Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA MOTORSPORTS COMPLETES OFF-SEASON CHANGES: Kalitta Motorsports has announced that its current Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd will move into the seat of its DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car vacated by Del Worsham. In turn, Troy Coughlin Jr. will move from the planned part-time sixth team to a full-time seat aboard the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster. Todd is making his return to the Funny Car class, but for the first time as a driver. He worked on Bob Gilberston’s Funny Car during the 2003–2005 NHRA seasons with current Kalitta employees Nicky Boninfante and Tommy DeLago.

“Connie told Jim [Oberhofer] the DHL Toyota is a special car and that I was the right guy for the job, which was a huge compliment to me,” said Todd, who will make his Funny Car debut at the Circle K Winternationals in February. “I am going to miss Del as a teammate as he has always been one of my heroes. I want to also say a huge thanks to SealMaster and their awesome franchisees. They are great people and it was an honor to represent them.”

DATES SET FOR 2017 HOT ROD REUNION EVENTS: The NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced the 2017 Hot Rod Reunion racing schedule. Unique among motorsports events, Hot Rod Reunion events honor some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and feature an array of drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot-rod eras. The 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance will be held June 15–17 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, while the 26th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California will be held October 20–22 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

2017 HOT ROD HERITAGE SERIES SCHEDULE SET: NHRA officials have announced the 2017 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule, headlined by the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car categories. The series, celebrating its 10th season, includes classes for front-engine dragsters, altereds and gassers, along with the nitro-burning dragsters and Funny Cars. The season opens at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, January 14–15 for Groups 1 and 2, followed by the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the kick off for the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars, March 2–5, at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, and the Nostalgia Reunion at Sacramento [California] Raceway in early April. The series then heads north for the first of two stops at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor with a second stop at Sacramento Raceway slated for June 16–17.

He Said, She Said

“You would never even imagine you’d run into someone who lives in the town where you grew up. It isn’t very often that you meet people that come from Minnesota, let alone your hometown, but that sure happened today, and what a nice surprise. Sgt. Synnott was really cool, and we spoke the same language. Heck, you could tell right away that he had a connection to Minnesota—the accent gave it away. It’s interesting to think that he left Minnesota and came here to where he is right in the middle of the action. It was a neat deal, especially when we go to 24 races on the NHRA circuit, crossing the country but rarely running into someone from home. You wouldn’t expect that you’d have to cross the world to find that.”

—Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson on meeting a fellow Duluth, Minnesota, native during the Operation Appreciation tour that he was part of in Kuwait. Anderson, Jason Line, Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, along with Bigfoot Monster Truck drivers Dan Runte and Larry Swim, toured United States military bases across the Middle East and met with the troops.   

Inside the Numbers

764: Win-loss percentage for Antron Brown during his third Top Fuel world championship season. During the season, Brown won 55 rounds of racing while only suffering 17 losses. Of the championship racers, Jason Line had the best win-loss percentage at .802 and Ron Capps led Funny Car at .750. Pro Stock Motorcycle category champion Jerry Savoie was third in the win-loss record at .689 while Andrew Hines led the category at .780 and Eddie Krawiec at .776.

Did You Know

DOUG KALITTA LEADS LIST OF RACERS WITH MOST CAREER WINS WITHOUT A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE: Top Fuel racer Doug Kalitta now leads a dubious list as the racer with the most career wins to have yet to win a championship. With his most recent win in Pomona, he has 42 wins in his prolific career. National Dragster Senior Editor Candida Benson looks at many of the racers who have yet to take home a category crown.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA MOTORSPORTS COMPLETES OFF-SEASON CHANGES: Kalitta Motorsports has announced that its current Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd will move into the seat of its DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car vacated by Del Worsham. In turn, Troy Coughlin Jr. will move from the planned part-time sixth team to a full-time seat aboard the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster. Todd is making his return to the Funny Car class, but for the first time as a driver. He worked on Bob Gilberston’s Funny Car during the 2003–2005 NHRA seasons with current Kalitta employees Nicky Boninfante and Tommy DeLago.

