SHOOTOUT STYLE: The Indianapolis 500 will adopt a new “shootout-style” qualifying format this year, which includes the fastest nine drivers taking part in a 90-minute “shootout” qualifying session for the Indianapolis 500 pole on May 22.

HENDRICK BOUND: Kasey Kahne will join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign as the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet. His plans for the 2011 season remain unknown.

DENIED: Don Whittington, a former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner who spent time in jail on a number of charges, recently lost a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. He was trying to regain possession of the car he co-drove to victory at Le Mans in 1979.

NEW IN TOWN: Adams-Hansen Inc. has purchased Rice Lake Speedway, a third-mile clay oval in Wisconsin, from former owners Smith-Bisonette Inc.

TEAM ANNOUNCED: The complete ICONIC IZOD IndyCar Series Advisory Committee has been revealed. Retired Air Force Gen. William R. Looney will mediate the committee and be joined by Brian Barnhart, Gil de Ferran, Tony Purnell, Eddie Gossage, Neil Ressler, Tony Cotman and Rick Long.

WELCOME TO ORLANDO: The International Council of Motorsport Sciences will hold its annual congressional meeting in the days leading up to the 2010 edition of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, December 7–8.

STEWART TO RACE AT ELDORA: The USAC Coca-Cola Sprint Classic that was postponed because of track conditions and wet weather has been rescheduled for May 12 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Track owner Tony Stewart will race in the UMP modified class during the event.

FOUR-WIDE AGAIN: The National Hot Rod Association has announced it will return to zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, for the second annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in 2011.

BAN LOWERED: Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have had their FIA bans lowered by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Both will be allowed to return to Formula One in 2013 and back into any other FIA-sanctioned series in 2012.

HE’S BACK: Paul Tracy will team with KV Racing Technology and sponsor Geico for a return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500 this May.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.

A photo collection of Lexus vehicles on display at the 2009 SEMA Show.

A photo collection of Lexus vehicles on display at the 2009 SEMA Show.

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”

 

Mike Spagnola (left) and Joel Ayres accept the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award on behalf of SEMA Cares (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

Childhelp, a non-profit organization headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, presented SEMA with the Childhelp 2010 Corporate Award at a luncheon on April 14 at the annual Childhelp Day of Hope Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Childhelp ambassador Jane Seymour—actress, artist and jewelry designer—was in attendance and gave a speech. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and his wife Caryll, who have been active in Childhelp for many years, also spoke at the event.

A handful of other senators and congressmen were also in attendance. Joel Ayres, chairman of the SEMA Cares Committee, and Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment Inc., accepted the award on SEMA's behalf.

“It was an honor for SEMA to be recognized on the 50th anniversary of Childhelp and in front of a distinguished audience,” Ayres said. “It is a recognition of the dedication of the SEMA Cares volunteers, SEMA staff and many SEMA member companies. They have voluntarily contributed time, talent and financial support to help end child abuse. Our industry should be proud of this recognition. SEMA Cares looks forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of this cause.”

From left: SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting; Sara O'Meara of Childhelp, Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment; Joel Ayres of Truck Accessories Group; and Yvonne Fedderson of Childhelp (photo courtesy of Jan Miller/Make a Difference Photography).

“It was a great honor to be able to accept the award on behalf of SEMA for this year's Childhelp 210 Corporate Award,” Spagnola said. “I'm very proud of the SEMA members and staff for all their efforts. In a year of great turmoil and economic downturn, SEMA members not only supported the SEMA Cares/Childhelp efforts, they stood on the gas and, as a result, we were able to make the largest contribution ever to the Childhelp family.”