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Other series racing

  • Four First-Time Run Group Winners Crowned at the Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour

    Four First-Time Run Group Winners Crowned at the Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour

    • Convincing Victories, a Record-Stopping Upset and Late Drama Cap Another Competitive Mission Foods HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour at Sebring International Raceway on Sunday
    • Chevron B19, Acura ARX-05 DPi and a Pair of GT Porsches First Quartet of First-Time Mission Foods HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour Winners in Six Years at Sebring International Raceway

    SEBRING, Florida (December 8, 2024) – A quartet of first-time Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour, Pistons & Props, Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, race winners emerged for the first time in six years Sunday at Sebring International Raceway. The four overall Run Group winners came out on top after nine hours of non-stop competition Saturday and three more Sunday afternoon for a symbolic 12 hours of racing paying tribute to the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring sports car race, which will be run for the 73rd time next March.

    Competitors in Run Groups A, B, C and D took to the legendary Sebring airport circuit for four race segments over the course of the last two days. The teams covering the most combined distance in their four segments were crowned Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour Champions, and this year’s race produced the typical mix of convincing victories, a record-stopping upset and a dramatic finish at the very end.

    The strongest runs came in the combined Group A and Group B races that saw competitors share the track while competing for overall and Group honors. In both divisions, the eventual race winners took the Group leads at the start and never lost them over the course of the two days.

    With the help of his countryman and multiple Mission Foods HSR Classic race winner Nigel Greensall, Englishman John Emberson brought his UK-based car and team to North America for the first time last month to compete in both the HSR Classic Daytona 24 and this weekend’s HSR Classic 12.

    Emberson, Greensall and the Foxcraft Racing 1970 No. 15 Chevron B19 ran with the support of the Atlanta-based Vintage Racing Company team in Run Group A. The No. 15 squad overcame a broken half shaft on the Chevron early in the race weekend to take control of the Group A race from the start.

    The solid performance included the No. 15 team and drivers taking the overall Group A/B win in segment two after scoring division honors and P2 overall in Saturday afternoon’s opening round. The Chevron team even won the fourth and final A/B segment on Sunday, but by then the focus was firmly on sealing the Group A victory. The Chevron ultimately took the checkered flag in first place a full lap clear of its nearest A division competitor.

    In Run Group B, veteran HSR competitors Kenneth McKinnon and Predator Racing broke through for their first Mission Foods HSR Classic victory after a second-place finish last year at Sebring and a third-place showing in 2022. McKinnon co-drove the Predator Racing 1972 No. 01 Porsche 911 RSR to the victory with longtime teammate Mike Bruns and Predator coach and co-driver Charles Espenlaub.

    The No. 01 took an overall and Group B win in Saturday’s opening race segment and backed it up with another overall win in the third round. McKinnon and company secured the Group B win by more than a lap and led the No. 15 Chevron to the line by over a minute to top the combined A/B standings as well.

    The record-stopping upset was delivered by Bob Neapole and Guy Cosmo who broke through for their first Mission Foods HSR Classic victory with a controlled and perfectly executed performance in Run Group C. Co-driving the RBN Motorsports with Cosmo-Sport 2020 No. 60 Acura ARX-05 prepared by Hudson Historics, Neapole and Cosmo didn’t put a wheel wrong throughout Saturday and Sunday.

    Taking the Group C lead after Saturday’s second segment, the No. 60 Acura squad went on to seal the victory Sunday over their friends and on-track rivals Pierce Marshall and Eric Foss in the 2017 No. 02 Matador Motorsports Cadillac DPi.

    Marshall and his team were racing to be the first to score a Mission Foods HSR Classic in season triple win sweep after victories earlier this year in the HSR Classic 6 Hour at The Glen and last month’s HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour. The No. 02 Cadillac team pulled out the stops to shave a full 30 seconds off of the Acura’s lead in the final Group C segment but the Acura team took the checkered flag with a margin of victory just under a minute.

    The late drama – and related heartbreak and elation – came in Run Group D that offered a GT car showdown that was the closest battle in the HSR Classic Sebring 12. The British duo of Mike Jordan and his son Andrew Jordan went into the fourth and final segment with a scant 10-second lead in their Jordan Racing Team 2011 No. 77 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup.

    The Jordans withstood the pressure from more than one close competitor, but maintained the overall lead the No. 77 held throughout the race for the majority of the fourth segment until a cut right rear tire less than 15 minutes to the finish took the team out of winning contention.

