Category: Other Series PR

[media-credit name=”IZOD IndyCar Series” align=”alignright” width=”287″][/media-credit]Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. Pre-Indy grid penalties to be served after Indianapolis 500

2. THE INSIDE TRACK – Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle

3. Legge joins The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Team SCF

4. Hunter-Reay to be featured in INDYCAR 36

5. KV Racing Technology penalized

1. Pre-Indy grid penalties to be served after Indianapolis 500: Any 10-grid position penalties for unapproved engine changes in the three weeks following the Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle on April 29 will not be served for the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR vice president of technology Will Phillips said.

The period covers the IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test on May 7 at Texas Motor Speedway, rookie and team testing, and on-track activity at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through Bump Day on May 20.

“We do not intend to apply any penalties that will disrupt the Indy 500 starting field from their qualifying positions,” Phillips said. “We’re not saying there will not be any penalties; the penalties just won’t be served at Indianapolis. They’ll carry that penalty forward to the next event. Likewise, if someone racks up two penalties, they will go forward to the next two events.”

Rules 15.5.1 and 15.6.1 outline the penalty for a change-out if the engine has not reached its minimum mileage threshold.

Indy 500 entrants will receive a fresh Chevrolet, Honda or Lotus engine for the 500 Mile Race, which Phillips expects teams to install for the final practice session on Miller Lite Carb Day. If a team experiences an engine issue during the one-hour session May 25 that requires it to be replaced, it would be subject to 10-grid position penalty for its next race.

The fresh engine for Race Day will count as one of the five per entry during the season. The entry will continue to use that engine until it has reached the 1,850-mile threshold for service or incurs a problem that forces its replacement. Then the engine with unused miles from pre-Carb Day will be returned for use until it has reached its mileage expiration.

2. THE INSIDE TRACK – Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle

Click on this link to access the Inside Track, an interactive graphic previewing the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle.

The graphic contains links to videos featuring 2011 race highlights, a driver preview and a virtual lap.

The official entry list and fast facts for the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle are also available on the graphic.

If the link does not function, it is attached to this e-mail.

We hope you find this a valuable asset in your coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series. We appreciate your coverage of the league, its teams and drivers.

3. Legge joins The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Team SCF: IZOD Indy Car Series driver Katherine Legge has joined The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Team SCF campaign, an effort to promote sun-safe behaviors among active people.

“I am happy and honored to represent The Skin Cancer Foundation and I want to make a difference,” said Legge. “If only one person gets this message and it prevents them from getting skin cancer, it will have been time well spent.”

Skin cancer is primarily a lifestyle disease, which is why The Skin Cancer Foundation emphasizes public awareness and education campaigns. Team SCF was developed after a variety of professional athletes approached the Foundation with the common goal of raising skin cancer awareness.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, which is also INDYCAR’s most exciting month for racing. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime due to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

After having a suspicious mole removed from her leg as a child, Legge committed herself to leading a sun-safe lifestyle.

The UK-native has joined a team of athletes from a variety of outdoor fields to share one common mission: skin cancer prevention. Fellow Team SCF members include PGA Tour golfer Brian Davis, bass angler Preston Clark, professional snowboarder Shayne Pospisil, top-ranked surfer Mick Fanning and U.S. Women’s Soccer Olympic Gold-medalists Christie Rampone and Lindsey Tarpley.

4. Hunter-Reay to be featured in INDYCAR 36: Just about everywhere Ryan Hunter-Reay went during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, an IMS Productions camera was rolling for “INDYCAR 36.”

The third episode, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at IZOD IndyCar Series drivers on race weekends, airs at 10:30 a.m. (ET) April 29 on NBC Sports Network as the lead-in to coverage of the Sao Paulo Indy 300.

KV Racing Technology driver Tony Kanaan and Graham Rahal have been featured in “INDYCAR 36” so far.

“You don’t realize when you shoot them how it’s going to come out, and I can’t thank the NBC guys enough for what they did,” Kanaan said. “I’m getting very positive feedback from everywhere. We tried to have some fun and be as natural as we could, so I hope everyone liked it.”

