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  • CLARIOS AND OPTIMA BATTERIES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH FORD PERFORMANCE DAKAR RALLY PROGRAM

    CLARIOS AND OPTIMA BATTERIES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH FORD PERFORMANCE DAKAR RALLY PROGRAM

    GLENDALE (Jan. 7, 2025) – CLARIOS, the company behind OPTIMA Batteries, has announced an exciting new collaboration at the pinnacle of off-road racing – the Dakar Rally. Partnering with the legendary Ford Performance team, OPTIMA Batteries will be joining one of the world’s most grueling off-road races to back a four-vehicle racing effort driven by champions like Carlos Sainz Sr., Nani Roma, Mattias Ekstrom and Mitch Guthrie Jr.

    To highlight the engineering capabilities and determination of the Ford Performance team, four Ford Raptor T1+ vehicles – considered the ultimate Raptor by Ford Performance – will be racing in the Ultimate T1+ category at the Dakar Rally and other rally-raid competitions. In partnership with Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries, the Ford Performance Raptor T1+ vehicles will flaunt OPTIMA Batteries’ signature rocker panel integrated into the Ford Performance livery and be supported by the OPTIMA Batteries team.

    The four-vehicle Ford Raptor T1+ vehicles will sport OPTIMA Batteries signature rocker panel integrated into the Ford Performance livery.
    The decision to partner with Ford Performance was driven by Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries’ continued efforts to push their battery systems to the limit. Using motorsport racing efforts as the highest level of research and field testing, Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries can test products in grueling terrain, inclement weather and high-stress scenarios.

    “When you take on a challenge the size of Dakar, everything needs to be right,” said Global Director of Ford Performance Mark Rushbrook. “OPTIMA has a long tradition of building great products that meet demanding conditions.”

    With the 14-day, 4,784-mile race already underway, the teams at Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries are looking forward to the conclusion of the ultimate shake-down.

    “Very few other races have the lengthy run-time, variety of terrain and sheer adversity that comes with the Dakar Rally,” said OPTIMA Batteries Director of Marketing Cam Douglass. “When OPTIMA Batteries and Clarios can compete at this level alongside Ford Performance, we can have confidence in the products we provide to our daily drivers and recreational fun-haver community.”

    Fans can see updates from the Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries-backed Ford Performance Dakar Rally drivers by following along with OPTIMA Batteries and Ford Performance social media.

    About Clarios
    Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. Clarios is a Brookfield portfolio company.

    About OPTIMA® Batteries
    OPTIMA high-performance automotive, marine and heavy-duty AGM batteries are manufactured by Clarios, LLC, the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive batteries. OPTIMA REDTOP®, YELLOWTOP® and BLUETOP® batteries feature state-of-the-art SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. This patented design allows OPTIMA batteries to deliver superior performance in both starting and deep cycling applications. The OPTIMA product family also includes a line of Digital Chargers, with advanced multi-stage charging to charge and maintain a variety of vehicle batteries, maximizing battery life and performance. The newest additions to the OPTIMA YELLOWTOP line are now offered in DIN group sizes H6 and H7. This offering allows a variety of modern vehicles, ranging from late-model domestic performance to European models, to experience the power and performance of OPTIMA Batteries. To learn more or to purchase OPTIMA products, please visit www.optimabatteries.com, call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) or find @OPTIMABatteries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

  • Hélio Castroneves joins Trackhouse Racing for first NASCAR & Daytona 500 bid in 2025

    Hélio Castroneves joins Trackhouse Racing for first NASCAR & Daytona 500 bid in 2025

    Hélio Castroneves will etch a new chapter to his iconic racing career by attempting to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut for this year’s 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

    The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion from São Paulo, Brazil, will join forces with Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 program and pilot the organization’s No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry sponsored by Wendy’s throughout Daytona Speedweeks that leads to the 2025 Great American Race, which is scheduled to occur on February 16. In addition, Darian Grubb, the 2011 Cup Series championship-winning crew chief, will work atop the No. 91 pit box.