    The 2015 No. 002 Fortress Stabilization Porsche 991 GT3 Cup team of Ed Wheatley and Jimmy Llibre beat the JRT team by less than a second in Saturday night’s third segment and were quick to pounce when the No. 77 had its tire trouble. Llibre took the lead and the fourth round win by more than a minute to join Wheatley for a deserving overall Group D victory more than two minutes clear of the second-place finisher.

    The overall Run Group winners were presented with all-new and custom-made Wall Clocks from B.R.M. Chronographes. Displaying the same dial design as B.R.M.’s unique time pieces, the oversized clocks have been a big hit this year with the race winners at The Glen, Daytona and now Sebring.

    Other Sunday highlights included the late morning departure of the featured vintage aircraft that once again were a cornerstone of the HSR Classic Sebring 12, Pistons and Props. On Saturday, the pilots presented their annual Pilots Choice Award for best car and team while HSR competitors in turn selected the Best Plane of this year’s event.

    The pilots chose Olthoff Racing and the team’s Superformance GT40 that driver Dan Long and Team Principal Dennis Olthoff co-drove in Group A in the HSR Classic Sebring 12. The plane of choice by the HSR four-wheel contingent was the battle-scarred USAF 1968 Cessna 02A, owned and flown to Sebring by Sam Lauff. Nicknamed “Oscar Deuce,” the twin-tail and push-pull tandem-engine aircraft saw action in Vietnam and carries bullet hole patches still visible on wing components. A military version of the civilian Cessna 337, this feisty fighter included explosion-proof fuel tanks, bulletproof seats, a full complement of military radios, rockets, bombs and mini guns.

    About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter X @HSR_race and Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.

  • 2025 ARCA Menards Series East and West Schedules Announced

    2025 ARCA Menards Series East and West Schedules Announced

    TEMPERANCE, Mich. (Dec. 6, 2024) – The 2025 schedules for the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West have been announced, with eight races slated for the East and a dozen on tap for the West. The East will run four stand-alone races and four in combination with the ARCA Menards Series, while the West will run a single race in combination with the ARCA Menards Series.

    The Highlights:

    • The East stand-alone races include the opener at Five Flags Speedway in March, a much-anticipated return to Rockingham Speedway in April, a return to Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and the series’ home track at Flat Rock Speedway, both in May.
    • Four consecutive East combination races with the ARCA Menards Series will close the season at Dover Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July, Iowa Speedway in August, and Bristol Motor Speedway in September. All four events will be broadcast on FS1.
    • The West season will open with the first of two races at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in January; the second event at the high-banked half-mile will be the series’ only race in the month of June.
    • The West will feature conjunction races with the NASCAR national series at Phoenix Raceway in March, Sonoma Raceway in July, Portland International Raceway in August, The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October, and again at Phoenix in November.
    • Tucson Speedway returns to the schedule for the first time since 2019 and Colorado National Speedway returns for the first time since 2021.
    • Tri-City Raceway returns to the schedule for the second consecutive year in August, and both All American Speedway and Madera Speedway return in September.

    2025 ARCA Menards Series East Schedule

    DateTrack, LocationTime (ET)TV
    March 22Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, Fla.TBDFlo
    April 19Rockingham Speedway, Rockingham, N.C.TBDFlo
    May 3Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, Tenn.TBDFlo
    May 17Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, Mich.TBDFlo
    July 18Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, Del.5:00 PMFS1
    July 25Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg, Ind.5:00 PMFS1
    Aug. 1Iowa Speedway, Newton, Ia.7:00 PMFS1
    Sept. 11Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.5:30 PMFS1

    2025 ARCA Menards Series West Schedule

    DateTrack, LocationTime (ET)TV
    Jan. 25Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.TBDFlo
    March 7Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.8:00 PMFS1
    April 5Tucson Speedway, Tucson, Ariz.TBDFlo
    May 24Colorado National Speedway, Erie, Colo.TBDFlo
    June 14Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.TBDFlo
    July 11Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.TBDFlo
    Aug. 9Tri-City Raceway, W. Richland, Wash.TBDFlo
    Aug. 29Portland International Raceway, Portland, Ore.TBDFlo
    Sept. 13All American Speedway, Roseville, Calif.TBDFlo
    Sept. 27Madera Speedway, Madera, Calif.TBDFlo
    Oct. 10The Bullring at LVMS, Las Vegas, Nev.TBDFlo
    Nov. 1Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.TBDFlo

    All dates are tentative and subject to change.

    Each stand-alone event for both ARCA Menards Series East and West will be streamed live on FloRacing; starting times will be announced when they are established.

