Home Blog Page 2738

RacerDirect.com Named Official Online Performance Parts Source of the ADRL

By
Official Release
-

LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. – American Drag Racing League officials announced today that Racer Direct signed an agreement, becoming the Official Online Performance Parts Source of the ADRL.

Racer Direct is for racers, by racers. The company is committed to keeping racers safe and getting customers the best deals on all must-have equipment.

“We’re very excited to see what the ADRL has in store for 2021,” said Racer Direct Owner John Mazza. “Teaming up with the ADRL is a game-changer for Racer Direct and we are thrilled to see where this partnership takes us.”

To learn more about Racer Direct, follow them on social media at Facebook.com/RacerDirect or visit their website at www.racerdirect.com. Be on the look-out for the official ADRL discount code coming soon!

The 2021 American Drag Racing League season kicks off March 26-27, 2021 with the ADRL Gateway Drags and finishes up Oct. 22-23, 2021 with Dragstock XIII in St. Louis. The Texas Motorplex is hosting Dragpalooza April 30-May 1, 2021 and the ADRL US Drags Sept. 10-11, 2021. The ADRL Summer Drags (June 4-5) and ADRL Fall Drags (Oct. 1-2) will be run at facilities to be announced.

2021 ADRL Tour Schedule:

March 26-27: ADRL Gateway Drags (WWT Raceway)
April 30-May 1: ADRL Dragpalooza (Texas Motorplex)
June 4-5: ADRL Summer Drags (TBD)
Sept. 10-11: ADRL US Drags (Texas Motorplex)
Oct. 1-2: ADRL Fall Drags (TBD)
Oct. 22-23: ADRL Dragstock XIII (WWT Raceway)

Get the Gear! Missed out on any of the exciting 2020 ADRL Tour events? Need your ADRL merch for this season’s races? Get everything you need by clicking HERE!

For more information on the American Drag Racing League and to stay up-to-date on breaking news, follow them on their official page on Facebook at Facebook.com/ADRLDrags and on Instagram and Twitter at @ADRLDrags. Fans can also visit the official ADRL website at ADRLDrags.com.

Indy Autonomous Challenge Unveils Race Car for World’s First Head-to-Head, High-Speed Autonomous Race at IMS

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 – Energy Systems Network (ESN) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), organizers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), today unveiled the official race car that will be autonomously driven by scores of university teams in the world’s first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous race at the Racing Capital of the World on Oct. 23, 2021.

The primary goal of the IAC is to advance technologies that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), leading to increased safety and performance. In addition, the IAC is a challenging competition to excite the best and brightest university students from around the world to engage in hands-on engineering firsts.

“The Dallara-built IAC race car is the most advanced, fastest autonomous vehicle ever developed,” stated Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of ESN, and co-organizer of the IAC. “Our IAC sponsors are providing radar, lidar, optical cameras and advanced computers, bringing the value of each vehicle to $1 million.”

The IAC is scheduled for Oct. 23, 2021, at the IMS, with a qualifying simulation race during the Indy 500 week in May. The total IAC prize purse is $1.5 million: $1 million awarded to the winning team of the October IAC race, and an additional $500,000 for winners of the hackathons and simulation races, awarded by IAC sponsor, Ansys.

More than 500 undergraduate and graduate students, PhDs and mentors who excel in artificial intelligence software have responded to the challenge, representing 39 universities in 11 countries on four continents and 14 U.S. states.

Inspiration for the IAC was the DARPA Grand Challenge, as explained by 2005 winner, Sebastian Thrun: “The DARPA Grand Challenge proved that robots can drive themselves in very confined environments, but that they don’t have the agility and skill of a really well-trained human racecar driver to act in extreme situations. IMS is the best place in the world to challenge the robotics community to test self-driving cars. By going into a racing context, we will stretch self-driving cars to the absolute limit.”

The Modified Dallara IL-15 Autonomous Race Car

Since 2002, Dallara has been the sole race car supplier of the Indy Lights series, and now the modified Dallara IL-15 is the official IAC racecar.

“Dallara is the best race car engineering company in the world, yet designing the chassis for autonomous racing was really challenging,” explained Stefano dePonti, CEO and general manager of Dallara USA. “Dallara loves innovation and technological challenges, and we share the IAC’s passion for education and motorsports.”