    The news comes as Castroneves is coming off a part-time campaign in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR), an organization that he is an ownership partner to and delivered the team’s first victory during the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2021. Throughout the 2024 season, he competed in three events, including the 108th Indy 500. He will compete with MSR for a starting spot in this year’s 109th Indy 500 in May, which would mark his 25th consecutive start in the Great Spectacle in Racing.

    “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enter a NASCAR race and certainly not the Daytona 500 with a team like Trackhouse Racing,” Castroneves said. “This is an opportunity that nobody in their right mind could ever turn down. I am so thankful to Wendy’s for allowing me to wear their uniform and drive their car, [Trackhouse owner] Justin Marks and everyone that made this happen. I wish the race were tomorrow!”

    Castroneves, who grew up competing in go-karts before his career blossomed within open-wheel and sports car competition, is a four-time champion of the Indianapolis 500, where he claimed his first two victories in back-to-back seasons in 2001 and 2002. After winning his third in 2009, the Brazilian endured a 12-year winless journey, where he finished second twice within the span before he claimed his fourth in 2021, which placed him in a tie with AJ Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears for the most Indy 500 victories of all time.

    In addition to his four Indy 500 victories, Castroneves has accumulated a total of 25 INDYCAR victories and has finished in the runner-up spot in the final championship standings four times. He also claimed three consecutive 24 Hours of Daytona victories (2021-23) and is the 2020 IMSA SportsCar champion, the latter of which he accomplished while driving for Team Penske.

    Should he both qualify and win this year’s Daytona 500, Castroneves would join Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt as the only competitors to win both the Great American Race and the Indianapolis 500.

    “I know how much of a challenge this is going to be, but I also know the type of people and team Trackhouse Racing will bring to the effort,” Castroneves added. “I can’t wait to get to the Trackhouse race shop in North Carolina to meet everyone and prepare for Daytona. There is so much I must learn and I’m ready to get started.”

    The addition of Castroneves to Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 program brings enthusiasm and excitement for owner, Justin Marks. The team debuted PROJECT91 in 2022, featuring iconic motorsports competitors around the globe to compete in NASCAR’s premier series.

    Thus far, PROJECT91 has made a total of four appearances in the Cup Series between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula 1 champion, debuted the program at Watkins Glen International in 2022 before he returned to compete at Circuit of the Americas in 2023. Then in July 2023, Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, took the occasion by storm when he won at the Chicago Street Course during his NASCAR debut. After making an additional start with Project 91 a month later at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, van Gisbergen landed a full-time Xfinity Series ride at Kaulig Racing this past season. In 2025, he will compete on a full-time Cup basis with Trackhouse Racing.

    The 2025 Daytona 500 will mark the first time Trackhouse Racing has fielded four entries in a single event if Castroneves successfully qualifies. It will also be the first Cup event featuring PROJECT91 since Indianapolis in 2023. Trackhouse is fielding three full-time entries in a Cup season for the first time in 2025. Van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez will all return as full-time competitors for the organization.

    “Hélio is one of the greatest drivers of all time and exactly the type of driver we want to bring to NASCAR,” Marks said. “I think race fans around the world will be excited to see Hélio in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. It also exposes our sport to a global audience and allows them to see just how great of a series we have in NASCAR.”

    To make this year’s Daytona 500 as a non-chartered entry, Helio Castroneves’ 2025 Daytona Speedweeks schedule commences with the Busch Light Pole Qualifying session on February 12 at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS1. He will have to out-qualify any non-chartered entries to be guaranteed a spot. His alternative form of qualifying for the main event would next be the Daytona Duel qualifying races that will occur the following day, February 13, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, where he would have to outduel any non-chartered entries on the track to claim a starting spot.

    The 2025 Daytona 500 will occur on February 16 with its coverage slated to commence at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

  • Austin Cindric to join Ford Multimatic Motorsports for the Rolex 24 At Daytona

    Austin Cindric to join Ford Multimatic Motorsports for the Rolex 24 At Daytona

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6, 2025 – Ford Performance NASCAR Cup driver Austin Cindric has been selected to the Ford Multimatic Motorsports line-up for the IMSA-sanctioned 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Cindric will substitute for endurance driver Ben Barker, who broke his collarbone while skiing during the holidays. He will join the full season pairing of Mike Rockenfeller and Sebastian Priaulx in the No. 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3.