“Connie told Jim [Oberhofer] the DHL Toyota is a special car and that I was the right guy for the job, which was a huge compliment to me,” said Todd, who will make his Funny Car debut at the Circle K Winternationals in February. “I am going to miss Del as a teammate as he has always been one of my heroes. I want to also say a huge thanks to SealMaster and their awesome franchisees. They are great people and it was an honor to represent them.”

DATES SET FOR 2017 HOT ROD REUNION EVENTS: The NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced the 2017 Hot Rod Reunion racing schedule. Unique among motorsports events, Hot Rod Reunion events honor some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and feature an array of drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot-rod eras. The 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance will be held June 15–17 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, while the 26th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California will be held October 20–22 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

2017 HOT ROD HERITAGE SERIES SCHEDULE SET: NHRA officials have announced the 2017 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule, headlined by the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car categories. The series, celebrating its 10th season, includes classes for front-engine dragsters, altereds and gassers, along with the nitro-burning dragsters and Funny Cars. The season opens at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, January 14–15 for Groups 1 and 2, followed by the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the kick off for the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars, March 2–5, at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, and the Nostalgia Reunion at Sacramento [California] Raceway in early April. The series then heads north for the first of two stops at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor with a second stop at Sacramento Raceway slated for June 16–17.

He Said, She Said

“You would never even imagine you’d run into someone who lives in the town where you grew up. It isn’t very often that you meet people that come from Minnesota, let alone your hometown, but that sure happened today, and what a nice surprise. Sgt. Synnott was really cool, and we spoke the same language. Heck, you could tell right away that he had a connection to Minnesota—the accent gave it away. It’s interesting to think that he left Minnesota and came here to where he is right in the middle of the action. It was a neat deal, especially when we go to 24 races on the NHRA circuit, crossing the country but rarely running into someone from home. You wouldn’t expect that you’d have to cross the world to find that.”

—Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson on meeting a fellow Duluth, Minnesota, native during the Operation Appreciation tour that he was part of in Kuwait. Anderson, Jason Line, Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, along with Bigfoot Monster Truck drivers Dan Runte and Larry Swim, toured United States military bases across the Middle East and met with the troops.   

Inside the Numbers

764: Win-loss percentage for Antron Brown during his third Top Fuel world championship season. During the season, Brown won 55 rounds of racing while only suffering 17 losses. Of the championship racers, Jason Line had the best win-loss percentage at .802 and Ron Capps led Funny Car at .750. Pro Stock Motorcycle category champion Jerry Savoie was third in the win-loss record at .689 while Andrew Hines led the category at .780 and Eddie Krawiec at .776.

Did You Know

DOUG KALITTA LEADS LIST OF RACERS WITH MOST CAREER WINS WITHOUT A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE: Top Fuel racer Doug Kalitta now leads a dubious list as the racer with the most career wins to have yet to win a championship. With his most recent win in Pomona, he has 42 wins in his prolific career. National Dragster Senior Editor Candida Benson looks at many of the racers who have yet to take home a category crown.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA MOTORSPORTS COMPLETES OFF-SEASON CHANGES: Kalitta Motorsports has announced that its current Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd will move into the seat of its DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car vacated by Del Worsham. In turn, Troy Coughlin Jr. will move from the planned part-time sixth team to a full-time seat aboard the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster. Todd is making his return to the Funny Car class, but for the first time as a driver. He worked on Bob Gilberston’s Funny Car during the 2003–2005 NHRA seasons with current Kalitta employees Nicky Boninfante and Tommy DeLago.

“Connie told Jim [Oberhofer] the DHL Toyota is a special car and that I was the right guy for the job, which was a huge compliment to me,” said Todd, who will make his Funny Car debut at the Circle K Winternationals in February. “I am going to miss Del as a teammate as he has always been one of my heroes. I want to also say a huge thanks to SealMaster and their awesome franchisees. They are great people and it was an honor to represent them.”

