Liquid Death, the healthy beverage platform and one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic brands, is now officially a NASCAR® partner. The brand will be on-site this weekend in Talladega to jumpstart the partnership with an interactive display featuring the “Thirst Hearse” and offering samples of select iced tea flavors to fans.
As part of a wide-ranging, multi-year agreement that makes Liquid Death the Official Iced Tea of NASCAR, fans will see Liquid Death iced teas at select NASCAR-owned racetracks, including social and digital content, on-site experiences, activations, and more.
“Liquid Death is a healthy beverage brand that not only produces high-quality iced tea, but also looks to bring death to plastic bottles by using humor and entertainment,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, NASCAR senior vice president and chief sales officer. “With so many synergies between our companies, this partnership is a perfect fit. We’re thrilled to have them on board.”
Iced tea, one of the company’s newest product lines, saw tremendous growth throughout 2023. Shortly after the line’s launch, Liquid Death’s iced tea now holds the #1 best seller position in the RTD tea beverage category on Amazon as defined by total retail sales. The brand’s line of low calorie, low sugar iced teas contain B vitamins and a microdose of caffeine and comes in five flavors: Green Guillotine, Slaughter Berry, Grim Leafer, Rest in Peach and Dead Billionaire. All cases of iced tea also include limited edition art on the bottom of each case.
"This is our first official iced tea sponsorship, and NASCAR is the ideal home for it," said Ryan Heuser, Liquid Death's senior vice president of experiential marketing. "We're thrilled to be bringing our infinitely recyclable, ice-cold cans of Liquid Death to the extremely passionate NASCAR fanbase. We'll be carried at select NASCAR tracks, campgrounds and tailgates across the U.S. and can't wait to kick off our partnership at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway."
Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to promote both sustainability and healthy products. Liquid Death’s social following captures more than 8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, making it the third most followed beverage brand globally. A portion of proceeds goes to nonprofits as part of their partnership with 5Gyres and the Thirst Project.
“I read your column weekly and wanted to reach out to you to make you aware of a very special event we have coming up at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY on Saturday, May 11. This will be the Research Center first Center Conversation program of the year and we’re extremely excited about it. The program is “Oswego Supers: A Legacy of Speed at The Steel Palace” featuring special display car, The Purdy Deuce. At this point we have a stellar cast of participants, including Dick O’Brien (PR at the Speedway for 30 years), drivers Bentley Warren, Canadian Warren Coniam, Eddie and Brandon Bellinger, Alison Sload (the only woman to ever win a supermodified feature)Otto Sitterly, and a few others we’re still rounding up. Roy Sova (about to begin his 58th year of announcing at Oswego!) will be out MC for the program.” More information on the program can be found on our website: www.racingarchives.org
Doors will open on the 11th at 9AM for visitors. The actual program will take place in the auditorium of the Watkins Glen elementary School directly in back of the Center and will begin at 1PM and last approx. 2 hours. At the conclusion of the program, guests are invited to return back here for more bench racing and the opportunity to chat with the participants in a more informal setting. I’ll keep the lights on here until the final person is out the door.
NASCAR today announced the launch of the NASCAR Alumni Network, a program that will help the sport – and its fans – stay connected with former competitors.
The program is open to past NASCAR competitors with a focus on those that competed in more than 100 races in their careers. Members of the NASCAR Alumni Network will have the chance to engage with current and past industry members through exclusive networking opportunities, including an annual at-track reunion.
Amber Wells, a 25-year veteran of NASCAR who manages the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the company, has been named executive director of the NASCAR Alumni Network.
“The relationships built in NASCAR are very special,” Wells said. “We’ve seen tremendous fellowship in the connections rekindled through the NASCAR Hall of Fame and we want to extend that to all past competitors. Our hope is that this program will not just connect members with us, but also with former teammates and competitors.”
The inaugural NASCAR Alumni Network reunion will be held at Darlington Raceway during the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12. The public appearance schedule of those in attendance will be announced at a later date.
Former drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, team members and other industry competitors are invited to apply to join the NASCAR Alumni Network at www.nascar.com/alumninetwork.
