Category: Other Series PR

[media-credit name=”IZOD IndyCar Series” align=”alignright” width=”287″][/media-credit]Hearing scheduled for May 9 in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 3, 2012) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, has scheduled a hearing for an appeal filed by General Motors (GM) regarding the use of a 0.74 A/R compressor cover for the single turbocharger.

INDYCAR approved use of the compressor cover on April 18, GM protested INDYCAR’s decision, and a panel denied the protest in a hearing on April 28.

The appeal hearing will take place Wednesday, May 9, in Indianapolis. Honda, the only manufacturer utilizing the single turbocharger, has been invited to participate in the hearing.

The proceedings will be closed to the public and media.  The appeal decision will be final and binding (Rule 13.11).

In his role as Appeal Official, and pursuant to rule 13.4, INDYCAR President of Operations and Strategy Brian Barnhart has elected to utilize an individual to resolve the appeal. Retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice Theodore R. Boehm will hear the proceedings.

Justice Boehm retired from the Court on Sept. 30, 2010. Justice Boehm brings his substantial and unique experience to bear on matters through mediation, arbitration and private judge services with the Van Winkle – Baten Dispute Resolution group. As a private lawyer, in-house counsel, and managing partner of an Indiana law firm, Justice Boehm has participated in the negotiated settlement of a large number of complex business disputes.  He also had extensive experience in negotiating substantial transactions including business acquisitions and dispositions, real estate transactions and a variety of commercial agreements. He served as Chairman and CEO of the organizing committee for the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, and was the first President and CEO of Indiana Sports Corporation.

13.4. Jurisdiction – The Appeal Official shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to resolve all appeals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Appeal Official shall have the right to select an individual or individuals to resolve an appeal with all of the powers and responsibilities of the Appeal Official set forth in this Rule 13. The jurisdiction of the Appeal Official is limited to those matters and issues submitted in the appellant’s written appeal. The decision which is the subject of the appeal shall not be stayed pending the appeal unless otherwise determined by the Appeal Official and upon such terms as the Appeal Official deems appropriate.

13.11. Appeal Procedure Final – Decisions of Officials shall be final and binding unless such decisions and penalties may be protestable under the Rules, are protested, and appealed within the time limitations and other procedures prescribed by the Rules, and such protests or appeals are pending.

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit]Talladega, AL (May 3, 2012) — Germantown, TN native Kevin Swindell, son of legendary three-time National Sprint Car Champion Sammy Swindell has signed on with Venturini Motorsports for eight races beginning with the ARCA Racing Series International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway.

“I’m really excited to work with Venturini and finally get an opportunity to compete in the ARCA Series for a good amount of races. Having an eight race deal will give me an opportunity to get comfortable with the team and car instead of just showing up at the track and trying to figure things out as I’ve done in my previous series starts,” stated Swindell.

“As far as starting at Talladega I feel really comfortable with Billy (Venturini) and his team as these guys seem to have the restrictor plate stuff figured out. I expect to qualify well and start near the front.”

The 23-year old Swindell has run limited ARCA and NASCAR Nationwide races since 2008 and looks to gain more stock-car experience as he joins his new team for selective speedway and dirt races in ARCA Racing Series.

Official: www.KevinSwindell.com  |  Twitter @KevinSwindell  |  Facebook: Kevin Swindell Racing

ABOUT VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS
Venturini Motorsports (VMS), fielding cars in the ARCA Racing Series, is one of the premier NASCAR driver development programs in the country. The 2012 season marks the teams 30th Anniversary of competition in the ARCA Series. Multiple team championships and consistent on-track success, VMS has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in motorsports.

Since 2007, VMS has assisted in the career development of notable NASCAR drivers such as Joey Logano, Justin Allgaier, Steve Arpin, Brian Scott, Max Gresham, Miguel Paludo, Josh Richards, Ryan Blaney, and Scott Lagasse, Jr.

Official: www.VenturiniMotorsports.com  |  Twitter @VenturiniMotor  |  Facebook: Venturini Motorsports

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit](TALLADEGA, Ala.) – In honor of its 60th Anniversary Season and in conjunction with this week’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 at Talladega Superspeedway, the Automobile Racing Club of America will unveil a dynamic new wall display this evening at the Hall.

Two walls – 16 feet and 18 feet long – feature the greatest moments and stars from ARCA history. One wall features plaques for each of the 29 champions over 59 prior years of ARCA competition, from Jim Romine in 1953 to Ty Dillon in 2011.

