which will join the WeatherTech Championship in 2024) to pursue LMDh programs: the ability to incorporate their own styling cues into the bodywork, and almost total freedom in configuring the internal combustion engine (ICE) mated to the IMSA-mandated hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS).

 

As a result, all four of the new designs look unique. They all sound different as well, because each of the manufacturers has chosen its own path to power, with four significantly different solutions.

 

Section 5.2.1 of the 2023 IMSA Technical Regulations stipulates that engine design is free, except for the following restrictions:

 

  • Only petrol (gasoline) four-stroke engines are permitted
  • Air springs are allowed
  • VVT (variable valve technology) is allowed
  • ICE speed is limited to 10,000 rpm
  • The sound emitted from each car must not exceed 110 dbA (A-weighted decibels) during all on-track sessions.

 

There are a few more areas of commonality. The maximum engine length (from the rear of the survival cell (chassis) to the front of the bellhousing) is 640 millimeters, or 25.2 inches, with a minimum weight of 180 kilograms (396 pounds). The other key dimension is a minimum crankshaft center line height of 106 mm (4.17 in) common to the input shaft of the Xtrac P1359 gearbox and other elements of the ERS mandated for all competitors.

 

The combined output of the ICE and the ERS is 480 to 520 kilowatts (644-697 horsepower), measured at the driveshafts by mandatory torque sensors, and subject to Balance of Performance adjustment.

 

With those loose limitations in mind, Acura’s solution was a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. Porsche and BMW chose turbocharged V-8s, while Cadillac took the traditional American route with a larger, naturally aspirated V-8. Let’s look in greater detail.

 

ACURA ARX-06

Acura utilized a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 based on a production engine for its ARX-05 prototype that claimed the Daytona Prototype international (DPi) championship in 2019 and ’20. For the new LMDh regulations, Acura’s technical parent Honda Performance Development (HPD) opted for a clean-sheet, pure racing design, downsized to 2.4 liters.

 

Like all LMDh engines, the Acura AR24e has been designed to run on low-carbon, sustainable fuel. The engine features a 90-degree vee angle, along with electronics and fuel management software developed from Honda’s experience with energy recovery systems in Formula 1. Redline is 10,000 rpm.

 

“We’ve taken the challenge presented by this new rule package from IMSA and developed what we believe is a very competitive solution,” said Pierre Descamps, HPD’s project leader for IMSA powertrain design. “It’s still a V-6, which of course for Honda is well-known, but we have incorporated several new elements which we believe will make best use of the electric MGU (motor generator unit) and battery pack.”

 

 

BMW M HYBRID V8

The BMW P66/3 is a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 with a 90-degree vee.

 

The P66/3 maintains the same architecture of the original P66 engine which was used in other sports car series, but with technological updates like direct injection and the key addition of twin turbochargers. Redline is 8,200 rpm.

 

Ulrich Schulz, head of drivetrain design at BMW M Motorsport, said that BMW also considered adapting the turbocharged four-cylinder engine used most recently in the DTM series, along with the naturally aspirated V-8 in from the M8 GTLM that competed in the WeatherTech Championship. BMW utilized knowledge gained in Formula E to integrate electrification into the powertrain.

 

“Converting the normally aspirated P66/1 engine into a bi-turbo and then working with the electric drivetrain colleagues to turn it into a hybrid drive system was very complex,” Schulz stated. “It is a huge plus that we were also able to make use of existing materials such as steel and aluminum from BMW’s time in Formula 1 for the basis of the engine, as well as for individual components – like shafts, housing and small parts. That saved us time and a lot of money and was therefore efficient and sustainable.”

 

CADILLAC V-LMDh

Cadillac’s engine for the latter portion of the WeatherTech Championship DPi era was a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8 maintained by Earnhardt Childress Racing. The new Cadillac LMDh-V maintains that size and configuration, but it’s an all-new design created in-house by General Motors.

 

Some elements are likely shared with the 5.5-liter V-8 that powers the Corvette C8.R that competes in the WeatherTech Championship GTD PRO class. But where the Corvette engine features a flat plane crankshaft that creates a high-pitched, wailing exhaust note, the Cadillac motor has a cross plane crank and a soundtrack somewhere between a rumble and a roar (at less than 110 dB, naturally).