The program launch coincides with “NASCAR Legends Presented by Geico,” a four-week campaign that centers on telling stories of notable traditions and prominent pieces of NASCAR history. The campaign begins this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and continues for four weeks, culminating at the NASCAR throwback race weekend at Darlington Raceway May 10-12. Fans can visit www.nascar.com/legends for more information.
The Big Deal, the real deal is fast approaching and the one-third mile High Bank Grandview Speedway is ready. With two events already taking place at Grandview, excellent track conditions, great car counts and strong fan turnout has set the stage for Tuesday night, May 28.
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series opens when the Levan Machine & Truck Equipment present the Rich Mar Florist Kubota High Limit 410 Sprints as they invade the hill with this high profile event paying $20,000 to win the 35-lap sprint car feature. Also, on the program will be the Vintage Modifieds and Vintage Sportsman each competing in a 15-lap feature event. As part of this big event, Thunder on the Hill and Kubota High Limit Racing will honor the Keystone State Quarter Midget Racing Club that race in Schnecksville, PA.
This is a rare occasion and certainly a special treat for race fans of the Tri-State Area as the Kubota High Limit sprints have limited dates here in the northeast. In fact, Grandview is just one of two tracks in the area hosting the national 410 sprint touring division.
Tuesday, May 28 the top 410 sprint drivers will chase the $20,000 first prize to win the 35-lap Kubota High Limit 410 sprint feature. Rico Abreu won his last two starts at Grandview Speedway and will be in the hunt once again. Another driver to watch is Corey Day of Clovis, CA who is currently third in the Kubota High Limit point chase and most recently scored back-to-back Kubota High Limit feature wins.
Kubota High Limit Point leader Tyler Courtney is no stranger to the fastest “bull ring” in the East and he’ll be in the field along with multiple World of Outlaw Champion Brad Sweet. Brent Marks, Jacob Allen and Anthony Macri rank fourth to sixth in the point standings and all three drivers have strong roots here in Pennsylvania. Marks, Allen and Marci are also looking for their first Thunder on the Hill victory.
As an added incentive for the local drivers, Pioneer Pole Buildings posted a $2,000 bonus for any Pennsylvania sprint car driver that takes the win in the 35 lap Kubota High Limit 410 Sprint event.
The PPB $2,000 bonus is an added eye catcher to lure the best of Pennsylvania to the Hill. Just a few of the local drivers with their eye on the bonus include Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, TJ Stutts, Tim Buckwalter, Kyle Reinhardt, Lance Dewease, Tyler Ross, Kyle Moody, Ryan Taylor, Tyler Esh and Ryan Smith just to name a few.
On race night, Tuesday, May 28 gates will open at 4:00 PM at the first turn gate for advance ticket holders and general admission tickets will go on sale at 4:30 PM. Qualifying begins at 7:30 PM. In the event of rain, Wednesday night, May 29 will be the rain date with a starting time of 7:30 PM.
Advance tickets are now available at: www.tickethoss.com. General admission tickets on race night are $40, children 6-11 are $20, children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The Pit Fee is $45 and a license is not required. (Pit tickets are not available on Ticket Hoss).
The Thunder Series recently added the Vintage Cars to the Tuesday, May 28 Kubota High Limit 410 sprint show. We are inviting Vintage Modifieds and Vintage Sportsman to take part in this show. We ask the competitors of both the Vintage Modifieds and Sportsman to pre-enter by calling 443 513 4456. There is no entry free but pre-entering will help us in the planning of the show. Entries shall provide the drivers name, car number division (Modified or Sportsman) and phone number. Both the Vintage Modifieds and Sportsmen will each have a warm-up and a 15 lap feature.
They are adding the Vintage cars to compete during the show when the 410 sprints need some time between events. The goal remains to have an efficiently run event that is completed by 10 PM.
The NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is the long-time trend setter for presenting mid-week, high profile special events. The Thunder Series was the first to bring the Kubota High Limit sprints to the area and it was the Thunder on the Hill series that created the 17 year running of the USAC Eastern Storm.
