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Spire Motorsports to Field NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Team in 2022

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Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (November 23, 2021) – Spire Motorsports announced today that it will expand its NASCAR footprint and field a team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in 2022.

The team will be led by championship-winning industry veterans Mike Greci and Kevin “Bono” Manion.

Greci comes to Spire Motorsports from Hattori Racing Enterprises, where he served as general manager for the last six seasons. Manion has spent the last two years at GMS Racing and will handle the team’s crew chief responsibilities.

“After spending the last three seasons establishing our footing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Spire Motorsports is eager to lean on Mike Greci’s leadership and build a competitive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team,” commented Spire Motorsports co-owner T.J. Puchyr. “Mike’s resume speaks for itself. He’s a proven winner and excels at developing young talent. We’re fortunate to add someone as accomplished as Mike to our roster. Being able to complement him with an experienced, championship-winning crew chief in Bono Manion creates a foundation that we expect to be successful right out of the gate.

“There’s a tremendous amount of interest, enthusiasm and opportunity in the Camping World Truck Series. We’re excited to expand our team, create new jobs and make our mark in the Truck Series garage the Spire Motorsports’ way.”

Greci, a Granby, Conn., native with over five decades of experience, launched his NASCAR career in 1990 as Mike McLaughlin’s crew chief in the ARCA Menard’s Series East (formerly Busch North Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series East). Since then, he has earned ARCA Menard’s Series East victories with McLaughlin, Mike Stefanik, Ryan Truex and Brett Moffitt.

Greci won consecutive championships with Truex in 2009 and 2010. From 2013-2016, he held the competition director’s role for Turner-Scott Motorsports and HSM with Justin Marks when the teams won four straight ARCA Menard’s Series East titles with drivers Dylan Kwasniewski, Ben Rhodes, William Byron and Justin Haley.

He transitioned to Hattori Racing Enterprises as general manager at the end of 2016 where he won four races and earned NCWTS championship honors in 2018 with Moffitt. From 2019-2021, Greci and Austin Hill combined to notch eight wins while clinching a spot in the NCWTS playoffs all three years.

“I’m proud to join Spire Motorsports and take full advantage of the opportunity in front of us,” said Greci. “I’ve known both T.J. Puchyr and Jeff Dickerson (Spire Motorsports co-owners) for many years and I’m really impressed with how they go about their business. We’ll have an opportunity to develop some exciting young talent. Being able to pair a young driver with a crew chief as experienced as Bono Manion positions us to be competitive as soon as we hit the track.”

Manion has been a staple atop the pit box since 2002 and boasts wins in all three of NASCAR’s elite touring series. Some of his most recognizable accomplishments include back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series Championships with Martin Truex Jr., (’04 – ‘05) and NASCAR Cup Series wins including the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Bank of America 500 with Jamie McMurray. He has collected seven NCWTS wins with four different drivers including Daniel Suarez, Kyle Busch, Tyler Ankrum and Zane Smith.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help build a new team and establish Spire Motorsports as a top-flight organization in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series,” offered Manion. “Building something from the ground up is the type of challenge that gets me out of bed in the morning. Collectively, we all envision this as a great opportunity to be competitive and give back to the sport that has given so much to all of us.”

The team will name its driver and announce 2022 schedule plans once they are finalized.

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About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports was established in 2018 and is co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. Spire Motorsports earned an upset victory for the ages in its first full season when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019.

TPC Racing Returns To Endurance Racing Competition with Race-Leading Performance in 24H Series at Sebring

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Official Release
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TPC Racing and Drivers Pedro Torres and Rob Lorndale Teamed with MRS GT-Racing and Raced to Lead in Debut

SEBRING, Florida (November 23, 2021) – TPC Racing’s successful history added a new chapter this past weekend at Sebring International Raceway, where the team and drivers Pedro Torres and Rob Lorndale returned to the world of endurance racing and left with plenty of positives, including laps led in the world-wide Hankook 24H Series.

The 2006 GT-class winners at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, TPC Racing’s most recent efforts have been in sprint-race competitions. The Sebring 24H was an opportunity to work with European Porsche-racing stalwart MRS GT-Racing and add TPC Racing drivers Torres and Lorndale to the endurance racing driver roster.

Though contact in Turn One ended the team’s run in a 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup just shy of the twelve-hour mark of the race, TPC Racing and both drivers were able to take away some positives from the event.

The No. 989 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup had led for nearly four hours prior to the contact that ended the night. Because the race began at 5 p.m. local time, most of that 11-hour run came at night around an already challenging Sebring International Raceway.

“What an incredible experience for all of us here at TPC Racing,” Harris Levitas, Director of Race Operations said. “TPC Racing hasn’t been endurance racing since our last year in what was then Grand-Am. We were in a Porsche then, so it was nice to make our return with the Porsche family and run well. We can’t thank MRS GT-Racing enough for their support and allowing us to be a part of their effort this weekend at Sebring.”

The event was the endurance racing debuts for Torres and Lorndale, who competed this season in the single-make Porsche Sprint Challenge North America championship.

“The endurance racing format was a brand-new challenge for Pedro and Rob, and they handled it better than could be expected,” Levitas said. “This was the first time they had driven at night with this type of competition, this was the first time they’d had to do driver changes, and really the first time either of them had to compromise a setup for a team situation. To help get this car to the lead and running strong before the incident is a credit to how much they’ve learned this season.”

The Hankook 24H race was the season-ender for both Torres and Lorndale after their rookie seasons of professional racing. Lorndale finished third in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Gold Cup standings, while Torres earned five podiums in the same class and, with Lorndale, boosted TPC Racing to a Team Championship.

About TPC Racing: TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sportscars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.

CROWDER MAKES LAST LAP PASS TO WIN LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR MAIN AT HANGTOWN 100

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Official Release
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(Upland, CA, November 22, 2021) Chris Crowder led about three seconds of the main event at night #2 of the California Lightning Sprint Car Series/Bay Cities Racing Association co-sanctioned “Hangtown 100” on Friday night at the Placerville Speedway. Those three seconds were the most important of the race as they ticked off between turn four and the checkered flag on the final lap giving Crowder a well-deserved win. The victory was his first ever in the CLS.

Like the first night on Thursday, the fastest 12 qualifiers garnered points. The heat races used an ASCS formula that distributed points by combining finishing positions and passing points. When the points were tallied up after the heats, the top sixteen drivers went straight into the main event. Drivers that did not accumulate enough points to get into the top sixteen ran a twelve lap B main. The top four finishers in the B earned the final spots for the main event.

After a delay due to a brief rainstorm, Crowder, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was the fastest of the 31 qualifiers when he recorded a lap of 12.644. Sexton Gatlin Racing teammates Grant Sexton of Lakeside and San Diego’s AJ Bender were third and fourth with times of 12.650 and 12.657, respectively.

Teenage point leader David Gasper of Santa Barbara captured the first eight lap heat race. Heat two went to El Cajon teen Braden Chiaramonte. Saving face for the older generation, Yucca Valley’s Jeff Dyer and Brent Sexton of Lakeside won the third and fourth heat races.

For the second night in a row, Modesto’s Josef Ferolito captured the 12-lap B main to earn his ticket to the 25-lap feature. Billingham, Washington’s Alex Lewis, Dakota Albright of Waterford, and Rancho Cordova’s Craig Holsted took the other three transfer spots.

Fourteen-year-old Chiaramonte was on the pole for the main event with 19-year-old Greco on the outside. Thursday winner Logan Seavey, who hails from Sutter, California, a town of about 3,000 which is 93 miles from Placerville, manned the inside of row two. Crowder was outside of Seavey. The third row featured Thursday’s second place finisher Bender and his teammate Grant Sexton. The all-time leading winner in Lightning Sprint Car mains at Placerville, Scott Kinney of Citrus Heights, and Gasper made up row four.

On a night where the fog was rolling in and out, Chiaramonte was the first to turn 1 when the green flag sent the field on its way. Greco, Crowder, and Grant Sexton were close behind. Crowder advanced up to second when Greco went wide coming off the fourth corner on the opening lap.

In a bizarre twist early on, Greco hit a rut in turn #1 that shot him up the track. Grant Sexton, with nowhere to go, caught Greco’s right rear and flipped. Seconds later as cars were coming to a stop for the red, Sexton’s older brother, Dalton, flipped on the opposite end of the 56-year-old racing facility. Both siblings were uninjured and the fact that Dalton flipped, benefited Grant. Once Grant’s car was turned back over, he was able to drive it back to the pits. In the time it took to remove Dalton’s heavily damaged car from the track, the crew was able to repair Grant’s car and he restarted at the rear of the pack.

Chiaramonte was still on the point for the restart, and he was being followed by Crowder, Greco, Seavey, and Gasper. As Chiaramonte began to inch away, it was obvious that Seavey was having some issues as both Gasper and Bender passed him for fourth and fifth on the seventh lap. Seconds later Seavey exited the track and was credited with a 16th place finish.

Bender, who has been on a tear since joining forces with SGR last month, started moving forward by first passing Gasper for fourth and then taking Greco for third on lap eight.

As the race progressed, Chiaramonte, who was far in front when he grenaded an engine with seven laps to go at Bakersfield and who flipped while running third with seven laps to go on Thursday, continued to lead over Crowder. Gasper broke into the top three for the first time on lap 10 when he got by Bender. He stayed there until Bender repaid the favor on lap 18.

Crowder came calling on Chiaramonte a couple times, but the kid was equal to his challenges. By lap 15, Chiaramonte’s white #73 had moved out to about a half second lead. Meanwhile, a lot of the crowd had shifted its attention to Grant Sexton. After restarting at the back due to his flip, he was slicing and dicing his way through the field. On lap 19 he broke back into the top five when he raced by Greco.

With five laps to go, Chiaramonte was still holding about a half second lead. Running the highline through one and two was allowing Crowder to close in on the bottom. On laps 23 and 24, Crowder took full advantage of the opportunity presented and tried to go past the race long leader when they exited turn number 2. Both times, Chiaramonte fended him off.

Midnight struck for Chiaramonte on the final lap with a momentary bobble in turn two. Crowder immediately pounced on the situation and pushed his nose ahead as they came off the corner. Chiaramonte did not give up. He pulled even with Crowder on the back chute and pulled ahead in turn three. However, a big bobble by the leader in turn four opened up the bottom of the track, and before he recovered, Crowder had raced by for the lead, and mere seconds later, he had the win. In addition, Bender also got by before Chiaramonte recovered and finished second. Chiaramonte crossed the line in third with Gasper, and Grant Sexton close behind.

Unfortunately, Chiaramonte’s bad luck did not end on the track. Soon after the race ended, his car failed the post-race inspection, and he was disqualified. That moved Gasper to third, Grant Sexton to fourth and Greco to fifth in the official finishing order.

Lewis was the race “Hard Charger” finishing eighth after starting 18th.

Heading into the last race of the season, super rookie Gasper had a 76-point advantage over Greco in the championship standings, James Turnbull of Indio, who led the standings much of the season, was third. Dyer and Bender were fourth and fifth.

The CLS would like to thank 2021 series sponsors Hoosier Tires, T Shirts by Timeless, TJ Forged Racing Wheels, and Walker Performance Filtration. If you or your company would like to become part of the series, please call Alex Grigoreas at (909) 437-3170.

To keep up with the CLS online, please visit the website at http://racecls.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californialightningsprints

Bakersfield Speedway 25-Lap Main Event Finish (with starting positions)

  1. Chris Crowder – Colorado Springs, CO – 4th
  2. A.J. Bender – San Diego, CA – 5th
  3. David Gasper – San Diego, CA – 8th
  4. Grant Sexton – Lakeside, CA – 6th
  5. Eric Greco – Palmdale, CA – 2nd
  6. Dominic Del Monte – Gardena, CA – 14th
  7. Levi Klatt – Langley, BC, Canada – 15th
  8. Alex Lewis – Bellingham, WA – 18th
  9. Brent Sexton – Lakeside, CA – 9th
  10. Dakota Albright – Waterford, CA – 13th
  11. Danika’Jo Parker – Oakdale, CA – 19th
  12. James Turnbull – Indio, CA – 11th
  13. Doug Nunes – Kingsburg, CA – 12th
  14. Josef Ferolito – Modesto, CA – 17th
  15. Scott Kinney – Citrus Heights, CA – 7th
  16. Logan Seavey – Sutter, CA – 3rd
  17. Craig Holsted – Rancho Cordova, CA – 20th

18 Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley, CA – 10th

  1. Dalton Sexton – Lakeside, CA – 16th

DQ Brandon Chiaramonte – El Cajon, CA – 1st

Hard Charger: Alex Lewis Start 18th Finish 8th

Lightning Sprint Car Series Points

  1. David Gasper ® – Santa Barbara, CA – 1783
  2. Eric Greco – Palmdale, CA – 1707
  3. James Turnbull – Indio, CA – 1673
  4. Jeff Dyer – Yucca Valley, CA – 1544
  5. A.J. Bender – San Diego, CA – 1357
  6. Dominic Del Monte – Gardena, CA – 1264
  7. Jon Robertson – Torrance, CA – 1046
  8. Pat Kelley – Chino, CA – 871
  9. Aiden Lange – Lakewood, CA – 815
  10. Bobby Michnowicz – Oak Hills, CA – 807

CLS/BCRA Civil War Series Point Standings

  1. Dave Gasper – CLS – 461
  2. James Turnbull – CLS – 410
  3. Eric Greco – CLS – 391
  4. Brandon Leedy – BCRA – 372
  5. Jeff Dyer – CLS – 337
  6. Terry Bergstrom – BCRA – 331
  7. Dominic Del Monte – CLS – 312
  8. Dakota Albright – BCRA – 306
  9. Bobby Michnowicz – CLS – 276
  10. Aiden Lange – CLS – 235

2021 California Lightning Sprint Car Series Schedule

March 13 Bakersfield Speedway – Eric Greco

April 10 Bakersfield Speedway – Bobby Michnowicz

April 24 Merced Speedway (Wayne Albright Memorial – Round #1 of the Civil War Series with BCRA – Wingless) – James Turnbull

May 15 Bakersfield Speedway – A.J. Bender

June 5 Ventura Raceway – A.J. Bender

June 19 Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford) – Postponed due to heat.

July 3 Santa Maria Speedway – Eric Greco

July 24 Santa Maria Speedway (Wing Madness #1) Santa Maria – A.J. Bender

August 7 Merced Speedway (Civil War Series #2 with BCRA – Winged) – Dave Gasper

August 28 Ventura Raceway – Eric Greco

September 18 Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #3 with BCRA – Winged) – Kevin Michnowicz

September 19 The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park – David Gasper

October 2 Ventura Raceway – Eric Greco

October 30 Ventura Raceway – Jeff Dyer

November 16 Bakersfield Speedway (Civil War #4 with BCRA – Winged – Western States Lightning Sprint Car Championship) – A.J. Bender

November 18 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets) – Logan Seavey

November 19 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets) – Chris Crowder

November 20 Placerville Speedway Hangtown 100 – (Co sanctioned with BCRA and in companion with the USAC National Midgets)

PAST CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONS

1994 Tony Everhart

1995 Gary Sexton

1996 Rob Sczymczak

1997 Jon Rahe

1998 Chris Rahe

1999 Brent Sexton

2000 Greg Bragg

2001 Greg Bragg

2002 Greg Bragg

2003 David Cardey

2004 Keith Janca

2005 Johnny Bates

2006 Donny Gansen

2007 Shane Rossen

2008 Brent Sexton

2009 Stuart Hielschier Sr.

2010 Jarrett Kramer

2011 Tim Brown

2012 Bobby Michnowicz

2013 Stephen Limon

2014 Bobby Michnowicz

2015 Bobby Michnowicz

2016 Bobby Michnowicz

2017 Bobby Michnowicz

2018 Jarrett Kramer

2019 Jarrett Kramer

MOOSE RACING AND AUSTIN WILLIAMS FINISH THIRD IN 2021 USAC/CRA STANDINGS

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Official Release
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Austin Williams photo courtesy of Doug Allen

(Huntington Beach, CA, November 22, 2021) Huntington Beach, California based Moose Racing and its driver Austin Williams closed another successful season at the Arizona Speedway’s “54th Annual Western World Championship.” When all was said and done for the season, owners Tom and Lauri Sertich finished third in owner points in the 17-year-old USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Williams finished third in the driver standings.

Sadly, the trek across the desert for the Moose crew marked the last time it would head to the speed plant located south of Phoenix. The track will close at the end of November and the property will be developed. Strong rumors persist that the promoter already has a new site that will be ready to go in 2022.

The action at the “Western” matched the best of the best from the USAC/CRA and USAC National Sprint Car Series. The two nights of racing signified the end of the 2021 season for both groups. The first night of the “Western” was on Friday, November 12th. Thirty-eight cars showed up for the race and Williams turned in a lap of 15.009 in qualifying. That was good for sixth out of the nineteen in his qualifying flight. Overall, he was 10th fastest out of the thirty-eight drivers on hand.

A fifth-place finish in his heat meant that the 31-year-old Williams would have to go to the 12-lap B main. The Corona, California resident easily qualified for the A main when he placed third in the B.

For Friday’s 30-lap finale, Williams had to start in the 15th spot in the Moose #92. The car was a “rocket ship” and the talented driver put on a show. He initially slipped back to 16th on the first circuit. However, the impressive forward progress began on lap number two and by the time the race was three laps old, the driver known affectionately to his fans as “The Big Game Hunter,” passed three cars to the 13th spot. One lap later he picked off another and was up to 12th.

Williams stayed in the 12th spot through the eighth circuit before he began to surge forward again. By the end of the 10th go around, he put the white #92 in eighth and he was not done yet. As the laps wound down, the affable 31-year-old was all the way up to sixth before eventually dropping one spot late in the race and finishing seventh.

The second night of the “Western World,” Williams was both the 4th fastest qualifier in his flight and in the talent laden 36-car field after stopping the clocks at 14.780. A fourth-place finish in his ten-lap heat race put him straight into the main event without having to run the B. The heat finish combined with his great qualifying lap meant that he started on the pole for the 30-lap main event. Things did not go the way the #92 driver and crew had hoped for in the main. After battling hard in the top five the first 10-laps of the race, he ended up finishing 10th.

A reflection back on the just completed campaign shows some very nice stats for 2021. As stated previously, the team and the driver both finished third in the 2021 USAC/CRA standings. The team had perfect attendance making it to all 21 races and it started 20 of the 21 main events. Two main event wins (July 24th at Perris and September 6th at Petaluma) highlighted the year. There were six top three finishes, nine top fives, and 15 top 10s.

The fine season has the team poised and ready for another run at the USAC/CRA championship in 2022. The series will kick things off early with a big three race weekend at Yuma’s Cocopah Speedway on January 27th, 28th and 29th.

While the 2021 season ended on the second weekend in November, the Moose Racing team immediately began work for a busy 2022. The crew is completely stripping down the cars and going over them with a fine-tooth comb, so they are race ready for the openers.

Moose Racing is exploring the possibility of adding marketing partners for another run at the USAC/CRA title. If you or your business would like to discuss coming on board with one of the USA’s highest profile sprint car teams, call (714) 397-3964, (714) 394-9292 or mailto:Lauri@sprintcars.com mailto:moose9292@me.com

Moose Racing would like to thank the following marketing partners for making the 2021 racing season possible. Huntington Beach Glass & Mirror, Phil & Eileen King, Lucas Oil Centers (Evansville, IN), and Specialized Powder Coating. Also, the following companies who have provided valuable product support for the team’s racing effort. CRC, Freeway Auto Supply, Keizer Wheels, Wilwood Disk Brakes, and FKK Indy.

Moose Racing/Austin Williams 2021 Racing Results

3-12 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 4th

3-13 Kern County Raceway Park USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 4th

3-16 Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 7th

4-24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd

5-8 Bakersfield Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6TH

5-22 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 22nd

6-19 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th

7-3 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 4th

7-24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st

8-21 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 23rd

9-4 Silver Dollar Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 3rd

9-5 Silver Dollar Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th

9-6 Petaluma Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 1st

9-25 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd

10-2 Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 2nd

10-23 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 22nd

11-4 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars 7th

11-5 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars 9th

11-6 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars 7th B Main

11-12 Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars 7th

11-13 Arizona Speedway USAC/CRA & National Sprint Cars 10th

ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR INDOOR RACING EVENTS AT ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY AND SYRACUSE

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Official Release
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ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY, SYRACUSE INDOOR AUTO RACING SERIES FUELED BY SUNOCO VP ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED

TRENTON, NJ NOVEMBER 22, 2021 . . . Entries are currently being taken by the Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP for its trio of 2022 races. The Indoor Series races were scheduled for 2021 but did not take place owing to the effects of the pandemic.

TQ Midget race cars will headline all the programs with high speed excitement competing on speedways set up on the concrete floors of three arenas. Slingshots and Champ Karts will complete the tripleheader programs.

The dates for the 2022 Indoor Auto Racing Series opener are Friday and Saturday, January 7-8, 2022 inside Allentown, PA’ s PPL Center, January 28-29 in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall with the series finale in Syracuse, NY on March 11 & 12.

Tickets for the Ironton Global sponsored events in Allentown and the NAPA Know How Atlantic City events are on sale now and can be purchased online through links available online at www.indoorautoracing.com. Tickets are also available at the arena box offices during operating hours. Tickets for the season finale in Syracuse, NY will be on sale shortly.

“We expect that competitor interest in the TQ Midget, Champ Kart and Slingshot classes will be at an all-time high since we haven’t raced at all in over a year,” Series organizer Len Sammons noted.

“For that reason, we are strongly advising race teams to enter as soon as possible to avoid being shut out. Entries are limited at both Allentown and Syracuse because of space constraints in those two buildings,” Sammons reminded.

In Allentown, the TQ Midgets, Slingshots and Champ Karts will all compete both days with Friday featuring semi-feature events leading up to Saturday’s feature events. The Champ Karts and Slingshots will race for a top prize of $1,000 on Saturday night, with TQ Midget winner taking home $3,000.

On Friday night, drivers will be racing towards a spot in Saturday night’s main events in Allentown, as well as bonus money for fast time and semi-feature race winners. The series is actively seeking sponsors to get involved to increase the rewards for racers on Friday night.

The biggest Indoor Auto Racing Series PPL Center TQ Midget race winner is Ryan Flores of Mooresville, N.C. The former New Jersey resident who changes tires for Roger Penske’s NASCAR Cup series team, will be seeking his fifth victory at the PPL Center in January.

However, a long list of drivers will be looking to keep Flores out of victory lane including 2020 Series Champion and back-to-back Atlantic City Indoor Race winner Andy Jankowiak.

In Allentown, Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y. is the only other repeat winner. Justin Bonsignore and Scott Kreutter of New York and local driver Matt Janisch of nearby Nazareth, PA each have one victory.

The Allentown schedule calls for doors opening at 6:00PM with racing getting underway at 7:30 PM on Friday. On Saturday, doors open and Fan Fest begins at 5 PM with racing starting at 7:00PM sharp.

Racing at the annual NAPA Know How Weekend will again include triple 20 qualifiers for the headline TQ Midgets on Friday night followed the 40 lap Gambler’s Classic on Saturday. The wild and crazy Slingshots and darty Champ Karts will make up the tripleheader programs.

A closed-to-the-public practice night will again be held on Thursday evening January 27.

The 2022 series finale will again be in Syracuse at the Expo Center located on the grounds of the New York State Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, 2022.

“It was great to hear from so many dedicated racers and fans who so dearly missed last winter’s Indoor Racing Series because of the Covid restrictions that forced their cancelation,” said Sammons.

“The events have become much more than just a race, but a gathering of friends who share the same love of the sport and great competition, and from all those we’ve heard from, each are eager to get to winter Indoor Auto Racing.”

Series information including links for purchasing tickets, hotel rooms and racer entry forms are available on the series website: www.indoorautoracing.com.

Corporate sponsorship packages are available to fit every budget. For more information, contact Danny Sammons at danny@aarn.com or call 609-888-3618.

LATEST NEWS ON PPB MOTORSPORTS AND RACE CAR TRADE SHOW SET FOR JANUARY 21-2

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Official Release
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PENN NATIONAL SPEEDWAY REUNION TO BE FEATURED AS PART OF PIONEER POLE BUILDINGS 37TH ANNUAL MOTORSPORTS RACE CAR AND TRADE SHOW

OAKS, PA NOVEMBER 22, 2021. . . Penn National Speedway, once one of the most successful short tracks, will be remembered at the Pioneer Pole Buildings 37th annual Motorsports Race Car and Trade Show presented by Sunoco Race Fuels and Distributed by Insinger Performance.

The two-day 2022 event returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA for a 12th year on Friday and Saturday, January 21-22.

The PPB Motorsports show will again offer attendees the opportunity to see up close over 200 race cars of all types spread across the thousands of feet of show space. Everything imaginable in motorsports for racers and fans will be on exhibit in a new show format taking into consideration the new two day schedule.

Speedway and race organizations often release new schedules at the show and make special announcements. Many, many well-known figures in the sport will be in attendance.

Sure to be an attention getter is the Penn National Speedway Reunion which will feature many of the top racers that performed at the one half mile dirt oval that was located in Grantville, PA.

The state-of-the-art facility was shuttered in November, 1996 after just 25 years of operation. The flat dirt track was constructed on the grounds of the one-mile Penn National Race Course where horse racing was featured. The speedway was designed and built by Reading Fairgrounds promoter Lindy Vicari.

The speedway was forced to close when promoter Rick Carlino was informed by the RSCC that they would be changing the scheduling of their horse racing events and auto racing could not be fit into the schedule. After the track was closed the Hollywood Casino was built on the property.

Motorsports attendees will have the opportunity to see cars from many of the divisions that raced at Penn National which will be on display and meet many participants from the Modifieds, Sprints and Super Sportsman classes

The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Historical Society will be assisting with putting the reunion together and they will have their own display available elsewhere in the show.

A Penn National special colorful collector’s autograph card will be available. Interviews will take place featuring drivers and other well-known personalities during the two days of activities.

Aqua-Duck Water Transport is also returning as sponsor of the always popular Ms. Motorsports Pageant which will be held on Friday evening.

“The 37th annual show, featuring a new floor layout, is already building to be another huge success. As the show returns after a one year Covid-19 cancelation it appears the popularity of the show might never be bigger, attendees just never know what or who they might find while wandering the show aisles,” said Sammons.

Show hours will run 2-9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Exhibitors from the 2020 show had a grace period to enlarge and or move their space to a new location. Same is now open to new exhibitors on a first come, first served basis. All the information that exhibitors will need is available on line at motorsportstradeshow.com, by sending an email to Danny Sammons at danny@aarn.com or by calling the show office at 609-888-3618.

After the show the fun will continue, as it has in the past, at the nearby Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia. A special room rate of $98 is available and reservations can be made by phoning 610.265.7500 and asking for the special rate or using the web-link at motorsportstradeshow.com. A special post-event party will be held on Friday night with a popular DJ and beer specials being offered.

“The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks continues to be a great location in the center of the northeast motorsports world right in the suburbs of Philadelphia,” said Sammons. “It’s easy in and easy out with plenty of Free parking surrounding the Expo Center.

Show information can be had at the show website www.motorsportstradeshow.com.

9 Essential Tools In A NASCAR Pit Box

By
SM
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Mechanics of a pit crew changing the slicks of a race car during a pitstop

Behind every NASCAR driver’s victory is a talented and hardworking pit crew. And, behind every pit crew’s success is a complete set of tools. To ensure that every NASCAR racer could compete, the pit crew sees that their gear, tools, and equipment are always ready for a pit stop, generally ranging from five to 16 seconds.  

If you’re dreaming of being a pit crew member, you may want to be familiar with the essential tools used in tire replacement, refueling, and other processes. For that purpose, here’s an article to guide you. So, read on! 

What Is A NASCAR Pit Box 

A NASCAR pit box is an outbox with a cluster of computers and electronics. Generally, it monitors the car’s conditions and performance. It’s typically aided by flat-screen monitors that provide the physical info about the vehicle. In addition, it also assists in checking the track conditions, as well as the weather. 

In addition, it has a wheel-and-axle assembly area where the crew could practice changing tires using an air compressor, and tightening nuts and bolts. Furthermore, it stores a generator as a backup power source. Apart from these, pit boxes provide different and equally essential tools, including: 

  1. Air Compressor 

Air compressors are primarily used in replacing tires. They typically use nitrogen instead of typical air. Nitrogen-based compressors release a more forceful air supply because of nitrogen’s consistency. Because of this, the compressor’s operator should be able to handle a sudden burst of force whenever they open the compressor. 

If you’re getting used to operating an air compressor, you may start with the compressors with 10-15 CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings. If you’ve mastered this type, you may try using compressors with a 50 CFM rating—these apply to extensive tools, including air guns. 

  1. Air Gun 

Air guns, otherwise known as impact wrenches, are the primary tools in removing or tightening lug nuts. These tools, together with an efficient air compressor, enable a quick and masterly tire replacement. Effective air guns could change all four tires within 18 seconds. 

In choosing an air gun for pit boxes, you may need to consider using a ½-inch type as it’s lightweight. Because of this, you’ll be able to loosen and tighten nuts without hassle. Apart from the size, you may also consider air guns with hard-wearing qualities. As a crew, you may also know how to rebuild the wrenches as it’s one of the requirements for them to be functional for a long time. 

  1. Pump Jack 

Pit crews slide pump jacks for immediate tire replacement. These jacks lift the car’s frames at once because of their single-pump function. In choosing a pump jack, you may need to see its ease of use and ensure that it’s lightweight. In addition, the pumps should have high-quality hydraulics for simple leveraging, ideal for two-tire changing. 

  1. Piano Bars 

These are long and durable bars used to lift and stabilize a damaged car. These are preferred in situations when jackmen couldn’t install a jack to raise the vehicle. Yet, the entire crew may be needed to place the piano bars underneath the car as these tools are heavy. However, they have fixed parts, so there’s no danger of slipping or going down abruptly, which is possible in jacks. 

  1. Extension Poles 

Extension poles have a vast array of uses. They could signal drivers where to turn or stop for pit maintenance. This way, they allow the car and its crew to have a quick check and maintenance. In addition, extension poles also allow cleaning the car roofs and other exterior parts without coming closer to the car. Furthermore, the poles may even come from behind the walls. 

  1. Fuel Cans 

Every pit crew has assigned gas men responsible for refilling fuel into the car’s tank to get the car back on track with improved fuel mileage and efficiency. This is very crucial as fuel strategy should be well-planned to have quick and spill-free refueling. A puncture-free and durable fuel can is necessary for this to happen. It should have a long snout for precise refilling. It should also have a smaller can for catching the spills and overflows. 

  1. Vise Grip 

An incredible set of vise grips is always helpful in removing nuts that may have worn and torn their threads over time. The different sizes are ideal for various nut sizes. In addition, you could adjust these tools to be more fit for a vast range of sizes, nuts, and bolts.  

  1. Mallets, Hammers, Baseball Bats, And Saws 

These unusual tools are vital in doing abrupt bodyworks. Since NASCAR cars couldn’t go for an auto mechanic to restore their damaged exterior, the pit crew uses mallets, hammers, and bats to flatten the creases and dents uniquely. On the other hand, the saws are used in cutting protruding parts that could be dangerous during driving. 

  1. Duct Tapes And Adhesive Sheets 

Duct tapes are used to connect wires and panels to where they should be. Since cars don’t have the luxury of detailed fixing, duct tapes allow the adjustment of the body panels, fenders, and other exterior parts. In addition, they’re also used to redirect or change the airflow to the different grille parts. 

Adhesive sheets, on the other hand, are used for bigger body repairs. While duct tape is preferred in minor repairs and underneath applications, the adhesive sheets are ideal for fastening large panels, such as the parts in the hood, sides, and fenders. 

Wrapping Up 

NASCAR tools are generally grouped into repair, refueling, and tire replacement types. What’s noteworthy about them is that they’re different compared to their counterparts in auto mechanic shops. In many cases, they’re influenced by DIY car maintenance rather than professional works. Yet, they could provide more than their expected uses.  

To carry efficient and speedy repairs and tire replacement, the pit crew should have these essentials in their pit box. The unit assigned to the outpost may also have accurate monitoring and updates to anticipate the type of repairs they’d apply. 

For best repairs and other pit crew actions, you may consider using the insights you’ve gained from this article. While they may be still incomplete, they could help identify the tools you may need to be familiar with and practice should you want to be a pit crew member.

5 Must-Dos for the Perfect Travel Experience in New Jersey

By
SM
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Photo by Manisha Raghunath on Unsplash

Are you preparing for a trip to New Jersey? Besides Liberty State Park, Atlantic City, and other popular tourist attractions, you may be wondering if there are other ways to experience the state. You crave a more immersive experience, one that allows you to take on a more intimate lens of life in New Jersey.  

You may have also heard that the traffic in New Jersey can be confusing to navigate. New Jerseyans take their roads seriously—they often refer to where they live relative to the nearest exit on the Turnpike—and nothing frustrates them more than being caught up by the unversed.

Instead of worrying about staying in the right lane and navigating jughandles, you can engage a company like Jersey Car and Limo to take get you around in style. Whether you are traveling with your partner, friends, or family, take a backseat and focus instead on how you can experience New Jersey in the most authentic way possible. 

On top of your list of attractions to check out, here are five to-dos to add for a true travel experience in New Jersey: 

Eat at a Jersey Diner

Jeet yet? In South Jersey, this expression refers to “did you eat yet?”. Food is culturally symbolic of any travel destination—even more so for New Jersey, which is known as the diner capital with the highest concentration of diners in America. Much like any other country or state, the best diner is contentious amongst its locals. 

Nonetheless, eating at any diner will offer you an authentic Jersey experience as New Jerseyans love their diners. Some must-try dishes include a “Taylor Ham” (North Jersey) or “pork roll” (South Jersey) that is sliced grilled meat in a sandwich, disco fries (i.e., French fries topped with gravy and cheese), bagels, and pizzas. 

Make a Wawa Run

A trip to the nearest convenience store in your state or country may be one of the small joys you enjoy in your daily life. Why would it be different while traveling? Take a trip down to New Jersey’s local convenience store and gas station Wawa. It is the state’s beloved all-in-one spot where New Jerseyans pick up freshly brewed coffee and meals and fill up their gas tanks. Did you know that it is illegal for New Jerseyans to fill their gas tanks themselves? 

Stop by a Wawa any time of the day as the locals do. Wawa has a wide range of beans and condiments for an all-day perk-me-up. Alas, don’t miss out on their signature built-to-order hoagie – an Italian sandwich filled with meats, cheese, and other toppings. 

Watch a Sports Match

There’s no better way to experience the vibrant sports culture of New Jersey than by catching a live match. As of September 2021, New Jersey became the first US state to hit the $1 billion mark in sports betting with a total of $1.01 billion. 

New Jersey is home to major league ice hockey and soccer. Some famous teams include ice hockey New Jersey Devils, who play their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, and soccer juggernauts New York Jets and New York Giants at the Met Life Stadium. Revel in the excitement of high-spirited matches amongst the locals, which will make for an unforgettable highlight of your trip. 

Pick Jersey-Grown Produce

New Jersey is commonly referred to as the Garden State, producing many of its produce. The most popular fruits and vegetables include tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and strawberries. Head to a u-pick farm during the spring and summer, and get your hands on the freshest produce. New Jerseyans enjoy picking their produce as a family activity, making for a suitable family-friendly activity if you are traveling with children. 

The type of produce you can get depends on the harvest season and farms, so be sure to check out what’s in season. You may also need to make bookings in advance. Otherwise, check out the local farms and pop-up stands where you can purchase the produce directly. Besides eating at the diners, whipping up a meal with your hand-picked produce can also be a fun and meaningful way to spend your time in New Jersey. Even a simple dessert of yogurt and berries counts! 

Take a Hike

New Jersey is an urbanized metropolis known for its historical sites and beaches; what’s less known is the scenic nature landscape it has to offer. Spend some time in New Jersey’s nature to immerse in its natural beauty. 

Locals themselves often take to the outdoors during their leisure – time in nature can help relieve stress – and it’s free. Consider Buttermilk Falls if you are up North. As part of the Delaware Water Gap, it is the highest waterfall in the state. You can easily access the Falls via car by driving to the parking lot opposite it. Be rest assured that the stairs leading up to the Falls have handrails for support. Even if you don’t fancy a hike, the view from the parking lot is still worth catching.

What Happens When You Damage A Luxury Rental Car?

By
SM
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Miami, Florida, USA-February 19, 2016: Supercar Lamborghini Aventador orange color parked next to Ocean drive at South bech at Miami, Florida. Lamborghini is famous expensive automobile brand car

Luxury car rentals have been the go-to option for people who want to experience lavish lifestyles for a moment. Generally, these sleek, high-end cars are rented for promenades, weddings, and similar celebrations. Beyond brand and reputation, customers choose luxury cars for their convenience and premium features, which make the ride more enjoyable.  

But before you rent an exotic car, you may want to know about your responsibilities and accountabilities. This way, you know what you may need to take care of and what to do in case of emergencies and unforeseen circumstances that can cause damage to the car. To help you, here’s a guide you may follow.  

  1. Contact The Luxury Car Rental Company And Return The Car

Suppose you damage a rented Bentley or Rolls-Royce from SD Exotic Rentals or other luxury car rental provider. In that case, you need to bring the car back to the company as soon as possible. You may need to declare the damages caused by the accident as well. 

If you fail to return the car, you may need to seek assistance or contact the authorities. If you forgot to save the rental company’s contact details, try locating them on the dashboard or in the keys. Then they could assess the damage to determine the costs and repairs required. 

It’s always good to look for Lamborghini rental options that allow some flexibility in return times or provide roadside assistance for unexpected situations. Choosing providers with clear policies and responsive customer support can make resolving delays or mechanical issues far less stressful.

  1. Damage Assessment 

You could manually check the dents, creases, and other car issues when dealing with the damage. In some cases, damage may worsen during transport, so you may need to check the smallest details carefully. This is why you need to take photos immediately after the accident to ensure proper documentation.  

In many cases, rented cars are inspected upon return. The rental company would assess the tires, windshield, fenders, seats, and car exterior parts. If damages are found, the company generally categorizes the type of damage to determine the amount to pay for it. 

In checking the car for damage, the following are generally observed: 

  • The tires must not have worn 1/16th of their tread 
  • Scratches and dents may be paid for depending on length and depth 
  • If dents exceed 1 inch, you may pay for repainting or dent removal process 
  • For severe damages, the company uses existing running prices of the replacement and exterior parts to be restored 
  • If the car is beyond repair, full coverage or payment will be asked
  • In replacing parts, follow the rental company’s prescription
  1. Settlement Of Payments And Repairs  

Depending on the terms and conditions of the car rental company, you have the option to replace worn tires or answer for necessary minor repairs. This way, you could save money. But for far more severe damages and total vehicular overhaul, you may need a seasoned auto mechanic for the job. 

  1. Communicate With All Parties

You may need to coordinate with the authorities and the car rental company to speed up the process. Regular correspondence could ease up the process and retrieval of evidence. If another car is involved, you need to keep the driver or owner’s complete details so you can still talk and settle claims after the accident. 

If it’s a single-car collision or no other vehicles are involved, you may just wait for everything to be processed and all the damages to be assessed. Once you know the exact costs, you could tap your insurance company or pay for the expenses on your own. 

Final Thoughts  

Who wouldn’t want to drive an Audi, Ferrari, or any British-made exotic car? But any renter should keep in mind to drive safely at all times to avoid accidents. Apart from this article, you may also keep in mind the terms and conditions set by the car rental company. Try your best to be familiar with them and ride safely as always.  

To avoid damages, you must apply your defensive driving skills if you’re the one maneuvering the car. If you paid for a chauffeur, you might need to ensure that they drive safely and efficiently.

Your personal insurance company could help you deal with the financial concerns of the accident and damaged car. However, the costs could be more expensive than your typical car rental damage due to the prices of the parts.  

 Also, you have to be mindful that your insurance provider may or may not cover the damage at all since an accident in a car rental may not be within their scope of protection. Above all, start with retuning the car first, and everything will follow.

Apps, Automotives, and You

By
SM
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Photo by Rami Al-zayat on Unsplash

In today’s day and age, the phones in your pockets have become just as integral and intertwined with your daily life as your vehicles. With the various app stores and markets expanding, so too does the interconnectivity between automobiles and mobile phones, and finding what’s best for you could be like finding a needle in a haystack.  Whether it’s between simply optimizing your route to work or making money with auto-sports, there is an app out there, paid or free, that can and will improve your everyday life.

Navigational Apps

When it comes to road trips, simple directions, or even optimizing your daily routes to work, look no further than navigational apps. Almost every phone nowadays has a built-in GPS app, but they lack additional features that many more in-depth apps out there have as mainstays. One of the features of non-default apps includes live traffic monitoring. These apps will take in user-inputted data, and general traveling speeds to determine the amount of traffic on a given road and recalculate accordingly, in turn, saving you time on basically any route. Another big feature is offline GPS. Typically, network connectivity isn’t a problem most people would run into, but if you find yourself in another country, or in bad weather, losing your directions could be detrimental. Certain navigational apps will give the ability to prepare offline GPS routes as a safe backup, just in case.

Betting Apps

Saving time with travel can instead be used to make money. Individuals who maintain a fine balance of opportunity costs with potential gains often find financial success. Fortunately, in the sea of auto apps, the opportunity for some extra cash comes in the form of 20bet. 20Bet, simply put, is a mobile app for iOS that is safe, secure, and efficient for any player looking to make money via bets. Within the convenience of your phone, you can enjoy a rock-solid experience from betting or gambling in your free time. Using your expansive knowledge of Nascar or Formula 1, for example, you can apply that knowledge to make quick cash on the fly as easily and fast as ever.

Maintenance Apps

Coinciding with making money with bets, you can also save money with maintenance apps. The average annual cost of car ownership is nothing to simply write off and getting any sort of edge you can in diagnosing and repairing your vehicle is well worth the time. Maintenance apps include the ability to scan engine codes, connect with your car’s Bluetooth and electrics, and even search symptoms based on your car’s make and model to diagnose car-related problems. Unfortunately, these apps can’t physically repair your car but can offer the steps and procedures to either let you solve it on your own, or let you know the best information to give to your mechanic to ease the overall process of repair.

Auto-Trading Apps

Another unique form of vehicle-centric apps is the apps that allow you to buy, sell, swap, or trade vehicles. These types of apps allow features such as comparing costs between dealerships for any given model or make of vehicle, as well as calculators to help calculate the monthly costs of loans and payments. These apps also extend to trading and swapping, either through dealerships or through vouch-based secondhand sellers. Reminder, if you are dealing with secondhand owners be sure to build trust between yourself and the seller, and to make sure the product listed is exactly what the seller has described in the ad. Typically the apps will have rating systems, and other protections in place to avoid the rare case of scams that take place. Equally, these apps are also good for getting a vehicle you wish to sell out there for as many eyes to see as possible, thus making the process of selling much quicker for yourself, and potential buyers.

Quality of Life Apps

Lastly, there exist many ‘miscellaneous’ apps that are difficult to fit into a category but provide conveniences related to you and your vehicle. One of these conveniences includes on-the-fly parking. These apps specialize in finding the best place to park given the circumstances provided. Whether you’re in an unfamiliar town or a big event is happening locally, these types of apps can and will find parking locations based on availability and pricing. Speaking on pricing, another quality-of-life app relates to comparing gas prices. At a glance, you can contrast and compare the price of gasoline of all nearby stations and find the most cost-effective option. The savings here can be minimal at first, but over months and years, the amount of savings will be substantial.

Conclusion

Bridging the line between your vehicles and mobile phones has never been easier. Nowadays, most cars already offer wireless connectivity between the two, but with the help of apps, you can take it to the next level. As mentioned before finding the best app for you can be difficult but hopefully, after reading this, you can easily identify what’s best for you and apply that knowledge. With innovation comes opportunity, and using all resources available to you can only lead to a better life.

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