 

With the learning curve that comes with heading into IMSA’s new electrified era, the normally aspirated Cadillac – without the complexity of turbochargers and various ancillaries – could hold an advantage early in the 2023 season. Cadillac Racing completed a 24-hour endurance test at Sebring International Raceway in December prior to its third-, fourth- and fifth-place showings in the Rolex 24.

 

“To complete that endurance test was extra motivation for our team and provided a sense of accomplishment,” said Cadillac Racing Program Manager Laura Wontrop Klauser.

 

 

PORSCHE 963

Like BMW, Porsche already had the fundamental basis of an LMDh engine to work from. The 90-degree architecture originally appeared in 3.4-liter, normally aspirated configuration in the Porsche 718 Spyder that Team Penske used to win three consecutive Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) championships from 2006-08.

 

Enlarged to 4.6 liters and paired with two electric motors, the engine served as the powerplant for the Porsche 918 Spyder, a flagship road car of which 918 units were produced from 2013-15.

 

For LMDh, Porsche boosted the 4.6-liter V-8 with twin turbochargers that revs to the maximum allowable of 10,000. The marque incorporated additional learning from Formula E and the 919 Hybrid prototype, which earned three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2015-17. The 919 Hybrid utilized a 2.0-liter turbocharged V-4 engine and Energy Recovery System proprietary to Porsche, whereas the “hybrid” portion of the 963 is the standard ERS shared by all LMDh competitors.

 

Porsche was very ambitious with its preseason endurance testing, attempting a 36-hour run.

 

“It’s a much more complex car that needs more engineering support,” said Volker Holzmeyer, CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “This project has many more stakeholders than any project before, because of the standardization. The hybrid system is coming from a partner; that’s a stakeholder, and it’s not like everything is controlled by Porsche.”

In advance of making his Trans Am racing debut today, Thad Moffitt announces a new, sweet partnership. Folsom’s Honey, a veteran owned and operated bee and honey company, will be an associate partner of Moffitt this racing season. The Folsom’s Honey logo will be found on Moffitt’s Petty Blue and white No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro beginning at the Sebring International Raceway and throughout the remainder of the season.

 

Veteran and former professional bull rider, Jon Folsom along with Sixteen Creative founded Folsom’s Honey. Folsom kept bees on his property in Ohio and his honey quickly became one of the most popular brands in the region. As the brand grew, it enlisted fellow veterans and entrepreneurs to continue to grow the company. They now join the Petty family with Moffitt to continue its expansion.

 

“We cannot wait to see Folsom’s Honey on the track this weekend with Thad racing the famous No. 43 and Petty Blue colors," said Folsom. “We know that we’ve got the best buckin bees, the best honey, and now we’re partnered with the best family in racing. Thad has been great to work with and we’re looking forward to seeing him race this weekend and all season.”

 

Coming off a successful test session at the Sebring International Raceway with TeamSLR, Moffitt races today in the No. 43 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet Camaro in the Trans Am TA2 class. He knows the partnership with Folsom’s Honey is just the beginning of a great season.

 

“I really want to thank Folsom’s Honey for joining our program this season,” said Moffitt. “It’s going to be a fun day and it’s great to begin it with a new partnership announcement. We’re going work hard this year and do our best to represent Folsom’s Honey. I love that it’s a veteran owned company. I believe in helping our veterans and supporting everything they do. And you know they are going to make the best honey.”

 

Moffitt will make his Trans Am race debut today, Saturday, February 25.

 

Fans can go to www.folsomshoney.com to learn more and purchase products.

From dirt tracks to super speedways, Goodyear and NASCAR have pushed the boundaries of performance and innovation together for nearly 70 years.

To bring this sentiment to life at this year’s Daytona 500, Goodyear will debut a new :30 television advertisement during the FOX broadcast race on Sunday, Feb. 19. 

 

Set to the voiceover of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott and overlayed to archival at-track racing footage from the last seven decades, Goodyear’s new advertisement features a nostalgic look into the evolution of racing and Goodyear’s role in driving the sport forward. The spot debuts as NASCAR marks 75 years of stock car racing and Goodyear celebrates its 125-year anniversary in 2023.