5. KV Racing Technology penalized: IZOD IndyCar Series officials have penalized the No. 11 car of KV Racing Technology for failing post-race technical inspection following the April 15 race on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. The team did not comply with Rule 14.7.2 and has been fined an undisclosed amount.

Per the IZOD IndyCar Series Rulebook:

14.7.2. The maximum capacity of the fuel cell shall be 18.5 U.S. Gallons.

***

[media-credit name=”IZOD IndyCar Series” align=”alignright” width=”287″][/media-credit]INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 24, 2012) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the IZOD IndyCar Series, has scheduled a hearing for a protest filed by General Motors (GM) regarding INDYCAR’s April 18 decision to approve use of a 0.74 A/R compressor cover for the single turbocharger.

The hearing will take place April 26 in Indianapolis.

Honda and Lotus have been invited to participate in the hearing pursuant to rule 12.4.5.

In his role as Race Director and pursuant to Rule 12.5, INDYCAR president of competition Beaux Barfield has elected to utilize a three-person panel to resolve the protest. The panel will consist of:

· One individual selected by Honda, which is currently the only manufacturer utilizing the single turbocharger

· One individual selected by GM

· One individual mutually agreed upon by Honda and GM.

Pending the decision of the panel, the April 18 decision of INDYCAR shall not be stayed pursuant to Rule 12.5.

Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR, said: “It is INDYCAR’s job to review, enforce and uphold the current rules. It must be our position to make the best decision possible from the rules that we all established.”

Per Section 12 of the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook:

12.4.5. Affected Member – Any Member who is entitled to protest an issue being protested by another Member is an interested party who has the right to be heard but whose own interest will not be controlled by the protest or appeal decision unless INDYCAR chooses to provide relief. Likewise, a Member whose interest may be affected by a protest by another Member has a right to be heard at a protest hearing.

12.5. Jurisdiction – The Race Director shall have the exclusive jurisdiction to resolve all protests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Race Director shall have the right to select an individual or individuals to resolve a protest with all of the powers and responsibilities of the Race Director set forth in this Rule 12. The jurisdiction of Race Director is limited to those matters and issues submitted in the written protest to the Race Director by the protestant. The decision which is the subject of the protest shall not be stayed pending the protest unless otherwise determined by the Race Director and upon such terms as the Race Director deems appropriate.

12.7. Hearing of the Protest – The Race Director may cause an investigation to be made into the matters surrounding the protest and shall convene a hearing within 14 days of receipt of the protest unless the hearing date is extended by the mutual agreement of the Race Director and the protestant. The protestant and any Member requesting an opportunity to participate and who the Race Director determines has a material interest in the proceeding shall be given notice of the hearing and shall be entitled to be heard and given an opportunity to call witnesses. The effect on championship point standings does not constitute a “material interest”. It is the Race Director’s decision as to whether to permit a Member to be represented by counsel at the hearing.

[media-credit name=”IZOD IndyCar Series” align=”alignright” width=”287″][/media-credit]Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. If you missed it: April 24 Conference Call

2. Jourdain links up with Rahal for Indy 500 return

3. Sao Paulo circuit gets fine-tuned for Year 3

4. Dollar General to sponsor Newgarden at Indianapolis

5. Power wins first quarter Driver Of The Year

 

1. If you missed it: April 24 Conference Call: Earlier today, Rahal Letterman Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal and driver Michel Jourdain Jr. participated in a media conference call to discuss the announcement that Jourdain will drive for the team in the Indianapolis 500 (See Note below). IZOD IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves also participated to preview this weekend’s Sao Paulo Indy 300. A full transcript and a broadcast-quality MP3 are available at media.indycar.com. Selected quotes from the interview are below.

***

Q. Bobby, can you talk about today’s announcement and renewing your relationship with Michel who was very successful racing with your team in the not‑so‑distant past.

BOBBY RAHAL: Well, thank you. You know, I think we’re very excited about this partnership again. Michel did a very, very good job for us really at some of the high points in Indy car racing in 2002, 2003, and probably should have won a few more. Not through his fault, but other things.