DATES SET FOR 2017 HOT ROD REUNION EVENTS: The NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced the 2017 Hot Rod Reunion racing schedule. Unique among motorsports events, Hot Rod Reunion events honor some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and feature an array of drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot-rod eras. The 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance will be held June 15–17 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, while the 26th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California will be held October 20–22 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

2017 HOT ROD HERITAGE SERIES SCHEDULE SET: NHRA officials have announced the 2017 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule, headlined by the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car categories. The series, celebrating its 10th season, includes classes for front-engine dragsters, altereds and gassers, along with the nitro-burning dragsters and Funny Cars. The season opens at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, January 14–15 for Groups 1 and 2, followed by the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the kick off for the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars, March 2–5, at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, and the Nostalgia Reunion at Sacramento [California] Raceway in early April. The series then heads north for the first of two stops at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho, the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor with a second stop at Sacramento Raceway slated for June 16–17.

He Said, She Said

“You would never even imagine you’d run into someone who lives in the town where you grew up. It isn’t very often that you meet people that come from Minnesota, let alone your hometown, but that sure happened today, and what a nice surprise. Sgt. Synnott was really cool, and we spoke the same language. Heck, you could tell right away that he had a connection to Minnesota—the accent gave it away. It’s interesting to think that he left Minnesota and came here to where he is right in the middle of the action. It was a neat deal, especially when we go to 24 races on the NHRA circuit, crossing the country but rarely running into someone from home. You wouldn’t expect that you’d have to cross the world to find that.”

—Pro Stock racer Greg Anderson on meeting a fellow Duluth, Minnesota, native during the Operation Appreciation tour that he was part of in Kuwait. Anderson, Jason Line, Eddie Krawiec, Andrew Hines, along with Bigfoot Monster Truck drivers Dan Runte and Larry Swim, toured United States military bases across the Middle East and met with the troops.   

Inside the Numbers

764: Win-loss percentage for Antron Brown during his third Top Fuel world championship season. During the season, Brown won 55 rounds of racing while only suffering 17 losses. Of the championship racers, Jason Line had the best win-loss percentage at .802 and Ron Capps led Funny Car at .750. Pro Stock Motorcycle category champion Jerry Savoie was third in the win-loss record at .689 while Andrew Hines led the category at .780 and Eddie Krawiec at .776.

Did You Know

DOUG KALITTA LEADS LIST OF RACERS WITH MOST CAREER WINS WITHOUT A CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE: Top Fuel racer Doug Kalitta now leads a dubious list as the racer with the most career wins to have yet to win a championship. With his most recent win in Pomona, he has 42 wins in his prolific career. National Dragster Senior Editor Candida Benson looks at many of the racers who have yet to take home a category crown.

By SEMA Editors

The “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” covers what vehicles are on roads and where, and provides examples of how the data can be used in the real world.

SEMA has released the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report that contains information on the current sales trends in the  light-vehicle market. This report includes information on what vehicles are on the roads and where, and provides examples of how this data can be used in the real world.

The report, developed in partnership with Experian, provides custom reports on specific vehicles to manufacturer, distributor and retailer members. Members are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.sema.org/vio.

SEMA members can also access the “SEMA Pickup Report” on pickup accessorizers, available at www.sema.org/semapickupreport.

Finally, in the near future, the association will release the “U.S. Racing Market Report,” which is SEMA’s first-ever look at the state of the racing industry in the United States.

By SEMA Editors

The “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” covers what vehicles are on roads and where, and provides examples of how the data can be used in the real world.

SEMA has released the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report that contains information on the current sales trends in the  light-vehicle market. This report includes information on what vehicles are on the roads and where, and provides examples of how this data can be used in the real world.

The report, developed in partnership with Experian, provides custom reports on specific vehicles to manufacturer, distributor and retailer members. Members are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.sema.org/vio.

SEMA members can also access the “SEMA Pickup Report” on pickup accessorizers, available at www.sema.org/semapickupreport.