The opposite wall, directly facing the champion wall, is a collage of images spanning each of ARCA’s six decades – a mix of black-and-white and color imagery spotlighting the most recognizable people, cars, and moments that have made ARCA a racing favorite for generations. The display leads to the main showroom of race cars from numerous racing disciplines and a trophy showcase which features every inductee since the Hall’s inaugural induction in 1990, placing the more modern look at ARCA’s history in a prime position for Hall visitors.

Design of the walls took place this spring. The display was installed this week by Chuck Stranc and Derek Rohrs of CGS Imaging, the Maumee, Ohio-based Official Wide Format Digital Printing Supplier of ARCA and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

ARCA will participate in a special Hall of Fame press conference tonight at 6 p.m. to officially unveil the new display and open it to visitors. The press conference will take place just before the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, which will feature NASCAR and ARCA team owner champion Richard Childress and NHRA legends Kenny Bernstein and John Force.

Dillon, last season’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion and a grandson of Childress, will be recognized at the ceremony for his ARCA title – an annual custom. Tomorrow, Childress himself will be the race grand marshal and deliver to ARCA competitors the command to start engines for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250, the fourth race of ARCA’s 60th season.

Tomorrow’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 will air live on SPEED at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. Central). ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage, as well as live audio coverage of the race, as presented by WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM of Alabama.

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards’ 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota’s Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA’s first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

[media-credit name=”hometracks.nascar.com” align=”alignright” width=”220″][/media-credit]JASON WHITE GEARING UP FOR 2012 SEASON

May 3, 2012.  Sun Peaks, British Columbia racer Jason White, voted Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2011, is gearing up for the new season and has his sights set on taking another step up the ladder of success.

Once again this season White will be competing in the #21 Dodge and is eager to return  to racing action in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, especially since the series will open competition for 2012 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport) where White achieved his best career finish in the series last year.  “That race last year was a real boost for us” said White.  “We’d already had a couple of top-ten finishes and then to run sixth on that tough road course really gave our whole team momentum” he added.

It’s been a very busy off season for Jason White and the #21 Dodge team and a number of changes have taken place.  This year the entire racing operation will come out of the DJK Racing shop under the direction of DJ Kennington.  “We had Doug Kennington horsepower last year and it just made economic sense for DJ to look after the whole project” stated White.

Crew Chief on the #21 Dodge will be NCATS veteran Brian Ellas.  “I’ve gotten to know Brian over the last couple of seasons, he’s worked with championship winning teams in this series and he knows what it takes to get us to that level.  I’m really excited to have him on board” said White.

Jason White has competed in 54 NCATS events and is beginning his fifth full time season of competition in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  A significant accomplishment in itself, but White also runs a very successful excavating business in Sun Peaks, BC and has an active family.  “It’s not always easy being based in BC, but we have found a way to make it work with our partners” said White.  “It shows the kind of dedication our whole group has in what we’re doing” he added.

At first glance race fans will notice an immediate difference in the driver for 2012.  White has undertaken an intense off season conditioning program and the results are showing.  “I’ve dropped nearly 40 pounds” said the driver.  “My physical fitness has never been better and I know it’s going to make a difference during season to stay fresh and maintain focus in the car.

One of the most skilled series participants in Social Media, Jason White has been keeping fans up to date with his off season fitness program through his website, Facebook page and twitter account.  “The fans have been really supportive” said an enthusiastic White.  “I’ve been getting lots of encouragement to keep at it”.

There will also be a new look to the #21 Dodge this coming season. “Our agreement with A & W Canada has changed from previous years” explained White.  “They’ll still be part of the program however they chose to scale back and we’re making arrangements for other partners to join us and still have some opportunities.  We’ll hopefully be making further announcements shortly” he added.

Jason White and the #21 Dodge team will compete in the entire 2012 NCATS schedule that will take the team from coast to coast in Canada for the 12 events.  For the latest off season news about Jason White and the #21 Dodge team check out the team website at www.jasonwhiteracing.com and be sure to follow Jason on twitter for the latest updates @racinjasonwhite  You can get more information about the NCATS series at www.hometracks.nascar.com

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit]“Set to make second-career ARCA start in No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford”

TALLADEGA, Ala. (May 2, 2012) – After a break of over two months since his last ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in February, 23-year-old Rookie Aleks Gregory and his Motorhead Racing Company team are ready to make their ARCA return when the green flag drops for the start of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 on Friday, May 4 at Talladega Superspeedway. While the Louisiana-native will only be making only his second-career ARCA and stock car start, Gregory comes to the 2.66-mile Superspeedway with an air of confidence after a solid debut in the season-opening event at DIS.

