Speedway Digest Staff

50th Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops Schedule Set to Go February 13 & 14 at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona - RPM@Daytona Workshops “Attendee” Continues - Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year (Arpy) Voting Continues Until February 1, 2023 -

50th Annual [email protected] Workshops Schedule Set to Go February 13 & 14 at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona - [email protected] Workshops “Attendee” Continues - Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year (Arpy) Voting Continues Until February 1, 2023 -

Tuesday, Jan 31

The 50th Annual [email protected] Workshops will celebrate it’s Golden Anniversary at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, February 12th, 13th and 14th.

Registration for the 50^th Annual [email protected] Workshops are now open. Registration online can be completed here; https://www.myracepass.com/events/433632/tickets/ or the form located here (www.promotersnewsletter.com/daytona-apply-offline/) may be filled out and returned to RPM via fax (716.685.0923) or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This and more information can be found at www.promotersnewsletter.com. There is no “late registration” fee and registrations may be completed “at the door”.

The Shores Resort & Spa, has become the “host” hotel for the for RPM attendees and exhibitors with short notice and will surely play as a gracious host to the compelling sessions that will assemble the “Golden Anniversary” 50th Annual [email protected] Workshop sessions.

A packed agenda stands in front of attendees of the 49th Annual [email protected] Workshops at the Plaza Resort & Spa, which will see several new presentations including former New England superstar racer “Dynamite” Dave Dion, Renee Dupuis, Megan Hazel, Brett Deyo and others, who will bring a unique and dedicated dynamic to the loaded two-days of the Workshops.

The 47^th Annual Auto Racing Promoter of the Year will also be introduced in a new session, brought to you by MyRacePass called “The Final Lap” dedicating the last hour of the Workshops on the final day to further networking and learning.

If you are looking to make reservations, make them now; the 50th Annual [email protected] Workshops take place, Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14 at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. Rooms can be booked here; https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=17713&Chain=5433&arrive=2023-02-10&depart=2023-02-16&adult=1&child=0&group=2302RPMRAC - Reservation Phone Line: 386-767-3750. Please Note: If you have previously made reservations at The Plaza, those reservations will not transfer to the Shores and a new reservation must be made.

The 50th Annual RPM Workshops in Reno or Daytona stand as a "can't miss" event for track promoters nationwide. The 51^st Annual [email protected] Western Workshops will take place, November 28, 29 & 30, 2023.

The Racing Promotion Monthly (RPM) Newsletter and RPM Workshops provide an educational and networking program to the motorsports industry. The program provides media and meeting platforms which offer promoters, motorsports management, tracks, sanctions and companies a forum to share, educate and network within. The newsletter and workshops are services of Hoosier Racing Tire and K&K Insurance, with supporting sponsorship coming from Chevrolet Performance Products, RACEceiver, Moffet Productions, IMCA Racing, Eldorado Hotel and Casino, Simes Graphic Design, MyRacePass and Firethorn Marketing.

Further information regarding the RPM e-newsletters and workshops may be found at the company’s website, www.promotersnewsletter.com

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[email protected] WORKSHOP SCHEDULE – Subject to change, additional topics and presenters

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2023;

4:00 – 5:00 p.m. [email protected] Workshop Credentials   **Exhibitors Area ***

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023;

8:00 a.m. WORKSHOPS GUEST SERVICES DESK OPENS, Convention Area (Top Floor) at the Shores Advanced and late-entry credentials available.

8:30 a.m. WORKSHOPS TRADE SHOW OPENS, products and services for promoters and short tracks.

9:45 a.m. PROMOTERS’ WELCOME, The Eldorado Resort & Casino (Dennis version – introduce Joe Skotnicki for very brief welcome remarks…)

9:45 a.m. 50th Annual [email protected] Workshops Opening

9:55 a.m. DAVE DION; The passionate racer that understands both sides.

10:15 a.m.; SEAN FOSTER; One of the “newest” promoters in short track racing, turns the tables on the room. As a new, young promoter, Foster is going to present what he’s learned and then ask the room the questions to help him advance his business. A new session for the Workshops.

11:00 a.m. TBD; “Special Guest”

11:30 a.m.; KENDRA JACOBS, a different perspective at “Our Business”.

12:00-1:25 p.m. LUNCH BREAK

1:25 p.m. WORKSHOP RECONVENES, announcements and introduction of special guests;
                PAUL UNDERWOOD – K&K Insurance (May be Steve Sinclair Speaking)
                PAUL MENTING – Hoosier Racing Tire

1:45 p.m. CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE; STATE OF THE CRATE, Chevrolet Performance, “State of the Crate” direct from one of the top executives at Chevrolet Performance.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – EXHIBITOR EXHIBITION TIME – Spend time with our vendors and enjoy a refreshment. There is a homework assignment. If you are a promoter, by the end of the show on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, collect and turn a business card from each vendor and your topic discussed with each exhibitor, that will be turned in at the registration desk. The Promoter with the most meaningful visits will win a prize announced at the final session of the Workshops presented by MyRacePass.