    “The 24 Hours of Daytona has become a very meaningful event for me and my career,” said Cindric. “This will be my sixth opportunity to run this race, and with the Ford Mustang GT3, it’s one of the best opportunities I’ll have had at taking one of those watches home.

    “It’s important that I wish Ben all the best in his recovery as I get to keep his seat warm. I’m keen to do my part in contributing to a great result, but also representing Multimatic and Ford properly as they start their season in IMSA.”

    The Mooresville, N.C. native is a multi-race winning driver in the premier NASCAR Cup series, including the 2022 Daytona 500 in a Team Penske Mustang.

    “We have great momentum moving into the season opening round at Daytona,” offered Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “It is a difficult situation with Ben’s injury coming when it did, but we are excited to have Austin step into the Ford Mustang GT3. Austin is one of the most diverse drivers we have, a proven winner with Mustang in NASCAR and sports cars. He is a perfect fit to step in and team with Seb and Rocky at Daytona.”

    Prior to a career in stock car racing, Cindric competed in major sports car racing series across North America. He proved his talent as a Ford development driver in Mustang GT4 which has included four Michelin Pilot Challenge appearances with Multimatic Motorsports at Daytona, and a 2019 race win alongside Priaulx at Road Atlanta.

    “In 2025, it’ll be 10 years exactly since the first time I came down to Daytona to race for Multimatic and Ford in Michelin Pilot Challenge,” Cindric said. “That nervous 16-year-old would be happy to learn where things would be 10 years on. Needless to say, there are a lot of familiar faces. I’m grateful to get the nod, and I’m looking forward to getting to work soon.”

    “It is a real shame for Ben and for the team that he will miss Daytona, but accidents happen. He is already on the mend and will be back in action soon,” said Pascal Zurlinden, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Engineering & Special Vehicle Operations. “We’re delighted to welcome Austin back to the team and we are sure he will do an excellent job, as he has always done for us.”

    About Ford Motor Company

    Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com

    About Ford Performance Motorsports

    Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and YouTube.

    About the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)

    The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Historic Sportscar Racing, as well as five one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin, Mustang Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information please visit www.IMSA.com, x.com/imsa, www.facebook.com/IMSA or www.instagram.com/imsa_racing.

  • Lawless Alan joins Venturini Motorsports for 2025 ARCA season

    Lawless Alan joins Venturini Motorsports for 2025 ARCA season

    Lawless Alan will join Venturini Motorsports forces and contend for the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2025.

    Alan, a 24-year-old native of Van Nuys, California, will be piloting the No. 20 Toyota Camry entry on a full-time basis with continuous sponsorship support from AUTOparkit.

    The news comes as Alan is coming off his third consecutive full-time campaign in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series division, where he achieved his first top-five career result by finishing fifth at Talladega Superspeedway this past October. In addition, he recorded a total of six top-20 results and an average-finishing result of 24.2 before he settled in 24th place in the final standings, all while competing with Reaume Brothers Racing.

    “Super excited to make this announcement with Venturini Motorsports,” Alan said in a released statement. “This is a great opportunity to be in topflight equipment each week and have the reassurance of the team and amazing manufacturer like Toyota behind me. I can’t thank everyone enough for making this deal happen, especially the ongoing support from AUTOparkit, they make this happen. It feels good to have this type of confidence going into the season. Knowing Venturini has the resources allows me to be more aggressive with my mindset. I fully expect to compete each week for wins. I think once I see my name at the top of the speed charts, I know we’ll be ready for business.”

    Alan, who grew up racing in Legends cars and Late Models, captured the NASCAR Home Tracks championship at Irwindale Raceway and the Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway in 2018. He elevated his racing career to the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli the following season and campaigned across the ARCA Menards Series divisions, between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

    In 2021, Alan made his Truck Series debut at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course with Reaume Brothers Racing, where he finished 36th. He made four additional starts with the Reaume Brothers organization before he campaigned in four of the final six Truck events with Niece Motorsports.

    The following season, Alan drove Niece’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST entry for his first full-time campaign in the Truck Series. Throughout the season, he recorded eight top-20 results, a season-best 11th-place run at Circuit of the Americas and an average-finishing result of 24.2 before settling in 22nd place in the standings. He would finish 22nd in the final standings for a second consecutive time during the following season, but he accumulated 23 additional points at 317 overall as he notched a career-best average-finishing result of 22.3 and notched his first top-10 career result at Talladega.

    Throughout the 2024 season, Alan also competed in six ARCA starts with Reaume Brothers, where he recorded four top-nine results and a season-best fifth place at the Milwaukee Mile in late August.

    Alan is the second confirmed competitor full-time driver for Venturini Motorsports in the upcoming ARCA Menards Series season. He will be a teammate to Isabella Robusto, who was announced as the driver of the team’s No. 55 Toyota entry in mid-December. In addition, Chase Pinsonneault, the 2024 CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour Rookie-of-the-Year recipient, will drive Venturini’s No. 15 Toyota entry for the 2025 season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway in mid-December.

    With his plans for this upcoming season set, Lawless Alan’s bid for the 2025 ARCA Menards Series championship with Venturini Motorsports will commence at Daytona on February 15 at noon ET on FOX.

  • Coltman Farms Racing to support Max Blair during 2025 Dirt Late Model season

    Coltman Farms Racing to support Max Blair during 2025 Dirt Late Model season

    TITUSVILLE, Pa. (Jan. 6, 2025) – Veteran Dirt Late Model star Max Blair will fly some new colors when the green flag waves for the 2025 season.

    Coltman Farms Racing, owned by businessman and motorsports supporter Brett Coltman, will sponsor Blair throughout the upcoming season.

    “Brett obviously does a ton for Dirt Late Model racing,” said the 34-year-old Blair. “The sport needs more people like him, that’s for sure. It’ll be an honor to carry the Coltman Farms logo on my cars. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”

    A familiar face to Dirt Late Model fans, especially in the Northeast, Blair is always a threat to win when he shows up at any race track.

    A four-time ULMS Racing Series champion, Blair has earned five World of Outlaws Late Model Series wins and one Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph in addition to countless local and regional victories.

    During the 2024 season Blair earned four victories and secured 22 top five and 43 top 10 finishes spread across 74 starts.

    “We’re thrilled to team with Max Blair for the 2025 season,” said Coltman Farms Racing owner Brett Coltman. “Anytime we partner with a new driver or team, it’s important for us to make sure they align with our mission to nurture the next generation of drivers and race fans. Max has proven time and time again that he is not just a skilled competitor, but also a great human being. I’m excited to see what we can do together this year.”

    Blair and Coltman Farms Racing will begin their new partnership during Florida Speedweeks, with exact schedule details to be announced in the near future.

    About Coltman Farms Racing

    Coltman Farms Racing is a dirt Super Late Model team owned by Brett Coltman that operates house cars for drivers Tanner English and Zack Mitchell. He also sponsors several drivers, including Ricky Thornton Jr., Brandon Overton, Max Blair, Carson Ferguson, Payton Freeman, Sam Seawright, Benji Hicks and Donald McIntosh, among others. Coltman Farms Racing is also heavily involved in grassroots racing, serving as the title and presenting sponsor of several regional and national touring series as well as many of motorsports broadcasts.

    About McCallister Precision Marketing

    McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

  • Amanda Bradley acquires Natural Bridge Speedway

    Amanda Bradley acquires Natural Bridge Speedway

    NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (Jan. 6, 2025) – One year after being named promoter of Natural Bridge Speedway, Amanda Bradley is proud to announce that she has purchased the three-eighths-mile dirt oval from Joe Glassford.

    “It was an honor to be named promoter of Natural Bridge Speedway one season ago and now I’m thrilled to say that I’ve acquired the facility from Joe Glassford and JCG Adventures,” said Bradley. “The chance to take ownership of Natural Bridge Speedway was one I couldn’t pass up. I’m excited to build on the great 2024 season and do even more in 2025.”

    Since taking over as promoter at Natural Bridge Speedway one season ago, the facility has seen a large increase in support from both competitors and sponsors.

    Last season, through Bradley’s tireless efforts, Natural Bridge Speedway was able to award its track champions with a variety of major prizes. They include a new Double Nickel chassis to the champion of the Crate Late Model division and a new Pitboxes.com pit box to the champion of the Sportsman division.

    Other major division supporters included The Joie of Seating, K1 RaceGear and VP Racing Fuel.

    Now that the purchase of the facility is behind her, Bradley is already focused on what she can do to further improve Natural Bridge Speedway for fans and competitors.

    “Last year we did a lot to spruce up the facility,” Bradley said. “We put in new toilets and sinks in all the bathrooms, extended pit parking, cleaned up the entire property, added a victory lane and revamped the scoreboard, just to name a few. We won’t be stopping there.

    “We’ve already brought in new clay for the racing surface, and we are also planning on installing new lights around the facility. I’m excited to continue renovating the track and make it the best dirt track in Virginia. With the team I have behind me, I feel like we can make it happen.”

    Plans are already being made for the 2025 season, which includes the addition of a Stock 4 class for the upcoming season. Bradley also aspires to bring back super late models, truck and tractor pulls and demolition derbies to Natural Bridge in the near future.

    Full details about Natural Bridge Speedway’s 2025 schedule will be announced soon.

    Amanda and the staff at Natural Bridge would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support, including Double Nickel Race Cars, Witt Mechanical, Cecil B Arthur, BHR 55 Fabrication, MPM Marketing, Austin Electrical Construction, Bank of Botetourt, C & S Disposal, Coffey Excavating and Septic, W.R. Deacon and Sons Timber, Fairfield Tire, Rising Son Farm LLC, Tri State Vintage Dirt Series, Jennings Property Solutions, Wilson Insurance Agency, Roger Baber with Arbor Life Tree Care, Bradleys Trucking, Todd Rental, Paynes Enterprises, Hajoca, Rockbridge City and County Real Estate, Cashs Parts and Repair, The Joie of Seating, State Farm Insurance – Brent Hershey Agent, Raphine Medical Associates, Pitboxes.com, Sunrise BBQ, Miller Pipeline, Almonds Towing, Traffic Go, Mr. Pave, K1 Race Gear, JDR Trucking, Lexington Moose Lodge 1700, No Mow Worries and JTB Hauling.

    For anyone interested in becoming a valued Natural Bridge Speedway partner in 2025, please contact Tonya McCallister from MPM Marketing via email at TonyaMac44@marketwithmpm.com.

    About McCallister Precision Marketing

    McCallister Precision Marketing (MPM) focuses on assisting up-and-coming race car drivers with career advancement and promotion. McCallister Precision Marketing helps drivers build confidence in front of and behind the camera, giving them the tools they need to advance to the next level. The company also provides companies with a strategic plan for their sales, marketing and promotional needs. We believe in building positive relationships with our clients so that we may provide them with the most professional, yet personal guidance they need, in order to achieve their racing goals. Our clients include race car drivers, race team owners, companies and racing series’. We also work closely with charities and charity events. For more information on McCallister Precision Marketing, visit www.MarketWithMPM.com, email TonyaMac44@MarketWithMPM.com or call 803-361-6199.

  • SMX LeagueTM Partners with ALT Sports Data in Exclusive Global Sports Betting Data Rights Agreement

    SMX LeagueTM Partners with ALT Sports Data in Exclusive Global Sports Betting Data Rights Agreement

    Multi-Year Data Partnership Makes Wagering Available Across Entire SMX World ChampionshipTM Series in Multiple Legally Regulated States

    Partnership Marks the Series’ First Entry into Legal Sports Betting Space

    ELLENTON, Fla. (January 3, 2025) – The SMX LeagueTM appoints ALT Sports Data, Inc., the San Diego-based leader in trading and consumer data for action, alternative and emerging sports, as the official data distribution partner to unlock new markets in the world of regulated sports betting. The exclusive partnership will leverage ALT Sports Data and its proprietary simulation trading platform to enable legal and official sports betting on the entire SMX World ChampionshipTM Series, including Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, and the SMX World Championship Playoffs.

    Headquartered in Southern California, ALT Sports Data, Inc. is the leading provider of exclusive and official trading data and consumer data for the action and alternative sports betting industry. This collaboration will help pave the way for legal and official sports betting on SMX World Championship Series events, offering fans a dynamic and innovative way to engage with the incredible racing action all year long. This is the first data partnership of the SMX League in the rapidly growing U.S. sports betting market.

    “Our official entry into the ever-expanding sports betting space has long been in the works and is a necessary next step in the growth process of the SMX World Championship Series,” said Dave Prater, Vice President of Supercross for Feld Motor Sports, Inc. “We are very excited to join forces with ALT Sports Data and look forward to utilizing their knowledge and experience to help elevate the opportunities fans have to engage with the sport.”

    This exclusive agreement will provide ALT Sports Data with access to SMX World Championship events, allowing them to collect, analyze, and distribute data to licensed sports betting operators across the globe.

    “At ALT Sports Data, we are focused on building smarter and more dynamic arenas of fan engagement and innovation. As the official sports betting data partner to the SMX League, we are thrilled to empower their massive and passionate global audience to have a stake in the outcome of SMX World Championship Series events,” said Todd Ballard, Co-Founder and CMO of ALT Sports Data. “As one of the most exciting and engaging sports on the planet, the implementation of legal sports betting will further elevate the sport and its riders to a new level of fandom…and this is one I personally couldn’t be more excited about.”

    As part of the partnership, ALT Sports Data’s digital platform, NXTbetsTM, will help bring fans a robust betting experience that offers real-time statistics, odds, and insights. NXTbets gives SMX fans a greater opportunity to engage with the sport like never before, as well as the chance to receive more detailed information about what is happening on the track through the sharing of information with ALT Sports Data.

    The SMX League, together with ALT Sports Data, is also deeply committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport. This partnership will uphold the highest standards of data accuracy and security through collaboration with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), the unequivocal global leader in delivering best-in-class integrity and compliance regtech products and services for the sports betting and gaming sector. The SMX League will leverage IC360’s cutting-edge integrity monitoring dashboard technology, providing a real-time alerting system for suspicious wagering activity. Additionally, the league will utilize ProhiBet, IC360’s advanced prohibited bettor solution designed to prevent betting activities that violate regulatory compliance standards.

    For information about the SuperMotocross World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
    Instagram: @supermotocross
    Facebook: @supermotocross
    Twitter: @supermotocross
    YouTube: @supermotocross

    About the SMX World Championship:
    The SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

    About ALT Sports Data, Inc.
    ALT Sports Data is bringing the next wave of consumers to sports betting. By empowering alternative sports leagues to participate in legal live sports betting, we enable them to activate, monetize and retain fans, while giving the world greater access to the sports they truly love. Our official and exclusive league data rights power our proprietary trading platform. Leveraging advanced data models and market insights, we provide real-time odds and pricing for the largest sportsbook operators in the world.

    Further, our demand generation engine boasts exclusive access to 80+ million fans and followers, rivaling the world’s largest sports properties in reach and engagement. By partnering with the leagues to access these, we efficiently drive customer demand for sports book operators in a way that no other data provider can. We further accelerate engagement via our owned media channel, NXTbets.com, to inform, entertain and engage audiences around betting on these sports. For more information on ALT Sports Data, please visit altsportsdata.com or email connect@altsportsdata.com.

    About IC360
    Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) is a global technology and consultancy powerhouse specializing in comprehensive integrity and compliance solutions for sports, sports betting, gaming, and iGaming. Leveraging the combined strengths of U.S. Integrity and Odds-On Compliance, IC360’s mission is to set new standards by providing unparalleled services that ensure integrity, transparency, and compliance at the intersection of the rapidly evolving global sports betting market and sports integrity. For more information, visit ic360.io.

  • Sheehan Aims Bright for 2025 TA2 After Podium Finish in Inaugural Pro Am Year

    Sheehan Aims Bright for 2025 TA2 After Podium Finish in Inaugural Pro Am Year

    Bow, NEW HAMPSHIRE – January 3, 2025 – Tom Sheehan is the former winner of the Trans Am “Ironman” award for his undoubted strength behind the wheel and his never say die attitude, but circumstances had previously denied the Granite State native a win in Trans Am TA2 Class, where he has started more races than any other driver.

    The additional support from Vixen Cycle Co boosted the LTK Insulation Technologies team before the season had begun earlier in 2024 would pave way for participation in the ground-breaking introduction of the Pro Am Championship. It proved at the World Wide Technologies Raceway in Madison, Illinois in May where Tom outclassed his rivals for his first win in the muscle car series. The familiar No. 97 supporting the new Vixen cycle livery challenged for the top spot and likely would have added to the win tally later in the season. The driver would be denied another win in 2024 and went on filling the runner-up position at both Road America and Watkins Glen and with a third place finish on the steps at Pittsburgh International, and a third place post race at the final round at COTA add up to a successful season.

    Mike Cope Racing undoubtedly improved the No. 97 team’s understanding of the car and its setup. Tom finished the season P3 overall in the Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Pro Am Challenge, a position he will be aiming to better in 2025.

    All-in-all, Tom expressed himself satisfied with the team progress and he was very much looking forward to getting his wheels up again next month when we spoke to him recently.

    “I am very fortunate to be racing in the TA2 series. I will miss my car chief Noell Caldwell – for the 2024 season we really jelled. I wish Noell tremendous success in his future endeavors. Still very excited about the 2025 goals for myself and the team. Mike Cope builds a great car and the whole organization is impressive. The team will put a great car on the grid and I get to drive it. Pretty awesome.”

    In 2025, the season again kicks off with the traditional curtain raiser at Sebring in Florida just 7 week’s time before heading to Road Atlanta in March for the Mission Foods SpeedTour. The muscle car roadshow then makes the long journey west to Sonoma Raceway in California for the only race in April and the following week’s event is also in California at the Weather Tech raceway Laguna Seca. Thereafter the schedule includes trips to some of the North America’s legendary race tracks including Watkins Glen, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Virginia International Raceway before finishing off the year at the FIA Formula One Circuit of the Americas in Texas on Halloween weekend. It’s a familiar circuit for Tom whose target in 2025 is nothing less than the TA2 Pro Am Challenge title. Go for it, Tom.

    Follow Tom’s social media channels via his Facebook page, Damon Racing, Instagram account (@TomSheehanTA97), and X account (@TomTA2_97). For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies and the line of high-quality products go to: https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com.

    About Vixen Cycle Co.

    Founded by women with a passion for motorcycles, Vixen Cycle Co is a trailblazing brand that not only caters to female riders but also empowers and equips them with a unique blend of stylish clothing and motorcycle parts. Our clothing line is a testament to meticulous design, offering a wide range of trendy and functional apparel that allows women to embrace their love for motorcycles without compromising on style. From sleek and stylish designs to powerful and efficient motorcycle parts, Vixen Cycle Co is committed to enhancing both the look and performance of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

    About LTK Insulation Technologies

    Putting LTK insulation jackets and covers to work on your project saves real money and time for your firm.

    No matter the application, take charge of protecting your hydronic and process controls and valves with a quality insulation cover. With LTK Insulation Technologies, you can be proactive and save money and headaches with high quality material. Insulating in-line controls in your process facility or central hydronic HVAC system from heat loss and condensation. Cover the range of your challenging conditions with an LTK Pro-Fit or LTK Fast Fit Insulation Jacket.

    With LTK Insulation Technologies, your imagination is the only limit. Go LTK today!

  • Huddleston, Tinkle to Join ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona Roster

    Huddleston, Tinkle to Join ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona Roster

    TEMPERANCE, Mich. (January 2, 2024) – Two drivers representing the ARCA Menards Series East and West have been selected to participate in the ARCA Menards Series “Road to Daytona” during the series’ annual Pre-Race Practice at Daytona International Speedway. The two-day session will take place on Thursday and Friday, January 9 and 10, 2025.

    Speedway, Indiana resident Zachary Tinkle will represent the ARCA Menards Series East. Tinkle started all eight ARCA Menards Series East races in 2024, finishing in the top ten in four of them, two of which were in the top five. Tinkle finished a career-best fourth at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in May and backed it up with a fifth-place finish in the next series race at Flat Rock Speedway. Tinkle’s consistency – his only finish outside of the top-12 was a 20th-place finish at Iowa Speedway – resulted in a fourth-place result in the final ARCA Menards Series East standings for the second consecutive season.

    Trevor Huddleston, from Agoura Hills, California, will represent the ARCA Menards Series West. Huddleston scored two West victories in 2024 in back-to-back starts at Madera Speedway and All American Speedway in which he led 295 out of a possible 300 laps. Huddleston also finished second to Kole Raz at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in a photo finish, one of six top-five finishes he scored en route to third in the final ARCA Menards Series West standings for the second straight year. All told, Huddleston has made 77 career West starts with five career victories, 30 top-five finishes, and 62 top-ten finishes.

    A total of seven drivers representing the ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, and ASA Southern Super Series will share cars prepared by 1995 ARCA Menards Series champion Andy Hillenburg throughout the two-day session. Each driver will have an opportunity to run approximately 100 miles at speeds approaching 190 miles per hour.

    The ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona has seen several participants matriculate from the pre-race practice runs to competing at Daytona and battling for and winning NASCAR national series championships. Former participants include 2023 ARCA Menards Series winner at Daytona Greg Van Alst, 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion Ty Majeski, 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore, ARCA Menards Series race winner Travis Braden, and 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series rookie of the year Layne Riggs.

    Live timing and scoring data will be available throughout the two days of track activity, scheduled to run from 10 am through 5 pm, at ARCARacing.com.

    The 2025 ARCA Menards Series season will kick off with the 62nd Annual Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 15. The race will be televised live on FOX starting at 12 noon ET; the race will also be broadcast nationwide on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network.

  • LEAD FOOT CITY JOINS NHRA MEMBER TRACK FAMILY IN DIVISION 2

    LEAD FOOT CITY JOINS NHRA MEMBER TRACK FAMILY IN DIVISION 2

    BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2024) – Set for its exciting two-day grand opening festival this weekend, NHRA officials are pleased to announce the addition of Lead Foot City, a unique, all-purpose facility in Brooksville, Fla., to the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s Southeast Division (Division 2).

    Billed as America’s Automotive Theme Park, the facility will cater to the large street legal racing scene in the area and offer a number of unique amenities at the track, including an 1/8-mile dragstrip, a drift and autocross pad, burnout pit, convention center, amphitheater, a variety of family-friendly events and more. Lead Foot City has also put safety first, creating an environment for everyone to race and aligning with NHRA’s mission for safe and exciting drag racing across the country.

    “We’re thrilled to partner with the NHRA, having a unified vision of safety in motorsports. As a street car focused multi-purpose entertainment venue, Lead Foot City will be the first of its kind in the country,” said Achilles Thomas, Mayor of Lead Foot City. “Being a facility that is focused on the NHRA Street Legal program helps to bring NHRA back to its roots, giving racers a safe place to race without taking the fun out of it.”

    As one of the more than 100 NHRA Member Tracks, Lead Foot City will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA racing opportunities in the future.

    Following a spectacular two-day grand opening this weekend, Lead Foot City will host a variety of events during the 2025 season, ranging from drag racing to concerts to car shows and more. Lead Foot City’s members only club offers several benefits as well and is open to anyone interested in joining the facility.

    Lead Foot City’s mission for safety lines up ideally with NHRA’s when it comes to street legal racing. Since its formation in 1951, NHRA has worked tirelessly to combat and eliminate the dangerous and illegal practice of street racing. To this day, that continues to be the primary mission for the association. One of the most effective tools in the fight against illegal street racing has been establishing Street Legal events, which are held regularly at NHRA member tracks.

    “Bringing a track like Lead Foot City into the NHRA family is vital in today’s age of drag racing,” NHRA Division 2 Director Cody Savage said. “It is exactly the type of racetrack this company was founded on, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish with our Street Legal and Speed for All programs. Achilles and his team have a great vision for their members and the future of the track, and we look forward to seeing Lead Foot City thrive and deliver incredible events and experiences for the racing community.”

    For more information about Lead Foot City and its grand opening weekend, visit www.leadfootcity.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.NHRA.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, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X 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 more than 100 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.