Finally, in the near future, the association will release the “U.S. Racing Market Report,” which is SEMA’s first-ever look at the state of the racing industry in the United States.

By SEMA Editors

The “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” covers what vehicles are on roads and where, and provides examples of how the data can be used in the real world.

SEMA has released the “U.S. Light Vehicle Fleet Snapshot” report that contains information on the current sales trends in the  light-vehicle market. This report includes information on what vehicles are on the roads and where, and provides examples of how this data can be used in the real world.

The report, developed in partnership with Experian, provides custom reports on specific vehicles to manufacturer, distributor and retailer members. Members are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.sema.org/vio.

SEMA members can also access the “SEMA Pickup Report” on pickup accessorizers, available at www.sema.org/semapickupreport.

Finally, in the near future, the association will release the “U.S. Racing Market Report,” which is SEMA’s first-ever look at the state of the racing industry in the United States.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Kevin Fiscus set records at the World Cup Finals and World Street Nationals.

Fiscus Wins, Sets Records at World Cup Finals and World Street Nationals

Fiscus/Klugger Racing’s (FKR) Kevin Fiscus scored multiple high-profile wins and set several new world records at the Haltech World Cup Finals: Imports vs. Domestics race at Maryland International Dragway, November 4–6, 2016. Driving the Racecraft-built, 526ci Pro Line Racing 481X-powered twin-turbo Fiscus/Klugger Racing ’93 Ford Mustang, Fiscus clocked a 5.979 at 252.05-mph pass during pre-race testing—a new world speed record for a radial tire-equipped car, the quickest pass in World Cup Finals (WCF) history and the first five-second pass to be run at WCF. Fiscus continued on to go 5.973 at 251.77 mph and 5.972 at 248.71 mph with a 1.108 second 60-ft. time. He then blasted down the track during qualifying, and powered to the number-two spot in Outlaw vs. Extreme with a run of 5.928 at 249.67 mph. In eliminations, Fiscus defeated Danny Deleon, Vonnie Mills, Steve Drummond, Dale Collins Jr. and Damon Chin. With a final-round victory to clinch the overall win, Fiscus got to stand in the winner’s circle with his prize check for $20,000.

The following weekend, Fiscus and the FKR team headed to Orlando Speed World for the World Street Nationals (WSN) XXIII race. Running the PLR 481X-powered, twin turbo FKR ’12 Ford Mustang equipped, he qualified at the top of the pack in first for the Pro Mod class and set the track elapsed time record with his 5.722 at 260.46-mph hit. In the finals, he motored down the track with a 5.808 at 253-mph pass to score his third WSN win in a row and another $20,000 pay day.

Holley Announces Inaugural LS Fest West For Las Vegas in 2017

Holley Performance Products has announced the inaugural LS Fest West—an extension of Holley’s LS Fest event, set for May 5–7, 2017, in Las Vegas. LS Fest is a celebration of anything powered by the GM LS engine or current-generation LT engine. LS Fest West is not replacing the original Holley LS Fest that started it all in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2010; now there are two LS Fests—Vegas in the spring, and the original in the fall. LS Fest West in Las Vegas will include autocross, a road-course challenge, drag racing, a dyno challenge, drift challenge, show-n-shine, 3S challenge and more. The event will unfold at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kurt E. Johnson

ProMedia Names Kurt E. Johnson as NMRA/NMCA Competition Director

ProMedia Events & Publishing has announced that Kurt E. Johnson has joined the team roster as competition director for the NMRA and NMCA event series. Johnson takes over for longtime ProMedia staffer Shannon Murphy, who will step away from the role, but remains a part of the ProMedia family. As competition director, Johnson will run on-track operations for both ProMedia series events, and will work directly with Racing Operations Director Gene Bergstrom and General Manager Rollie Miller. Johnson’s extensive experience began as a youth racing at dragstrips in the Northwest, and he eventually worked his way up the ranks and into the NHRA national event team. From there, he served as operations director at both Don Schumacher Racing and at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis, where he created the successful Friday Night Race program, and was integral in bringing the NMCA program to the facility. After accepting an offer from the Bader family to be track manager at Summit Motorsports Park, Johnson brought the NMCA and NMRA to Norwalk, and was able to secure the rights to the Shakedown event. In 2015, Johnson ventured out on his own as proprietor of Total Venue Concepts. Johnson will direct his first event in March 2017 with the 23rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. 