One might think that making his first stock car start on racing’s biggest stage (DIS) would be a tall order, but Gregory proved he was up to the challenge when he ran in the top-15 for much of the race before a mechanical problem sidelined his No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford shy of the finish at Daytona. Armed with a little more experience and a veteran crew chief, former ARCA race winning driver Mark Gibson, Gregory is ready to prove that run was no fluke while showing off his talents and bringing his trademark camouflage colors to the front on the high banks at the series’ largest track.

“Talladega is a little bit different from Daytona, but it drives and races virtually the same,” said Gregory. “I’m pretty confident going into the race. In Daytona I didn’t really know what to expect; that was definitely a new experience for me, but after getting that first race under my belt and a little more seat time in the stock car I am really excited to get to the race started on Friday. It would be great to just get to the finish of the race but to finish up front with my Mosquito Patch Ford would just be awesome.”

A three-hour practice session begins the Talladega race weekend for Gregory and the other stars of the ARCA Racing Series on Thursday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. CDT with Menards Pole qualifying presented by Ansell kicking off at 5:05 p.m. On Friday, a final practice from 11-11:55 a.m. will precede the 94-lap race which will air live on SPEED at 4 p.m. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage, as well as a live audio broadcast as presented by WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM of Talladega.

Aleks Gregory and the No. 78 The Mosquito Patch Ford Fast Facts:

Gregory at Talladega: Aleks Gregory will be making his first-career start at Talladega Superspeedway. It will mark his second-career ARCA Racing Series start.

Testing, Testing: Gregory and his Mosquito Patch team participated in the ARCA Racing Series test in April along with teammate John Ferrier. Running over 100 laps in the two-day test session, Gregory was able to work in the draft as well as on single-car runs.

This Week’s Ford: Alex Gregory will be piloting a Ford Fusion powered by Roush/Yates engines. It is the same car they used to qualify 19th at Daytona before running in the top-15 for much of the race. Chad McCumbee drove to an eighth-place finish at Daytona last year.

Signing for a Cause: Immediately following Friday’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 250 Gregory along with teammate John Ferrier will be signing autographs at the 27th Annual Race Fever Dinner and Auction. MRN’s Steve Post will be conducting deriver interviews on stage while Michael Waltrip conducts a live auction. All proceeds for Race Fever will benefit the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. For more information log on towww.racefever.org.

Autographs: Fans will have the chance to meet Aleks Gregory and all their favorite ARCA Racing Seriesdrivers on Friday, May 4. The ARCA Racing Series will host an all-access open garage from drivers on Saturday, February 18 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. CDT.

Find Out More: For more information on Motorhead Racing Company and The Mosquito Patch log on towww.AleksGregory.com and www.TheMosquitoPatch.us.

About The Mosquito Patch

Based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Mosquito Patch is an all-natural, deet free mosquito bite protection patch. The transdermal, water-proof patch attaches to the skin and provides up to 36 hours of mosquito bite protection. Because the spray-free, odor-free patch is all-natural, it is safe to use on children and adults of all ages.

[media-credit name=”indianapolismotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”295″][/media-credit]INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – Beloved actor-entertainer Jim Nabors will not attend the 96th Indianapolis 500 due to heart-valve replacement surgery scheduled for MemorialDay weekend, but he will continue his tradition of singing “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” during pre-race ceremonies.

A film crew will travel to Nabors’ home in Hawaii this month to record him singing “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” to be played on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Public Address and video boards Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I am very disappointed that I will not be at this year’s Indianapolis 500,” Nabors said. “I have attended nearly 40 races and been honored to sing ‘Back Home Again.’ There is no place I would rather be on Memorial Day weekend than with my family of Indianapolis 500 fans. I am looking forward to returning and singing in person once again in 2013.”

Nabors has performed “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” during pre-race ceremonies 33 times since 1972, creating an indelible pre-race tradition. He has sung every year since 1987 except for 2007, when he missed the race due to illness.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is disappointed to confirm that Jim Nabors will not be able to attend the 2012 Indianapolis 500 and perform his much cherished version of ‘(Back Home Again in) Indiana,’” said Jeff Belskus, IMS president and chief executive officer. “Jim’s performance and appearance have been a tradition at the Indianapolis 500 and one that our fans worldwide have embraced. For a moment, Jim is able to make everyone, no matter where they live or where they are from, feel as if they are Hoosiers.

“On behalf of IMS and our fans, we offer our prayers and best wishes to Jim for a speedy recovery and are looking forward to his return to the Indianapolis 500 next year.”

***

2012 Indianapolis 500 tickets: Tickets are on sale for the 96th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 27, 2012 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Race Day ticket prices start at just $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or by visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

Children 12 and under will be receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2012 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.