I’m just pleased that we’ve been able to put something back together with him. We started this discussion at Las Vegas actually last year and were able to work hard, and here we are. So I’m very pleased to have him back with us. He’s still only 35 years old. I think people forget how young he was. He was 19 when he went to Indy for the 500 the first time, so he’s only 35, younger than Franchitti and many others in this series. I think good drivers are good drivers. They acclimate themselves to whatever it is they’re driving quickly. So I anticipate we’ll have a very good month with Michel as part of the team.

Q. Last year the team came within a few laps of winning the Indy 500. Do you feel like the pairing of Michel with Takuma Sato gives you another chance at winning a 500?

BOBBY RAHAL: Well, I think every time you go to Indy it’s a pretty unpredictable race, so anything can happen. If there had been a yellow with four or five laps to go, there would be a Belgian Indy 500 champion today, but that didn’t come to pass.

But nevertheless, I’m very pleased with where we’re going technically. I think we’re in form. The first few races have shown that. My feeling is that now we can have a competitive month. It’s going to take a lot of effort to be sure, but no different than with anybody else. It’s just up to us to make the best of it.

***

Q. It’s been 16 years since you last raced in the Indianapolis 500. What brings you back to the speedway to race this year?

MICHEL JOURDAIN: Well, really, you know, I came to the Vegas race and I’ve been following, of course, IndyCar all this time. I have all this time a lot of friends there, and then I want to come and try to do something. I spoke to Bobby and then spoke to the guys from Office Depot in México, and things have started running, and it’s really a dream for me to get back into driving in IndyCar, especially in IndyCar’s race to get back with Bobby’s team. To go to St. Pete and to Long Beach, and there’s so many people that were there 10 years ago when I was driving. I spent the best years of my life with Bobby, and I think it’s a good situation to get back in it.

MODERATOR: What do you expect from the new IZOD IndyCar Series car? I guess this would be a good year to come back with everyone having less familiarity with the car at Indianapolis.

MICHEL JOURDAIN: Yes. It’s part of the thinking that, you know, everybody is starting from scratch. Bobby’s engineering group I think is really, really good, to see how they’ve done these races. They’ve done an amazing job, and every year, Bobby, the last couple years, the team has done a fantastic job. I think it’s a good situation and a great year.

It feels good, from the sponsors to the team to the fans. Like I said, it’s fantastic. And we think it’s a fantastic time to get back in it.

***

Q. Helio, the season so far, is it what you expected, and do you think you have what it takes to win on the streets of Saõ Paulo?

HELIO CASTRONEVES: Yeah, the team has certainly been doing a phenomenal job starting obviously three races of the season and able to capture three wins. Certainly I feel great. I feel very good about the season, especially after what we had last year, and we feel great.

Unfortunately last race we had a little bit of issues with traffic and incidents, but we want to continue carrying this good momentum with the team, especially here in my hometown of Brazil. Certainly there is a lot of hype and there is a lot of excitement for this race. Everybody is really pumped. Hopefully Mother Nature helps this year so that we can have a dry race, and that will help the Brazilians.

Q. You have three big feats, and I would assume they’re probably goals for you, that you have a strong chance to capture the season, with one of them winning in your hometown on Sunday. Second one you can win your record-tying fourth 500 at the end of May, and the third one is winning your first series championship. In what order would you rank those three feats that you’d like to accomplish?

HELIO CASTRONEVES: Good question. I dream big, and my dream is to capture all of them, and I have no order. The order for me is as it comes, so Brazil, Indy, and then the championship. Certainly if you’ve got to choose one, I always dream about Indy and even now so close to do something very amazing. No question Indy would be an incredible achievement.

But again, for me, it’s race and go out there to do my best and try to capture all my goals, and the goals is to win. Unfortunately there is a lot of people against that goal, and that’s what we face every weekend in and out trying to beat everyone, and that’s the beauty of the sport.

So I’m really excited to start the season the way we started so that we can achieve all the goals. And hopefully when we talk about it, we’ll be inside.

2. Jourdain links up with Rahal for Indy 500 return: Sixteen years between Indianapolis 500 efforts is viewed more as an opportunity than an obstacle to Michel Jourdain Jr., who will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 96th running of the race on May 27.

