TELEVISION HOME: The World of Outlaws signed a contract with SPEED for the network to be the organization’s exclusive television provider this season. SPEED will generate 25 hours of coverage of World of Outlaws events including the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, National Open at Williams Grove Speedway and the World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
NAME IT: Thanks to an agreement with the Southern California Toyota Dealers Advertising Association, Irwindale Speedway has been rechristened Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.
EARLY START: Teams making the switch from the Champ Car World Series to the Indy Racing League tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 24–25 in preparation for this weekend’s IndyCar Series opener, which because of the reunification of open-wheel racing, may be the most anticipated Indy car event in 13 years.
DIED: Popular NHRA Funny Car racer Al Hofmann died March 20 of a heart attack. He was 60 years old. Hofmann was a 15-time NHRA national event winner.
POWER RANKINGS: Five-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher retained the top spot in the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings, which are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.
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