 

“Goodyear’s presence is deeply embedded in NASCAR’s history, and the company has been there for my biggest wins,” said Elliott. “Goodyear is known for building tires to withstand the rigors that drivers put them through each week, giving us the confidence to put it all on the edge. I’m proud to be part of two major milestones for Goodyear and NASCAR.”

 

“This ad celebrates our shared history with NASCAR and recognizes our relentless commitment to never stop innovating,” said Meg Lee, vice president of marketing, Goodyear. “Goodyear’s commitment to performance and constant pursuit of forward motion has guided us for 125 years and will continue to serve us as a leader in the future of mobility.”

 

Goodyear’s legacy of manufacturing and supplying race tires dates back to 1954 and its relationship with NASCAR is one of the longest in racing history. As the sport advanced, so have Goodyear Eagle race tires, leading to the introduction of new tire technology, culminating in the development of the 18-inch bead diameter tire used on today’s NASCAR Next Gen stock car.

 

In 2022, Goodyear renewed its position as the exclusive tire for NASCAR's top three national series, marking a commitment to continued innovation for the next generation of drivers.

 

Fancam, the world leader in 360˚ gigapixel photography, announced today that they’ll be partnering with NASCAR during the DAYTONA 500 race on February 19th. This marks the ninth DAYTONA 500 that Fancam will be capturing, with this iteration offering fans the opportunity to win tickets to the 2024 race.

 

The opportunity to win tickets will be offered through a fan sweepstakes, and individuals can enter the sweepstakes by locating the Harley J. Earl Trophy hidden in this year’s Fancam. As part of the experience, DAYTONA 500 drivers will also be hidden throughout the interactive image and will deliver unique recorded video messages when located in the Fancam.

 

“Continuing this partnership with NASCAR and the DAYTONA 500 is a fantastic way to showcase the evolution of Fancam as a one of a kind product in fan engagement and interactive audience experiences,” said Tinus Le Roux, Founder and CEO of Fancam. “Fancam is continuing to advance its versatile offerings across different industries and venues, and so we’re excited to be at the forefront of digital fan engagement.”

 

“This sweepstakes offering with Fancam is an excellent example of how our team is looking to include our fans into the full immersive event experience at the DAYTONA 500,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “As our fans fill the grandstands for the eighth consecutive sellout, they are going to take great pride in being a part of this interactive event experience documenting this historic race.”

 

Recently, we had an opportunity to sit down with Rachel Goodger, FanCam's Chief Revenue Officer, to find out more specifics.

 

 

  • How does the camera get so much resolution with such a large field of view? (Photography class coming back to me after 20 plus years!)

 

That’s a great question! It’s a composite image, so the wide view is actually created by stitching together more than 2,000 individual high resolution pictures.

 

  • Do you work with NASCAR at other facilities?

 

We do not typically work with NASCAR at other facilities, but we did capture last year’s Clash at The Coliseum. Outside of racing we have permanent cameras installed with 18 different professional sports teams across all 5 major leagues in the United States.

 

  • How big is the camera used?

 

For the Daytona 500 we will be using a normal DSLR camera with a 600mm prime lens. It’s one of those big cameras you see photographers with on the sidelines at professional sports games.

 

  • How many people work at the track on the project?

 

Creating a Fancam takes a whole team. We will have one photographer at the track during the race to capture the image, then a team of 8 will be working in post production to have the Fancam stitched and ready the next day.

 

  • Do you only work with NASCAR, or are there other motorsports groups you work with?

 

To date we primarily have worked with NASCAR, but this past August we teamed up with NOS Energy Drink and Knoxville Raceway to capture the Knoxville Nationals.

 

  • What is your favorite thing to photograph?

 

The Daytona 500 has been one of our favorite events to capture since 2011, and that’s saying something since Fancam has captured Super Bowls, NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, and lot’s of concerts and tours with artists like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and U2!

 

 

Since 2014, over half a million fans have engaged with Fancam at the DAYTONA 500. Find previous iterations of the DAYTONA 500 Fancam at https://nascar.fancam.com.

 Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR), a leader in cloud networking, today announced that it has completed Wi-Fi 6 network deployments at five NASCAR racetracks, including Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway. Verizon Business is the technology integration and managed services lead for the project.  

 

NASCAR’s U.S. racetracks are some of the largest sports venues based on fan capacity. Daytona International Speedway is a venue that encompasses a 2.5-mile racetrack and required nearly 2,100 access points (APs), making it one of the largest U.S. venues with outdoor Wi-Fi. 

 

Key Facts 

 

·       High-Capacity Wi-Fi 6 Connectivity: Some of NASCAR’s venues are located in rural areas and previously did not offer Wi-Fi. In addition to mobile concessions and social media activity, fans use their mobile devices to access real-time, live-streamed video and audio feeds from drivers and race officials – an essential part of the raceday experience. However, that live video traffic can create a huge strain on the network. With a new Wi-Fi 6 network from Extreme, these racetracks can now offer fans the high bandwidth, high-performing Wi-Fi necessary to ensure fans can seamlessly stream content as desired without missing key moments. 
 

·       Network Insights for Data-Driven Operations: With ExtremeAnalytics™ and ExtremeCloud™ IQ, IT teams at each NASCAR track will have full visibility into network activity and performance, giving them access to insights that will help venue officials make data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiencies. This includes identifying bottlenecks in venue foot traffic, when it’s necessary to open new concessions due to crowds and detecting the usage of popular apps that could lead to commercial or marketing partnerships. 
 

·       Seamless Behind-the-Scenes Optimization: Beyond Wi-Fi for fans, NASCAR is also improving fan experiences with digital amenities, including mobile payments, digital ticketing and updated contactless point-of-sales systems. These are also supported by the new Wi-Fi 6 network from Extreme, ensuring enough bandwidth for both operations and high-quality audio and video broadcast systems in addition to fan access.  

 

Extreme is a member of the NASCAR Technology Partner Platform, an exclusive community of technology companies working together to evolve the racing industry to new levels of innovation and success by pushing technological boundaries.  

Executive Perspectives 

 

John Martin, VP of Media & Event Technology, NASCAR  

 

With Extreme, we are changing the way fans experience the race. These five racetracks now have a network that can support adding more amenities for fans like in-seat concessions ordering, and our venue IT teams have confidence that they can easily monitor everything happening over the network so we can make real-time adjustments and ensure a seamless experience for everyone using a Wi-Fi device. Bringing technologies that enable connectivity, including 5G and high-performance Wi-Fi, to our racetracks is the type of investment that will help us keep growing and modernize experiences for the next generation of fans.” 

 

Norman Rice, Chief Operations Officer, Extreme Networks 

 

“At a venue with 125,000 fans, there is no room for error. The Wi-Fi has to be able to support everything happening simultaneously and without interruption. The network is the central nervous system to power these next-generation services and the insights that NASCAR and our other customers can gain from our network analytics will enable them to make better decisions when it comes to improving the consumer experience and streamlining operations. Our experience deploying these large scale networks provides Extreme with a significant advantage across other industries that require connectivity in high-density settings, including healthcare, manufacturing and smart cities.” 

 

 

 

Extreme Networks, Inc. (EXTR) is a leader in cloud networking focused on delivering services that connect devices, applications, and people in new ways. We push the boundaries of technology leveraging the powers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation. 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress like never before. For more information, visit Extreme's website at https://www.extremenetworks.com/ or follow us on LinkedInYouTubeTwitterFacebook or Instagram. 

 

Extreme Networks, ExtremeAnalytics, ExtremeCloud and the Extreme Networks logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other trademarks shown herein are the property of their respective owners. 

NASCAR officially unveiled the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and livery it plans to race as the Garage 56 entry in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Garage 56 project, which is anticipated to be approved for entry by l'Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) in the coming weeks, is a partnership between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear – the winningest team, manufacturer and tire in the sport’s 75-year history.

 

The systems and components of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 are largely unchanged from the Next Gen race car that competes weekly in the NASCAR Cup Series. Among the changes made to prepare the car for an endurance race are functioning headlights and taillights, a larger fuel cell, carbon brake discs and specially designed Goodyear Eagle race tires.

 

“From the beginning of this project, it was important to us that the car we bring to Le Mans is a true NASCAR stock car,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “While there have been some adjustments to allow the car to compete in a 24-hour endurance race, fans in Le Mans will be treated to the full NASCAR experience.”

 

On-track testing for the project began last August at Road Atlanta with two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, who will be joined by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button behind the wheel at the upcoming 100th anniversary of the world-famous endurance race. Altogether the test car and its previous iteration have logged more than 3,600 miles at six separate tests (Road Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway, Goodyear Proving Grounds, Carolina Motorsports Park, Sebring International Raceway and Daytona International Speedway).

 

 

 

NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Specs:

Length:                                     195.4” / 4,961 mm

Width:                                       78.6” / 1,996.4 mm

Height:                                      50.4” / 1,280 mm

Wheelbase:                               110” / 2,794 mm

Weight:                                     2,960 lbs / 1,342 kg

Spoiler:                                     6” / 152.4 mm

Body:                                        2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 composite symmetric body featuring integral flap systems, camera mounts and dive planes

Underwing:                               Full carbon undertray w/Le Mans spec splitter, engine panel and rear diffuser

Chassis:                                   Steel tubing w/bolt-on front and rear clips and front/rear bumpers

Transaxle:                                 5-speed paddle shift sequential with ramp and plate differential

Suspension (Front and rear):     Double wishbone billet aluminum control arms w/adjustable coil over shock absorbers

Steering:                                   Rack and pinion

Wheels:                                    Dry Fronts – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 12.5” / 462 mm x 317.5 mm

                                                Dry Rears – BBS-G56 forged aluminum 18” x 13.5” / 462 mm x 342.9 mm

                                                Wets – BBS forged aluminum 18” x 12” / 462 mm x 304.8 mm

Tires:                                        Dry Fronts – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (day / night)

                                                Dry Rears – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 380/35R18 (day / night)

                                                Wets – Goodyear Racing Eagles – 365/35R18 (inter / full)

                                                ** Cured in-tire, passive TPMS system, Powered by Goodyear Sightline

Brakes:                                     Six piston monobloc front calipers / four piston monobloc rear calipers – heavy duty carbon disc packages

Front Brake Rotors:                   15” x 1.57” / 381 mm x 40 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell

Rear Brake Rotors:                   14” x 1.26” / 355.6 mm x 32 mm carbon disc w/titanium bell

Engine:                                     NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet R07 cast iron small block V8

Engine displacement:                358 cu in / 5.8 L

Induction system:                      Naturally aspirated

Fuel system:                             Fuel injection

Oil system:                               Dry sump

Engine cooling:                         Air exits radiator through hood louvers

Exhaust:                                   Split-side exit exhaust

Fuel cell:                                   32 gallons / 127 L (Total Excellium Racing 100)

2022 was a historic year for Indian Motorcycle Racing, capturing an unprecedented triple crown with championships across three different racing classes, including MotoAmerica® Mission® King of the Baggers® (KOTB), Super Hooligan® National Championship (SHNC) and Progressive Insurance® American Flat Tracksm SuperTwins classes. Now America’s First Motorcycle Company enters the 2023 racing season intent on defending its triple crown and raising the bar yet again with its factory racing program.

 

Running three No. 1 plates, Indian Motorcycle Racing welcomes back reigning champions Tyler O’Hara and Jared Mees, along with KOTB and SHNC factory rider Jeremy McWilliams. The company has also announced more than $405,000 in combined privateer contingency for KOTB, SHNC and AFT.

 

Founded by racers who developed America’s first motorized bicycles, fueled by a desire to go faster and win races, Indian Motorcycle has been racing, and winning, for 122 years. From founder Oscar Hedstrom’s endurance racing dominance at the turn of the century, to O.C. Godfrey winning the first Mountain Circuit race at the famed Isle of Man in 1911, to Burt Munro’s land speed records or the Wrecking Crew’s domination in flat track in the 1950s and, more recently, it’s six consecutive AFT Championships from 2017-2022, the list of history-making racing milestones is unparalleled. Now the innovative American motorcycle company prepares to defend a triple crown.

 

 

“Racing and an overriding spirit of competition has been a driving force for Indian Motorcycle for more than a century, and that competitive fire continues to drive us forward to this day,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Technology and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re incredibly proud of the success we had in 2022 with three different championships, but it’s only going to get tougher in 2023, with our competition gunning for us more than ever. But that challenge is what motivates us and pushes us to get better every day, and we’re chomping at the bit to go racing in 2023.”

 

MotoAmerica® KOTB & SHNC

For 2023, Indian Motorcycle and S&S® will pit a two-man factory race team that will take on double duty across the King of the Baggers® and Super Hooligan® classes. Proudly running the No. 1 plate in both classes, dual-threat champion Tyler O’Hara enters his fourth year aboard the Indian Challenger and his second year piloting an Indian FTR. Pitting alongside O’Hara in both classes is veteran Moto GP racer Jeremy McWilliams, whose technical knowledge and extensive experience at racing’s highest levels proved invaluable to the team’s success in 2022.

 

In the 2022 Mission King of the Baggers® class, the team’s success was driven by O’Hara’s versatility, the expertise of the S&S® crew, and the consistency and reliability of the Indian Challenger. Through seven rounds aboard his Indian Challenger, O’Hara captured five podiums, including a Daytona win, and two fourth-place finishes.

 

With the No. 1 plate and an expanded 14-round KOTB series, O’Hara will be the man to beat. But the competition will be tougher than ever, as Harley-Davidson® continues to increase its significant investment in the series, adding even more bikes and riders to the King of the Baggers® grid for 2023.

 

“The odds were definitely against us in 2022, and that’s what made climbing that mountain and ending up on top all the more special to our entire Indian Motorcycle-S&S® team. We grinded week in and week out to rise to that challenge and in the end, we got the job done,” said O’Hara. “But now we start over and the climb begins again. This team is truly a family, and we could not be more motivated to defend the championship and successfully rise to the challenge again in 2023.”

 

In addition to its factory efforts, Indian Motorcycle is offering up to $83,000 in KOTB privateer contingency and up to $41,000 in SHNC Contingency.

 

2023 Indian Motorcycle KOTB Privateer Contingency 

  • Championship: $20,000
  • 1st: $3000 
  • 2nd: $1000  
  • 3rd: $500 

 

 

2023 Indian Motorcycle SHNC Privateer Contingency

  • Championship: $5,000
  • 1St: $3000
  • 2nd: $1000 
  • 3rd: $500 

 

AFT SuperTwins

Piloting the Indian FTR750 for his seventh-consecutive year, reigning Progressive Insurance® AFT SuperTwins Champion Jared Mees enters 2023 with eight AFT Grand National Championships to his name – just one shy of the historic record of nine held by Scottie Parker. A record that many have assumed would never be matched or broken, Mees is looking to do just that as he chases his ninth.

 

As Mees chases history, he’ll rely on his trusted team led by Crew Chief Kenny Tolbert, Assistant Mechanic Bubba Bently and Suspension Technician Jimmy Wood. Mees will also receive support from Rogers Racing, SDI Racing, Drag Specialties®, Twigg Cycles, Mission® Foods, Monster Energy®, Bell® Helmets, Service Pro, Öhlins® Suspension, Klotz® Oil, Klock Werkssm, RK Chain®, Corbin®, Seats, Engine Ice®, RMR Construction, Motion Pro®, VP Racing®, Vertex Pistons, Pro Plates and DBI Motorsports.

 

In addition to its AFT factory efforts around Mees, Indian Motorcycle is offering the sport’s most robust privateer contingency, equating to more than $280,000.

 

2023 Indian Motorcycle AFT Privateer Contingency:

  • Championship: $25,000
  • 1st: $7,500
  • 2nd: $2,500
  • 3rd: $1,500
  • 4th: $1,000
  • 5th: $750
  • 6th: $350
  • 7th: $250
  • 8th: $150
  • 9th: $125
  • 10th: $100

 

Indian Motorcycle factory race efforts are presented by Progressive Insurance®, Mission® Foods and Medallia®, with additional support from Indian Motorcycle Motor Oil, S&S®, Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties®, Performance Finance, and J&P Cycles®.

 

 

KOTB, SHNC and AFT seasons begin March 9 at the Daytona International Speedway. For more information on the 2023 AFT season, visit AmericanFlatTrack.com, for KOTB and SHNC, visit MotoAmerica.com.

 

For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

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