The prominent Thunder Series will continue on Tuesday night, June 11 when the AMSOIL USAC Non-Wing Sprints and 358 Modifieds star in the Pioneer Pole Building sponsored event. Also on the roster, Tuesday night, July 2 is the HVAC Partners for Success Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week, the Hodnett Cup paying $10,000 to win and will be joined by the 358 Modifieds.
Be sure to say hello to Miss Thunder on the Hill Skylar Kuhl joined by Thunder Girls Kailyn Getz and Maddie Stephens.
This came from a reader. Having worked in broadcasting (TV and Radio), and on the organizational side of a couple of speedways, and a sanctioning body, I have come to recognize the differences between presenting motorsports well, and putting on a poor show. The old ESPN Thursday Night and Saturday NightThunder programs presented the sport well and helped it grow. Like a well run speedway, Tony Stewart's SRX Series did this well also. They both understood what it takes to put on a great show that will keep racing (and them) in the public's eyes.
And that brings me to an important question; "What about NASCAR?" This sanctioning body has been around a long time, and in the Nineties was "the 800 pound gorilla of Motorsports." I saw coverage of my first NASCAR race in 1961 on the old "ABC Wide World of Sports" and have been a fan since! Yet today, despite what organizers and TV announcers claim, there are damn few "sellout crowds." All you have to do on a TV broadcast is to look away from the racing and see the many empty spaces there are in the grandstands! All that space wasn't created by hundreds of people going to the restrooms at the same time! You will also notice that there are many more advertising canvases covering a LOT of empty seats at a LOT of tracks. Empty seats hidden by advertising banners is NOT a "sellout!" And tracks removing bleachers in order to look "full" fools no one either.
The saying that "Times Change" is accurate! Cars are no longer one of the major desires of young males anymore, and young people have shorter attention spans. Today they can "pretend" to race their own NASCAR Cup car on a computer! So if YOU can RACE, why WATCH? And if all that TV viewers get to see is crap like "Busch Clash" at the tiny L.A. Coliseum, will they tune in for the rest of the season? Yes, Midget Racers ran there in the late 1940's, but that was about a big of a race car that works well in such a small space!
The problem is that there is no longer a good "show" in NASCAR. The cars go around and around for hours with little happening except an occasional spin or crash. It's a multi-hour "parade" with a few minutes of actual "on track" competition from time to time. There's more "racing" in the Pit Stops! In other words, the races are too long, and therefore more about strategy than actual racing! Today's reality is that there is no longer a need for "endurance" races when every car can make it a long distance without problems. After all, it's not 1965 anymore!
Most TV sports last about two to three hours, the stands are well stocked AND a LOT of folks are watching on TV as well. At the average local speedway, you see two to four divisions of racing with Heats, Features, and other races being run, all in about the same amount of time as ONE NASCAR CUP race! Not only that, but the NASCAR season is longer than every other sport. Most sports' seasons end with fans wanting more, while with NASCAR most of us have "had enough!"
Auto racing is supposed to be exciting, so "What about NASCAR?" Could this be a case where the future will be a "Less is More" situation? Shorter seasons, shorter races, less attention on the Super Speedways, and dropping worthless "gimmick" events like the LA Coliseum, and street races, that turn race fans off?
Motorsports as a whole is getting shorter of fans. Even the major sanctions on TV are going to have to really impress those who are left, or probably lose them as well! NASCAR has got to "wise up" and realize that all a TV viewer has to do to stop watching it is to simply change the channel! Or fall asleep.
T. M. "Stumpy" Stone
As tradition has it, the 36th Annual Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac® Pet Products is sure to attract the nation’s finest, all battling for an opportunity to not only take home the coveted Brad Doty Classic championship helmet and trophy, but a $15,000 payday - the richest award of the season at Attica Raceway Park.
The Brad Doty Classic championship trophy, a key element in the victory lane celebration, is as special as it is historic, featuring every prior winner of the Buckeye State blockbuster including the inaugural champion, “The King” Steve Kinser.
With a deep and talented World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series field comes a large preliminary card featuring qualifying time trials, heat races, C-Main, Toyota Dash presented by Racing Optics, and Last Chance Showdown. The 2024 C-Main, which gives competitors one last opportunity to transfer into the night’s Last Chance Showdown, will be sponsored by Callies Performance Products, the industry’s top producer of crankshafts, connecting rods, and camshafts.
“Callies Performance Products has been a leader in the manufacturing of crankshafts, connecting rods, and camshaft cores for many years and yet they still work hard every day to continue to improve their products,” said Brad Doty, Co-Promoter of the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac® Pet Products. “Their high quality engine parts are not only used by many of the top engine builders across numerous forms of motorsports, but also by hot rodders and racers who build their own engines. We are very fortunate and grateful that Callies has been a supporter of this event for several years and are back with us again in 2024.”
A name certainly synonymous with quality and reliability, Callies Performance Products has been in operation since 1989, rapidly evolving their Fostoria, Ohio, operation into a national leader. Utilizing state-of-the-art software and engineering techniques, Callies Performance Products has not only perfected their trade, but an efficient system and dedicated workforce has allowed for timely delivery. For more information, visit Callies Performance Products online today at www.callies.com.
Contested at the home of “Ohio’s Finest Racing,” and once again sanctioned by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the 36th Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac® Pet Products will stir up Attica Raceway Park headlines on Tuesday, July 16. As noted, the event will feature a full World of Outlaws program including qualifying time trials, heat races, Toyota Dash presented by Racing Optics, Callies Performance Products C-Main, Last Chance Showdown, and of course, a 40-lap main event awarding $15,000-to-win.
NASCAR and The NASCAR Foundation, are teaming up to host a 37-hour online giving event to raise funds for nonprofits across the country.
The Giveathon will begin Tuesday, May 14 at 8:00 a.m. ET and go until 9:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 15.Officially known as “the NASCAR Day Giveathon,” the entire giving period will feature a multitude of bonus grants and matching gift donations for nonprofit organizations as well as commemorative prizes/memorabilia for donors. Nonprofit registration is still available until May 1, 2024, at NASCARdaygiveathon.org.
The NASCAR Foundation will work with organizations in the weeks approaching the Giveathon to increase awareness of this national movement across the extensive network of passionate NASCAR fans.
“We are thrilled to bring the NASCAR Day Giveathon back for a second year,” said Nichole Krieger, Vice President and Executive Director of The NASCAR Foundation. “It’s always heartwarming to see what our NASCAR industry can accomplish when we all come together for the greater good. We’re excited to build upon the success of last year’s campaign to make an even greater impact on the communities where we live, work and race.”
Contributions will be accepted online throughout the entire 37-hour window, with donors designating their funds towards their charities of choice from the list of participating organizations. The Giveathon will also feature bonus grants and matching gift donations for nonprofit organizations as well as T-shirts and memorabilia items as incentives for donors.
NASCAR and Kaulig Giving, will randomly award two (2) $500 bonus grants every hour during the 37-hour window to charities who receive at least one $25 donation during that hour. Kaulig Giving is the philanthropic arm of Kaulig Companies and focuses on the wellbeing of children and families through charitable giving, community involvement, and partnerships with like-minded nonprofits.
Matching gift donations are made possible by the generosity of Giveathon sponsors, including NASCAR, Kaulig Giving, Jeep Beach, First Nation Group and Borkan Skahill. Matching donations will be matched up to $500 per gift on May 15.
Donor incentives include the opportunity to be listed on the bed of the Rev Racing Gainbridge No 2. Chevrolet Silverado driven by Nick Sanchez in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro on Saturday, May 18; a commemorative Helmet for first 100 donors who contribute $750 or more; a commemorative coin for the first 300 donors of $50 or more; and a commemorative t-shirt for the first 1,500 donors of $75 or more.
Andretti’s F1 team would ‘100 percent’ be ready to join for 2026
Andretti Global is continuing to plan as though it will be racing in Formula One from 2026 and would be “100 percent” ready to join the grid, according to Michael Andretti.
