Compiled by SEMA Editors
NASCAR Results at Irwindale Speedway
NASCAR Junior Late Models Race 1 – 21 Laps
1. Austin Edwards
2. R.J. Smotherman
3. Kyle Keller
NASCAR Pick Your Part Late Models Race 1 – 30 Laps
1. Lawless Allen
2. Ryan Schartau
3. Christian McGhee
4. Jagger Jones
5. Nick Joanides
Inex Legend Cars – 35 Laps
1. Darren Amidon
2. Chad Schug
3. Austin Farr
NASCAR Sharky’s Spec Late Models “Irwindale Race of Champions” – 30 Laps
1. Ryan Partridge
2. Nick Joanides
3. Bill Sedgwick
Super Stocks – 12 Laps
1. Rich DeLong III
2. Jerry Toporek
3. Matthew Sampson
Junior Late Models Race 2 – 12 Laps
1. Kyle Keller
2. Austin Edwards
3. Olivia Manke
4. R. J. Smotherman
NASCAR Pick Your Part Late Models Race 2 – 30 Laps
1. Blaine Perkins
2. Alec Martinez
3. Ryan Schartau
Irwindale Race Trucks – 35 Laps
1. Ryan Partridge
2. Connor Cantrell
3. Lucas McNeil
 Formula DRIFT and AEM Induction Systems have teamed up for 2018 to present the Formula DRIFT/AEM Halftime Show with Maximum Driftcast throughout the 2018 season. |
AEM Induction Systems Sponsors New Formula DRIFT Halftime Show
Formula DRIFT (FD) has announced a new halftime show for the 2018 season. Sponsored by AEM Induction Systems, the show will be available to event spectators and viewers of the Formula DRIFT livestream broadcast. Beginning with the Formula DRIFT final round at Irwindale Speedway in 2016, and at several FD rounds during 2017, AEM Induction Systems hosted the Maximum Driftcast halftime podcast from its booth in the paddock area. At the same time, Formula DRIFT was investigating different ways to expand its live broadcast, which reaches more than 2.5 million fans annually. The series wanted to provide more stories to its fans and bring greater insight at each event, so Formula DRIFT and AEM Induction Systems teamed up for 2018 to present the Formula DRIFT/AEM Halftime Show with Maximum Driftcast throughout the 2018 season. Two more key Formula DRIFT partners, Nexen Tire and Motegi Racing, will also be on board as supporting brands, adding more content and features to the halftime show. The schedule for each event is available at www.formuladrift.com.
 The all-new Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback will campaign the 2018 Formula Drift season with driver Fredric Aasbo and the Papadakis Racing team. (Photo: Louis Yio/Larry Chen) |
Fredric Aasbo and Papadakis Racing Unveil New for 2018 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Papadakis Racing unveiled the all-new Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback as part of Toyota’s new vehicle launch at the New York International Auto Show. Champion driver Fredric Aasbo will pilot the modified Toyota Corolla Hatchback in the 2018 Formula Drift series. Its competition debut is set to take place April 6–7 at the series opener on the Streets of Long Beach. Based on the brand new Toyota Corolla Hatchback, the rear-wheel-drive converted Rockstar Energy Drink/Nexen Tire Toyota Corolla Hatchback produces 1,000 nitrous-boosted horsepower from its four-cylinder turbocharged Toyota 2AR engine.
E3 Announces 2018 Sponsorship Agreements
E3 Spark Plugs has announced that the company has significantly increased its level of motorsports sponsorship for 2018. In addition to renewing its longstanding sponsorship of NMRA, NMCA and NHRA drag racing, E3 recently announced the title sponsorship for the NHRA PRO MOD drag-racing series. This series, which is all-new for E3, features 12 races of high-powered turbo, nitrous and supercharged late-model American musclecars that compete in a 16-car field. Other sponsorships that are being renewed for 2018 include title sponsorship of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League. For both, E3 will be the title sponsor with television entitlement rights on CBS, CBS Sports Network, MATVT and the NBC Sports Network. This is in addition to E3’s longtime commitment to Lucas Oil Racing programs through continued title sponsorship of three major Lucus Oil motorsports race events: E3 Spark Plugs Off Road Nationals, the E3 Spark Plugs Late Model Nationals and the E3 Spark Plugs Drag Boat Nationals. E3 is also sponsoring many of the top racers across multiple series, including USAC racer Joss Moffatt, and NHRA racers Antron Brown, Leah Pritchett, Dan Schumacher, Courtney Force, Ron Capps, Andrew Ranger and more.
 Last weekend, a Shelby 289 FIA Cobra (CSX7000) by Superformance took a “Most Elegant of Show” award in the Exclusive Drive Concours d’Élégance. |
Classic Shelby Cobra Graces Le Mans Podium Again
Shelby Cobras continue to win awards at Le Mans. Last weekend, a Shelby 289 FIA Cobra (CSX7000) by Superformance took a “Most Elegant of Show” award in the Exclusive Drive Concours d’Élégance, held at the famed French circuit. The car was displayed by Superformance’s Belgian dealer, Shelby Gentleman Car. The company’s Le Mans stable also included another Shelby 289 FIA Cobra and a 427 Cobra, a Shelby GT40 in 1966 Le Mans livery and an iconic F-250 support vehicle.
Motorsport Safety Foundation Partners With MOMO and SCCA to Keep Drivers Safe
The Motorsport Safety Foundation has partnered with racing safety equipment company MOMO to assist the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in promoting driver safety throughout the 2018 race season. The Motorsport Safety Foundation has secured nearly $20,000 in certificates for SFI and FIA-approved MOMO racing gloves, boots or even a racing suit to be awarded at the discretion of the SCCA Chiefs of Tech at SCCA’s seven remaining 2018 Hoosier Super Tour races across the United States.