“I am extremely happy about this new opportunity,” said Jourdain, 35, of Mexico City. “In St. Pete and Long Beach when I walked in the paddock and saw all my friends (drivers, owners, team members, media, etc.) I felt like I had been away just for a few months, but it is actually eight years, and that is a lot. I have been working out harder than ever, to make sure I am as fit as possible.

“I know it is a huge challenge to drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after so long and with this type of cars, but I hope that I will feel at home in a few days.”

The event record between starts is 17 years (1930-47) by Cy Marshall and Roland Free.

“I have only competed in the Indy 500 once in 1996, but you can always see that this race is the best,” Jourdain added. “Bobby and I spoke in Las Vegas, but also I came to the new shop in Indy the first days of January. I saw in Bobby a big commitment to get back to the top in Indy car racing. With the hiring of Tom Anderson and the very strong engineering group, I feel this is the best chance for me to come back strong. Everybody in the team knows that it will take some time for me to re-adapt to this type of cars and racing, but with the showings Takuma (Sato) had in the beginning of the season and the team’s history at the Indy 500, I know we can have a strong month of May.”

Jourdain will be a teammate of Sato, who drives the No. 15 Honda-powered entry full time. The team won the Indianapolis 500 from the pole position in 2004 with driver Buddy Rice.

The No. 30 Honda-powered entry will be sponsored by Office Depot Mexico with associate sponsorship from Roshfrans, Grupo Indi and Grupo Multi.

“For me, this is not only a professional project, it is also personal, and having Office Depot Mexico, their suppliers and Roshfrans supporting me like they did 10 years ago means a lot to me,” Jourdain continued. “This shows that we did a good job for them.

Jourdain last competed in Indy car in 2004. He became the youngest driver to start a Champ Car race to date when he drove at Long Beach in 1996 at the age of 19 years, 6 months, 12 days. He made 152 starts in CART and Champ Car from 1996-2004 plus three Indy Racing League starts, including the 1996 Indy 500 where he qualified eighth and finished 13th.

He won races in Montreal and Milwaukee in 2003 with Team Rahal and moved to RuSPORT for 2004 when Team Rahal focused solely on the Indy Racing League that season. With support from Ford Motor Company, he moved to NASCAR’s Nationwide Series from 2005-2008 and also competed in the Camping World Truck Series in 2006. Since then, he competed in various rally and sports car series.

“I am pleased to have Michel back with the team,” team co-owner Bobby Rahal said. “When we were last together we had a lot of success and I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue that. It is also good to represent Office Depot again and their many associate sponsors that are making this happen. We are really pleased for Michel and happy to be a part of this.”

Although he will be classified as a veteran for the Indianapolis 500, Jourdain will participate in a “refresher” course May 10 in conjunction with the Rookie Orientation Program. Opening Day is May 12.

“The excitement in Mexico has been great from sponsors, media, friends, etc., and with the IndyCar Series, I see motivated people, a lot of drivers wanting to come into it, sponsors, etc., so I really hope I can come back, do more races and hopefully the full 2013 season with RLL,” Jourdain said.

3. Sao Paulo circuit gets fine-tuned for Year 3: Minor alterations to the 2.536-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit and venue for the Itaipava São Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle certainly will be noticeable to drivers and spectators this weekend in São Paulo, Brazil.

Circuit designer Tony Cotman said the painted Turn 1 runoff, which became a skating rink when wet last year, has been addressed along with a “pretty significant” bump in the transition from the concrete surface of the Anhembi Sambodromo to the asphalt leading into Turn 1.

“The layout of the track has not changed and the curbs have not changed,” Cotman said. “Reducing some of the bumps was among the goals that have been addressed. Also, drainage in five or six locations has been addressed. Now that it’s all done, we hope we don’t need it.”

A grandstand will be added in Turn 11 – the right-hander that flows from the longest straightaway on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule and one of the best overtaking areas into the Anhembi Sambodromo – as a structure that prevented its placement the previous two years has been razed. Also, directional signage and concession stand placement have been addressed.

“They are subtle things to help people get around,” Cotman said. “A lot of people won’t notice the things, but it will be more efficient, more fluid and it will be fun. They’re such passionate fans and take a great interest in this race.”