In January, F1 announced it had rejected the proposed Andretti-Cadillac F1 entry for 2025 or 2026, saying the team would neither be competitive nor contribute commercial value to the sport. It left the door open for 2028, by which point Cadillac’s parent company, General Motors, has committed to build its own power unit.
Andretti responded by saying it “strongly disagreed” with F1’s assessment of its entry, which had already been approved by the FIA, and that it would continue its work to join the grid “at pace”.
On Wednesday, Andretti formally opened its new Silverstone satellite factory that it plans to use as the European base for its F1 team. The 48,000 square foot site will work in conjunction with its planned global headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, where the F1 car would be built and manufactured, as well as with GM’s base in North Carolina.
Andretti F1 staff members attended an address given by Michael Andretti, the CEO and chairman of Andretti Global, and his father, Mario, the 1978 F1 world champion, to mark the official opening of the site.
Michael Andretti said in his address that entering F1 would “complete our goal” of competing in every top line racing series, expanding beyond its involvement in seven series including IndyCar, Formula E and Supercars.
He told The Athletic the opening of the factory was “a big step to show the commitment that we’re going to have” to F1, as well as helping create jobs. The team has already recruited talent from many of the existing F1 teams, and plans to eventually grow from its current headcount of around 120 to 400 at the new facility.
Andretti believes the go-ahead from F1 would accelerate the hiring process. “Once the people hear that it’s approved, the ones that are sitting on the sidelines are going to start jumping real fast,” he said.
“We need that to happen sooner than later, obviously, because we still have a big job to do. But in the meantime, we’re pretty far down the road.
“I think you’d be amazed to see how far we are with car development and things like that. It’s been really impressive.”
Prior to the rejection by F1 in January, Andretti revealed its extensive preparations included the running of a prototype F1 car model in the wind tunnel. It also plans to have a full-scale prototype F1 car designed by the end of this year.
Asked if an F1 car would be ready to race for 2026, Andretti said: “Absolutely, 100 percent. No question.” He added the team was “100 percent planning” for this eventuality.
The existing 10 F1 teams have always been lukewarm about Andretti’s aspirations, fearing the financial impact a possible dilution of the prize money could have on their business models.
F1 said in its January rejection announcement that it did not believe expanding the grid to an 11th team would bring value to the championship, as well as casting doubt on the competitive merits of the project.
F1 also claimed Andretti did not take up an offer to attend an in-person meeting in December to discuss its entry. Andretti said it was not aware of such an invite, and that it was eager to discuss its plans with F1. It later emerged the email ended up in a spam folder.
“We’re going to be an all-American team with a car built on American soil, an American engine, American driver, American ownership,” said Michael Andretti (right). (Courtesy Andretti Global)
Michael Andretti said the team was “pushing” in the process with F1 to display not only its level of commitment, but the commercial benefit it would have on the wider sport.
“We’re having meetings with them, and just showing… I don’t think they understand the level of commitment that we have here, not only from us, but also from General Motors,” Andretti said.
“They have not seen it. They didn’t ask us any questions about it, and now we’re going to make them aware of everything that we’re doing, to show that what we’re going to do, we’re not dividing up the pie, we’re just helping make the pie bigger.” (F1 did not reply immediately to a request for comment.)
“The US is still very fertile. I think with what we’re doing, we can really open it up a lot more and make it more lucrative, not just for us, but for the whole series.”
Andretti claimed that “tons” of American sponsors have shown interest in working with the team amid the ongoing boom in F1 interest in the United States.
“They’re just sitting there waiting, they’re excited about what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s also something that’s never been done before. We’re going to be an all-American team with a car built on American soil, an American engine, American driver, American ownership.
“I think American companies would love to be a part of it.”
Long known as the Home to Big Events, Bristol Motor Speedway is adding another major nationally-sanctioned championship event to its resume as the legendary venue will host the world’s most prestigious demolition derby, October 3-6, 2024.