MAVTV Set to Launch in Canada

MAVTV Motorsports Network, in partnership with media executive Mike Garrow, has announced that a distribution agreement has been signed, making MAVTV Motorsports Network available to all 115 CCSA members across Canada. MAVTV is set to start airing their motorsports content Tuesday, January 10, 2017. The launch date will coincide with the live broadcast of the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals—the largest indoor race in North America. MAVTV Motorsports Network will feature exclusive automotive and motorsports programming, such as “The Dave Despain Show,” “Full Custom Garage,” “Stacey David’s GearZ” and “Speed Sport” hosted by Ralph Sheheen in partnership with National Speed Sports News. MAVTVCanada is operated by REV Sports Entertainment Inc.—a subsidiary of Neon Star Sports & Entertainment Inc.

SpeedVideo and the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) have announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast PDRA drag-racing events, starting with the 2017 season.

PDRA and SpeedVideo Team Up for Multi-Year Live Stream Broadcast Partnership for PDRA Drag Racing Series

SpeedVideo and the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) have announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast PDRA drag-racing events, starting with the 2017 season. The PDRA is a professional eighth-mile organization, home to the world’s fastest eighth-mile doorslammers. The series features five professional categories, some of which top 230 mph in 660 ft. With SpeedVideo, drag-racing fans all over the world will be able to watch PDRA’s biggest stars in HD with studio-quality audio. In addition to live HD broadcasts on SpeedVideo.com and Facebook Live, SpeedVideo will often share the same high-definition live race coverage to Dragzine.com and other Power Automedia magazines. The official PDRA SpeedVideo broadcast schedule will be released in the near future.

Champion Racing Oil Sponsors the 2017 Great Race; Announces 2017 “Elite Racer” Program

Champion Racing Oil has announced the sponsorship of the 2017 Great Race, and that the overall winner will receive $50,000 in prize money with a total purse more than $150,000. The professional road rally is June 24–July 2. The Great Race is a nine-day journey that covers nearly 2,500 miles in vehicles built in ’72 and earlier. The Great Race route will visit nearly 20 city stops along the way traveling through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. With $150,000 up for grabs, The Great Race, presented by Hemmings Motor News and Coker Tire, is an automotive competition based on precision driving and navigational skills in classic, antique and vintage automobiles. The competition, which was founded in 1983, contains numerous timed endurance rally stages. There are 100 entries this year in the competition. In addition to the cash payouts, Champion, a long-time corporate sponsor of the race, will present a Championship Belt and $1,000 in racing oil to the highest finishing team overall using Champion lubricants. 

Champion Racing Oil also has announced the details for its 2017 “Elite Racer” program, providing support for participants in almost every recognized sanctioned racing event in North America and Canada. 

“The Champion 2017 ‘Elite Racer’ Program in conjunction with Lane Automotive is an all-encompassing marketing program designed to link our racing and performance lubricants directly to regional and national racers for most sanctioned racing events in North America including the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), World of Outlaws (WoO), and the United States Auto Club (USAC),” said Karl Dedolph, director of racing and performance products for Champion Oil. “Champion’s new 2017 ‘Elite Racer’ program supports race teams from dirt track to pavement, circle track to drag racing, tractor pull to diesel motorsports, etc., with special pricing, sponsor decals, product support and technical advice.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Kevin Fiscus set records at the World Cup Finals and World Street Nationals.