The role of Cotman’s company, NZR Consulting, in the event also has evolved to the benefit of his down time. In constructing the circuit, 27,456 feet of fencing, 41 miles of fence cabling, 5,450 fence poles, 11,000 tires, and about 100 miles of reinforcing steel rod (for building the 5.2 miles of cement barriers) were used. Because of the heavy traffic – there are 7 million vehicles in use in the city — the event will be held on the weekend only.

“The city’s support has been incredible, and the people who are working on the ground have enough of a knowledge base now that they know what to do and what to expect,” Cotman said. “This year, we’re a week ahead of past years.

“You look back to Year 1 and it was do whatever you could to get the race on. Year 2 was a significant repave of the entire circuit with higher-grade asphalt and reducing bumps. The lap times were quicker, but we weren’t able to utilize it on race day because of the weather. Year 3 is about fine-tuning some of these areas.

“For us, it’s more of an overseeing role like it should be rather than a hands-on role and that’s been the biggest difference.”

4. Dollar General to sponsor Newgarden at Indianapolis: Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing proved it was a force to be reckoned with when the team won at Kentucky Speedway last fall with Dollar General onboard as a sponsor.

The two will join forces again for one race in 2012 where the stakes will be higher – the Indianapolis 500.

“Dollar General is excited to once again partner with Sarah and her team for the Indy 500 in the 96th running of this iconic race,” said Rick Dreiling, CEO of Dollar General. “We look forward to having Dollar General represented in “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

With its win at Kentucky Speedway in October 2011, SFHR was the last IZOD IndyCar series team to win on an oval. The team is eager to return to its home track with Dollar General.

“I am honored to welcome Dollar General back to our team for the Indianapolis 500,” said Sarah Fisher, owner of SFHR. “The privilege we have to continue the relationship with a company that stood behind us during the tough times at the start of our team means a great deal to me. This opportunity is a direct result of the fantastic relationships SFHR maintains with its partners.”

In only his third start with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, driver Josef Newgarden started on the outside of the front row for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Newgarden is eager to return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he won the 2011 Freedom 100 in Firestone Indy Lights.

“Indianapolis is such a challenge,” Newgarden said. “You can go around that track 200 times and learn something new about your car or yourself as a driver on each lap.”

Newgarden should feel right at home in a Dollar General car as his hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn., is a neighboring suburb to Goodlettsville., where Dollar General’s headquarters are located.

For the month of May, the No. 67 car driven by Josef Newgarden will feature a livery with the familiar black and yellow Dollar General colors that Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing fans are used to seeing.

“It will be exciting for our fans to once again see the black and yellow No. 67 attempt to bring home a victory at the Indy 500,” Fisher said.

5. Power wins first quarter Driver Of The Year: Will Power came from near the middle of the grid on twisting road and street courses to claim back-to-back victories in the IZOD Indy Car Series. Those credentials allowed Power to claim the first quarter Driver of the Year Award as voted on by a  panel of 21 broadcasters and journalists.

“I think my guys feel very confident no matter where we start now that it’s always possible,” Power said after his most recent victory at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. “It is a great honor to be recognized by such an elite panel. This award is a testament to how hard the Verizon Team Penske crew has worked this year and we hope to keep it going for the rest of the season.”

Power, who drives the Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet  earned eight first-place ballots and totaled 99 points, according to the Driver of  the Year points system. NHRA Funny car driver Robert Hight, who drives the Auto Club Mustang for John Force Racing, also recorded eight first place votes and garnered 98 points.

There has only been one tie in Driver Of The Year history – in 2002 when Cristiano da Matta (then in Champ Car) took the annual title in tie-breaker over NASCAR’s Tony Stewart based on points earned in the quarterly tallies. A total of 16 drivers scored points in the third quarter voting.

“I certainly take pride in winning this award and want to thank everyone on the panel,” Power added.

***

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit]SALEM, Indiana (April 25, 2012) – – When the garage opens for business Saturday morning at Salem (Ind.) Speedway for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour, most of the garage area will be filled with familiar faces. Blake Hillard won’t be a familiar face to most on the grounds but the people supporting him for Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 will be.