Tagged as the “Ultimate Combat Motorsport,” D.E.M.O. (Demolition Entertainment Motorsports Organization) conducts demolition derby events like no other and this nationally-sanctioned event boasts an overall record purse that exceeds $400,000 and is expected to provide motorsports enthusiasts with an electrifying experience of relentless team battles and non-stop action.
“We are thrilled to welcome our friends at D.E.M.O. along with hundreds of their elite competitors to Bristol Motor Speedway to showcase what promises to be the world’s most prestigious demolition derby,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “We expect this historic event to add to the legacy of The Last Great Colosseum as the Home to Big Events.”
D.E.M.O. has partnered with Bristol Motor Speedway to serve as its “National Championship” location for its team divisions and the goal is to create a new competitive path for all demolition derby participants in the new national series. The event will be contested in the BMS infield in an enclosed dirt track surface set up by D.E.M.O derby officials.
BKH Racing along with VP Racing Fuels manager, Fred Turza, have agreed to increase the earlier announced VP Lubricant contingency programs for the Race of Champions family of Series and Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway.
For the 2024 season BKH and VP will be adding a contingency program at Ransomville and Race of Champions Modified and Sportsman Series competitors, with the VP Racing brand of oils for the 2024 season. Each month, based on best performance, there will be a “VP Racing Slick Mover of the Month”. The highest finishing driver in the DIRTcar 358 and DIRTcar Sportsman division and the Race of Champions Modified and Sportsman Series, at the end of the month that has a proof of purchase for VP Racing Oil and runs the VP Racing decal throughout the season shall receive a case of oil. The proof of purchase and contingency decal must be verified prior to the prize being awarded.
The highest finishing driver in the DIRTcar 358 and DIRTcar Sportsman division and the Race of Champions Modified and Sportsman Series, at the end of the season that has a proof of purchase for VP Racing Oil and runs the VP Racing decal throughout the season shall receive a case of oil at the conclusion of the season an be declared “VP Racing Slick Mover of the Year”. Again the proof of purchase and contingency decal must be verified prior to the prize being awarded.
BKH will continue to be the VP Racing Fuels authorized “D” Fuel and Hoosier Tire dealer at Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway for the 2024 season.
BKH will continue to supply competitors with “D98” “D109” and “D12” specified DIRTcar fuels, as well as other VP Racing Fuel blends by request at Ransomville. In addition, BKH will continue to support the Race of Champions “Family of Series” with the popular C12 and VP 110 blends of fuel. Other blends of VP Racing Fuel may be available upon specific request and pre-order.
To order or for general inquires with regard to how BKH Racing may be able to help you with, please e-mail; bkhcustomspeedparts@gmail.com.
The annual New England Racers Reunion presented by Autopac Gallery is set to feature a variety of race cars and race motorcycles for outdoor display at the New England Racing Museum (922 NH Route 106, Loudon, NH) on Saturday May 4th. The event will showcase racing exhibits from the Ron Bouchard Museum, Fred Harbach Mobile Museum, Ollie Silva Mobile Museum and the Maine Vintage Race Car Association. ACOT, STAR and NEAR will have car corrals. New for this year will be a historic drag racing cackle. The event is the season opening fundraiser for the nonprofit museum.
For the second time the Jim Martel Best of Show Trophy supported by Seals-It will be presented by son Scott Martel. “Gentleman Jim” Martel raced across New England for four decades in cutdowns, supermodifieds, sprint cars and stock cars. He won feature races across the region from the quarter mile Hudson Speedway to the ultra-fast Thompson Speedway. We are pleased to name the best of show trophy in memory of hall of famer, restorer and former board member Jim Martel.
New for this year is the historic drag racing cackle. The cackle display will feature historic drag racing cars from multiple eras. The engine cackle is set to shake and rumble the earth at noon and again at 1pm. This display is supported by the Orientals Hot Rod Club, Ty-Rods Hot Rod Club and independent car owners.
Notable first time displays include Armand Boisvert’s big block supermodifieds, Jomar road racers owned by Tony Leeds and Alex Saidel, Ray Boissoneau’s 1948 Kurtis-Kraft KK2000 Indycar, Pat Wood modified owned by Jim Smith, Kevin LeCompte’s 1966 Dodge A 100 and Alex Kitzen’s X90 Fred Harbach Pinto Modified. Circle track race cars will roar to life at 12:30 with our annual start your engine command.
Best appearing awards sponsored by Autopac Gallery of Laconia, NH will be presented at 1:30pm. The awards will be the Jim Martel Trophy for best of show, Mary Lima best appearing modified, best appearing open wheel race car, best appearing stock car race car, best appearing drag race car, best appearing race motorcycle and best appearing road race car. Judging team will consist of Jim Lowrey Jr, Scott Martel and Tom Netishen. Vehicle owners may arrive starting at 7:30am with the show opening to the public at 9am. The cost to enter a race car or race motorcycle in the event is $20 per entrant, which also provides you two tickets to view the museum. The event is supported by Seals-It, The Martel Family and Hart’s Turkey Farm.
The museum will be open from 9am till 4pm the day of the event. The New England Racing Museum is the regions premier motor racing museum and displays 30+ historic race cars and motorcycles. Admission to view the outdoor fundraising event is $5 per adult. Admission to view the indoor museum is $15 for adults with kids under 12 free to view both outdoors and indoors. As always museum members view the museum for free. An onsite food truck will be available and a 50/50 raffle will take place. The event is a fundraiser for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Racing Museum. A rain date is set for Sunday May 5th.
With the 2024 season fast approaching, so too does the exciting return of the Wall’s Ford Platinum Late Model Series at White Mountain Motorsports Park. After growing to be one of the most popular events for the Foley Oil & Propane Late Models with dozens of American-Canadian Tour teams joining from across the region, Wall’s Ford Platinum Series is set to be a showdown of former champions in its third year this summer.
After being announced as a finalist for the national Kulwicki Driver Development Program (KDDP) this spring, inaugural Wall’s Ford Platinum Series champion Derek Gluchacki has made it his intention to regain the throne in 2024 but admits the chases for the national KDDP points puts on some added pressure. “After sweeping all three races and the first championship, it’s definitely going to be tough to come back and repeat that,” said Gluchacki, “and with the Kulwicki Program this season we have to run up front and win races. There is a lot of added pressure but we’re up to the challenge.”
The one thing standing in his way is the most successful campaigner at White Mountain last season; Kasey Beattie. The St. Johnsbury, Vermonter is headed on the road this year to hunt down the American-Canadian Tour Rookie of the Year honors with CSV Motorsports, but has also circled the four Wall’s Ford Platinum races on his 2024 schedule. “Racing with the best competitors on the ACT Tour will definitely prepare us for defending our crown at White Mountain,” said Beattie. “Honestly the increased competition excites me more than anything, I love to compete and leave it all out on the track. Some nights we win, some nights we lose – That’s what makes it fun!”
Round One for the Wall’s Ford Platinum Series goes off with the Spring Board 100 on Saturday, May 25 as part of a busy Memorial Day weekend for the ACT sanctioning body. Round Two finds itself on one of White Mountain's most anticipated weekends of the season as one half of the Twin 100 New Hampshire Governor’s Cup alongside the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series on July 27. The Wall’s Ford Series returns on Labor Day weekend for the Leaf Peepers 100 and wraps up on September 14, just one week before the fan-favorite Fall Foliage spectacular on September 21.
Thunder in the Mountains returns for the 2024 season on HK Powersports Opening Day, Saturday, May 18 with the Late Models, Strictly Minis, Dwarf Cars, Kids Division, Mini Late Models and the R&R Street Stock Open Series! Opening weekend also features the Pro All Stars Series doubleheader on Sunday, May 19 that includes the first leg of the all-new ACT Tri-State Flying Tiger Series, New England Supermodified Series and PASS Modifieds!
Negotiations continue on efforts to bring racing to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
Mayor Freddie O’Connell built much of last year’s bid for higher office on the back of opposition to a plan for the city to help fund the construction of a new stadium for the Tennessee Titans on city-owned land on the banks of the Cumberland River.
Perhaps it seemed obvious then that he would also oppose a plan to help fund the renovation of the city-owned Fairgrounds Speedway to pave the way for the return of NASCAR in Nashville.
Now, despite some assumptions that John Cooper’s departure from the mayor’s office meant the death of the NASCAR deal, discussions between the O’Connell administration and proposed track operator Speedway Motorsports are ongoing.
“The mayor’s office continues to discuss with multiple stakeholders how to improve the remaining facilities at the Fairgrounds,” O’Connell spokesperson Alex Apple said. “This includes [District 17 Metro Councilmember Terry Vo], neighbors and other interested parties.”
Added Speedway Motorsports representative Joe Hall: “We’ve had multiple conversations with the O’Connell administration.”
Jim Downing and the late Bob Hubbard were honored on March 12 for their contributions to racing safety by being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, located at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The MHOFA joins a long list of prestigious organizations that have recognized Downing and Hubbard, including Formula 1, the Smithsonian Institute, the SCCA Hall of Fame, among many others.
“This recognition by the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is much appreciated,” said Downing. “It is a reminder about the role the HANS has played in racing safety. I am very grateful to the racing community for acknowledging the value of our hard work.”
In 1981, IMSA champion Downing posed a significant safety question to his brother-in-law Hubbard: “What can be done about head injuries in motor racing?” A professor of biomechanical engineering at Michigan State, Hubbard responded by inventing the HANS device, which Car and Driver magazine would later describe as the “best safety invention since the seat belt.”
Downing and Hubbard’s story is the subject of “CRASH! – How the HANS Helped Save Motor Racing.” A definitive look at safety in the first 100 years of motor racing, the book carries readers through the inside story of how Downing and Hubbard struggled to introduce their revolutionary device over the course of two decades.
“We recognized the need for a head restraint early on,” said Downing, who launched HANS Performance Products in 1990. “People were getting killed by head injuries and it was considered a normal part of motor racing. That all changed when Dale Earnhardt was killed on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001.”
Downing admits he sometimes wanted to quit trying to gain acceptance for the HANS during the 1990s, which followed a decade of development by Hubbard during the 1980s. “It was a long haul. I was discouraged at various points when we couldn’t even make a dent in people’s lack of interest. When I thought about quitting, it was more of an emotional response. It was obvious that it was a safety advantage for anybody who wore the HANS.”
Hubbard, who died in 2019, never faltered, said Downing. “Bob never gave up,” Downing continued. “He refused to be dissuaded from any of the naysayers. He kept his head down and went at it. Thank goodness he did.
“We sold fewer than 300 devices in the 1990s,” Downing added. “After Earnhardt’s crash, we sold more than 300 in less than a week.”
The U.S. distributor for “CRASH!” is RJP Books. It is available at www.jingrambooks.com, Amazon and other online booksellers. Inquiries about a review copy of “CRASH!” should be directed to Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jvstropus@gmail.com. Downing and Ingram are available for interviews.
Williams Grove Speedway has Friday, May 3rd for the Lawrence Chevrolet 410 Sprint Cars World of Outlaws Champagne Tune Up and HJ Towing & Recovery 358 Sprints.
Coming up at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday, May 4 is 410 Sprints, 358 Sprints and the York County Racing Club Night. Starting time is 7 PM.
And on Wednesday May 8th at 7:30 PM the very popular World of Outlaws Sprint Series performs.
Friday, May 3, at Big Diamond the Quandel Concrete Modifieds will be in action along with Mid-Atlantic Modifieds, USS Achey Crate 602 Sportsman and Red White and Blue Autos Roadrunners. Racing starts at 7 p.m.
Bridgeport, NJ Speedway offers a May 4 show that includes Modifieds, MASS Sprints, Sportsman, NEWS Sprints, Street Stocks and Rookies. Warmups at 5 p.m.
New Egypt, NJ Speedways goes with a Saturday, May 4show that includes Modifieds, MASS 305 Sprints, Crate Spoortsman, 4 Cylinders and Rookies. Racing at 6 p.m.
Grandview Speedway presents NASCAR Advance Parts Modifieds and Sportsman on Saturday, May 4. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.