The modified Dallara is retrofitted with hardware and controls to enable automation to enhance safety, control and performance. Components include rugged-edge on-board computing, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, perception systems, high-end graphics processing units (GPUs), drive-by-wire, and artificial intelligence acceleration and powerful central processing units to run IAC teams’ software and algorithms in the racecar.

One of the challenges for autonomous racing is solving edge case scenarios – challenges that occur only at extreme operating parameters, such as avoiding unanticipated obstacles at high speeds.

“We know how the world’s best race car drivers react in the Dallara, in high-speed scenarios, but now we have to anticipate the actions of a robot,” added dePonti.

Innovation at IMS

IMS has been a catalyst and proving ground for motorsport and transportation innovation since its inception in 1909. IMS hosts the crown jewel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Indianapolis 500 — annually the world’s largest single-day sporting event. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series.

“The IAC is going to bring the best minds from around the world to solve a very complex problem, right here at the Racing Capital of the World,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As the birthplace of motorsports’ innovation, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a fitting setting for this event, and we can’t wait to see the winning entry cross the Yard of Bricks into history.”

IAC Sponsors and Contributors

Indiana Economic Development Corporation, ADLINK, Ansys, Aptiv, AutonomouStuff, Bridgestone, Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), Dallara, Microsoft, New Eagle, PWR, RTI, Schaeffler and Valvoline. See IndyAChallenge.com for more information about these amazing companies realizing autonomous mobility.

About the Indy Autonomous Challenge

The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), organized by Energy Systems Network and Indianapolis Motor Speedway , is a $1.5 million prize competition among universities to program modified Dallara IL-15 race cars and compete in the world’s first autonomous head-to-head race around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 23, 2021. Racing at speeds of up to 200 mph, the primary goal of the IAC is to advance technology that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These enhancements will lead to increased safety and performance in all modes of racing and commercial transportation. In addition, the competition is a platform for students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Press Kits with additional information on the IAC, videos, BROLL, and photos are available on the IAC/CES microsite: IndyAChallenge.com, and the IAC website: IndyAutonomousChallenge.com Follow the race and join the discussion on Twitter (#IAC2021) and LinkedIn.

ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown Schedule Set

By
Official Release
-

Series-within-a-series to open at Toledo, include two road courses, seven short tracks and one one-mile track

The ARCA Menards Series has released the schedule for the Sioux Chief Showdown, a ten-race series-within-the-series that allows drivers under 18 years of age to compete for a championship on short tracks and road courses. As it did in 2020, the Showdown will bring in the best teams from the combined ARCA Menards Series platform – including teams from the ARCA Menards Series East and West – to compete for nearly one million dollars in race purses, bonus awards, and point funds.

Additionally, the race at Salem Speedway, originally scheduled for September 25, has been moved to Saturday, October 2.

The highlights –

  • The Showdown opens on Saturday, May 22 at Toledo Speedway, the first time the series’ home track has hosted the Showdown opener.
  • Two road course races are a part of the Showdown calendar, the first on June 4 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the second on August 6 at Watkins Glen International.
  • The month of July will see four consecutive Saturday night short track Showdown events, with stops at Minnesota’s Elko Speedway on July 10, Michigan’s Berlin Raceway on July 17, Iowa Speedway on July 24, and a return to the high banks of Indiana’s legendary Winchester Speedway on July 31.
  • The Milwaukee Mile returns to the ARCA Menards Series schedule for the first time since 2007 and will be the longest oval track on the Showdown schedule.
  • The final two Showdown races are scheduled for two of the country’s fastest high-banked half-mile ovals, with Bristol Motor Speedway slated for Thursday, September 16 and the finale at the ultra-high banked Salem Speedway on Saturday, October 2. The Salem race has been moved from its previously announced September date.
  • All ten races will be televised live. MAVTV will broadcast seven of the ten races, with the other three being the races at Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, and Bristol which will be televised live on FS1.

Sioux Chief Manufacturing, one of America’s leading rough plumbing component manufacturers, is in the second year of a three-year agreement to be the entitlement sponsor of the ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown in 2021 and was the sponsor of ARCA’s former Short Track Challenge since 2017.