2:30-5:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions: .

THE K&K INSURANCE ROOM

2:45-3:45 p.m. “THE JODY SESSION” led by Renee Dupuis. Dupuis, a former racer, is an advocate of females in the sport and their success. She is now a promotional partner in the Monaco Modified Series she will lead an entire session devoted to “Women in the Promotional Business…” named after Jody Deery, this session will be featured at each workshop.

3:45-4:15 p.m. THE LIVE STREAM – A-TO-Z; led by Chris Graner (Speed Sport) and Kendra Jacobs (Flo Racing)

THE HOOSIER TIRE ROOM

2:45-3:45 p.m. TICKETS, TICKETS, TICKETS… RPM Takes a look at Ticketing

3:45-4:15 p.m. CHUCK DEERY’S SIGNATURE – 25 ideas session with new and refreshed ideas. The former Auto Racing Promoter of the Year and successful Promoter at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in Wisc

MAIN ROOM;

4:15-5:00 p.m. ASK AN ARPY – Past Auto Racing Promoters of the Year take to the stage to answer a multitude of questions.

5:00 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS, ADJOURNMENT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2023;

8:15 a.m. WORKSHOPS GUEST SERVICES DESK OPENS, Convention Area at the Eldorado Advanced and late-entry credentials available.

8:30 a.m. WORKSHOPS TRADE SHOW OPENS, Continental breakfast, products and services for promoters and short tracks.

9:30 a.m. WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS; Sponsor Presentations;

9:45 a.m. ARPY 46, JOE KOSISKI, Joe Kosiski, owner and operator of I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska and a Late Model Touring Series in the Midwest.

10:15 a.m. BRETT DEYO, Deyo has become one of the most successful ticketing selling promoters in the Northeast’s dense market. He is here to help you enhance your ticket sales with what he has found successful in the promotional world.

10:45 a.m. ANNUAL CASE LAW SUMMARY: Paul Tetreault, Agajanian, McFall, Weiss, Tetreault, & Crist, LLP review the the year’s case law decisions.

11:15 a.m. MOTORSPORTS, GENERAL LAW DISCUSSION; Tetreault updates attendees on the circumstances that surround our environment (open to written questions).

12:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. LUNCH BREAK

1:30 p.m. WORKSHOP RECONVENES, followed by Concurrent Sessions: with influential topics presented in two rooms.

THE K&K INSURANCE ROOM

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – PRO-BONO HOUR, Tetreault takes an hour to discuss topics individually.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – PROMOTING THE BIG EVENT IN A DIGITAL AGE, hosted by Paul & David Arute from Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut.

THE HOOSIER TIRE ROOM

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – FAN INTERACTION, A “HOW TO”, Megan Hazel, World Racing Group

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. – THE ART OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM AND ANNOUNCING; Ralph Sheheen

3:00-3:45 p.m. – CONCESSIONS, WHAT SELLS? WHAT DOESN’T? SPECIALTY ITEMS? Levi Swanson, Restaurant/Concession Consultant Maplevale Farms

MAIN ROOM
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. – MYRACEPASS PRESENTS "THE FINAL LAP"; 5 minutes with Josh Holt, meet the RPM “Event of the Year” winner and the introduction of the 47^th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year

5:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Enjoy, please remain safe, with a safe journey home or continuing enjoying the exciting racing action throughout Volusia County and all of Florida.

Please note that this a preliminary schedule that is a tentative draft, with subjects and topics that may change.

RPM PR

Racing News

A Boulder Off His Shoulder: Grant Enters 2023 USAC Sprint Season Feeling Composed

Monday, Jan 30

For the larger part of the past decade, Justin Grant has stepped into each and every USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship season pondering if this was going to finally be the year he broke through and overcame the hurdle that had separated him from the series driving title.

The Ione, Calif. native is now on the other side of that equation. He and TOPP Motorsports enter the year as the combination everybody’s chasing in 2023, jumping into the fray as the defending champions.

“There’s certainly less pressure from myself than there was last season,” Grant admitted. “I don’t want to be like James Hunt at the end of Rush where he’s just like, ‘I got my one and I’m good.’ I want to go get more. The scratching and clawing that comes with figuring out how to make it happen, that’s been relieved a bit and I certainly feel grateful that we’ve been able to do it. Now we’re like, ‘okay, let’s just do it again.’”

In 2022, Grant’s title season made him just the 14th driver to earn both a USAC National Sprint Car and Silver Crown championship in his career. Now, Grant has his mind set on becoming the 10th driver to repeat as a USAC National Sprint Car titlist alongside Parnelli Jones (1960-61-62), Sheldon Kinser (1981-82), Rick Hood (1984-85), Steve Butler (1986-87-88), Robbie Stanley (1991-92-93), Brian Tyler (1996-97), Levi Jones (2009-10-11), Bryan Clauson (2012-13) and Brady Bacon (2020-21).

The celebration mode for a season well done wasn’t a particularly everlasting one for Grant. After capturing the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship 2022 season finale feature at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway, it was a whirlwind with really only a week to stand pat and stay satisfied. Following USAC’s Night of Champions, Grant ventured to New Zealand for two-and-a-half weeks to race midgets at Western Springs and Baypark. Once back home, his focus immediately turned to the oncoming Chili Bowl Nationals which transitioned straight into the USAC National Sprint Car season, which begins two weeks from today.

“There’s not much celebrating anymore as short as the offseason,” Grant explained. “We got right back into it and tried to get our cars and equipment and everything ready for the 2023 season. You don’t get very long. We came back from racing midgets in California right after Thanksgiving, then had the banquet and then it was pretty much back to work. There was about a week there between getting home and doing the banquet that we relished it a little bit, then it was right back to it.”

During their time in the shop, Grant, ace sidekick Dylan Cook and the TOPP Motorsports team freshened up their equipment with three new Maxim Chassis, going back into the files to construct some ‘Bubby-Spec” cars. These particular machines were built to the specs that Grant’s National Sprint Car Hall of Fame father-in-law, the late Bubby Jones, had drawn up in his notebook, which were different in terms of radius rod height and length, Jacob’s Ladder location, wheelbase and all the frame specs, all of which were aligned to Bubby’s liking.

“I’ve been wanting to build some of those cars for a long time now,” Grant admitted. “(Bubby) was always on me to build one of these and I felt like this year was a good year to do it.”

Grant has accomplished a laundry list of achievements in his USAC National Sprint Car career, checking off many of the most marquee boxes in the sport with victories at Knoxville, Eldora and Terre Haute as well as titles for Indiana Sprint Week and with the USAC National Championship, just to name a few. That said, there is still much to accomplish in Grant’s book, and if the opportunity arises, he’s all for experiencing those feats all over again in 2023, if you ask him.

“I’d really like to go after some of the bonuses on the table, especially the Hoosier Trifecta at Kokomo, Tri-State and Lawrenceburg,” Grant specifically named. “My bank account would certainly like that too, and those are three tracks we’ve won at. This year, with the bonus for winning all three, we definitely have those circled. We’re going through and studying a bit to make sure we’re on top of our game when the big money is on the line.”

The Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown will now pay $30,000-to-win for the 12th annual edition of the race at Kokomo Speedway on Saturday night, August 26. At southwestern Indiana’s Tri-State Speedway, the winning stakes have climbed to $20,000-to-win for the 16th annual Haubstadt Hustler on Saturday night, September 16. Weeks later, a $20,000 winning prize has been posted for the Fall Nationals at Lawrenceburg Speedway, set to go on Saturday night, October 7.

Additionally, a driver could either “Win, Place or Show,” which is awarded to the top performing driver after the three events. To WIN a $30,000 bonus, a driver would have to win all three events. To PLACE for an extra $20,000, a driver would need to finish second or better in all three events. To SHOW and pocket a $10,000 extra, a driver would need to finish on the podium (top-three) in all three events.

Grant’s 34 career USAC National Sprint Car feature wins rank 15th all-time among all drivers entering the 2023 campaign. Since 2018, Grant and TOPP Motorsports have teamed up for 26 series wins, which ranks fifth all-time among all drivers in the division.

The 2023 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship season begins with a full week in Florida during the month of February, starting with a pair of non-points, special events at Volusia Speedway Park on February 13-14, followed by the first three points races of the year at Bubba Raceway Park on February 16-17-18.

USAC PR

Racing News

Reimer Time: Taylor Reimer Sets Course for Full-Time USAC Midget Run with KKM in 2023

Monday, Jan 30

At the beginning of the previous season, Taylor Reimer’s pinned tweet on Twitter read, “I will win a midget race in 2022.”

She lived up to her word during the year, scoring her first career midget victory in May of 2022. Now, in 2023, the Bixby, Okla. native has elevated her goals to reach even greater heights.

“I’m going to win several this year, not just one,” Reimer adamantly stated.

