Compiled by SEMA Editors
Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip Remain Open Under New Management Team
The Irwindale Event Center—home of Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip—will remain open and in full operation under a new multi-year agreement with a group of motorsports enthusiasts led by Tim Huddleston and Justice Brothers and the property owners. In July 2017, Team 211 Entertainment, operators of the 63-acre motorsports and entertainment facility, were informed that their lease would not be renewed, and that January 31, 2018, would be 211’s last day of operation at Irwindale. Three months after the announcement was made public, a change in the owner’s plans for the property led them to contact 211’s President/CEO Jim Cohan to indicate that a contract extension would be offered. However, by that time, a number of new business plans were already in place at 211.
“Being presented with the right of first refusal, we quickly reached out to Huddleston’s group helping to negotiate a deal that would assure both a smooth transition and the continued operation of the track. It was just the right thing to do,” Cohan explained.
Cohan’s company is credited with putting the Irwindale facility back into business when the first operators of the track closed it under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in February 2012.
“These are the right people to operate this facility; they have the background, the acumen and the energy,” Cohan continued. “They know racing and they know marketing. This is really a win for everyone, especially the fans.”
 Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
Landon Simon to Field Two Cars at 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals
Landon Simon Racing will field two cars this year at the 32nd annual running of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, January 9–13, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Team owner and Sprint Car driver Landon Simon will pilot the Mt. Baker Vapor, Dave and Busters-sponsored, Toyota-powered XXX chassis at the Chili Bowl, along with Hall of Fame Sprint Car driver Danny Smith in the second team car. Smith, although a Hall of Fame race-car driver who has been in competition for more than 40 years, is a Chili Bowl rookie, making his first-ever appearance at the event.
Champion Named Official Oil at BAPS Motor Speedway
Champion Oil has recently been named the official racing oil of the BAPS Motor Speedway (BMS), formerly Susquehanna Raceway Park. Founded in 1954 and located in York Haven, Pennsylvania, BMS runs more than 50 races per year supporting numerous racing series, such as 410 Sprints, 360 Sprints, Late Models, Super Sportsman, Street Stocks, Legends, Modifieds, Midgets, Micros and Road Warriors.