    For further information please visit ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter).

    About ARCA
    The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).

    About Menards
    A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 341 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

    Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

  • Neapole and Cosmo Breakthrough for First HSR B.R.M. Endurance Challenge Victory Thursday at Sebring

    Neapole and Cosmo Breakthrough for First HSR B.R.M. Endurance Challenge Victory Thursday at Sebring

    • RBN Motorsports with Cosmo-Sport 2020 No. 60 Acura ARX-05 of Bob Neapole and Guy Cosmo Edges 2017 No. 02 Matador Motorsports Cadillac DPi of Pierce Marshall and Eric Foss for First Top-Tier HSR Feature Race Victory
    • Vincent Barletta Secures GT Modern Class Honors in 2016 No. 95 BMW M6 GTD Prepared by Turner Motorsport
    • Vintage Military Aircraft Arrive Friday Afternoon at Sebring International Raceway

    SEBRING, Florida (December 5, 2024) – The season-ending HSR Sebring Historics and Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour, Pistons & Props, Presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, moved off to a thrilling and competitive start Thursday at Sebring International Raceway.

    In the day’s featured one-hour B.R.M. Endurance Challenge race, Bob Neapole and Guy Cosmo broke through for their first Historic Prototype and overall race win in the series in the RBN Motorsports with Cosmo-Sport 2020 No. 60 Acura ARX-05. Neapole and Cosmo narrowly came out on top in a race-long battle with their friends and on-track rivals Pierce Marshall and Eric Foss in the 2017 No. 02 Matador Motorsports Cadillac DPi.

    The Acura squad’s victory came after a great opening and race-leading stint by Neapole and a perfectly timed pit stop at mid-race when Cosmo took over for the run to the finish. Cosmo and Foss ran in a close one-two formation in the race’s closing stages with the No. 60 taking the team’s maiden Historic Prototype class checkered flag for the win just 4.264 seconds ahead of the No. 02.

    The top-two shared the overall and top-three Historic Prototype podium with the ageless Travis Engen in his nearly 20-year-old 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP prepared by GMT Racing.

    The race win in the GT Modern (GTM) class went to Vincent Barletta in the always-quick 2016 No. 95 BMW M6 GTD Prepared by Turner Motorsport. In addition to taking GTM division honors, Barletta was the also the first non-Prototype in the 31-car field to take the checkered flag a solid fourth overall behind only the top-three Prototypes.

    Second in GTM went to Conor Flynn and his father Mike Flynn in the Irish Mike’s Racing 2020 No. 195 Porsche 991.2 GT3. The senior Flynn started the race but came to the pits during a yellow flag period in the opening laps to selflessly pass the Porsche over to his son who completed the balance of the race’s 60 minutes for the competitive runner-up result.

    Third in GTM in the B.R.M. race was secured by frequent HSR podium finisher Colin Dougherty in his 2008 No. 92 Porsche 997 Grand-Am Cup prepared by DAS Sport.

    A dual celebration of Sebring International Raceway’s rich auto racing history and patriotic military aviation legacy, the Mission Foods HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour Sebring, Pistons and Props, is an on-track and on-the-runways celebration of the 12 Hours of Sebring and historic Hendricks Field, the World War II era military and civil aviation facility on which the famous sports car race has been held for more than 70 years.

    In addition to a full slate of HSR WeatherTech Sprint races and three more HSR Feature Races on track, another Friday highlight is the arrival of the vintage and historic military aircraft that land throughout the afternoon before parading over to the Sebring International Raceway paddock at 5:15 p.m. EST. The planes will be on display at the track and available to fans and competitors alike for an up-close look through Sunday morning.

    A returning favorite after a one-year absence is the blue B004 numbered 1942 Vultee BT-15 Valiant piloted by Tom Smith. The BT-15 is just one of four still flying today out of 1,200 produced, and Smith and his wife Kim Smith have flown it more than 1,000 hours over the last 15 years. The Vultee missed last year’s HSR Classic Sebring awaiting a new engine, but its return will be more than special this weekend.

    Among the plane-enthusiast guests in attendance will be Jack Hill, a friend of the Smiths whose father – in addition to a stint as B-17 instructor at Hendrick’s Field in Sebring in 1943 – served in a similar capacity in Bainbridge, Georgia in 1942 teaching trainees how to fly BT-15 Vultees. The Smith’s Vultee was delivered to Bainbridge in August of 1942, one of just seven BT-15s stationed there, so it is very likely Hill’s father, 2nd Lieutenant Roland V. Hill, instructed in the very plane the Smith’s will have at Sebring this weekend a full 82 years ago!

    Back on track, this weekend’s featured HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour starts at 1 p.m. EST Saturday, December 7, with each of the four Run Groups taking to the three times in succession in a rotation that races into the night with the day’s final checkered flag just before 10 p.m. EST.

    Classic Sebring 12 Hour competitors return to the track Sunday, December 8, at 12 p.m. EST with each Group getting one final segment to decide this year’s winners. Overall Run Group winners will be presented with all-new and custom-made Wall Clocks from B.R.M. Chronographes. Displaying the same dial design as B.R.M.’s unique time pieces, the oversized clocks have been a big hit this year with race winners at The Glen and Daytona.

    More information on both the HSR Classic 12 and HSR Sebring Historics events, including entry lists, ticket purchases and the event schedule, can be found on the official event page by clicking here.

    About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter X at @HSR_race and Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.

  • TICKETS ON SALE FOR 65TH ANNUAL LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS; EVENT RETURNS TO FOUR PRO QUALIFYING SESSIONS

    TICKETS ON SALE FOR 65TH ANNUAL LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS; EVENT RETURNS TO FOUR PRO QUALIFYING SESSIONS

    POMONA, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2024) – Tickets are now on sale for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, which takes place March 27-30, 2025, as NHRA celebrates 65 years of the historic race next season at the legendary In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

    The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the famed facility in Pomona has enjoyed an incredible history of more than six decades and serves as one of the highlights on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, especially early in the season.

    The 2025 event, which is the third of 20 races during the year, promises to deliver all the thrilling racing action racing fans expect from the stars of the NHRA and returns to four qualifying sessions for the NHRA Mission Drag Racing Series. That gives fans two chances on both Friday and Saturday to see all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, leading into eliminations on Sunday, where teams will look to grab momentum with an early-season win.

    Also returning to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip will be the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. Semifinalists from the NHRA Arizona Nationals from the previous week will meet up again for a rematch, adding competitive racing to the Saturday schedule, with the winner taking home a bonus purse and bonus championship points.

    “We always look forward to returning to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip and we’re excited to celebrate 65 years of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals during our 2025 season,” said NHRA Vice President of Track Management and Operations, Kasey Coler. “The Winternationals is an event loaded with history and special moments, and as one of the longest-running races on the NHRA tour, it’s always an event everyone looks forward to each year. With four qualifying sessions in place, this will undoubtedly be a great early-season event for our fans and race teams.”

    In 2024, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) all won the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, while former champions Brittany Force in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan collected No. 1 qualifier positions, as well as Glenn in his Pro Stock car.

    Ashley has enjoyed an impressive run at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, winning three straight years and advancing to four straight final rounds at the historic race. Last year, he defeated eight-time champion Tony Schumacher, and he’ll look to get four straight Winternationals victories – something no driver in Top Fuel history has ever accomplished. Ashley finished his 2024 campaign third in the points standings, with four wins to his credit. He also claimed the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge championship, by earning the most Challenge points.

    Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history, picked up yet another Lucas Oil Winternationals win a year ago, defeating Hagan in the final round. Force finished runner-up in points to his teammate Austin Prock, after Jack Beckman stepped in for Force following his crash in Virginia.

    Glenn battled all season for a Pro Stock championship that came down to the final pass of the 2024 season at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, with his teammate Greg Anderson claiming the world title. Glenn won a stout five events, with his first of 2024 coming at the Winternationals. Glenn earned two No. 1 qualifier spots, including the first Pomona race as well.

    To purchase tickets to the 2025 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. Fans can get closer to the action with a Top Eliminator Club experience, offering the best seats in the house and a premium experience, as well as a members-only hospitality center, complimentary food and beverage, driver appearances, a premium view and much more. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

    About Mission Foods

    MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

    About NHRA

    NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

  • Mazda Tabs 2024 Whelen MX-5 Cup Champion Wagner for Heritage Collection at Sebring

    Mazda Tabs 2024 Whelen MX-5 Cup Champion Wagner for Heritage Collection at Sebring

    SEBRING, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The Mazda Heritage Collection will wrap up its 2024 competition season this weekend at the Mission Foods HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour in Florida. Mazda Motorsports is set to bring a trio of cars and drivers for the event, including newly crowned Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Champion, Gresham Wagner.

    The cars of the Mazda Heritage Collection have not been driven in anger since the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in August, but the team at Flis Performance have been hard at work making sure they are race ready. The three cars remain the same as Monterey, but the drivers have changed.

    In the GTP class are the 1989 Mazda 767B driven by Andrew Carbonell and the 1992 Mazda RX-792P driven by Tom Long. In the GTO class, behind the wheel of the 1991 Mazda RX-7 GTO, however, is Wagner, the latest Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion. He’ll be taking part in his first-ever historic racing event.

    “It’s not often you get an opportunity to drive one of the cars you see in so many posters, movies, and video games while you were growing up, so I’m really excited to see what the RX-7 GTO is all about and put on a show for all of the Mazda and endurance racing fans that still connect with the history of the car,” Wagner said. “I’m really thankful to Mazda Motorsports and Flis Performance for putting on this program and giving me such a unique chance to be part of it.

    “I’ve never done any vintage racing, but it’s a really neat opportunity to see a lot of the standout cars from the history of the sport we all love. The cars are our lasting ties to those eras and memories, and it’s pretty awesome to have a manufacturer like Mazda still actively supporting and showcasing some of the most successful cars from such an iconic time in sports car racing.”

    A unique element of the HSR event at Sebring is the display of historic war planes, which is fitting, seeing as how the racetrack started life as a WWII airfield and a regional airport continues to operate nearby.

    The GTP and GTO classes are grouped together, which means all three of the Mazda Heritage Collection cars will be on track at the same time and race together. The first of two eight-lap sprint races is Friday at 1:20pm ET, the second on Saturday at 9:20am ET. A full entry list, schedule and link to timing and scoring can be found here.

  • Historic Sportscar Racing IMSA Classic to Debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona

    Historic Sportscar Racing IMSA Classic to Debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona

    IMSA’s Earliest Golden Eras to be Celebrated Annually at IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Daytona Opener

    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (December 5, 2024) – The earliest golden eras of IMSA’s success will now share the spotlight at each year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona as IMSA celebrates its past while continuing to write the next and greatest chapter yet in the history of sports car racing in North America with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

    Officials from IMSA and Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) announced today the IMSA Classic invitational race that will annually showcase the sanctioning body’s more than 50-year history beginning at next month’s 63rd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 23 – 26. The inaugural IMSA Classic will feature cars from the first three decades of IMSA sports car racing from 1973 through 1993.

    “For several years now, the rich history of the Rolex 24 has been celebrated with pre-race demonstration events, such as the 24 Minutes of Daytona and similar exhibitions, but this will be the first time an actual race featuring these great competition cars from IMSA’s past will be part of a Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “We are proud of the pioneering and current era that we have all worked tirelessly on to bring IMSA to an unprecedented level of high-tech competition and entertainment, but what better time to take a moment to remember our past than just before our longest and season-opening race? The IMSA Classic will add to the grandeur of the Rolex 24, and we are grateful to both Daytona International Speedway (DIS) and HSR for the partnership and cooperation in making this vision a reality.”

    Open only to a limited number of on-track competitors, invitations to apply for the inaugural HSR Classic

    are presently being distributed to HSR member competitors and other notable teams and entrants in the vintage and historic sports car racing arena. All received applications will then be reviewed by a selection committee to determine the participants in the inaugural IMSA Classic.

    “We often refer to HSR as a rolling time machine and a high-speed motorsports museum, and that will be perfectly personified by the IMSA Classic,” said HSR President Chris Ward. “To be able to join IMSA in annually featuring some of the greatest racing machines from their first half-century of competition is truly an honor. We look forward to welcoming a spectacular lineup of legendary IMSA race cars to the Rolex 24 At Daytona next month.”

    A three-day race event on Rolex 24 weekend, the IMSA Classic starts with an opening practice session Thursday afternoon that will be followed by qualifying Friday morning and a qualifying race early that evening. The main event will be the 30-minute IMSA Classic feature race Saturday morning that will set the stage for the Rolex 24 as the last on-track activity prior to the twice-around-the-clock WeatherTech Championship season opener.

    Competing IMSA Classic cars and competitors will be paddocked in a large tent open to the public in the DIS Rolex 24 Midway. Several non-competing IMSA cars of historical significance will also be under the tent in addition to an additional group on display in the DIS FanZone as they have been in the past.

    Plans for future editions of the IMSA Classic call for each annual running to feature a specific period of IMSA era cars.

    The introduction of the IMSA Classic is the latest in a series of new HSR racing series and major race event since IMSA purchased HSR in early 2022. The HSR Prototype Challenge presented by IMSA, for modern-day LMP3 cars retired from contemporary competition, debuted this year along with the HSR NASCAR Classic Presented by Petty’s Garage racing series for historic stock cars.

    Just under three months ago, HSR announced what is now the HSR Classic Endurance Championship Presented by Mission Foods. Building on the success of the HSR Classic races at Daytona, Sebring and Watkins Glen, the Mission Foods Classic Endurance series will be a points-paying championship beginning next year for the season’s long-distance races, which also includes the new-for-2025 HSR Road Atlanta Classic 10 Hour Presented by Mission Foods.

    For more information, please visit www.HSRRace.com.

    Next up on the 2024 HSR schedule is this weekend’s season-ending Mission Foods HSR Classic 12 Hour Pistons & Props, Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network, at Sebring International Raceway, December 5 – 8. The event also includes the Sebring Historics, which closes the curtain on HSR’s full-season racing series and points-paying championships.

    More information on both the HSR Classic 12 and HSR Sebring Historics events, including entry lists, ticket purchases and the event schedule, can be found on the official event page by clicking here.

    About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter X at @HSR_race and Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.

  • AO Racing Eyes Back-to-Back Titles with Fierce Lineup for 2025 IMSA Season

    AO Racing Eyes Back-to-Back Titles with Fierce Lineup for 2025 IMSA Season

    ST. CHARLES, Ill., (December 5, 2024) — AO Racing has officially confirmed its return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the 2025 season, bringing Rexy, the beloved Porsche 911 GT3 “Rawr,” back to the GTD PRO class. With an all-star lineup in place, the team is ready to defend its championship title. Laurin Heinrich, the 2024 Drivers’ Champion returns to continue building on the success of last season. Joining him for the full campaign is Klaus Bachler, with two-time European Le Mans Series champion Alessio Picariello rounding out the trio for endurance rounds.

    “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Porsche in the GTD Pro category for 2025,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “Winning the championship in our first year in such a highly competitive class still feels surreal, and we’re eager to carry that momentum into the new season. Laurin showcased his speed and competitiveness in Rexy throughout 2024, and with Klaus and Alessio joining him, we’re confident we have a strong lineup. The introduction of torque sensors is a new development for IMSA teams in GTD, but we’re optimistic that Porsche’s experience in 2024 will give us a strong foundation to stay competitive from the outset.”

    AO Racing has become an immediate standout for Porsche success in a short time, proud to represent the German manufacturer in the highly competitive North American series. Their achievements included three victories (and three golden teeth for Rexy), along with the prestigious Michelin All Hands Award, recognizing the crew with the least time spent in pit lane.

    The 2025 calendar will see the team’s GTD PRO squad return to the same 10 tracks as 2025, beginning with Daytona International Speedway for the Roar Before the 24 January 17-19. The Roar stands as the first official test of the new year before competitors dive into the Rolex 24 At Daytona January 13-16.

    Laurin Heinrich

    After clinching the 2024 title, I’m very happy to be back with AO Racing and Rexy. I enjoyed working with Klaus for one race last season, so I’m pleased to have him back, and with Alessio, we have another quick driver from the Porsche family. Personally, I’d love to accomplish my goal of winning one of “the big ones” such as Daytona, Sebring, and Petit. Thanks to AO Racing and Porsche for giving us such a strong package to come back and try to defend our title!

    Klaus Bachler

    I’m really excited to be back in IMSA, competing in the GTD Pro class. Partnering with AO is something I’m truly looking forward to. With Laurin and Alessio, I have two incredibly fast and smart teammates whom I respect and enjoy working with. A big thank you to Porsche Motorsport and AO for this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for the new season to start!

    Alessio Picariello

    I am very happy to join AO Racing, Laurin, and Klaus as the third Driver for the long races in IMSA. I respect them both a lot and I’m sure we will form a strong trio together with the whole crew in order to fight for those big trophies. I am also looking forward to jumping into the now-iconic Rexy!

    About AO Racing

    Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.

  • CrowdStrike Racing by APR Takes Aim at Rolex 24

    CrowdStrike Racing by APR Takes Aim at Rolex 24

    • George Kurtz to drive CrowdStrike Racing by APR ORECA 07 LMP2 at Daytona
    • Toby Sowery, Malthe Jakobsen, Colton Herta to join Kurtz in No. 04 prototype
    • CrowdStrike Racing by APR seeks first win after consecutive runner-up finishes

    AUSTIN, Texas (December 5, 2024) – CrowdStrike Racing by APR (Algarve Pro Racing) is returning to the high banks of Daytona International Speedway for the biggest prize in North American sports car racing – the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

    For the third consecutive year, George Kurtz will be part of the LMP2 grid for the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He is teaming with Colton Herta, Toby Sowery and Malthe Jakobsen as the CrowdStrike by APR team aims for its first Rolex 24 victory.

    CrowdStrike Racing by APR have finished as class runners-up by a combined 6.816 seconds the last two years at Daytona. Notably, in 2023, CrowdStrike by APR was part of the closest finish in the 61-year history of the Rolex 24, missing the win by a razor-thin 0.016 seconds.

    This year’s race marks Kurtz’s fifth Rolex 24 appearance, with prior starts in the LMP2 and LMP3 prototype classes. Both Sowery and Jakobsen made their Rolex 24 debuts last year, delivering standout performances. Jakobsen was the second-fastest LMP2 driver in the race, trailing only then-teammate Colin Braun. Jakobsen carried that momentum into last month’s IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona, where he topped the LMP2 field over two days.

    CrowdStrike Racing by APR is continuing its preparations for the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona, scheduled for January 25-26. The team will participate in the three-day Roar Before the 24 on January 17-19.

    For more information, visit CrowdStrikeRacing.com. Follow #CrowdStrikeRacing

    on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates.

    CrowdStrike by APR Team Quotes

    George Kurtz, CrowdStrike by APR Driver: “Daytona is a benchmark for endurance racing, and I’m excited to return with CrowdStrike Racing by APR for another shot at the Rolex 24. Over the past two years, we’ve been incredibly close to victory, and that fuels our determination. The November test showed the power of our team, with Malthe and Toby delivering exceptional speed and consistency. I’m confident we’re ready to rise to the challenge and aim for the top.”

    Stewart Cox, Team Principal, Algarve Pro Racing: “Nobody goes into a series like the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship or an individual race like the Rolex 24 At Daytona to finish second, and it’s demoralising when you miss out on the victory after 24 hours. Having finished runner-up the last two years, CrowdStrike Racing by APR has done even more preparation in readiness for the 2025 edition of the Rolex 24 and, from a team perspective, we feel we’re a little further down the road. We will once again be among some really strong team-driver combinations, but we have the car and line-up to win it and just have to join the dots. We’ve got a job to do!”

    About CrowdStrike

    CrowdStrike (Nasdaq: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk — endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.

    Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities. Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity and immediate time-to-value.

    CrowdStrike: We stop breaches.

    Learn more: https://www.crowdstrike.com/

    Follow us: Blog | X | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

    Start a free trial today: https://www.crowdstrike.com/free-trial-guide/

    2023 CrowdStrike, Inc. All rights reserved. CrowdStrike, the falcon logo, CrowdStrike Falcon and CrowdStrike Threat Graph are marks owned by CrowdStrike, Inc. and registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and in other countries. CrowdStrike owns other trademarks and service marks, and may use the brands of third parties to identify their products and services.

  • BRENT SEXTON WRAPPED UP HIS 2024 SEASON AT THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX

    BRENT SEXTON WRAPPED UP HIS 2024 SEASON AT THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX

    (Lakeside, CA, December 4, 2023) A little over 10 months after it all began, Sexton Gatlin Racing’s Brent Sexton wrapped up the 2024 campaign on Thanksgiving weekend in the 83rd running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at the Ventura Raceway. The veteran racer competed in the Inland Rigging Ultimate Sprint Car Series portion of the program.

    The two-night show matched Lakeside, California-based Sexton against a stellar field of drivers from around the nation. Friday’s preliminary night saw 50 cars show up at the tiny 1/5 of a mile track on the beach at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Sexton, a 52-year-old Tennessee native, qualified fifth fastest in his group with a lap of 12.789. Powered by a former Rico Abreu Shaver 360 engine, the three-time lightning sprint car champion had a good starting position in his heat race on the inside of row three. Unfortunately, a tap with another car saw his right rear go flat. The deflation saw him finish 10th.

    That flat tire meant that Brent had to go to one of the B mains. The race was only 12 laps long and would go by in the blink of an eye on the little track. Starting ninth in the 10-car field, the wily veteran had to finish third to transfer to the A main. The laps wound down quickly and Sexton drove his way to sixth. However, time ran out before he could get past three more cars, and he was done for the night.

    The following evening, Brent had one shot at making the A-main. That came in one of the three B mains. It was a 12-lapper like Friday night, and he was starting ninth. However, this time he only had to get to fourth. Once again, he began passing cars and raced his way up to sixth. But like the night before, the laps ticked off quickly. Brent ended up two spots shy of the transfer. That ended his racing weekend and put wraps on his 2024 season.

    SGR is already making plans for the 2025 campaign, with the first race of the year coming in February. If you would like to join the team for a fun, exciting ride on the sprint car trail, call Brent Sexton or email him at the contact information at the top of this release.

    Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, Troy Dirt.

    Brent Sexton 2024 Results

    2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main

    3/1/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 4th A Main

    3/2/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main

    3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 12th A Main

    3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 16th A Main

    3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main

    3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main

    4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 17th A Main

    4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 25th A Main

    4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main

    4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main

    5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main

    5/25/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 1st A Main

    6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 10th A Main

    6/8/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main

    6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main

    7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 15th A Main

    7/13/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 9th A Main

    7/20/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 7th B Main

    8/10/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main

    8/31/24 Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main

    9/1/24 Santa Maria Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 9th A Main

    9/13/24 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 7th A Main

    9/14/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 14th A Main

    9/21/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main

    10/18/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main

    10/19/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 13th A Main

    11/1/24 Mohave Valley Raceway Western World Championships 18th B Main

    11/2/24 Mohave Valley Raceway Western World Championships 10th B Main

    11/29/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Turkey Night Grant Prix 6th B Main

    11/30/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Turkey Night Grant Prix 6th B Main

    Grant Sexton 2024 Results

    2/24/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 18th A Main

    3/8/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 9th A Main

    3/9/24 Imperial Valley Raceway Imperial Valley 360/410 Sprint Cars 5th A Main

    3/16/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main

    3/23/24 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main

    4/6/24 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main

    4/20/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 16th A Main

    4/27/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main

    5/11/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main

    5/18/24 Bakersfield Speedway USCS Sprint Car Series 5th A Main

    6/1/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 3rd A Main

    6/22/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main

    7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main

    7/20/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 7th A Main

    8/10/24 Santa Maria Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 23rd A Main

    8/31/24 Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main

    9/1/24 Santa Maria Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 24th A Main

    9/14/24 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 9th A Main

    9/21/24 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main

    10/18/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 21st A Main

    10/19/24 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 11th A Main

    11/1/24 Mohave Valley Raceway Western World Championships 26th A Main

    11/2/24 Mohave Valley Raceway Western World Championships 23rd A Main

    Braydin Collie 2024 Results

    7/6/24 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main

    8/3/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 5th A Main

    8/17/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 9th A Main

    9/28/24 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 6th A Main

    10/18/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 7th A Main

    10/19/24 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main

    10/26/24 Barona Speedway So Cal Lightning Sprints 7th A Main

    AJ Bender 2024 Results

    9/14/24 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 5th A Main

  • Back-to-Back Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Unveils Second Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

    Back-to-Back Indy 500 Winner Newgarden Unveils Second Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

    INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024) – 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Josef Newgarden unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Dec. 4 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he won his second Indy 500 on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, earned his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. This was the 20th Indy 500 victory for Team Penske, and Newgarden is the first back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves won his second Indy 500 while driving for Team Penske in 2002.

    The unveiling ceremony took place at COhatch Polk Stables, a coworking space for entrepreneurs and startups located in downtown Indianapolis.

    The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Newgarden is the 111th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.

    “Having my face added to the Borg-Warner Trophy is one of the coolest parts about winning the race,” Newgarden said. “Seeing the finished product, with two side-by-side images of my face, is an unbelievable honor, and I look forward to hopefully adding a third likeness to the row after this year’s Indy 500.”

    Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Newgarden’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.

    Each face on the trophy is unique, even for a back-to-back winner like Newgarden. Behrends starts from scratch each year and begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting before constructing a full-scale model of the driver’s face. Normally a driver would visit Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session. This year’s visit was impacted by Hurricane Helene, so Newgarden and Behrends met virtually to make the final adjustments to the full-scale model.

    This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before attaching it to the trophy.

    “Today is a special day for Josef and BorgWarner,” said Michelle Collins, global director marketing and public relations for BorgWarner. “Josef is one of only six drivers to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories in the race’s 113-year history, and unveiling his face on this spectacular trophy cements his mark not only in INDYCAR, but all of motorsports. BorgWarner is honored to uphold the tradition of the Borg-Warner Trophy and celebrate Josef’s historic 2024 Indianapolis 500 win.”

    Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911.

    Early next year, Newgarden will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as a “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.

    Tickets for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com.