Reimer, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May of last year, majoring in Health & Exercise Science and minoring in Business, enters her second full season with Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports in 2023, and will compete on the full schedule in the No. 25K with primary sponsorship from Yahoo.

Reimer finished 10th in the USAC point standings a year ago, and reached some significant personal achievements throughout the campaign, winning with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget series at North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway. With USAC, she led the first six laps of her career while scoring six top-ten results and a pair of fast qualifying times in 27 main event starts.

With her focus squarely lasered in on racing full-time this coming year, Reimer aims to take another step toward the front of the field during after displaying an immense amount of speed during several outings throughout the past year.

“This season, I definitely want to win, and I think we have the chance to be running for top-fives every night,” Reimer explained. “One of my goals is to finish consistently. That was kind of a struggle of ours last season. We’d have a really good night, then we’d have a bad night.”

It’s been a long road back to the dirt tracks for Reimer, who took a uniquely circuitous route to her current position as a full-time regular on the USAC National Midget tour. She began racing at the age of six, and by the age of 14, had racked up enough wins to become the winningest female micro sprint driver in the history of the 1/8-mile Port City Raceway dirt oval in Tulsa, Okla.

Her detour from racing arrived during high school and college where she actively pursued academics and cheerleading. However, the pull to return to racing proved too strong, and after a seven-year layoff, Reimer was back behind the wheel of a racecar in 2021 when she made her USAC Midget debut in Florida. Getting back into the swing was the name of the game with a periodic schedule of events in 2021 and a much bigger slate in 2022. In 2023, the hunger for more experience and further improvement beckons.

“The biggest difference in 2022 was just being able to race consistently and being able to race every weekend,” Reimer noted. “Getting to work with my crew chief, Beau Binder, week-in and week-out, just trying to figure out what works best for us as a team and being consistent, that just made it a lot easier on myself and my team. Beau has been super knowledgeable and helpful. For me coming in with practically no experience in midgets, it was a huge learning curve just going to all the different tracks. Using him as a resource along with my other teammates and just being able to ask questions, that was the main thing.”

For team president Keith Kunz, he’s seen Reimer’s improvement firsthand, from being one who showed speed early on to one who has upped her racecraft when going wheel-to-wheel versus competition. It’s all part of the process of continuous improvement, which ultimately yields the desired results.

“During the year, we feel like she learned how to race a whole 30 laps,” Kunz said. “Her racing became more consistent as the year went on and she became a stronger competitor. Now that she’s had her first full season with us, we’re really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish going into a second season.”

The 2023 USAC National Midget Series kicks off on April 21-22 at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway for the Kokomo Grand Prix.

USAC PR

NASCAR Cup Series News

King’s Hawaiian Announces Expanded, Multi-Year Partnership with RFK Racing

Monday, Jan 30

RFK Racing has announced that King’s Hawaiian, the iconic bread company that joined the team in 2022, has returned in an expanded role and will serve as a primary partner for Brad Keselowski and the No. 6 team in multiple races in 2023 and beyond.

“Our team and myself are really excited to continue our partnership with King’s Hawaiian, a brand that is a favorite of many fans and people across the country,” said Keselowski. “We had a ton of fun highlighting their products and activations in 2022, but are even more excited to see what 2023 brings. We’re thankful to the team at King’s Hawaiian for their continued support of our team and look forward to a fun and successful season in 2023.”

King’s Hawaiian, known for its famous irresistibly soft, and fluffy dinner rolls with just the right touch of sweetness – returns for its second season in the NASCAR Cup Series with Keselowski. RFK worked in conjunction with King’s Hawaiian to feature the ‘Slider Sunday’ theme, America’s new favorite mealtime ritual, across its social channels in 2022, with more exciting content planned for this season.

“We are so excited to be back as a partner,” said Chad Donvito, President, King’s Hawaiian. “We can’t wait to watch the King’s Hawaiian No. 6 Ford Mustang fly around the track for Slider Sundays throughout the season. We love bringing families together over their love of fast cars and delicious sliders.”

King’s Hawaiian served as the primary sponsor for three races in 2022 at Kansas, Nashville and Las Vegas. In 2023 the iconic orange colors will hit the track in nine different race markets, including first at The Clash at the LA Coliseum on Sunday, February 5 (8 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM).

The family owned business will also be the primary sponsor for races at Atlanta, Bristol Dirt, Kansas, Gateway, Sonoma, Pocono, Daytona and Martinsville. At those tracks combined Keselowski has eight wins with 63 combined top-10s.

Keselowski enters his second season at RFK and 14^th full season in the NCS. With 35 Cup wins to his credit, he is set to make his 500^th Cup start in 2023.

King’s Hawaiian Race Schedule

Feb. 5: LA Clash

March 19: Atlanta I

April 9: Bristol Dirt

May 7: Kansas I

June 4: Gateway

June 11: Sonoma

July 23: Pocono

Aug. 26: Daytona II

Oct. 29: King’s Hawaiian

RFK PR

Racing News

ASCS Arizona Wingless And Elite Non-Wing Lineups Released

Monday, Jan 30

Keeping wingless racing alive at the Central Arizona Raceway, new promoter Brad Whitfield will feature the ASCS Arizona Non-Wing Sprint Cars on a regular basis at the high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval in 2023.

Racing February through November, the wingless tour be featured in rotation with other weekly divisions, with ten events lining the 2023 lineup.

Also operating Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz., Whitfield has tried to keep the wingless events off ASCS Southwest Regional dates to allow teams to compete in both if possible. Out of a combined 22 dates, only the February 11 opener conflicts with each other. The tours combine at the Casa Grande oval on Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11, for the 2023 season finale.

Like all ASCS Non-Wing tours, the series will run under its own rules package. The updated rules for the 2023 season are posted at https://www.ascsracing.com/series-info/rules.aspx.

Central Arizona Raceway promoter, Brad Whitfield, is the director for the ASCS Arizona Non-Wing Sprint Cars. Any questions can be directed to Brad via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (602) 292-7607.

For other news, notes, and information on any of the tours under the ASCS banner, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@LucasOilASCS).

2023 ASCS Arizona Non-Wing Sprint Cars Lineup:

2/11/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

3/25/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

5/6/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

7/3/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

7/10/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

10/14/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

11/3/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

11/4/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

11/10/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

11/11/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

(Image Credit: Jeff Taylor)

ASCS Elite Non-Wing Lines Up 20 Dates For 2023 Run

Bryan Hulbert – DRUMRIGHT, Okla. (January 27, 2023) Taking on a 20-night slate in 2023, the ASCS Elite Non-Wing Series presented by Abilene Powder Coating will feature events in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

With several marque events on the docket, the tour will also go head-to-head multiple times with the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship. Still basing the bulk of the tour in Texas, 11 dates will take place in the “Lone Star State”.

Four trips just across the line to Arkansas, one of the largest events of the year, will happen at Texarkana 67 Speedway with the continuation of the Wingless Short Track Nationals. The March event has upped the purse to $10,000 to win, $500 to start.

A trio of trips into Oklahoma, the two-night season finale at Red Dirt Raceway is among the dates paired with USAC. Completing the list of racing destinations is a May swing into Louisiana at Boothill and Ark-La-Tex.

The ASCS Elite Non-Wing Series presented by Abilene Powder Coating, is owned and operated by Nathan Moore and operates under the sanction of the American Sprint Car Series. The ASCS Elite Non-Wing Series presented by Abilene Powder Coating operates under its own rules, which can be found at https://www.ascsracing.com/series-info/rules.aspx.

Nathan can be reached at (903) 780-9934 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The 2023 season will mark the 32nd year of competition for the American Sprint Car Series. Spearheaded by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, the ASCS Nation includes Regional Tours that encompass both wing and non-wing competition.

For other news, notes, and information on any of the tours under the ASCS banner, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@LucasOilASCS).

2023 ASCS Elite Non-Wing Lineup:

3/11/2023-Kennedale Speedway Park - Kennedale, TX

3/24/2023-Texarkana 67 Speedway - Texarkana, AR

3/25/2023-Texarkana 67 Speedway - Texarkana, AR

4/8/2023-Abilene Speedway - Abilene, TX

4/26/2023-Texarkana 67 Speedway - Texarkana, AR

4/27/2023-Rocket Raceway Park - Petty, TX

4/28/2023-Devil's Bowl Speedway - Mesquite, TX

4/29/2023-Devil's Bowl Speedway - Mesquite, TX

5/26/2023-Texarkana 67 Speedway - Texarkana, AR

5/27/2023-Boothill Speedway - Greenwood, LA

5/28/2023-Ark-La-Tex Speedway - Vivian, LA

7/14/2023-West Texas Raceway - Lubbock, TX

7/15/2023-Route 66 Motor Speedway - Amarillo, TX

8/4/2023-Heart O' Texas Speedway - Waco, TX

8/5/2023-Devil's Bowl Speedway - Mesquite, TX

8/11/2023-Boyd Raceway - Boyd, TX

8/12/2023-Lawton Speedway - Lawton, OK

9/30/2023-Rocket Raceway Park - Petty, TX

10/27/2023-Red Dirt Raceway - Meeker, OK

10/28/2023-Red Dirt Raceway - Meeker, OK

ASCS PR

Speedway News

Indy 500 Green Flag Embarks on Epic Global Journey

Monday, Jan 30

The green flag for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will experience an epic journey with fun twists as it travels the globe during the Green Flag Relay leading into “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 28.

