People Places & Racing News

Racing News: Greg Adler, Rob MacCachren Seize Class Victory in Mint 400

Compiled by SEMA Editors

adler
4 Wheel Parts President and CEO Greg Adler raced to the 4400 Class win in last weekend’s Mint 400 off-road race just outside of Las Vegas.

Greg Adler, Rob MacCachren Seize Class Victory in Mint 400

4 Wheel Parts President and CEO Greg Adler raced to the 4400 Class win in last weekend’s Mint 400 off-road race just outside of Las Vegas. Teaming up with off-road racing icon Rob MacCachren, the duo completed the 348-mile race nearly one hour ahead of their nearest competitor. The victory came just three weeks after they battled to the finish line in the King of the Hammers event in Johnson Valley, California. Taking the start, MacCachren set a pace that saw the #4444 quickly put a 20-minute gap on the field before turning the car over to Adler for the second and third laps. As the course deteriorated and became littered with vehicles that had succumbed to the desert attrition, Adler increased the lead with each subsequent lap in bringing home the Team 4 Wheel Parts Ultra4 to the checkered flag and a class win.

In addition, MacCachren took the overall win, crossing the finish line with an unofficial time of 5:37:35. A 2011 inductee to the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, his accolades include Dirt Sports Magazine Driver of the Year (2007), BFGoodrich’s Motorsports Person of the Year (2007) and being named SCORE Person of the Year twice (1987, 2008). This Mint win comes after three consecutive wins at the Baja 1000. MacCachren takes home $10,000 from BFGoodrich Tires, $10,000 from Fox and a brand new Polaris RZR (adding to the one he already owns). Jason Voss was awarded second place on unofficial time, coming in with at 5:38:39, and Andy McMillin unofficially took third place with a time of 5:41:36.

Holley EFI-Equipped Drivers Star at Lights Out 8 Event at Valdosta

Holley-equipped racers dominated Lights Out 8—the unofficial World Series of heads-up/small-tire racing—at South Georgia Motorsports Park. Lyle Barnett toyed with the Leaf Spring field, wheeling Jason Digby’s Pete Harrell-tuned ’69 Dart to a runaway win. Tony Alm ruled the Ultimate Street category with his Fox body Mustang, qualifying No. 2 and winning the final round on a holeshot over Rodney Ragen. And “Super Dave” Adkins’ twin-turbo ’63 Impala, competing in the showcase Radial vs. the World division, became the quickest LSx car in the world with an historic 3.97. After qualifying No. 1 by a mile with a 4.24 at 181 mph, Barnett topped John McDonough in a lopsided final, 4.41 to 9.15.

holley
Lyle Barnett toyed with the Leaf Spring field, wheeling Jason Digby’s Pete Harrell-tuned ’69 Dart to a runaway win. 

VP Racing Fuels Continues Fuel Program for PDRA Racers in 2017

The Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) welcomes back VP Racing Fuels as the Official Fuel of the PDRA for the fourth consecutive year. VP will continue to provide trackside fuel service and post-season awards up to $1,000 in each class for the series championship. The pre-order process VP implemented last season will continue this year. This program ensures fuel is delivered right to the track in the quantity needed. Racers are encouraged to access the fuel pre-order forms online.

Dodge Extends Sponsorship of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Event at Maple Grove Raceway; Expands Involvement in Sportsman Ranks

NHRA has announced that Dodge has extended its agreement as the title rights sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Maple Grove Raceway for the 2017 season. The 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals will be held September 21–24 and serve as the second race in the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. The event will be a key stop for racers who are battling for a world championship at the conclusion of the season. Those who compete with Dodge vehicles in the Super Stock and Stock classes in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be eligible for additional bonus money during the course of the year. Newly introduced for 2017, the Dodge Top Finisher honor awards $500 each to the Stock and Super Stock drivers in a Dodge or Plymouth vehicle who advance the farthest during eliminations at each of the 24 NHRA National events. A new Dodge exhibit will also be displayed on Manufacturers Midway at 15 events this year. In addition, the second annual Mopar Mega Block Party free fan-admission event will take place Thursday, September 21, in conjunction with the Dodge NHRA Nationals.

Wilwood Announces Award Programs for 2017 North American F1000 Championship; Returns as USMTS Lucky 7 Award Sponsor; Renews WISSOTA/PolyDome Dirt Track Series Sponsorship; Renews Redline Time Attack Title Sponsorship

Wilwood Disc Brakes has announced new racer reward programs for the 2017 North American Formula 1000 Championship season. Eligible drivers have three chances to receive contingency. First, the Tough Brake Award will go to the fourth-place finisher at each event. Second, those fourth-place finishers could receive additional contingency if they run eligible Wilwood products through the Double Dip Program. Lastly, the Tenth Man Up Award will go to the driver who finishes 10th overall in the championship standings.

Wilwood has also been named the Lucky 7 Award sponsor with the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) for the 2017 season. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $50 product certificate to the seventh-place finisher at each USMTS event. Additionally, one winner will be randomly drawn from all of the drivers that finished seventh throughout the year to receive a complete Wilwood brake kit.

In addition, Wilwood returns in 2017 as a sponsor for the WISSOTA/PolyDome Dirt Track Series. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide product and product certificates for each division, which will be distributed at the national awards banquet at the end of the year.

Wilwood has also extended its title sponsorship of the Redline Time Attack Series through the 2017 season. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will be named title sponsor of the Redline Time Attack Series and various series-owned festivals, including Subiefest, Nissfest, Hondafest and Mazfest. In addition, Wilwood will have exhibit space and provide product certificates to be raffled off at each festival.