Racing News: Top Fuel and Funny Car Teams to Use New Wheel-Retention Devices

PANEL DISCUSSION: New Indy Racing League CEO Randy Bernard has formed an advisory committee to help determine which chassis design will be selected as the new IZOD IndyCar Series chassis in 2012.

RETAINED: The NHRA will allow Top Fuel and Funny Car teams to use new wheel-retention devices designed in the aftermath of Antron Brown’s crash at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona that resulted in the death of a spectator.

NEW PROCESS: The FIA has revealed a new selection process to determine possible new entries into Formula One next year, which includes selecting reserve teams in case a team is unable to make the final Formula One field.

GOODBYE WING: An official NASCAR test at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, this week officially welcomed back the spoiler to NASCAR Sprint Cup competition in place of the wing, which was introduced in 2007.

NIFTY FIFTY: Jimmie Johnson moved into the lead late in Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol (Tennessee) Motor Speedway to earn his 50th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory, moving him into a tie for 10th all time with Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett.

FLAWLESS: Team Peugeot Total swept the first two spots during Saturday’s 12 Hours of Sebring, with the entry driven by Anthony Davidson, Marc Gene and Alexander Wurz leading from flag to flag.

NEW CONQUEST: Conquest Racing will field an entry for Belgian Bertrand Baguette for the remainder of the IZOD IndyCar Series season, beginning with the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, April 11. He will drive the No. 34 with sponsorship from the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium.

DEBUT: Ryan Truex, the reigning NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion, will enter up to six NASCAR Nationwide Series events for Michael Waltrip Racing this year.

RECOVERING: A brutal crash during the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown at Bristol Motor Speedway left NASCAR legends Charlie Glotzbach and Larry Pearson hospitalized. Pearson got the worst of the incident, suffering broken bones in three places.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Subscribe to National Speed Sport News for a special industry rate.