The complete 2021 ARCA Menards Series Sioux Chief Showdown schedule –

Date                                  Track                                                Location                           Network

Sat., May 22                     Toledo Speedway                          Toledo, OH                       MAVTV

Fri., June 4                        Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course       Lexington, OH                 FS1

Sat., July 10                      Elko Speedway                               Elko, MN                           MAVTV

Sat., July 17                      Berlin Raceway                              Marne, MI                        MAVTV

Sat., July 24                      Iowa Speedway                             Newton, IA                       MAVTV

Sat., July 31                      Winchester Speedway                 Winchester, IN                MAVTV

Fri., Aug. 6                        Watkins Glen International         Watkins Glen, NY              FS1

Sun., Aug. 29                    The Milwaukee Mile                     West Allis, WI                  MAVTV

Thurs., Sept. 16               Bristol Motor Speedway              Bristol, TN                        FS1

Sat., Oct. 2                        Salem Speedway                           Salem, IN                          MAVTV

              ** All dates are tentative and subject to change.

-ARCA-

About Sioux Chief:

Sioux Chief Manufacturing is a family-owned American corporation based in Peculiar, Missouri that designs and manufactures rough plumbing products, parts, and accessories for residential, commercial, industrial and government applications.

Sioux Chief’s product line is divided into three core groups: Supply, Drainage and Support. Sioux Chief designs, builds, and maintains its own machines, tools and dies, and equipment. Sioux Chief manufactures more than 90% of the products it sells and takes great pride knowing industry professionals rely on them for their intense focus on crafting tomorrow’s better rough plumbing tools and equipment.

Will Cox III Joins JR Motorsports Late Model Team for 2021

By
Official Release
-

oung North Carolina Driver to Compete for CARS Tour Title

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 11, 2021) – Will Cox III will join JR Motorsports’ championship-winning Late Model team for 2021, partnering with 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series champion Josh Berry to round out JRM’s two-car effort. The 15-year-old Raleigh, N.C. native will compete in his first full-time Late Model season and join a list of drivers with the program that includes Anthony Alfredo, William Byron, Christian Eckes, Sam Mayer and others. He will also be a member of the Chevrolet Driver’s Edge Development team for 2021.

Cox III comes to JRM after a rapid rise through the karting and U.S. Legend Car ranks, which began in 2017 at the age of 12. After attending a sports-car race at Virginia International Raceway with his father, Cox began racing go-karts following a test at GoPro Motorplex in Mooresville, N.C. The following year, Cox III raced in the local karting ranks there and branched into the national touring groups in the United States and Canada. In 2019, Cox III earned his SCCA license and competed in three road races.

“This is amazing and I cannot thank JR Motorsports enough for choosing me for such an awesome opportunity,” Cox III said. “It’s going to allow me to bring my performance up to another level because now I have such great equipment. Instead of it being about relying only on the equipment, I can now focus on improving myself as a driver and enhancing my abilities.”

Cox III is set to work alongside teammate Berry, a veteran driver and mentor who served as one of his instructors during a Late Model test at Hickory (N.C.) Speedway last season. “He’s got so much experience and has accomplished so much,” Cox III said of Berry. “With him having helped me from day one, now that he’s my teammate, I have a great coach standing beside me.”

After consulting with driver development manager Lorin Ranier, Cox III shifted to U.S. Legend Car racing to begin training on ovals. In a summer spent competing in the Young Lions division around the Southeast, Cox III led all 30 laps of the U.S. Legend Car Nationals championship race at Carteret County Speedway in North Carolina to earn the Young Lions national championship. A month later, Cox III was leading the World Road Course Finals in Atlanta when he was hooked from behind by a competitor and finished third.

Last season, Cox III moved up to the U.S. Legend Car Pro Series and planned a full season, only to be derailed by the pandemic. In April, he tested a Late Model Stock Car at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Upon his 15th birthday, Cox III competed in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series, moving up to Late Model Stock Car competition following his first victory in July. Cox III made his first CARS Racing Tour start in July at Hickory, finishing on the lead lap in 15th.

When not racing, the young driver attends online classes through Liberty University’s Online Academy, the same program pioneered by another JRM Late Model driver, William Byron.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s 15-time Most Popular Driver and winner of 50 NASCAR-sanctioned races.  Now in its 20th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports races in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it won championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018.  The company also competes in Late Model competition and owns five championships in regional late model divisions.  To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

Mullins Racing Confirms Daytona ARCA Test Driver Roster

By
Official Release
-
From Left: Davey Callihan, Willie Mullins and Robert Bruce will test for Mullins Racing during the upcoming ARCA Menards Series pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 15-16.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – When Mullins Racing heads to Daytona International Speedway for the annual pre-season ARCA Menards Series test on Jan. 15-16, Virginia’s Dominion Raceway will be well represented.

Joining team owner and driver Willie Mullins to take part in the test will be a pair of Dominion Raceway mainstays – Robert Bruce and Davey Callihan. NASCAR-sanctioned Dominion Raceway is Mullins’ local track and he be found there on most race weekends helping local drivers like Bruce and Callihan as they battle for supremacy at the four-tenths-mile asphalt oval located in Woodford, Va.

“We are super excited to have local Dominion Raceway talent in our car at the Daytona test,” said Mullins. “My wife Dinah and I are heavily involved with Dominion, so we can’t think of a better way to represent our local track than have all three of us testing at Daytona.

“Robert Bruce has tested with us before and has run two short track races with us. It’s also great to add Davey Callihan to our roster,” Mullins went on to say. “He deserves a shot running in good equipment. He has wins in a modified, the Virginia Racer class and in a late model stock car. He is the total package.”

Bruce is no stranger to the Mullins Racing team, having tested for the team at Daytona Int’l Speedway twice in the past while also working as a crew member for the team. The 53-year-old Fredericksburg, Va., native also has two career ARCA Menards Series starts, both coming at Elko (Minn.) Speedway for Mullins Racing. He earned the team’s first top-10 finish on a short track in 2018 at Elko Speedway.

“It’s good to go out there and turn some laps and get a feel for the cars and things like that,” said Bruce, whose son Cole is also a regular competitor at Dominion Raceway. “We’ve got Davey Callihan, who has really never done it before, coming with us and it’ll be great to have him come down and gain that experience. I’m looking forward to that. Plus, Willie has a new car and we need to see what we can do to get him dialed in and fast with his new car while we’re there.”

Callihan is a third-generation driver who also hails from Fredericksburg, Va. The 31-year-old started his racing career in go-karts and motorcycles before transitioning to stock cars in 2010. Callihan focused most of his efforts on the Virginia Racer class at Dominion Raceway last year, earning two victories en route to a third-place championship finish. However, he also competed in the late model stock car and modified divisions when time allowed.

“It mean’s a lot to me to get to test at Daytona,” Callihan said. “I think it’s every short-track driver’s dream to do that in a race car. I’m just really excited for the opportunity and I’m excited to have a team like Mullins Racing believe in me enough to allow me to test their race car. I’m not sure what to expect, but hopefully I can give some good input on the race car and help get this thing as good as it can be.”

Callihan is currently seeking funding to compete in the ARCA Menards Series East New Smyrna ARCA 175 at New Smyrna Speedway on Feb. 8 or the ARCA Menards Series Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 13.

Dominion Raceway is owned and operated by Steve Britt, who said that he’s proud to see three drivers with deep ties to the track with the opportunity to take to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway during the annual pre-season test.

“Our job as a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series track is to provide an opportunity for people to enter the sport at an entry level and help them fine tune their skillset so they can move up,” said Britt. “That’s really our goal, kind of like minor league baseball where people that have talent that want to be a part of the sport can have a place to start. When we see people starting to move out of our area, that mean’s we’re doing something right.

“That’s our role. That’s one of the things that we’re supposed to do, provide a place for people with talent who want to pursue motorsports as a career. It mean’s we’re doing something right.”

The No. 3 Mullins Racing Chevrolet carries sponsorship support from Crawford Sprinkler of Raleigh, CorvetteParts.net, Crow Wing Recycling, CW Metals, Bugsy’s Auto, Snap On by Timmy Brann and Dinah Marie Photography.

For more information on Mullins Racing, please visit mullinsracing.net, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mullinsracing and follow them on Twitter at @mullins_racing.

4 Installations That Will Transform Your Car

By
SM
-
Photo by Jesse Collins on Unsplash

Many people consider the car as a valuable asset. The purpose of the machine is to provide owners with a way to get to multiple destinations with ease, which is crucial when trying to accomplish necessary errands in one day. They will be looking to improve and maintain the functionality and performance of the car, but others also see it as an opportunity for self-expression.

Others might base your personality on the brand of your car, but you will be able to make installations that will enhance the image of your vehicle. When you visit an auto repair shop, here are a few projects you can perform on your car.

Maintenance Upgrade

You will be buying a car in hopes of getting everything you need from the machine. The cost of a vehicle will be high enough for you to take caution in the decision. The specs and features will factor in your choice. Once you manage to buy a car, you will be taking advantage of the investment. You will use up all the mileage and getting to your destinations with ease. However, you will find that the machine will suffer from wear-and-tear damage. Once your car starts to show signs of issues, you will have to take it to an auto repair shop immediately.

Fortunately, the opportunity to upgrade presents itself during the situation. There are a lot of technological advancements you can incorporate into your car. However, you will have to make sure that the additions fit the brand and model you own. You will be able to benefit from a Subaru head gasket leak repair while investing in new parts. Both repair and innovation should be your priorities for your vehicle, making it crucial to establish a connection with auto repair shops.

Personal Modifications

Despite its classification as a modern appliance, you will find that the car will also reflect your personality. Since most brands provide similar models, you will have to take care of the personalization by yourself. Customization is available in a lot of ways, from paint jobs to lowered suspensions. Try to figure out what you want to have for your car and create a suitable design that makes them feel seamlessly coordinated. It will not be helpful to cluster every idea you have in one vehicle. Maintain the neat design of the car while adding a few signatures of your personality.

Communication Software

Technological advancements continue to make the car a must-have asset for people. The innovations are making the crucial components, both navigation and performance, better for all vehicles. However, you will find that even the most problematic situations are starting to benefit from technology. Texting while driving can put you at risk, but you might be expecting an important call.

Fortunately, you can integrate a communication software that allows you to answer calls without taking your eyes off the road. Have your application installed on your dashboard to solve the problem. It might cost a lot of money, but you will find that it can become the most efficient tool you have inside your car.

Entertainment Accessories

Your car will be a necessity, but you will find that it can provide you with the enjoyment you need. Vehicles are crucial to getting you to destinations that provide you with fun experiences like road trips and vacations. However, you will find that even the car itself is an entertainment device. One of the usual choices involves playing music. You can add a stereo system to help you enjoy your favorite tunes while on the road. Car shows will also become a playground, especially when you add performance-related accessories. You will find that your investment is worth it when you can use the vehicle for both business and pleasure.

The car will be an asset to your life, but you will find that a few additions can add more dimensions to the machine. Fortunately, these installations will help you make it a worthy investment.

Sean Creech Motorsports Ready for WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Campaign

By
Official Release
-

Barbosa, Boyd, Clairay and Willsey ready for Rolex 24

Jupiter, Fla.- 10 January 2021— Sean Creech Motorsports (SCM) will contest the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a full-season campaign in the LMP3 class, starting with the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Team principal Sean Creech has assembled a program that combines a strong mix of youth, speed and experience—on both sides of the pit wall.

The 2021 IMSA season will be the first for the LMP3 class to be integrated into the top WeatherTech Championship, with a six-round championship that will be preceded by the non-points paying Rolex 24 At Daytona (January 30-31).

Lance Willsey and Joao Barbosa have been signed to share the full-season driving duties on board the No. 33 Sean Creech Motorsports Ligier PS320, with French racer Yann Clairay and British pilot Wayne Boyd slated to race with the team in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. All four drivers have previous experience racing for Sean Creech, with Barbosa having first raced with Creech when he was establishing himself in the U.S. nearly two decades back. Clairay, Boyd, and Willsey have all competed with Creech in IMSA Prototype Challenge.

The move to the top IMSA category marks another progression for Creech, who has built a racing resume that spans the decades and includes Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA competition. His Jupiter, Florida-based team includes a roster of crew and consultants that have worked with Creech for years.

“I’m happy to have this driver line up—these are all guys that we know and have worked with before, so I think thats going to be a big piece of the puzzle for this race,” said Creech. “There are so many unknowns in any 24-hour race, and with this being the first year for the LMP3s, that is even more true. But we got the car in the beginning of December and have been able to run it a couple of times to learn as much as possible in preparation for the Rolex 24. Despite limited time with the new chassis and engine package, the team has worked relentlessly to be in position to fight for a win on Sunday afternoon.”

The pairing of SCM and four-time Rolex 24 winner Barbosa is one that was years in the making.