Hillard, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky has partnered with Brett Hudson Motorsports (BHM), another race team based in the Bluegrass State to vie his chances of competing in an ARCA Racing Series contest. Hillard will drive the No. 10 Hillard Racing Chevrolet Impala, a former vehicle that was utilized in the BHM stables.

The rookie may be familiar with Salem’s taunting characteristics but never has he been surrounded by 34 of ARCA’s finest in a tightly nestled field. However, Hillard has some of the best in the business surrounding him, including ARCA driver Brett Hudson and crew chief John Hayden, a former winning crew chief at the historic Southern Indiana race track.

In order to fully grasp what’s lying ahead for the Kentuckian, he recently participated in a private test at the half-mile oval where his lap times were impressive. His efforts behind the wheel would have easily put the veteran Late Model driver into the top-15 in the most recent starting field at Salem.

“I’m excited to get the weekend underway,” said Hillard, a competitor in the ARCA / CRA Series. “I can’t begin to thank everyone who’s helping make this run possible. From my family to every single soul on the Brett Hudson Motorsports team, their support and confidence in me has been overwhelming and I think they are just as antsy to get to the track as I am.”
The 23-year old continued, “You never know quite what to expect in your first run in any type of series, but I’m fortune enough to be surrounded by a gaggle full of people who really know this track with these cars inside and out, so that will make my job a little easier, hopefully. I would be exceptionally happy if we can leave on Sunday afternoon with a solid top-10 run.”

The Hillard Racing team which is competing in the third race of the year sponsorless is hoping to compete in a handful more of events this year and is hoping to utilize the knowledge surrounding him to get him there.

“We’re looking at some more short track races, but we’ll first have to see how we do this weekend,” Hillard mentioned. “We’re doing some talking as far as some sponsorship is concerned, but maybe if we can go out there and prove our worth, we’ll be lucky to turn some of those conversations into something more. I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to run at Salem this weekend. It’s an experience I don’t plan to soon regret.”

Hayden, a former ARCA racer himself is prone to working with up and comers. Hillard is another just another name for him to add his docket. In 2009, Hayden guided 2010 ARCA Racing Series champion Patrick Sheltra to his first-career ARCA victory at Salem Speedway.

“Blake did a good job at the test, so we should be fine this weekend at Salem,” said Hayden. “Salem’s a tough track for a rookie, but I believe that Blake is up for the challenge. We’ve put a lot of hard work into this car and he (Blake) is enthusiastic about doing his job behind the wheel. We’ll just go out there and give it our all and hope for a good day.”

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 (200 laps / 111 miles) is the third of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 91st ARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a two day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 28 with a forty-five minute session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Final practice also consisting of forty-five minutes begins at 1:15 p.m. and will conclude at 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day on Sunday, April 29 set to launch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

[media-credit name=”IZOD IndyCar Series” align=”alignright” width=”287″][/media-credit]Indianapolis, IN (April 24, 2012)- Today it was announced that Lotus and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have reached an amicable resolution to end their agreement. The two entities had entered into a contract back in November for Lotus to be the team’s engine supplier in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Lotus remains completely committed to IndyCar and has worked diligently to rise to the challenge. Given the circumstances of the regulatory requirement to supply multiple teams, the late timing of Lotus’ entry and the unanticipated difficulties caused by the change of ownership, Lotus has made the decision to reduce the number of cars it runs.

As a result, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will run the Lotus engine for the final time in Brazil. “Our focus is on the Brazil race and we are still a part of the Lotus team. We are excited to go down there. We wish Lotus all of the best going forward. We are in the midst of finalizing our future plans and we are talking to the Series to conclude that process. We will be making a public statement in the very near future,” commented Dennis Reinbold, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner.

Feeling the same sentiment as Reinbold is Co-Owner, Robbie Buhl. “We know this will be a tough change mid-season, but we feel it is the best decision for DRR and our partners and we wish Lotus all the best,” stated Buhl.

Please stay tuned for more announcements to come. For more updates on the team, please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com.

 

About Lotus DRR:

Lotus DRR will be entering its 13th season of full-time competition in 2012, making it one of the longest-tenured teams in IZOD IndyCar Series competition. Current Co-Owners, Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl, first teamed in full-time competition at the Walt Disney World Speedway in January of 2000. With Buhl behind the wheel, the two owners tasted victory in their debut race. The 2009 IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener, on the streets of St. Petersburg, marked Lotus DRR’s 200th series start. DRR now has over 305 starts to tuck under its belt and has qualified a total of 31 cars for the Indianapolis 500. In its history, the team has boasted a championship list of alumni drivers. Besides Buhl, the team has run Indianapolis 500 winners, Al Unser, Jr., Buddy Lazier, and Buddy Rice, along with IZOD IndyCar Series race winner, Ryan Briscoe. The team has one of the longest lines of heritage in American open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 as Dennis Reinbold’s grandfather, “Pop” Dreyer, built leading roadsters that raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 30s, 40s, and 50s.

[media-credit id=4 align=”alignright” width=”112″][/media-credit]“Tractor Giant to Continue Sponsorship with Canadian NASCAR Champ”

HOUSTON, TX (April 24 2012) – Mahindra USA, the number one selling tractor in the world based on volume, is pleased to announce it has renewed and expanded its sponsorship of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Driver DJ Kennington of DJK Racing and the #17 Dodge team for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s partnership will again see the Mahindra logo displayed on the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge and begin the 2012 season with momentum!

“We are very proud of our partnership with DJ and DJK Racing as they embody the values of our corporate Rise philosophy,” said Cleo Franklin, Mahindra USA’s Vice-President, Marketing and Strategic Planning. “At Mahindra, our Rise philosophy comes from our core purpose: to accept no limits, employ alternative thinking and drive positive change to help transform lives for our stakeholders, customers and communities across the world.”

The associate partnership between Mahindra USA and DJ Kennington began with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2009 and has grown significantly as the two enter their fourth season together. In 2010, DJ Kennington won the Canadian Tire Series and in 2011, DJ narrowly missed back-to-back Series titles with a second place finish. Mahindra and DJ look for another strong year in 2012 and have plans to make this year even better with new program additions that will include, among other things, an increased online presence, hospitality events, and racetrack days for fans.

“Mahindra has really stepped up the program this year and we will too,” added Kennington, who stressed Mahindra’s community involvement as key to the partnership. “I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many people with Mahindra and a lot of dealers at their National Dealer Meeting in Galveston, and right from the start you could see how many quality people are involved with the organization. Mahindra and its dealers are very involved in their communities and giving back is important to everyone, including my team.”

Mahindra became the #1 selling tractor in the world in 2010 by providing consumers with value-packed, high-quality tractors. Mahindra is the only tractor manufacturer in the world to win both the Deming Application Prize and the coveted Japan Quality Medal for excellence in Total Quality Management, awarded by the Deming Prize Committee care of the Union of Japanese Scientists.

Race fans can stay informed on the latest DJ Kennington team news in several ways: via www.djkracing.ca, by following them on twitter, @djkracing and by “liking” the DJK Racing page on Facebook.

 

About Mahindra USA

Mahindra USA (MUSA) is part of the US $ 14.4 billion Mahindra Group’s Automotive and Farm Sector – the #1 selling tractor company in the world, based on volumes and the only tractor manufacturer in the world to win the industry’s top two quality awards – the Deming Application Prize and the Japan Quality Medal, care of Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers.

Houston, Texas based Mahindra USA (MUSA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and began selling tractors in the USA in 1994. MUSA has since grown rapidly due to high customer satisfaction levels and strong customer referrals. Mahindra USA has three distribution points in the USA to help meet the needs of its customers and the growing demand for its products.

Mahindra’s professional-grade tractors range from 18 HP – 83HP – and include the revolutionary new Max series tractors. The Mahindra Max 22 and Max 25 are the first real tractors in the sub-compact market and feature true tractor performance and capabilities. The Mahindra Max 22 and Max 25 are joined by the industry’s first mid-compact tractor, the Mahindra Max 28 XL, which has compact tractor performance and versatility in a near compact tractor size. All Mahindra Tractors are built with heavy-duty components that allow them to outperform other tractors in their class and are designed to provide consumers with the ability to push more, pull more and lift more, so they can do more, in less time. To learn more about Mahindra USA’s Farm Equipment Sector, please visit www.mahindrausa.com.

 

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.

A US $14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra was featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world.

In 2010, Mahindra was featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

Its flagship company Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is the only Indian automobile manufacturer to be featured in the Top 10 list of the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in India 2010, created by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com

Connect with us on www.facebook.com/mahindragroup

[media-credit name=”ARCA Racing Network” align=”alignright” width=”180″][/media-credit]SALEM, Indiana (April 24, 2012) – – After a strong start to the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards which includes a hard-fought top-five effort at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway last month, Mikey Kile, Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) and the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion return to short track racing eyeing to intensify their presence at the front of the pack and be in contention for the win in Sunday’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

Even though the Westlake, Louisiana native hasn’t competed at the daunting speedway in nearly two years, the veteran racecar driver remembers the defining acts that Salem Speedway requires in order to be a factor. As a bonus, the half-mile oval has been considered a favorite by the ABR team for years – and it’s shown in the finishing order.

Combining the forces of Kile, ABR and crew chief Jeff McClure together for the first time at Salem could spell trouble for the competition in the third race of the year.

“Salem’s one of those places you just can’t wait to get (back) too,” remarked Kile, who currently idles fifth in the ARCA Racing Series championship standings. “It’s one of my favorite short tracks. The place is intimidating – that’s for sure, but that’s one of the beauties and why it continues to put on a good show for the fans all these years.”

Kile added, “We really need to have our No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion gripping to the track, that’s one of the biggest elements to success at Salem. Of course you need to have some luck and stay on the lead lap. I’ve been told by the team that the last couple of races have sparred a lot of green flag racing – so that’s a good thing because strategy could come into play and I know having Jeff (McClure, crew chief) making the calls, our chances of a strong finish definitely play into our favor.”

Andy Belmont, team principal at Andy Belmont Racing also has experienced success at the Southern Indiana short-track as a driver and car owner but is eager to have a wheelman like Kile at the helm one of his No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion. “Mikey showed us all that he knows how to exercise patience at Mobile and that’s definitely something you’ll need at Salem too. We’re bringing one of our favorite short track cars and he (Mikey) isn’t afraid to get up on the wheel and hustle at Salem, I’ve seen it in the past – so I’m looking forward to Sunday’s race and hope we can bring ModSpace and everyone who supports ABR our first trophy of the season.”

“We are excited to see the momentum this team has built! Anything can happen at Salem and experience matters,we’re look forward to seeing the ModSpace Ford cross the finish line ahead of the pack,” offered William Mann, Vice President of Business Development of ModSpace.

The 29-year old just has two starts in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Salem Speedway including an impressive fourth place showing after starting eighth in the fall contest in 2010. He will make his 31^st career ARCA start Sunday in the sanction’s 60^th year of competition. Kile though has triumphed at Salem Speedway in the CARS Pro Cup Series (formerly known as the USARacing Pro Cup Series) in 2008.

In the tightly-knitted race for the historic championship, Kile holds fifth just a mere five markers behind fourth place runner Tom Hessert and 45 points behind current leader Cale Gale, who isn’t expected to compete in Sunday’s anticipated thriller.

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 (200 laps / 111 miles) is the third of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 88^thARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a two day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 28 with a forty-five minute session planned from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Final practice also consisting of forty-five minutes begins at 1:15 p.m. and will conclude at 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day on Sunday, April 29 set to launch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For more on Mikey Kile, please visit him online at MikeyKile.com and through Twitter @MikeyKile.

Additional information on Andy Belmont Racing is available by logging on to AndyBelmont.com.

 

About ModSpace:

Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary and permanent space needs. With more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets through a network of 80 branches throughout the United States and Canada. Further information is available by visiting .

About Andy Belmont Racing (ABR):

Andy Belmont Racing (AndyBelmont.com) is a competitive and respected motorsports operation who fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. ABR has been serving the motorsports community and winning for nearly 25 years. Currently, the team fields a full-time ARCA Racing Series program for series winner Mikey Kile in the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion.