
Adam Sinclair
Adam has been a race fan since the first time he went through the tunnel under the Daytona International Speedway almost 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
Seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson will highlight the Jimmie Johnson Foundation this weekend during the Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. Johnson will wear the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope, which honors five charities working to improve K-12 public education during the race. In addition to the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope, a number of Cup competitors and Xfinity drivers will help raise awareness for the Foundation by sporting a specially designed TeamJJF strip on the visors of their respective helmets.
In support of the Foundation’s efforts, the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet will feature a special decal to recognize the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Ally Fueling Futures. The “Ally Fueling Futures” program introduces teens to motorsports careers and money basics and debuted at Michigan International Speedway in August.
“It’s really exciting to be able to promote the Jimmie Johnson Foundation this weekend,” said Johnson. “Chandra (wife) and I are so grateful to Ally for allowing us to highlight the foundation, to Blue Bunny for sponsoring the Helmet of Hope program for the 8th time, and all of the drivers participating in the TeamJJF visor campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and the NASCAR community, we are able to provide much needed financial support to some outstanding non-profits and schools through Foundation programs.”
The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program allows fans and consumers across the country to nominate and vote on not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education. Each of the recipients was also awarded a $25,000 grant and a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party.
The 5 recipient charities are:
● Art With a Heart in Indianapolis
● High Mountain Youth Project in Ruidoso, New Mexico
● Immigrant Family Services Institute in Roslindale, Massachusetts
● Lakeshore Elementary School PTA in San Francisco
● Pilot Light in Chicago
At the conclusion of Sunday’s 400-mile race at Kansas, participating drivers will sign their TeamJJF branded visors. The signed visors will be available in an online auction to raise funds to support K-12 public education. Participating drivers include:
Cup Drivers:
Aric Almirola
Alex Bowman
Clint Bowyer
Chris Buescher
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
William Byron
Landon Cassill
Matt DiBenedetto
Chase Elliott
Erik Jones
Corey LaJoie
B.J. McLeod
Michael McDowell
Ryan Preece
David Ragan
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Daniel Suarez
Matt Tifft
Martin Truex Jr.
Bubba Wallace
Xfinity Drivers:
Christopher Bell
Chase Briscoe
Joey Gase
Gray Gaulding
B.J. McLeod
Vinnie Miller
Matt Mills
Garrett Smithley
Drivers Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Ryan Newman will donate visors for the auction.
In addition to the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program, the Foundation operates the Champions Grant program, which provides cash grants to schools in the Johnson’s hometowns and where they currently live; and Team Up For Technology, a $48,000 technology makeover open to schools nationwide.
Larsen Motorsports is proud to announce Zach Costello as their newest developmental driver. Zach is an alumni of Florida Tech and holds a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. During his 3rd year of college, Florida Tech announced a partnership with Larsen Motorsports at an event on campus where they unveiled the Florida Tech Jet Dragster.
With the combination of aerospace engines in a racing application, Zach couldn’t help but spend the entire time talking with the team of LMS. He was determined to be a part of their operation.
Zach became a crew chief for LMS in 2017 and currently leads the Florida Tech Jet Racing Team driven by Elaine Larsen. You can follow Zach on his journey from Crew Chief to the Driver's Seat on the Larsen Motorsports YouTube Channel!
Capitol Raceway scored a close win over home track Maryland International Raceway at the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Division 1 (Patriots) Summit Team Finals completed Monday.
Capitol Raceway ended with 55-51 points to keep Maryland International Raceway from repeating as Division 1 champions.
Leading up to the main event, racers participated in a Gambler’s race, Bogey, Golf Cart, and Big Wheels race and “best of” awards.
Main Event:
Top
Frank Lecates (US 13 Dragway) had a winning effort with a .005 reaction time combined with a 4.787 elapsed time at 142.57 mph on a 4.78 dial-in. Runner-up Bobby Spence (Capitol Raceway) had a .015 reaction time and made a 4.307-second pass at 158.39 mph against a 4.30 dial-in.
Mod
Frank Thompson Jr. (Maryland International Raceway) used a 6.011-second pass at 109.34 mph against a 5.99 dial-in with a .010 reaction time to win. Mike Keyton (Roxboro Motorsports Park) matched his 5.82 dial-in at 118.02 mph, but was slower at the tree with a .099 start.
Junior Dragster
Gayge Farrell won with a 12.375 against an 11.90 dial-in with a .022 reaction time. Zach Parlett had a 10.414 elapsed time against an 11.90 dial-in with a .067 reaction time.
Other Results
Pit Vehicle Race
Ray Snoots (Maryland) defeated Bradley Tippett (Maryland) with a .002 reaction time and 9.03-second pass against a 9.00 dial-in. Tippett went down the track in 11.315 seconds against a 11.30 dial-in, along with a .049 reaction time.
Friday’s Gambler’s Race
Top — Bobby Bladen III (Capitol Raceway) 5.012 on a 5.00 dial-in, .001 reaction time defeated Jena Martin (Maryland International Raceway) 4.654 on a 4.67 dial-in, .045 reaction time.
Mod — Daryl Beauchamp (US 13 Dragway) 7.571 on a 7.59 dial-in, .016 reaction time defeated Ed Talbert (Capitol Raceway) 6.83 on a 6.83 dial-in, -.006 reaction time.
Junior — Allen Jenkins (Maryland International Raceway) 12.375 on an 11.90 dial-in, .022 reaction time defeated Zach Parlett (Maryland International Raceway) 10.414 on an 11.90 dial-in, .067 reaction time.
Saturday’s Gamblers Race
Top — Jerry Langley (Maryland International Raceway) 4.733 on a 4.72 dial-in, .006 reaction time defeated Ben Calhoun (Capitol Raceway) 4.708 on a 4.68 dial-in, .012 reaction time.
Mod — Kris Bunch (Summerduck Dragway) 8.979 on a 7.63 dial-in, .010 reaction time defeated Tony Mattera (Maryland International Raceway) 6.648 on a 6.65 dial-in, -.007 reaction time.
Junior — Cole Foskey (US 13 Dragway) 8.948 on an 8.91 dial-in, .010 reaction time defeated Zach Parlett (Maryland International Raceway) 9.38 on a 9.02 dial-in, .095 reaction time.
Friday Bogey Race:
Top — Ben Garnett (US 13 Dragway)
Mod — Steven Truitt (US 13 Dragway)
Junior — Keith Riddle (US 13 Dragway)
Special Awards:
Best Appearing Full Bodied Car — Doug Minter, Maryland
Best Engineered Full Bodied Car — Buddy Mcgowan, Capitol Raceway
Best Appearing Junior Dragster — Cole Foske, US 13 Dragway
Best Engineered Junior Dragster — Ryan Davis, Capitol Raceway
Best Appearing Open Body Car — Brianna Lukhard, Richmond Dragway
Best Engineered Open Body Car — Jason Kirby, Maryland International Raceway
Best Team Spirit — Richmond Dragway
Best Appearing Sponsor Banner — Motor Mile Dragway
Best Appearing Grandstands — US 13 Dragway
Best Appearing Team — Motor Mile Dragway
Team Standings
1. Maryland International Raceway 63 |
2. US 13 Dragway 37 |
3. Capitol Raceway 29 |
4. Richmond Dragway 25 |
5. Sumerduck Dragway 23 |
6. Motor Mile Dragway 3 |
INDYCAR took another important step in the development of its cockpit-protecting Aeroscreen with Tuesday's two-car test at Richmond Raceway, a 0.75-mile short oval that will play host to the NTT IndyCar Series next June.
This was the third of four scheduled Aeroscreen tests this fall and it went so well that recently crowned NTT IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden of Team Penske needed only a handful of laps to adjust to the new cockpit surroundings.
"Perception-wise, it was a little different when I first got in (the car) but it took maybe 30 or 40 laps and after that you're pretty used to it," Newgarden said. "It's pretty normal at this point."
The Richmond test also included five-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, who also took part in the initial Aeroscreen on-track test with Team Penske's Will Power on Oct. 2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition to testing Firestone tires, Dixon said the Aeroscreen works well on ovals and is nearly ready for action now.
"A little different look with the Aeroscreen," Dixon said. "It seems like everything is going well with all the testing (INDYCAR has) done. For sure (here), the car's fine."
The Aeroscreen is scheduled to make its race debut March 13-15, 2020 at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and will be used in competition at all 17 races next season, including the June 26-27 event at Richmond Raceway. It will mark the first series race at Richmond Raceway since 2009.
INDYCAR President Jay Frye continues to be pleased with the ongoing development of the Aeroscreen.
"We've learned something every time we've tested," Frye said. "It's about checking the boxes and once the teams get a hold of it they'll make it even better. They'll take it to a whole other level."
The Aeroscreen was developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies to reduce the risk of driver injury from flying debris or other objects striking the cockpit area. Anchored by titanium framework, the Aeroscreen consists of a polycarbonate laminated screen that includes an anti-reflective coating on the interior of the screen, an anti-fogging device through an integral heating element and tear-offs, all of which will be produced by integrated third-party companies.
The titanium framework mounts in three areas around the cockpit: the chassis centerline, two rear side mounts and roll hoop integration to provide enhanced load-bearing capabilities. The load-bearing is expected to be 150 kilonewtons (kN), which equals the FIA load for the Halo design currently used in Formula One. A kilonewton is equal to approximately 225 pounds.
The visit to Richmond Raceway was the third consecutive week of on-track testing of the Aeroscreen, with each coming on a different type of layout. Previously, INDYCAR staged an Aeroscreen test at a superspeedway - Indianapolis Motor Speedway - and followed with the second at the Barber Motorsports Park permanent road course in Birmingham, Ala. on Oct. 7.
The fourth scheduled test will be Nov. 5 at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway, a track that simulates street circuits. Four-time Indy car champion Sebastien Bourdais of Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan and James Hinchcliffe of Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports will be the drivers at Sebring.
A focus of this test was to make driving the car a more comfortable experience by redirecting the airflow inside the cockpit through the use of interior inlets.
"That was an improvement," Dixon said, "especially around the legs and body."
While the Aeroscreen adds about 60 pounds to the car, Newgarden said he noticed little difference between driving here and without the Aeroscreen at Iowa Speedway, a similar short oval track.
"When I first went out my perception of how much grip the car and how much control I had was slightly different, but I think that's because it felt foreign," he said. "You're not used to having a screen over your head, but after 20 or 30 laps after you got used to it the car feels very similar in terms of how I drive the car or how the car feels compared to a place like Iowa or Gateway -- it feels very similar.
"From a tuning standpoint, it didn't take that much to get it back into the correct window as far as the balance - the balance is very good even with the screen on. From that point, I don't think the cars are going to change that much going into next year."
Frye said INDYCAR will stage an open test at Richmond Raceway in late March, bringing all full-time competitors.