Fiscus Wins, Sets Records at World Cup Finals and World Street Nationals

Fiscus/Klugger Racing’s (FKR) Kevin Fiscus scored multiple high-profile wins and set several new world records at the Haltech World Cup Finals: Imports vs. Domestics race at Maryland International Dragway, November 4–6, 2016. Driving the Racecraft-built, 526ci Pro Line Racing 481X-powered twin-turbo Fiscus/Klugger Racing ’93 Ford Mustang, Fiscus clocked a 5.979 at 252.05-mph pass during pre-race testing—a new world speed record for a radial tire-equipped car, the quickest pass in World Cup Finals (WCF) history and the first five-second pass to be run at WCF. Fiscus continued on to go 5.973 at 251.77 mph and 5.972 at 248.71 mph with a 1.108 second 60-ft. time. He then blasted down the track during qualifying, and powered to the number-two spot in Outlaw vs. Extreme with a run of 5.928 at 249.67 mph. In eliminations, Fiscus defeated Danny Deleon, Vonnie Mills, Steve Drummond, Dale Collins Jr. and Damon Chin. With a final-round victory to clinch the overall win, Fiscus got to stand in the winner’s circle with his prize check for $20,000.

The following weekend, Fiscus and the FKR team headed to Orlando Speed World for the World Street Nationals (WSN) XXIII race. Running the PLR 481X-powered, twin turbo FKR ’12 Ford Mustang equipped, he qualified at the top of the pack in first for the Pro Mod class and set the track elapsed time record with his 5.722 at 260.46-mph hit. In the finals, he motored down the track with a 5.808 at 253-mph pass to score his third WSN win in a row and another $20,000 pay day.

Holley Announces Inaugural LS Fest West For Las Vegas in 2017

Holley Performance Products has announced the inaugural LS Fest West—an extension of Holley’s LS Fest event, set for May 5–7, 2017, in Las Vegas. LS Fest is a celebration of anything powered by the GM LS engine or current-generation LT engine. LS Fest West is not replacing the original Holley LS Fest that started it all in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2010; now there are two LS Fests—Vegas in the spring, and the original in the fall. LS Fest West in Las Vegas will include autocross, a road-course challenge, drag racing, a dyno challenge, drift challenge, show-n-shine, 3S challenge and more. The event will unfold at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kurt E. Johnson

ProMedia Names Kurt E. Johnson as NMRA/NMCA Competition Director

ProMedia Events & Publishing has announced that Kurt E. Johnson has joined the team roster as competition director for the NMRA and NMCA event series. Johnson takes over for longtime ProMedia staffer Shannon Murphy, who will step away from the role, but remains a part of the ProMedia family. As competition director, Johnson will run on-track operations for both ProMedia series events, and will work directly with Racing Operations Director Gene Bergstrom and General Manager Rollie Miller. Johnson’s extensive experience began as a youth racing at dragstrips in the Northwest, and he eventually worked his way up the ranks and into the NHRA national event team. From there, he served as operations director at both Don Schumacher Racing and at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis, where he created the successful Friday Night Race program, and was integral in bringing the NMCA program to the facility. After accepting an offer from the Bader family to be track manager at Summit Motorsports Park, Johnson brought the NMCA and NMRA to Norwalk, and was able to secure the rights to the Shakedown event. In 2015, Johnson ventured out on his own as proprietor of Total Venue Concepts. Johnson will direct his first event in March 2017 with the 23rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. 

MAVTV Set to Launch in Canada

MAVTV Motorsports Network, in partnership with media executive Mike Garrow, has announced that a distribution agreement has been signed, making MAVTV Motorsports Network available to all 115 CCSA members across Canada. MAVTV is set to start airing their motorsports content Tuesday, January 10, 2017. The launch date will coincide with the live broadcast of the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals—the largest indoor race in North America. MAVTV Motorsports Network will feature exclusive automotive and motorsports programming, such as “The Dave Despain Show,” “Full Custom Garage,” “Stacey David’s GearZ” and “Speed Sport” hosted by Ralph Sheheen in partnership with National Speed Sports News. MAVTVCanada is operated by REV Sports Entertainment Inc.—a subsidiary of Neon Star Sports & Entertainment Inc.

