Compiled by SEMA Editors
 The Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame class of 2017. |
Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2017 Inducted
Three members of one of the ARCA stock-car racing series’ most prolific winning families, one of the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ most successful car owners and a drag-racing world champion headline the 2017 class of the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame. The 10th class was enshrined during a ceremony at the Speedzeum, inside the Owensboro Science and History Museum, Saturday, November 4. This year’s honorees include the Kimmel family of Portland and Louisville, Clarence Brewer of Central City, Noel Davis of Burnside, Dave Huber of Shively, Calhoun native Bob Kamp and Spivey Williams of Bowling Green. The Visionary Award was presented to Bob Davis and P.O. Brown of Harned, who founded the Kentucky Motorsports Hall of Fame to recognize the contributions of Kentuckians in all forms of motorsports. The Pioneer Award was presented to Don Roberts of Owensboro, a noted racer in his era and the founder and builder of Kentucky Motor Speedway.
 Lucas Oil Products has signed a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the NHRA Winternationals. |
Lucas Oil Named Title Sponsor for NHRA Winternationals
Lucas Oil Products has signed a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series national event held in Pomona, California, each February. Lucas Oil is a longstanding partner of NHRA, supporting several ongoing drag-racing series and events. The 58th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com will be held February 8–11, 2018, and will kick off the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
 Ernie Francis Jr. left Daytona last weekend with his 10th victory and, at 19 years old, became the youngest Trans Am driver to win four consecutive championships. |
Ernie Francis Jr. Takes 10th Season Trans AM TA Win in Daytona
Ernie Francis Jr. had already secured the TA championship by the time he arrived in Daytona last weekend for the 13th and final race of the 2017 Trans Am racing season. He left the track last Saturday with his 10th victory and, at 19 years old, became the youngest Trans Am driver to win four consecutive championships. Francis Jr. drove the Katech-powered, FramelessShowerDoors.com-sponsored Breathless Racing Team Ford TA in Daytona. The 29-lap, 103.2-mile chase around the Daytona International Speedway road course was the site of the final race of the season.
NASCAR Results at Irwindale Speedway, November 11
Sharky's Spec Late Models - 25 Laps
1. #43 Robby Hornsby, Yuciapa, 2017 Champion
2. #2 Kenny Smith, Oak Hills
3. #41 John Watkinson, Glendale
Jan’s Towing Inex Legends - 35 Laps
1. #24 Ricky Schlick, Oak Hills
2. #29 Chad Schug, Oak Hills
3. #33 Darren Amidon, Lakeside, 2017 Champion
Irwindale Fall Classic $5,000 to win
LKQ Pick-Your-Part Late Models - 100 Laps
1. #23 Ryan Vargas, La Mirada
2. #09 Kayla Eshleman R, Fontana
3. #77 Nick Joanides, Woodland Hills
 The Thermal Club was honored with the 2017 Motorsport Facility of the Year award. |
The Thermal Club Earns 2017 Motorsport Facility of the Year Award
The Thermal Club was honored with the 2017 Motorsport Facility of the Year award in a special presentation by members of the international motorsport community at the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne, Germany. Announced at the PMW Expo Awards Dinner, the award was accepted by designer Alan Wilson, who created the club’s four racing circuits. The Thermal Club was selected by a judging panel comprising motorsport journalists, motorsport publication editors, race-track architects and professional racers. Additional circuits competing in the category included SpeedPark Ningbo (China), Martinsville (Virginia), Marina Bay GP Circuit (Singapore) and Circuito Internacional de Vila Real (Portugal).