The flag made its first stop of the 2023 Green Flag Relay in a new location. Dan Smith of NTT DATA, partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, carried the green flag on his trip to Antarctica (photo, above), where he supported Robert Swan’s Undaunted: South Pole 2023 expedition.

Continuing its international travels, the green flag made a return visit to Sweden, the home country of Marcus Ericsson, defending Indianapolis 500 winner and Chip Ganassi Racing driver. In addition to enjoying action with Huski Chocolate athletes, the green flag traveled to Stockholm for the Idrottsgalan 2023 Swedish sports awards gala Jan. 16 at Avicii Arena. Ericsson was nominated for Performance of the Year.

“The Indianapolis 500 green flag is one of the most important symbols in all of motorsports, signifying the start of the world’s greatest race,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “This year, the excitement continues as the green flag journeys to Antarctica, returns to Sweden and embarks on a relay to many other worldwide landmarks before returning to Indianapolis where it will be used to signal the start of this year’s race.”

To follow the flag’s adventures, visit www.IMS.com/GreenFlagRelay, which features an interactive map with photographs, video and more. On social media, the campaign can be tracked using the hashtag #GreenFlagRelay. The flag will travel to more fun locations soon, so make sure to look for additional content and updates.

Live coverage of the 107th Indianapolis 500 starts at 11 a.m. ET Sunday, May 28 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Visit IMS.com to buy tickets and for more information.

IMS PR

Speedway News

Cody Jinks Confirmed as Headliner of the Inaugural Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest in Fort Worth

Monday, Jan 30

Following the exciting expansion announcement of its second location in Fort Worth, Texas this fall, Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest has just confirmed its first artist for the highly anticipated event. Legendary country music singer Cody Jinks will headline the four-day concert series with a special performance on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10pm. To be held at Texas Motor Speedway, the event is expected to quickly sell out and eventually grow to be the largest music festival in the Lone Star State.

A Fort Worth native himself, Jinks is widely recognized as the biggest independent country music artist in the world. Hwy 30 fans can look forward to hits from his records including I’m Not the Devil and After the Fire which both topped the Billboard Country Albums chart. Jinks will join a slew of other artists, both renowned and upcoming, for the music festival. Started in Filer, Idaho and celebrating its 10^th anniversary, Hwy 30 attracts guests from all over the country including overseas to earn its nickname as the “People’s Festival.” The Texas event is expected to draw between 30,000 to 60,000 people per day.

“We are thrilled to be able to extend our roots into Texas and even more so to have a Fort Worth homegrown talent serve as our headlining act to bring it all full circle,” said founder Gordy Schroeder. “Cody is a true class act that locals and fans from all over the world resonate with, and to say we are excited to have him on board for our first event here is an understatement.”

“If this pit stop thing isn’t going to work out, I might as well come out here and play a show and maybe headline a concert series,” said Jinks from the track at Texas Motor Speedway.

Additional talent confirmed to play this year’s Hwy 30 Music Fest in Fort Worth will soon be announced. Four-day discounted admission tickets are now on sale with a limited number remaining. For information, visit www.hwy30tx.com. Meanwhile, those looking to attend the June 21-24 event at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Idaho can also take advantage of purchasing now at www.hwy30musicfest.com.

TMS PR

NASCAR Cup Series News

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Arrowhead Brass

Monday, Jan 30

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owners Maury Gallagher and Jimmie Johnson along with Team Ambassador Richard Petty, today announced a multi-year partnership with Arrowhead Brass. The US - based manufacturer of plumbing valves and irrigation products is the leading manufacturer of exterior and interior plumbing products for high-end professional builders and homeowners.

In 1936, Arrowhead Brass started manufacturing distinctive brass hose bibs in Los Angeles, California. In 1937, Champion Irrigation was founded by brass bell makers who manufactured several irrigation products, including brass anti-siphon valves. Working as two separate companies for close to 70 years, Arrowhead Brass and Champion Irrigation merged in 2006 to become Champion-Arrowhead, strengthening the two independent legacy-based brands. In 2018, the company expanded beyond exterior valves to interior plumbing products to provide customers with a ‘one-stop shop’ for all their residential and commercial plumbing needs under the Arrowhead Brass & Plumbing, LLC umbrella. Most recently in 2021, the company introduced the ICEBREAKER Freeze-proof wall hydrant line.

“At Arrowhead Brass we strongly believe it is our responsibility to keep families safe,” stated Jim Kapparos, Managing Director of Marketing & Sales - Americas. “Our mission has been to provide the highest-quality lead-free plumbing products available on the market today. Our high-quality products have been a staple in American homes for generations. We are proud of this legacy and are excited about the future. We are very excited to partner with driver Noah Gragson and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB for the 2023 season and beyond. To partner with a group of people like Richard Petty, Maury Gallagher, Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones and Noah is a home run for our business. This exciting new partnership allows us to expand the presence of Arrowhead Brass within the NASCAR community. We look forward to working together to build lifelong legacies.”

Arrowhead Brass will be proximately featured on the No. 42 Chevrolet B-post as well as the C-post of the No. 43 Chevrolet for three NASCAR Cup Series races this season.

“We are really proud to welcome Arrowhead Brass on board,” stated Gallagher. “It makes us proud to work with a U.S.- based company that has been around for 87 years. Their corporate values align well with our team and like Richard, Jimmie and I, they have built a legacy of their own that has spanned across generations. We appreciate their partnership and welcome them to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.”

The NASCAR Cup Series season will begin in Los Angeles, California at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, February 5th, for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Tune-in to FOX at 8:00 PM ET as LEGACY MOTOR CLUB makes its highly anticipated official on-track debut in the exhibition race ahead of the 65th-annual DAYTONA 500.

LMC PR

NASCAR Cup Series News

Trackhouse Chevys to Carry Jockey Paint Scheme Six Times in 2023

Monday, Jan 30

Trackhouse Racing drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain are going to look stylish once again in 2023 driving the red-white-and blue Jockey® Made in America Collection paint scheme in up to six NASCAR Cup races. Away from the track, the duo will sport the latest in Jockey activewear and casualwear throughout the season.

“It is an honor for me to drive a car replicating the American flag,” said Suárez, who became the first Mexican driver to a win a Cup race when he won the June race at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in 2022.

"I came to America to chase my dream and I am living it. Representing Jockey is quite an honor and I hope NASCAR fans see our car out front a lot this year. You won't be able to miss us."

The Jockey partnership with Trackhouse began last year and was the first such team sponsorship in the 147-year history of the apparel brand. At the core of the partnership was the launch of the brand’s Made in America* Collection – an effort aimed at delivering premium quality product, support reshoring American manufacturing jobs, supporting families and farmers in local communities, and providing a more sustainable option for American consumers.

“We are looking forward to another successful year with Trackhouse Racing, both on and off the track,” said Mark Fedyk, president and COO, Jockey. “From the start, Jockey and Trackhouse shared values of innovation, commitment to excellence and dedication to community. The upcoming 2023 season, we believe, is just the start for Jockey and Trackhouse Racing.”

The Jockey paint scheme will be on full display on Suárez’s No. 99 Chevrolet at the Busch Clash on Feb. 5 at the Los Angeles Coliseum when NASCAR kicks off its season with a non-points race in the famous venue. Jockey will return to the No. 99 at the April 9 dirt race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, and the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway race on Oct. 29.

Jockey will appear three more times in 2023 as the primary sponsor of Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet beginning at Richmond (Va.) Raceway on April 2, Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on April 30 and at Michigan Speedway in Brooklyn on Aug. 6.

Both drivers will also carry Jockey logos on their uniforms in every race and be a part of Jockey advertising and promotional campaigns.

Jockey joined Trackhouse Racing in 2022 appearing six times on Suárez and Chastain’s Cup Series entries. Jockey chose Trackhouse Racing as its marketing partner to feature its Made in America* Collection. The partnership features primary paint schemes, community impact programs, retailer engagement, product and styles, as well as season-long marketing rights and branding.

“Jockey is a family-owned company that has been around for generations and as an eighth-generation watermelon farmer I can appreciate the passion behind the brand and how important delivering a quality product is to everyone at Jockey," said Chastain.

"NASCAR and Jockey are great American success stories and I love that we can tell the world about each.”

Trackhouse Racing is in its third season in the Cup Series. Last year it won three races, earned 21 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes. Chastain finished second and Suárez tenth in the season standings – career bests. The team is owned by former racer Justin Marks who has partnered with international entertainer Armando Christian "Pitbull" Pérez.

The Trackhouse team has made increasing the NASCAR fan base one of its off the track missions by engaging in efforts to expose the sport to new audiences. The Trackhouse Racing shop is in Concord, North Carolina. For more information, visit Trackhouse.com.

*Socks and the Everyday Tee in the Jockey Made in America collection are made in USA with imported material.

Trackhouse Racing PR

Racing News

The Heart of Racing Opens 2023 Season with Team-First Daytona Victory

Monday, Jan 30

The Heart of Racing (HOR) won their first victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Sunday, winning in the GTD category as the season-opening. The team’s win is Aston Martin’s first Daytona victory in the long-running event staged at the World Center of Racing.

Defending GTD champion Roman De Angelis returned to the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3, joining full-season co-driver Marco Sorenson, Darren Turner and Ian James. The team led 176 laps in the class leading to a breakthrough triumph in the endurance event.

The win was the first Rolex 24 At Daytona victory for all four drivers after HOR delivered 24 hours of well-executed pit stops and strategy to cross the finish line over five seconds clear of the pursuing GTD field.

The No. 27 Aston Martin HOR team also brought home the Michelin Endurance Cup: an award for receiving the best in-class position at the hour marks of six, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four throughout the race. Sorenson, the 2022 GTE Am winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin, also turned the fastest lap in the class, 1:46.078-seconds.

In addition to winning the GTD class, Heart of Racing was competitive in GTD Pro with the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 before a suspension problem compromised the car and it’s leading position.

The team of Alex Riberas, Ross Gunn, and David Pittard in No. 23 led 208 laps before being forced off track with the suspension failure 14 hours into the event. While the team was able to diagnose and rectify the issue in just 25 minutes, the long green flag runs and competitive field took away podium hopes for the GTD PRO team. The car was able to finish the race and came home seventh in class.

No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GTD Driver Quotes

Ian James: “There is so much luck involved in winning here. Marco just finished the race and it’s a lot to sink in really. It’s an honor to be the first win for Aston Martin here at Daytona. It was an awesome job done by The Heart of Racing crew. I’m really proud of everyone here on the team. It’s been a real pleasure to share a car this weekend with Darren, Roman, and Marco. That was a wild last hour or so of the race, but now we can sit back and enjoy it. It was fantastic to watch the way Marco handled the pressure, he did it perfectly.”

Roman De Angelis: “I’m just so happy to be here with this team in victory lane. The whole Heart of Racing family is great, they executed pit stops perfectly. The 24 hour race in Daytona is the one I have always wanted to win since I was a kid so this feels pretty unreal. I first raced at Daytona with Ian five years ago so that winning this alongside him makes this even more special. I’m just going to embrace it. Every year we climb the success ladder a little more, Sebring is next so we will see what we can do there.”

Darren Turner: “It is absolutely incredible to win here in Daytona! The performance of the team has been absolutely amazing and honestly the Aston Martins have been the fastest thing out there on the track. I have been here a few times now, but this is the most fun I have ever had. Marco took the pressure at the end of the race, but he really kept it together. ”

Marco Sorensen: “Being the winner of all GTD and GTD PRO cars feels very special. Obviously we went for the victory in our class, but when you win it all it is pretty surreal. It really is a testament to how hard the team worked throughout the race. We kept it clean for the entire 24 hours and I am so proud of everyone. The race was hard on us, but we kept it together and it paid off”

No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GTD PRO Driver Quotes

Alex Riberas: “This Rolex 24 has been up and down for us. Our car was quick and competitive all throughout the race; we were in the top three most of the race and led several laps until our rear suspension issue. The team did a phenomenal job fixing the car and getting us back on track. Overall we got a big morale boost heading into the rest of the calendar and we are all moving forward with a very positive feeling to start out the season.”

David Pittard: “The first third of the race was very positive and we had high hopes. We ran into some issues in the night but we were still holding onto the lead lap until we had a rear suspension failure resulting in a 30-minute stop. That setback made it impossible to make up the 16 laps we lost, but that’s racing! The Heart of Racing crew repaired the car during the graveyard shift and got us back out again so we could still score points. We actually scored the maximum points at the six-hour and twelve-hour marks which is great for the team in the long run. Even though the final result isn’t what we were hoping for the team still made good of this race. It’s been very positive and we owe a huge thank you to the ladies and gents at HOR for giving it everything they’ve got.”

Ross Gunn: “First of all I just want to give a massive congratulations to the No. 27 crew and the entire Heart of Racing team in general. Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona is really special. I am super proud of everybody. Obviously it was a little disappointing to lose laps due to a suspension issue when we were contending for the lead, but we led the first half of the race which was a great way to start the season. Sometimes you just need luck to go your way and unfortunately it wasn’t with us today. We will regroup and come to Sebring ready to go. I am very proud of everyone on the team, especially the guys that managed to get us back out when it looked like there might have been a potential retirement coming on.”

Heart of Racing PR

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Speedway Digest Staff

11/11/2023 – Central Arizona Raceway (Casa Grande, AZ)

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