SpeedVideo and the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) have announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast PDRA drag-racing events, starting with the 2017 season.

PDRA and SpeedVideo Team Up for Multi-Year Live Stream Broadcast Partnership for PDRA Drag Racing Series

SpeedVideo and the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) have announced a multi-year agreement to live broadcast PDRA drag-racing events, starting with the 2017 season. The PDRA is a professional eighth-mile organization, home to the world’s fastest eighth-mile doorslammers. The series features five professional categories, some of which top 230 mph in 660 ft. With SpeedVideo, drag-racing fans all over the world will be able to watch PDRA’s biggest stars in HD with studio-quality audio. In addition to live HD broadcasts on SpeedVideo.com and Facebook Live, SpeedVideo will often share the same high-definition live race coverage to Dragzine.com and other Power Automedia magazines. The official PDRA SpeedVideo broadcast schedule will be released in the near future.

Champion Racing Oil Sponsors the 2017 Great Race; Announces 2017 “Elite Racer” Program

Champion Racing Oil has announced the sponsorship of the 2017 Great Race, and that the overall winner will receive $50,000 in prize money with a total purse more than $150,000. The professional road rally is June 24–July 2. The Great Race is a nine-day journey that covers nearly 2,500 miles in vehicles built in ’72 and earlier. The Great Race route will visit nearly 20 city stops along the way traveling through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. With $150,000 up for grabs, The Great Race, presented by Hemmings Motor News and Coker Tire, is an automotive competition based on precision driving and navigational skills in classic, antique and vintage automobiles. The competition, which was founded in 1983, contains numerous timed endurance rally stages. There are 100 entries this year in the competition. In addition to the cash payouts, Champion, a long-time corporate sponsor of the race, will present a Championship Belt and $1,000 in racing oil to the highest finishing team overall using Champion lubricants. 

Champion Racing Oil also has announced the details for its 2017 “Elite Racer” program, providing support for participants in almost every recognized sanctioned racing event in North America and Canada. 

“The Champion 2017 ‘Elite Racer’ Program in conjunction with Lane Automotive is an all-encompassing marketing program designed to link our racing and performance lubricants directly to regional and national racers for most sanctioned racing events in North America including the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), American Sprint Car Series (ASCS), World of Outlaws (WoO), and the United States Auto Club (USAC),” said Karl Dedolph, director of racing and performance products for Champion Oil. “Champion’s new 2017 ‘Elite Racer’ program supports race teams from dirt track to pavement, circle track to drag racing, tractor pull to diesel motorsports, etc., with special pricing, sponsor decals, product support and technical advice.”

This is the ’18 Ford Mustang GT Coupe, caught for the first time running with active quad exhaust. The Mustang GT convertible has previously been seen wearing this option, but with more of a muled-up exhaust setup. This GT coupe, though, appears to conceal the full-on production-intent look.

The Mustang will get some minor changes for 2018 to keep it fresh after its comprehensive redo in 2015. The styling should be tweaked and new special editions and trim packages offered, such as the Mach 1.

More significant changes are expected under the skin, with a new 10-speed automatic finding its way into the Mustang, along with likely changes to improve power and economy. It’s unclear if the naturally aspirated V6 will continue.

Expect to see the ’18 Mustang early next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is the ’18 Ford Mustang GT Coupe, caught for the first time running with active quad exhaust. The Mustang GT convertible has previously been seen wearing this option, but with more of a muled-up exhaust setup. This GT coupe, though, appears to conceal the full-on production-intent look.

The Mustang will get some minor changes for 2018 to keep it fresh after its comprehensive redo in 2015. The styling should be tweaked and new special editions and trim packages offered, such as the Mach 1.

More significant changes are expected under the skin, with a new 10-speed automatic finding its way into the Mustang, along with likely changes to improve power and economy. It’s unclear if the naturally aspirated V6 will continue.

Expect to see the ’18 Mustang early next year.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde