Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

Teams get head start on 2025 IMSA season

New drivers impressed with the powerful Cadillac V-Series.R during Daytona test

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2024) – Louis Deletraz was duly impressed with the Cadillac V-Series.R during an introductory drive Friday.

“The first lap out of Turn 6, full throttle in the banking put a huge smile on my face,” Deletraz said. “On every shift and downshift you can hear that incredible Cadillac engine noise. It is really cool. The car is very intuitive to drive and has high grip. Putting power down is definitely great. It feels like a racecar.”

Nine drivers totaled 866 laps over the two days of running on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course that incorporates the high-banked oval during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship-sanctioned off-season test.

Initially, foremost for six new drivers was learning the intricacies of the Dallara chassis powered by the purpose-built 5.5-liter V8 engine and systems of the hybrid racecar followed by prescribed test plans over the course of five sessions. More than 16 hours of track time was also a refresher for Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber, who have driven the Cadillac LMDh platform since the inception of the GTP and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar classifications, respectively, in 2023.

The Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing Nos. 10 and 40 entries and Cadillac Whelen No. 31 racecars were running an updated control system electronics package that will be introduced for 2025 competition across the IMSA and WEC five-car fleet with the goal of improving cohesiveness in control areas for consistency and reliability, increasing data quality. The update is the first of five development “jokers” permitted for manufacturers through the initial homologation cycle.

“The whole program is stepping up every single year and it’s great that Cadillac continues to progress and develop and push the envelope. With this Evo joker, it will continue to help us be more successful,” said Bamber, an IMSA and WEC champion.

Cadillac Racing teams return to Daytona International Speedway January 17-19 for the Roar Before the 24, which culminates with qualifying for the twice-around-the-clock race the following weekend. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R earned the pole this year.

Drugovich returns to Action Express Racing

Felipe Drugovich, who co-drove the No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, will join Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti for the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the Action Express Racing-run car.

The 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship champion, who competed in LMP2 in the 2024 European Le Mans Series, will make his IMSA debut in the January race. Drugovich got seat time during the Daytona test.

“I am really delighted to be here in Daytona for the first time. AXR and Cadillac gave me the opportunity to do my first Le Mans 24 Hours and now they are putting me to do the other mythical 24 hours — the Daytona one in January 2025,” he said. “Hope to help the team and my fellow drivers in this exciting and unforgettable experience, starting with these tests. I feel privileged and happy to be here.”

Vesti added for Laguna Seca race

Action Express Racing confirmed that Vesti will sit in for Bamber for the IMSA race May 9-11 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca because of the overlap with the FIA World Endurance Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

Bamber is doing double duty in 2025 with full season programs in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac GTP entry and with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for the eight-race WEC campaign.

Vesti, the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship vice-champion and reserve driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, will also contest the five endurance races in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R.

What they’re saying

Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (No. 10)

Ricky Taylor, full season driver: “First impression of the car is that it gives you a lot of confidence. I think it follows what we expected that the car is forgiving to drive and seems to be good in all types of corners. I think there is a learning curve for us on how the systems work and how all the buttons and things. We are all looking forward to comparing notes next week and seeing how all our different experiences between Will (Stevens) driving for a different manufacturer and from the other four of us and Alex Lynn who has experience in the Cadillac and also our new teammates at Action Express. All of us working together to hopefully create the best of our three different worlds throughout the year.”

Filipe Albuquerque, full season driver: “It is very interesting to drive the new Cadillac V-Series.R. It is very different from when I drove the DPi. For me, the Cadillac’s highlights are always the power. The throttle response is amazing and how it deploys the power to the wheel is very, very nice and natural. Our process is obviously ongoing, and I am looking forward to more time in the car.”

Will Stevens, IMEC driver: “This is my first time in the Cadillac V-Series.R. and my first impression is very positive. I think our first day in the car was to get all the drivers through to make everyone feel comfortable. The promising thing is that everyone felt pretty comfortable pretty quickly. Always a good sign when you have a new car and you can adapt quickly and get used to how the car feels. A big part to learn going forward is more about the systems and how they work and how they can help us manipulate car balance so we can start to get a few driver preferences on what we like and don’t like. The car has great adjustable in the settings and the tools we have available to us to fine tune balance for what a driver wants. Overall, very productive weekend.”

Cadillac Whelen (No. 31)

Earl Bamber, full season driver: “The whole program is stepping up every single year and it’s great that Cadillac continues to progress and develop and push the envelope. With this Evo joker, it will continue to help us be more successful. I think we’re on a good path and rate, so I’m excited to get out there and start racing.”

Jack Aitken, full season driver: “We have new drivers and they’re settling in well. This time of year it’s more about taking the simple steps, checking that the basics are working and covering our bases. It’s not going to be super relevant for the race weekend when we come back here in January because conditions will be different, but everyone is settling in really well and we’re working out the kinks.”

Frederik Vesti, IMEC driver: “I can’t stop smiling to be honest. Being with Cadillac for the first time in Bahrain was a good experience but to finally start working with Action Express Racing and the whole Cadillac family in the U.S. is really cool. I’ve been looking forward for a few months now to get going with this program and now we’re finally here. These first few days have been really positive. I feel confident and comfortable in the car, which is not a given when you jump into a new car. From Lap 1, I’ve been really confident in this car. Therefore, I’m looking forward to the future.”

Felipe Drugovich, Rolex 24 At Daytona driver: “It’s been a good test for me getting to know the track as well. I’ve never been on any type of banking like this so it’s quite cool. I’ve been getting used to this can again as it’s quite different from anything I drive. The sound is nice. We’re getting through test items that will help us when we come back here in January.”

Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (No. 40)

Jordan Taylor, full season driver: “It has been great coming back to Cadillac and driving the new V-Series.R. It definitely has its own driving style-wise: the way it feels, the way you attack corners, the set-up changes are different, the terminology is all different. It has been a lot to learn but nice to get a head start here in November, before the year ends. We should get a good head start from this test and go into the off-season with more ideas to come back to the Roar with. We are all excited to start the season next year. I think there is a lot of expectation on big results. Obviously, last year, we had two wins and the team would definitely like to increase that and I think we will have a great chance to with Cadillac.”

Louis Deletraz, full season driver: “I really enjoyed my first laps in the Cadillac V-Series.R. The first lap out of Turn 6, full throttle in the banking put a huge smile on my face. On every shift and down shift you can hear that incredible Cadillac engine noise. It is really cool. I am looking forward to more laps and getting more comfortable in the car. The car is very intuitive to drive and has high grip. Putting power down is definitely great. It feels like a racecar. I am really excited to work with Wayne Taylor Racing, Cadillac and Dallara because I think together we are a very strong group and can achieve great success. That will be our objective for the 40 car next season and to challenge for a title.”

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November 17, 2024
Crown Jewels and Blockbuster Events Highlight 2025 ASA STARS National Tour Schedule

(Macon, IL) – Building on a season that produced several close battles and even closer competition, the ASA STARS National Tour is gearing up for a 2025 schedule that features traditional crown jewel events as well as three exciting new additions.

The growing asphalt Super Late Model series will visit 12 different tracks in 8 different states beginning Tuesday, February 11th at the New Smyrna Speedway for the 26th running of the Clyde Hart Memorial and ending on Sunday, November 9th with the always exciting All American 400 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

Following the Clyde Hart Memorial during Speedweek at New Smyrna Speedway, the series will head over to the Five Flags Speedway. The season opener for Five Flags will feature a Doubleheader weekend with the ASA STARS National Tour under the lights on Friday, March 21st, while the ARCA Menards Series East and Vores Compacts will race on Saturday March 22nd. Last year’s race at Five Flags saw Cole Butcher get his first of 3 wins enroute to his 3rd place finish in the point standings. Just 15 days after Five Flags, the ASA STARS National Tour will make its debut at the Dominion Raceway in Woodford, VA on Saturday, April 5th.

A Memorial Day Weekend doubleheader is set to take place starting Thursday, May 22nd at the Hickory Motor Speedway for Thursday Thunder in the Foothills. Then on Saturday, May 24th, the series will head to the newly renovated Newport Speedway in Newport, Tennessee.

The Dairyland Doubleheader is once again set for Father’s Day Weekend kicking off on Friday, June 13th at Madison International Speedway. The series will then make its debut at the World’s Fastest ¼ mile, the Slinger Super Speedway on Father’s Day Sunday, June 15th.

Saturday, July 26th, the series will head back home to the birthplace of ASA, Anderson Speedway, in Anderson, IN. Rookie of the Year winner, Kyle Steckly, took home his first ASA STARS National Tour win at Anderson this past season in the Redbud 400. After Anderson, the series heads back to Owosso Speedway, but in 2025 it will have a little twist. The event will take place on Wednesday, August 20th.

The final three races on the 2025 schedule are events with deep roots in short track racing. Saturday, September 13th is the 37th Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway. The series will return to the highbanks of the Winchester Speedway on Sunday, October 12th for the 54th Winchester 400. All roads lead to Nashville for the ASA STARS National Tour season finale on Sunday, November 9th at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the 41st running of the All American 400.

Recently crowned NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, Ty Majeski, was the inaugural series champion in 2023, while Super Late Model hotshoe Casey Roderick claimed this year’s championship.

The series will again have live coverage on Track TV in addition to event replays on MavTV.

2025 ASA STARS National Tour Schedule

Tuesday, February 11 New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach FL
Friday, March 21 Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL
Saturday, April 5 Dominion Raceway, Woodford, VA
Thursday, May 22 Hickory Motor Speedway, Newton, NC
Saturday, May 24 Newport Speedway, Newport, TN
Friday, June 13 Madison International Speedway, Oregon, WI
Sunday, June 15 Slinger Super Speedway, Slinger, WI
Saturday, July 26 Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN
Wednesday, August 20 Owosso Speedway, Ovid, MI
Saturday, September 13 Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH
Sunday, October 12 Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN
Sunday, November 9 Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, TN

For more information, visit https://starsnationaltour.com/

ASA STARS National Tour

Founded by Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent, The ASA STARS National Tour for pavement Super Late Model stock cars debuted in March 2023.

The ASA STARS National Tour is a twelve-race championship series, offering a $100,000 point fund. The tour will visit 12 different race tracks in 8 states in 2025, with the season beginning in February during Florida Speedweeks, and concluding in early November at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

For those unable to attend an event, live coverage of each of the 12 events can be found on Track TV in addition to each event being re-broadcast on MavTV.

Track Enterprises (TE) is a racing Promotions Company based in Illinois, which owns and operates the ASA STARS National Tour. In addition to the STARS National Tour, Track Enterprises owns and operates Championship Racing Association (CRA) and the ASA Midwest Tour. TE also has a strategic alliance with the ASA Southern Super Series.

ASA Branded Tours

ASA Branded Tours encompasses four (4) pavement super late model racing series operating under the Track Enterprises banner, and under the ASA Brand via a licensing agreement for logo and IP Rights. ASA Branded Tours include the ASA STARS National Tour; the ASA CRA Super Series; The ASA Midwest Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series.

November 16, 2024
AARON WILLISON WINS FRIDAY POLE SHUFFLE FOR SATURDAY’S $50,000 OPEN WHEEL SHOWDOWN

LAS VEGAS — British Columbia, Canada’s Aaron Willison finds himself in a familiar position at the BITNILE Open Wheel Showdown Las Vegas, where the 2023 $50,000 race winner has earned the pole for Saturday’s 2024 edition after Willison snared the 10-lap Firstline Systems Pole Shuffle. Willison was one of six 12-lap heat race winners on the .375-mile Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Willison then outmatched Good Boy Vodka fast time qualifier JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, Calif. in the shuffle for the pole position.

“Yeah that was fun. Honestly track position – we had a good draw and got to start on the pole. I just knew I had to hit my marks and not miss the bottom. It was a good time there,” Willison said. “We’re just starting to establish a trend the longer the cars have been on the track to come to a decision for a baseline for tomorrow night. It’s awesome to have this platform to race on, to have all of North America gathered in one place to duke it out.”

Helberg led the way in time trials with a new track record, storming to a 11.572 second lap at 116.66 miles per hour. Helberg then won the opening CSI Shocks heat race one, with both Jeff Montgomery and Ryan Litt experiencing difficulties that relegated them to a C-Main position.

Willison won the BR Motorsports heat race two while Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. won the Elliott’s Custom Trailers heat three. A spin for Indiana USAC champion CJ Leary will have him coming out of Saturday’s B-Main. Casey Tillman won the Wilwood Brakes heat race four and Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif. won the Racing Optics fifth heat race. Jake Trainor of Medway, Mass. won the Sweet Manufacturing heat race.

Litt made quick work of the 15-lap C-Main, presented by RX Help Centers, and will continue his alphabet soup effort on Saturday.

Klotz Modified action was led in qualifying by Las Vegas’ Aaron McMorran, who then drew the one pill in the redraw. All three heat races were presented by Cometic Gasket, with Aaron McMorran, Kyle Jacks, and Rich Lindgren snaring coveted wins.

Saturday action kicks off early with Modified practices at 10:30am. General Admission gates also swing open at that time, with plenty of tickets available at the gates. Supermodified time trials are also on deck. Opening ceremonies are at 1:30pm, with fans then treated to the 100-lap Sprint Car feature, 75-lap Modified feature, 40-lap Supermodified feature and B-Mains for both the Sprint Cars and Modifieds. More information available at www.openwheelshowdown.com

Pit Passes will be sold at the gate and include grandstand access.

November 16, 2024
Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini Super Trofeo Team Earn 2024 Team Championship Title

CÁDIZ, Spain (November 15, 2024) — The Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) Lamborghini Super Trofeo (LST) team has completed the North America Championship season following the final doubleheader at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain. With the completion of the LSTNA Championship, Wayne Taylor Racing has earned Team Champion honors as well as Lamborghini Palm Beach collecting the Dealership Champion accolade. From the 2024 LSTNA season, WTR collected 14 wins and nine additional podiums on the year.

Danny Formal and Ryan Norman concluded their first campaign together as a driver pairing in the No. 101 Huracán LST. Formal placed the No. 101 on pole position for Race 1, but challenging track conditions saw the No. 101 team slide back in the running order – ending their hopes for collecting the PRO class championship. In Race 2, Formal and Norman saw their luck turned around with victory to end the LSTNA season. Co-driver Norman quickly capitalized on the start of Race 2 to place the No. 101 car in prime position to grab the top step of the podium. With the LSTNA season complete, Formal and Norman earn PRO Class Vice Champion honors, tallying two overall wins on the season and a total of five podiums.

For Nate Stacy and Nick Persing, the No. 108 Huracán LST duo were on the prowl for their first PRO|AM Championship title entering the final two races of the LSTNA Championship. Race 1 provided a key opportunity for the pairing to capitalize on their pace to gain valuable points for their championship hopes. Stacy and Persing navigated the high-speed Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Race 1, grabbing the second step on the podium in Thursday’s race. Persing and Stacy were ready to leave it all out on the line as Race 2 approached. The pair gave it all they had, but unfortunately came up just 10 points short of the title, collecting the PRO|AM Vice Champion title. Stacy and Persing collected four wins on the year, including the PRO|AM class sweep at Circuit of the Americas.

Anthony McIntosh and Glenn McGee can boost the AM Class Championship trophy once again, as the pair have earned their second consecutive title. McIntosh and McGee’s 2024 LSTNA AM Championship title is their first with WTR and the first AM Class accolade for Wayne Taylor Racing. The No. 169 Global Power Components duo had a comfortable points lead entering Spain for the remaining North American rounds. Like their WTR teammates in Race 1, McGee and McIntosh battled the damp track surface and earned a top five AM Class result but the championship was still up for grabs come Race 2. Friday’s Race 2 saw a clean slate for all competitors as the pair propelled themselves from starting second into the lead and that momentum led to McGee and McIntosh capturing the victory and championship title simultaneously. The No. 169 team boosted six wins and three podiums in route to their title.

Ashton Harrison and Graham Doyle battled a competitive AM Class and were determined to end their season on high note with the doubleheader finale from Jerez de la Frontera. In Race 1, Harrison and Doyle had sights set on moving forward on the grid, however damp track conditions made it difficult to gain positions on track. For Race 2, the No. 110 DEX Imaging duo were ready for a reset and once again push their way forward. All looked promising for a podium position, however, late race contact halted the momentum for the No. 110 team. Harrison and Doyle may not have been in the championship battle, but the pair can be proud of their success from the year – especially their podium at Watkins Glen International – as well as finishing inside the top ten of the AM Class Championship standings.
Next up for the Wayne Taylor Racing LST stable are the World Finals competition from Jerez de la Frontera. Rather than competing altogether, the fields across LST North America, Europe and Asia will be split into two groups including AM and LB Cup then PRO and PRO|AM competition. Saturday, November 16, will see qualifying to set the grid for the World Finals doubleheader as well as the first round of World Finals. The AM and LB Cup Race 1, including WTR’s No. 110 DEX Imaging and No. 169 Global Power Components Huracán LSTs, is set for 1:55 p.m. Central European Time (7:55 a.m. ET) on Saturday. No. 101 PRO and No. 108 PRO|AM entries for WTR will compete in World Finals Race 1 later Saturday at 4:15 p.m. CET (10:15 a.m. ET). The conclusion of the LST World Finals weekend will see the AM and LB Cup final race go green at 11:50 a.m. CET (5:50 a.m. ET) with the final PRO and PRO|AM race set for 2:40 p.m. CET (8:40 a.m. ET) on Sunday, November 17. Lamborghini Squadra Corse’s YouTube channel will stream all four World Finals races from the weekend.

Ryan Norman No. 101 WTR LST (PRO): “I’m very proud of how we finished the season with a win here at Jerez! The WTR team has worked so hard this season and although we had some struggles early on in the season, we all came back stronger and even though we didn’t come out at the end with the championship, we all have a lot of great things to be proud of. It’s been such a great experience teaming up with Danny as my co-driver this season and we still have more work to do with the World Finals coming up this weekend. The car is in a great window right now and we will be giving it everything we have to go for the win in the finals.”

Danny Formal, No. 101 WTR LST (PRO): “The North American rounds are over and we’re going home with a win in Round 12. I’m very grateful for the WTR team, it was a great year. We earned P2 in the Championship, not what we wanted but we fought hard and never gave up. The WTR team did a fantastic job. I’m super excited for the World Finals starting tomorrow.”

Nate Stacy, No. 108 WTR LST (PRO|AM): “We fought with everything we had but, in the end, came up one spot short. It’s a brutal feeling for the guys, they all wanted this championship so badly however, we had a good racecar at the end of the race and showed promising speed throughout the race. I’m excited to see how we do in World Finals and can’t wait to give it our best shot!”

Nick Persing, No. 108 WTR LST (PRO|AM): “Bittersweet ending to the North American championship, while I am not disappointed with second, we definitely had a chance to win. Regardless I think we exceeded the expectations we had going into the season and watching my own progression over the season has been something to be proud of. As of now though my head is down fully focused on World Finals tomorrow because I think we have a shot to win it in PRO/AM.”

Glenn McGee, No. 169 Global Power Components LST (AM): “A great weekend! We started off strong, the weather threw us off on setup and Wayne Taylor Racing came up with an amazing setup for our race. Tony and I both qualified well. It was a little difficult in Race 1 because the conditions were damp. We knew starting eighth overall in Race 2, we had a good position and the car was amazing. We drove to the front and hung on to the leaders. I just took care of the tires and made sure the car was okay to give to Tony. Tony did an amazing job, brought it home in first place – got us the win and the championship. Wayne Taylor Racing did an amazing job all year and really proud that we could bring the North American championship for a second time and get it with the might of Wayne Taylor Racing behind us.”

Graham Doyle, No. 110 DEX Imaging LST (AM): “Ending the US Super Trofeo season I feel as if the results don’t display the feeling in our cars performance and our pace heading into World Finals. After a challenging Race 1 in shifting conditions, we were able to make our way through the field and up into a podium position spot. in Race 2. Yet the cards weren’t in our favor and late contact from a competitor stole away our chances. Looking ahead, I feel like we are ready to take on World Finals and hope to redeem ourselves.”

Ashton Harrison, No. 110 DEX Imaging LST (AM): “A bummer to end the North America final in the gravel. Graham had a crazy good start and gained a ton of positions and put us in contention for the podium.
The WTR team had us set up for success, but unfortunately contact from a competitor sent us into the gravel. Heartbroken for the entire team. Heads up and refocused onto World Finals for the remainder of the weekend. Very thankful to be given the chance to drive with Graham and WTR again this year, looking forward to a successful World Finals.”
ABOUT WAYNE TAYLOR RACING DRIVER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Wayne Taylor Racing is a leader in sportscar racing, recognized worldwide for fielding championship winning racing efforts since 2007. Wayne Taylor Racing has run a stable of championship winning cars and drivers in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series for over half a decade, forming the basis of its Driver Development Program. Since its inception in 2015, the team has clinched eight North American PRO Driver, Team and Dealer Championship titles, fielded the first woman World Finals race winner and became the overall 2017 Champions at the World Finals in Imola, Italy. In addition to its Lamborghini Super Trofeo stable, Wayne Taylor Racing fields a two-car GTP program with its championship winning No. 10 Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 40 Cadillac V-Series.R as well as a GTD program with the No. 45 DEX Imaging Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2.

For more information on Wayne Taylor Racing’s Driver Development Program and how to get involved, contact Travis Houge at info@waynetaylorracing.com.

November 15, 2024
CARS Tour West Announces Schedule and Competition Updates

2025 Season Kicks off January 25 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway

Bakersfield, Calif. (November 15, 2024) – Following a successful first year of the CARS Tour West, the series is set for growth adding two new divisions to include Super Late Models and Limited Pro Late Models in 2025.

The CARS Tour West will continue to run its 602 Pro Late Model division but will be rebranded as the Limited Pro Late Model (LPL) division with minimal changes to the rules package switching from Hoosier’s 970 treaded racing tire to the 980 slick. The Limited Pro Late Models will run 11 events with the 10 best races counting toward the year-end championship.

“The 602 division is very important to West Coast racing,” said Tim Huddleston, CARS Tour West co-owner. “It is the staple division for many local tracks, and adding the slick tire provides a great steppingstone for our competitors who look to move up the ranks in the ladder system we are building.”

The Pro Late Model Series will run 11 events with the best 10 races counting toward the championship. The series will compete on 10-inch slick ST1, ST2 and ST3 Hoosier tires and follow the 2025 United Late Model Rules Alliance (ULRA) Pro Late Model rule book. This shift in the new Pro Late Model division on the West Coast will align the CARS Tour Pro Late Model series in the East and West.

The Super Late Model division will compete on 10-inch slick ST1, ST2 and ST3 Hoosier tires and follow the 2025 ULRA rule book with five events in 2025.

“The realignment of the West Coast divisions and rules is intended to create a clear ladder system from Legend cars to Super Late Models for the competitors under one series umbrella,” said Kevin Harvick, CARS Tour West co-owner. “With the collaboration from the competitors and local tracks, we feel like we have put West Coast racing in the most structured position for our competitors to succeed.”

The Legend cars will compete in conjunction with the CARS Tour West at every event in 2025. Fifteen of the 16 races will make up the CARS Tour West Legend Car championship based on the 12 best finishes. Not included in the CARS Tour West Legend Car championship will be the INEX Summer Nationals multi-day event at Colorado National Speedway on the weekend of August 16.

With the expansion of competition, the CARS Tour West has assembled a stellar team to oversee the operation and growth of the series.

Will Kozak continues with the organization and moves into the new role as Series Director. Kozak brings experience from most recently overseeing Irwindale Speedway and Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.

Joey Mancari enters his second year as with the CARS Tour West as the race director. Mancari brings a plethora of experience to the organization after serving tenures with NASCAR, Red Bull Global Rally Cross and AMA Pro Racing American Flat Track.

The team has appointed NASCAR veteran Cal Northrop as the Super Late Models tech director.

West Coast Stock Car Hall of Famer and former NASCAR driver Bill Sedgwick continues his role as the tech director for the Pro and Limited Pro Late Model divisions.

November 15, 2024
Pratt Miller Motorsports Returns to its Prototype Roots in 2025

NEW HUDSON (Nov. 15, 2024) – Pratt Miller Motorsports is proud to officially announce its return to prototype racing, marking a new chapter in its illustrious motorsports history. Starting in 2025, Pratt Miller Motorsports will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the highly competitive LMP2 category.

The team will field an Oreca 07, driven by Pietro Fittipaldi and James Roe, with additional drivers to be announced at a later date. This expansion comes as Pratt Miller continues to solidify its position as a leader in professional sports car racing. Alongside this new endeavor, Pratt Miller will continue to operate its world-renowned Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports GTD Pro team, maintaining its legacy of excellence and performance.

Pratt Miller Motorsports has a successful history in prototype racing that began over 30 years ago with the groundbreaking Intrepid GTP and later included the Corvette Daytona Prototype, further showcasing the team’s deep engineering capabilities and competitive spirit.

Driver Highlights:

Pietro Fittipaldi – Pietro brings exceptional experience to the Pratt Miller team as one of a select group of drivers worldwide to hold an FIA Super License. The grandson of two-time Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, Pietro began his career in karting and quickly rose through the ranks, claiming the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Limited Late Model Championship in 2011. In 2014, he moved to Europe, competing and winning championships in Formula Renault and Formula V8, showcasing his adaptability and skill on an international level. Pietro made his IndyCar debut in 2018 and served as a reserve driver for the Haas F1 Team, making his Formula One debut at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.

James Roe – Hailing from Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland, James Roe’s passion for racing emerged at the age of fifteen. As part of an automotive-centric family, James honed both the driving abilities and the business skills to support his racing career. In 2018, James ventured to the United States, where he quickly made his mark with multiple wins and lap records in his inaugural season. His determination and success propelled him up the American motorsports ladder, achieving victories and podium finishes on each step of North America’s ladder system. In 2024, James completed his second full season in the Indy NXT™ by Firestone Series for Andretti Global.

Quote Board:

Matt Carroll, CEO, Pratt Miller – “At Pratt Miller, we are driven by a legacy of innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Our return to prototype racing exemplifies our commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing new challenges. This is more than just a race program; it’s a testament to the dedication and expertise that defines our entire organization.”

Brandon Widmer, Vice President, Pratt Miller Motorsports – “We’re excited to deepen our involvement in IMSA by launching an LMP2 program. This expansion reflects our commitment to innovation and performance. Over this past season, we have been laying the groundwork to build a comprehensive motorsports platform that maximizes our partners’ return on their investment with us. With Pietro Fittipaldi’s extensive experience and championships across multiple racing formats and James Roe’s ascension through the American open-wheel ranks, we’re confident these drivers bring the skill and determination needed to make our LMP2 debut a success. We expect to announce a bronze-rated driver and a fourth endurance driver in the very near future, further strengthening our team for the upcoming season.”

Pietro Fittipaldi – “Joining the winningest professional sports car team in the U.S. is an honor. I’m eager for the journey ahead and contributing to Pratt Miller Motorsports’ continued success.”

James Roe – “It’s a privilege to become part of the winning legacy at Pratt Miller Motorsports. I look forward to contributing to the team’s tradition of excellence, especially in this inaugural year for the LMP2 program.”

About Pratt Miller:

Founded in 1989, Pratt Miller, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), is a groundbreaking engineering and product development company. Our winning roots in motorsports enable us to deliver ingenious solutions to our clients’ most challenging problems — and wildest ideas. That history enables our team of highly adaptive innovators to apply speed, agility and engineering expertise to every project, swiftly transforming what’s possible in our clients’ industries — taking what they do to the next level and changing their world for the better.

About Oshkosh Corporation:

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

November 15, 2024
SANTOS, JACKS, AND SITTERLY TOP THURSDAY OPEN WHEEL SHOWDOWN PRACTICES

LAS VEGAS — Bobby Santos, Sam Jacks, and Otto Sitterly topped Thursday practices for the BITNILE.com Open Wheel Showdown at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nearly 100 participants took to the .375-mile paved speedway for practices across the Winged Sprint Car, Supermodified, and Klotz Synthetics Modifieds.

Santos of Franklin, Mass. set the standard with a blistering 11.927 lap at 113.188 miles per hour in the No. 22A Sprint Car. Afternoon practice leader JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, Calif. timed in second quickest followed by multi-time Silver Crown champion Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif., event promoter Davey Hamilton, Jr., and Canadian Jeff Montgomery.

Santos picked up half a second across the two practice sessions to lead the way.

“We unloaded decent. We kind of went back to what we know works in the second practice session. Car has good balance. Looking forward to the next two days. Got to thank everyone at Open Wheel Showdown and Davey for what he’s doing. Been looking forward to this weekend for the whole year,” Santos said. “(Qualifying) is wicked important. This format rewards speed, which is a good thing. There’s so many good cars here so that’s the way it should be. It’s a great format. With that being said, we have to put ourselves in a good position.”

The Winged Sprint Cars will participate in time trials, heat races, the 12-car Firstline Systems Pole Shuffle, and the 15-lap C-Feature on Friday night. All the preliminary events are in preparation for Saturday’s 100-lap, $50,000 to win feature.

Three-time ISMA and nine-time Oswego champion Otto Sitterly backed up his championship resume by leading Supermodified practice. Sitterly darted to a 12.322 second lap, leading 11-time Indianapolis 500 starter Davey Hamilton, California’s Jim Birges, Colorado’s Cris Muhler, and 2025 Colorado Hall of Fame inductee Rich Castor.

More Supermodified practices are scheduled Friday, continuing the run towards a $5,000 prize in Saturday’s 40-lap main event.

Sam Jacks led his younger brother Kyle Jacks in Klotz Synthetics Modifieds practices, timing in at 14.900 seconds. Aaron McMorran rounded out an all-Las Vegas driver podium followed by Idaho standout Shelby Stroebel and California champion Scott Winters. 32 Modifieds took times in preparation for Saturday’s 75-lap feature paying $5,000 to win.

Modifieds will time trial and heat race during Friday night’s action.

Tickets are on sale now at www.OpenWheelShowdown.com or fans can check out the racing live on www.SpeedSport.TV

On Friday, general admission gates open at 11am with practice for Modifieds, Winged Sprint Cars, and Supermodifieds on tap. Winged Sprint qualifying is set for 2:10pm followed by Modified qualifying at approx. 3:50pm.

Opening ceremonies are slated for 4:30pm on Friday followed by 12-lap Sprint Car and 10-lap Modified heat races. The top-two from each Sprint Car heat will advance into the pole shuffle, lined up by redraw, presented by First Line Systems. The 15-lap C-Main is also planned for Friday night.

For more information, visit www.openwheelshowdown.com Tickets and RV reservations are available via the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pit Passes will be sold at the gate and include grandstand access.

November 15, 2024

GAIGE HERRERA SETS SIGHTS ON SECOND CONSECUTIVE NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP AT IN-N-OUT BURGER NHRA FINALS

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2024) – As the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season comes to a close at the 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at legendary In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Gaige Herrera is on the brink of another crowning moment, as the young rider will attempt to claim his second consecutive world championship.

Herrera, rider of the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, has dominated the field for the past two seasons, winning 11 races a year ago en route to his first world title. With 10 event wins to his credit in 2024, he heads into the final race of the season with another commanding points lead, leading former champion Matt Smith by 123 points.

If Herrera keeps the margin above 120 points by the end of qualifying, he will clinch a championship on Saturday, much like he did a year ago. As sweet as that first title was, a second championship would be just as special for Herrera.

“If I’m able to win the second championship, I think this one will mean a lot more,” Herrera said. “I had to earn it a lot more this season. Last season, I kind of ran away with it and came out of nowhere with Andrew (Hines, tuner). We just gelled so quick and we were dominating right away. This year was definitely a lot tighter racing. There wasn’t much room for error. It’s going to mean a lot more for me, showing that last year was a fluke or just a one-time thing. It’s pretty amazing, honestly.”

The 2023 In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals saw Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) take home event wins, while Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won world titles. The year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 to close the season in style, including eliminations at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 17.

It is the last of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and after a slow start in the playoffs, Herrera has come on strong, winning the past three events.

Herrera is one of only four riders to have collected wins this season: 2023 Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant won in his first career event in Seattle, Reading winner Hector Arana Jr. and six-time champion Smith who claimed victories in Sonoma and at the fall race in Charlotte.

Smith grabbed the points lead after the Charlotte playoff win, but Herrera, who boasts an incredible 47-4 round win record this season, bounced back with wins in St. Louis, Dallas and Las Vegas. He’s now won 21 races over the past two seasons with one race remaining, recording an other-worldly 97-8 record during that time. Now, Herrera hopes to finish off this run with another title in Pomona.

“It means a lot to have done what we have,” Herrera said. “We’ve won a lot of races in back-to-back years. I go home and I see all the Wally trophies and I remember just dreaming to be able to hold one and now I’ve got 21 of them. It’s insane and for us to do the same in back-to-back seasons, and to have 10 wins this year, it’s incredible and it just showcases (tuners, past champions) Andrew and Eddie Krawiec and all the guys back at the Vance & Hines shop. None of this is possible without them. I feel like these are more their wins than mine and I’m very thankful to be a part of it.”

In the Top Fuel ranks, Justin Ashley currently leads the points over former champs Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon by 44 and 45 points, respectively, with Steve Torrence and Doug Kalitta both close behind. Ashley has collected four wins this season, including the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip’s first event of the season.

The Funny Car championship is all but decided, as class newcomer Austin Prock takes a 188-point lead into Pomona. He’ll clinch his first career world title – and the 21st Funny Car title for John Force Racing – when he attempts his first qualifying pass. He’s also after a ninth Funny Car win, thought the likes of Hagan, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and Bob Tasca III will try to close out 2024 in style.

Pro Stock has come down a three-car race, with Aaron Stanfield jumping into the lead with his Las Vegas win. He leads Dallas Glenn by 32 points as both drivers are seeking their first championship. Veteran Greg Anderson is only 56 points back, while the likes of Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. look to finish the year with a Pomona win.

Along with racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, fans can also see the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, while the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will hold a special racing exhibition.

Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage in the pits, where they can take part in Nitro School, meet and greets, influencer interviews and much more. Pomona race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday, where fans are invited to congratulate the world champions and event winners.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. They can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two qualifying rounds at 1 and 3:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 15, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday and then live eliminations on FS1 at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult.

Top Fuel 1. Justin Ashley, 2,475 2. Antron Brown, 2,431 3. Shawn Langdon, 2,430 4. (tie) Doug Kalitta, 2,390 Steve Torrence, 2,390 6. Clay Millican, 2,382 7. Brittany Force, 2,357 8. Tony Schumacher, 2,348 9. (tie) Shawn Reed, 2,215 Tony Stewart, 2,215	Funny Car 1. Austin Prock, 2,662 2. John Force, 2,474 3. Ron Capps, 2,411 4. Matt Hagan, 2,404 5. Bob Tasca III, 2,380 6. Blake Alexander, 2,31 17. Daniel Wilkerson, 2,290 8. J.R. Todd, 2,256 9. Chad Green, 2,220 10. Cruz Pedregon, 2,212
Pro Stock 1. Aaron Stanfield, 2,587 2. Dallas Glenn, 2,555 3. Greg Anderson, 2,531 4. Erica Enders, 2,459 5. Jeg Coughlin, 2,375 6. Matt Hartford, 2,273 7. Cristian Cuadra, 2,260 8. Jerry Tucker, 2,213 9. Troy Coughlin Jr., 2,206 10. Eric Latino, 2,189	Pro Stock Motorcycle 1. Gaige Herrera, 2,658 2. Matt Smith, 2,535 3. Richard Gadson, 2,427 4. Hector Arana Jr, 2,424 5. Chase Van Sant, 2,375 6. Angie Smith, 2,361 7. John Hall, 2,291 8. Jianna Evaristo, 2,282 9. Steve Johnson, 2,214 10. Chris Bostick, 2,160

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.

November 15, 2024

Formula Regional Americas Championship Scholarship Program Revamped for 2025

Prize Fund to Present New Opportunities, Support for Talented Racers; Strengthens Ladder That Includes Scholarships for F4 U.S. and JS F4 Champions

CHARLOTTE (November 14, 2024) – Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) has announced a new scholarship program for its 2025 season, awarding up to six drivers in the highly-contested championship with cash prizes to assist in the next step of their racing career. With incremental prizes given to each of the top-five drivers, as well as the top-finishing rookie, the 2025 Driver Champion is set to be awarded $100,000 cash.

“We’re excited to launch the prize fund for FR Americas in 2025,” said Race Director Scott Goodyear. “Looking to build on a very successful 2024 season, which saw us take the series into Canada for the first time while racing in front of 35,000 fans, we feel this program will strengthen the championship even more—attracting new drivers from around the world, and giving them valuable prizes to further their career. Most importantly, the prize fund continues to increase the depth of our ladder system, allowing drivers to move from karting to cars and use our scholarship prizes to take the next step in their racing career. With graduates among the starting grids of the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR, FIA Formula 3, Super Formula, IMSA, NASCAR, INDY NXT and more, our open-wheel ladder has a proven trajectory for success.”

The year-end awards, with a total prize fund of $160,000, will be distributed among as many as six drivers. The FR Americas Driver Champion will be awarded $100,000, while the Vice Champion will receive $25,000 and the Third-Place Champion will collect $15,000. Prizes will extend throughout the top five, as the driver finishing fourth in the point standings will be awarded $10,000 and the driver finishing fifth will receive $5,000. In addition, the top-finishing rookie will also be awarded a $5,000 year-end prize.

While the prize fund is set to reward drivers in the top level of Parella Motorsports Holdings’ (PMH) open-wheel ladder, drivers competing in the junior levels will also compete for scholarships to assist in their forward progress in a career in motorsports on the Road to F1.

The 2025 Driver Champion in Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) will receive a scholarship to step up to the next level—FR Americas—in 2026. The winner will be provided the use of a JS F3 chassis from Ligier Automotive, an F3 engine developed, engineered and provided by Mountune, tires supplied by Hankook Motorsports, and race entry fees from PMH.

In the Ligier JS F4 Series (JS F4), the 2025 Driver Champion will win a scholarship to compete in F4 U.S. the following season, which includes the use of an F4 U.S. chassis and Ligier Storm engine from Ligier Automotive, tires supplied by Hankook Motorsports and race entry fees from PMH.

The scholarships, paired with additional contingency awards given to the Champion, Vice Champion and Third-Place Champion, present a significant prize package for drivers competing in both F4 U.S and JS F4. Both scholarship prizes cover the cost of the season, excluding testing, team costs and travel. With the additional value added by product and contingency prizes, the F4 U.S. awards carry a total value of $295,280, while JS F4’s prizes combine for a value of $197,680.

All three series on the PMH open-wheel ladder continue to provide the lowest cost per mile compared to other professional racing series in North America, as well as the other Formula 4 and Formula Regional championships around the globe. The low cost, paired with impressive wheel-to-wheel competition, position the championships as a superb training ground for young drivers.

The 2025 season for FR Americas, F4 U.S. and JS F4 will open March 27-30 at NOLA Motorsports Park. An integral part of SpeedTour events, the championships will compete side by side with The Trans Am Series, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), International GT and Prototype Sprint Series Association (PSSA) at some of the most iconic road courses in North America. In 2025, all races will be live streamed on SpeedTour.TV. Prospective drivers looking to learn more about each championship should visit the respective series’ website: FRAmericas.com, F4USChampionship.com and JSF4Series.com.

About Formula Regional Americas Championship & Formula 4 United States Championship: The FIA-certified Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) & Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) are designed as entry-level open-wheel racing series offering young talent the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international platform while keeping affordability and safety as key elements. The Championships align with the global FIA-development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success. The 2025 F4 U.S. driver champion will be awarded a scholarship to compete in FR Americas in 2026, while the 2025 FR Americas Champion will be awarded a $100,000 year-end prize.

About Ligier JS F4 Series: Sanctioned by Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH), the Ligier JS F4 Series provides an entry point to the ladder system that leads to the top levels of open-wheel competition. A step between karting and the wheel-to-wheel racing of Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), the Ligier JS F4 Series focuses on laying a proper foundation for race craft and education, as much as it does on track competition. Open to drivers as young as age 14, the series utilizes a cost-efficient model to further develop driver’s skills with a lower cost of entry. The 2025 Ligier JS F4 Series driver champion will be awarded a scholarship to compete in F4 U.S. in 2026.

November 14, 2024
Zach Hollingshead wins the PT Autosport Aspiring Driver Shootout

The 21-year-old Floridian earns a spot on the team’s junior driver program

MILLVILLE, NJ (November 14, 2024) – PT Autosport’s mission statement is simple: provide a path into professional motorsports for deserving young drivers who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. The team’s successful Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Toyota GR Cup campaigns highlight its commitment to young talent development – exemplified by its annual Aspiring Driver Shootout.

After three days of intense on and off-track evaluations at New Jersey Motorsports Park, PT Autosport has chosen Zach Hollingshead as the team’s 2024 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner. Hollingshead, 21, from Lake City, Fla., earned the nod after the most competitive Shootout to date.

Hollingshead will receive a driver partnership worth up to $250,000 (with $50,000 guaranteed). Liam Crystal, 22, finished in second place and earned $10,000 toward a racing school or coaching program, while Max Stallone, 18, came in third position to take home a $5,000 racing school scholarship or equivalent coaching package.

“This means the world to me,” said Hollingshead. “I thought it would be a tossup between any one of us. It feels awesome – it means that everything I’ve been doing for the past three years has finally come to light, that all the hard work has paid off. I get to represent an amazing team, and I hope to show them what I can do. It took a while to get rolling this week, as I’d never driven anything mid-engine. It definitely took a few sessions to get used to, but in the end, I think I handled it pretty well and put down a few good laps. For the qualifying sim, everything came together, and I was able to just lock in. A huge thanks to PT Autosport for this amazing opportunity.”

Hollingshead grew up karting in Florida, finishing third in Rotax Junior in the 2017 Florida Winter Tour. He then joined the legendary Ocala Gran Prix team, racing against drivers such as Kyle Kirkwood and Oliver Askew. Moving into cars this year, Hollingshead contested two Mazda MX-5 Cup races – and two Toyota GR Cup races with Copeland Motorsports. Hollingshead has worked with Copeland as a mechanic this season alongside his father, earning the seat at the VIRginia International Raceway doubleheader.

“This has definitely the closest field we’ve had,” said Sedgwick, PT Autosport’s Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver and driver development coordinator. “Everything was so close, even with so many assessments and so many attempts to split them up as far as talent was concerned. It’s been a very difficult decision, they’re all deserving in one way or another. Zach’s story is very cool, since he’s been working in racing, getting an opportunity to drive this year as a thank you for all of that hard work. He did a good job during that race weekend and ultimately, when it came down to it this week, he was the one who delivered. He’s the right choice for here and now we know we also have a second and third that warrant more investigation and more time, and with more development they’re going to be very, very strong.”

The finalists were tested on a variety of fronts, including fitness, media, simulator work, and of course, driving, led by the team’s stellar quartet of driver coaches: Porsche Driving Specialists Ric Collins and Anton Spires, race and rally instructor Cameron Davies, and veteran racer and coach Moh Ritson. Sedgwick managed operations and driver development, overseeing all aspects of the Shootout, while 2022 Shootout winner Henry Drury – the 2024 Toyota GR Cup rookie of the year – also handled coaching duties, while also managing data from each car.

Monday’s fitness test gave the coaches a chance to see each finalist’s strengths and weaknesses, through a rigorous set of presses, crunches, sprints and reaction analyses. The media test was broken into two parts: a five-minute prepared presentation detailing each finalist’s background, and a subsequent Q&A.

Finalists were then judged on their sim abilities running iRacing’s Toyota GR Cup car at NJMP. Each finalist worked with a driver coach in advance, then were graded on progression over the sim session, focusing on their ability to balance speed and car control.

The driving portion of the Shootout began on Tuesday morning in chilly but sunny conditions in the team’s pair of SPEC Porsche Boxsters. The finalists were assessed not just on outright speed, but on consistency, car control, gear selection, progression through the sessions, and willingness to learn from their driver coach – culminating in a two-lap qualifying simulation, with Hollingshead coming out on top.

The choice was extremely difficult for all the judges, including team principal Jason Myers.

“It was the toughest decision-making process we’ve ever faced,” said Myers. “There was so much talent, and the lap times were incredibly competitive – even though that’s not what we fully base our decision on, it was helpful in the deciding factor. They’ve all been very quick, progressively learning and getting faster over the three days. In the end, it came down to four or five very highly qualified candidates that all deserved a chance at winning but in Zach, we see a lot of grit and determination. So many people talk about wanting to get into racing, but he’s been there at every GR Cup race weekend, working to make that dream come true. We believe he’ll be a huge asset to PT Autosport.”

PT Autosport would like to thank partners STEAM Sports Foundation, Classic Car Club Manhattan and New Jersey Motorsports Park for their continued support.

About PT Autosport — Discover Unique Talent. Develop Champions.

PT Autosport, based at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ, campaigns rising star Alex Sedgwick (UK) in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America series with JDX Racing, 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Henry Drury (UK) in the 2024 Toyota GR Cup North America series with Precision Racing LA.

PT Autosport is dedicated to providing merit-based motorsport industry opportunities for diverse individuals with high integrity, grit, and coach-ability, achieved through a development program for young aspiring drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other professionals. The first step of this process is applying for the annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a team racing partnership with the team.

A rigorous evaluation process of applicants determines the final competitors for the driver shootout. The winner earns financial support of up to $250,000 ($50,000 guaranteed) to pursue their racing career. The review process also provides the team the chance to identify unique talent for other roles in motorsport, including race engineers, mechanics, and professionals.

PT Autosport is building a community that fosters the development of young talent to find a place where they can make an impact in the motorsport community as a career.

PT Autosport social media

Instagram: @pt_autosport
TikTok: @ptautosport
Twitter: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport
YouTube: PT Autosport

November 14, 2024