“I worked with Sean back when I was racing a Porsche GT2 (for Mike Colucci Racing) and we always kept in touch through the years,” said Barbosa. “Every time we’d catch up, we’d talk about working together as we always had a good relationship. So when I was testing at Daytona last year, we were talking again, but this time everything fell into place! So it’s really exciting for me to be able to get to race for Sean after all these years of talking about it. I want to thank Lance and Sean for having me be part of the program and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Lance. He is passionate and very competitive, and Sean has put some very experienced people in place so this program has all the opportunity to be competitive that you could ask for.”

Willsey has competed in the LMP3 since the class was established in IMSA in 2017. He has competed in over 30 races at Daytona across several series, including 10 Rolex 24 At Daytona starts.

“I’ve raced a GT in the 24 before so I don’t anticipate it being that different in terms of traffic for a multi-class event like this,” said Willsey of the fabled Daytona event. “I’ve known of Joao and his success for many years and when we found out he was available, it was a no brainer to reach out and see if he was interested. Despite the limited testing we’ve had with the new car, his insights and experience have been invaluable to get us going in the right direction to fully understand the car. Having this driver lineup, combined with Sean’s experience and everything that Mark Schomann and Kevin Doran bring this is a great nucleus of people.”

While the 2021 Daytona opener marks the IMSA debut for the new-specification LMP3 Ligier, the platform has one season of competition already in Europe—and Boyd won it. Boyd’s season of experience with the car in competition, combined with the six years Clairay spent as a development driver for Ligier developing the LMP3 as well as the LMP2, will prove critical in of the metrics of success needed in endurance racing.

“I got the opportunity to do it, and I jumped at it,” said Boyd, who netted the 2020 European Le Mans LMP3 championship. “I’ve watched the race for the last four or five years on TV and always thought it looked mega, so big thanks to Lance and Sean for having me. Our lineup is strong so I expect we can challenge for the win. I don’t have a Rolex and I’d quite like one! This will be my first 24 hour race and while I’ve tested at Daytona, this will be my first race so I’m excited to see how it all pans out.”

Clairay won the 2009 Le Mans Series GT1 championship, claiming a class podium at Le Mans on his way to the title. Running for a Creech-managed program, the French racer won in his IMSA Prototype Challenge debut in 2018 and backed that up with a run to second after taking pole in his next IMSA outing for Creech later that year.

“I will use the simulator to prepare for the race,” said Clairay of his Daytona debut. “I think the circuit is interesting, we will need a car that is stable in the braking areas and quick in the last chicane. Having the chance to race in an event like the Rolex 24 is really special. I don’t have much experience in the U.S.; my two races ended with a win and a second place, so I can’t wait to come back!”

The team will also lean on the experience of Kevin Doran, who has won the Rolex 24 five times in roles varying from crew chief, team owner and manufacturer. Doran will put his years of insight and success at Daytona towards the SCM effort as he heads up the engineering effort along with the experienced Mark Schomann.

“As happy as I am with our driver lineup, the guys we’ve got on this team really know what they are doing and have so much experience—a lot of which we’ve gained together in a lot of cases,” said Creech. “Mark (Schomann) has engineered pretty much every kind of race car there is, and having Kevin (Doran) with us is another big boost. It’s kind of full circle, because I worked with him (Doran) back in the 90s so this is great to be working together again. There is a lot of 24 experience—both Le Mans and Daytona- on our team and with a race that you never know what its going to throw at you, that can be critical.”

The 2021 Rolex 24 At Daytona will open with the Roar Before the 24 on January 22-24.

IndyCar Veteran Joins Open Wheel Development Team

By
Official Release
-

John Brunner Tackling Multi-Tiered Role for Abel Motorsports, Abel Construction

(Speedway, IN) For Immediate Release (Jan. 4, 2021): Abel Motorsports, Championship-winning open wheel development team, has hired veteran team manager John Brunner to fill a multi-faceted role within the team and parent company Abel Construction of Louisville, KY. Brunner is assuming the role of Team Manager for Abel Motorsports at their new facility in Speedway, Indiana, along with taking over as Fleet Manager for Abel Construction, one of the Southeast’s leading commercial construction firms. Brunner, fresh off a successful run as Team Manager at Belardi Auto Racing, will also serve as a Project Manager for Abel Construction operating from the Speedway facility.

“I’m excited to join Abel Motorsports and Abel Construction”, commented Brunner. “We’re wrapping up the move of the race team from Louisville (KY) up to the new Speedway (IN) building. Our two Indy Pro 2000 cars are here along with our transporter and much of the shop equipment. Some team members will be relocating, and we’re looking to staff up with quality people here because this is a team on the rise. We’re going to run a two-car Indy Pro 2000 effort at a high level. We’re starting to look for the right teammate to pair with Jacob (Abel), who’s our team leader. Belardi was in a similar situation when I started there in 2011. They were a young team that wanted to get to a championship level, and together we were able to do that. My goal here is the same, to take Abel Motorsports to a championship level.” Under Brunner’s leadership, Belardi won numerous Indy Lights races and the 2014 Championship.

Team Principal Bill Abel noted, “John brings a tremendous level of experience and expertise to our team, and we’re very pleased he’ll also have a role in our construction business. He’ll be using his many contacts in both areas to help us grow and get better and we’re excited that he’s onboard and getting started in the process of helping us prepare to win this year.”

19-year-old college sophomore Jacob Abel finished fifth in the Formula Regional Americas Championship in 2020, while making selected starts in Indy Pro 2000. He’ll contest his second full season in Indy Pro 2000 come the new season, scheduled to open in April at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. While his teammate for 2021 is not yet identified, the addition of Brunner to the Abel squad should put Jacob Abel in position to contend for poles, podiums, and race victories.

Qualified candidates for positions with Abel Motorsports in its Speedway, IN headquarters should contact John Brunner, Team Manager, at 317-989-7223, or by email at: johnbrunner1@gmail.com.

ABOUT ABEL MOTORSPORTS:

Abel Motorsports has competed in multiple open-wheel developmental series since 2017, winning the inaugural F3 Americas championship in 2018. Stay current with the latest Abel Motorsports news by visiting the official team website, www.abelmotorsports.com. Abel Motorsports has driving and marketing opportunities available in several different types of cars for the 2021 season.

Ferrucci to transition to NASCAR with Sam Hunt Racing after IndyCar campaign

By
Joseph Shelton
-
Sam Hunt Racing's No. 26 Toyota. Photo by Patrick Sue-Chan

After two seasons in the NTT IndyCar Series with Dale Coyne Racing, Santino Ferrucci will be making his NASCAR XFINITY Series debut at Homestead-Miami on February 27. Ferrucci will be piloting the No. 26 Toyota Supra on a part-time basis during the 2021 season in a schedule primarily focused on speedways and short tracks.

Prior to his two seasons in the IndyCar Series Ferrucci raced overseas working up the Formula ladder, his final season coming in 2018 in what was a controversial campaign in Formula 2. Ferrucci was banned from four events after deliberate contact with his teammate Arjun Maini; further controversy arose when he was caught driving between the Formula 1 and 2 paddocks while texting on a cell phone. Ferrucci was fined €6,000 ($7,334.99 USD).

Repeated controversy has given Ferrucci something of a negative reputation in the racing world, however his performance behind the wheel has yielded some strong, consistent results. In 2019 Ferrucci’s seventh-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 earned him the Rookie of the Race award, and a year later in the 500 Ferrucci would tie his career-best finish of fourth. In both of his IndyCar seasons his best points finish was 13th.

Ferrucci has no previous stock car experience aside from a Super Late Model test at Caraway Speedway in North Carolina, although in 2021 he will be making his second Chili Bowl Midget Nationals start against some of NASCAR’s top stars. Ferrucci and Hunt both hope that their alliance with Toyota Racing Development could give him the backing he needs to post strong results.

Team owner Sam Hunt has made it clear that this will be a learning curve for Ferrucci, but otherwise he’s confident in Ferrucci’s ability behind the wheel.

“Santino’s passion and drive was apparent the first time we sat down together,” Hunt said. “I had heard about him, seen some stories from open wheel, but waited to form my opinion until we spent some time together one on one. He’s a great kid. He’s passionate, and he’s ready to learn the race craft of NASCAR.

“He’s situationally aware and works hard for every sponsor and investor he has. I have no doubts that he will be a strong competitor for us once he learns how these heavy cars drive, and how these races run. We are all excited to get to work with him.”

Sam Hunt Racing was formed as DRIVE Technology in 2013, fielding NASCAR K&N Pro Series entries for Hunt in a pair of part-time campaigns. The organization’s first season in the XFINITY Series was in 2020, with Colin Garrett, Brandon Gdovic, and Mason Diaz making starts for the team.

Star Power Headlines 2021 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA as Fans Have Options to Witness the Action From Both the Infield and Frontstetch Seating Area

By
Official Release
-

·         Tickets are Just $60 in Advance for 2-day Admissions; Kids 12-and-under Free

·         Race Begins Season for IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2021) – With an array of incredible star power with some of the greatest drivers on the planet, along with opportunities for fans to safely see the 59th running of the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA from intriguing, different vantage points, the 2021 edition of North America’s most prestigious sports car race set for Jan. 30-31 is one of the most anticipated yet.

First staged in 1962, the iconic race will open the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, allowing fans to witness THE IMSA event that pushes the boundaries of motorsports competition from both high atop the frontstretch seating area with a birds eye view, as well as the infield to see the twists and turns of the 3.56-mile venue from a closer standpoint. Transportation services will be provided to get fans to and from both destinations.

Safety protocols will be implemented to aid the wellbeing of the limited number of fans in attendance.

2-day admissions to the storied, twice-around-the-clock Rolex 24 are just $60 in advance with kids 12 and under free. Guests will safely experience a host of sights and sounds that include a fireworks show, the Ferris Wheel at the Boardwalk, entry into the infield UNOH Fanzone, and a host of fun exhibits and displays. Single-day tickets are also available on Thursday ($10 – includes on-track practices) and Friday ($30 – includes on-track practices and the BMW Endurance Challenge 4-hour race). To learn more on all Rolex 24 admission opportunities, including a limited number of RV camping spots, fans are urged to quickly call 1-800-PITSTOP or log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Continuing tradition, fans will also see world-famous drivers from across various racing disciplines who are gearing up for the ultimate test of man and machine that demands precision, speed, reliability and strategy while requiring the greatest of skill and focus.

Enter some of NASCAR’s best. Reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion Chase Elliott, who won the NASCAR Cup Series DAYTONA Road Course event last summer, will make his debut in the Rolex 24, teaming with Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani and Mike Conway in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V. Elliott’s former Hendrick Motorsports teammate, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time DAYTONA 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, returns for his eighth start, driving the No. 48 Ally Cadillac DPi-V.R  alongside 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud, two-time defending Rolex 24 winner Kamui Kobayashi and German sports car champion Mike Rockenfeller.

Austin Dillon, the 2018 DAYTONA 500 Champion, will be the third Cup Series driver in the field, joining RWR Eurasia team Cody Ware and Salih Yoluc on its LMP2 RWR Eurasia team. The Rolex 24 will mark the IMSA debut for Dillon, who also will be driving the Daytona road course for the first time (missed last summer’s NASCAR road course race). NASCAR Xfinity Series regular and former Cup Series star AJ Allmendinger will be back for his 15th Rolex 24, seeking a second victory to go along with his 2012 Rolex 24 triumph.

Some of the world’s finest race car drivers who also are scheduled to compete include two-time Indy 500 champion Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Briscoe and Renger van der Zande, who were champions of the 2020 Rolex 24, along with former Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen and former Rolex 24 winner Richard Westbrook. Wayne Taylor Racing, which has won the last two IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar titles, will be back to attempt a trifecta, featuring three-time Indy 500 victor and 2020 overall Dpi Champion Helio Castroneves, 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, 2-time IMSA WeatherTech champion Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque, a victor of the Rolex 24 in 2018.

All Rolex 24 At Daytona entries will return for the traditional Roar Before the Rolex 24 test session Jan. 22-24 that includes Saturday’s Scouts of America 145 IMSA Prototype Challenge as well as a new feature – Sunday’s Motul Pole Award 100 qualifying race. Results from that event will set the starting grid for the Rolex 24 the following week.


The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship now has competition in five classes: the headlining Daytona Prototype International class (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Le Mans (GTLM) GT Daytona (GTD), and the new Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3). The full listing of racing action coming up includes:

·         Jan. 22-24: Roar Before the Rolex 24

·         Jan. 29: BMW Endurance Challenge

·         Jan. 30-31: Rolex 24 At DAYTONA

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Rolex 24 will be conducted in accordance with enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe environment for guests, IMSA competitors, employees and the local community. All guests will be screened before entering the facility and will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit.

For a schedule of on-track activities and protocols, logo onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

1...2,7372,7382,739...6,770Page 2,738 of 6,770