Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Steve Matusek debuted his 2020 Pro Mod Mustang with his new title sponsor Tequila Comisario before enduring a roll-over crash in round one of eliminations. |
Aeromotive Founder Regears for Remainder of NHRA Pro Mod Season Following Wreck in Indy
Owner and founder of Aeromotive Inc. Steve Matusek has announced his plans to continue the 2020 Pro Mod season following an incident at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on September 6. Matusek debuted his 2020 Pro Mod Mustang with his new title sponsor Tequila Comisario before enduring a roll-over crash in round one of eliminations. With continued support from Tequila Comisario, Matusek will return to the Pro Mod class in a backup race car from Elite Motorsports. Matusek is familiar with the black sixth-generation Camaro as he drove it to a personal best of 5.739 at 252.05 mph during the 2020 Drag Illustrated Door Slammer Nationals in Orlando. It utilizes a ProCharger supercharger as a power-adder for motivation on the dragstrip. The car’s livery will feature the Tequila Comisario logo and bottles. Matusek will attend the remaining four Pro Mod races in the 2020 NHRA season: the AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals in Gainesville, the Mopar Express Lane NHRA Midwest Nationals presented by Pennzoil at World Wide Technology Raceway, the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, and the Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil in Las Vegas over the weekend of October 30–November 1.
 Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 26th Annual World Power Wheel Standing Championships at Byron Dragway, October 3–4. |
Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop Named Presenting Sponsor of World Power Wheel Standing Championships
Byron Dragway has announced that Don’s Auto Parts & Machine Shop will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 26th Annual World Power Wheel Standing Championships at Byron Dragway, October 3–4. The weekend-long event features a variety of drag-racing action that is headlined by two-wheel-stand contest sessions on Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (CDT). For more event information, visit www.byrondragway.com.
 |
Perris Auto Speedway Cancels Glenn Howard Classic
Perris Auto Speedway announced that, due to state and county mandates prohibiting fans because of the COVID-19 virus, the September 26 Glenn Howard Classic for the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series has been cancelled. To date, only the season-opening event, Night of Destruction on March 7, has taken place. Every other scheduled race slated for the ambitious silver anniversary campaign has been canceled. The PAS is open for private and group practice sessions as well as for television, movie, and commercial shoots. Contact kazariandon@gmail.com for details.
 Texas Motorplex has received approval to host 50% of its capacity for the 35th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. |
Texas Motorplex Receives Approval For Fans At NHRA FallNationals
Texas Motorplex, the 1/4-mile drag strip in Ennis, Texas, has received approval to host 50% of its capacity for the 35th annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 14–18. Officials announced updated procedures, including increased hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility and a newly reconfigured pit area with wider traffic flow. Fans will also be provided with masks if they need it. For more information, visit www.texasmotorplex.com.
Phoenix Raceway to Host Limited Fans for NASCAR Championship Weekend
Phoenix Raceway will host a limited number of fans for the NASCAR Championship Weekend set for November 6–8, in accordance with guidance and approvals from local officials as well as enhanced safety protocols. In addition to maintaining strict adherence to the CDC-recommended 6-ft. social distancing throughout the venue, all guests will be screened prior to entering the gates, including a non-contact temperature check, and guests ages 3 and up will be required to bring and wear mandatory face coverings. Multiple handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the operating areas and entrances, and a “clean team” of staff, clearly identified for guests, will be cleaning or disinfecting at all times. More information can be found at www.phoenixraceway.com/protocols. The INfield Experience will be unavailable, while other fan hospitality options such as Legends and Dos Equis Curve will operate at a reduced capacity. Camping will still be available. For more information, including ticketing information, visit Phoenix Raceway’s website.
 IMSA President John Doonan’s presentation included provisional schedules for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge. |
IMSA Reveals WeatherTech Championship 2021 Schedule, New Class
IMSA President John Doonan revealed details on the 2021 season during his first State of the Sport presentation this week. The presentation included provisional schedules for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge. Doonan also unveiled a new class and qualifying format for the WeatherTech Championship and a new points structure. The WeatherTech Championship schedule will see the series return to traditional venues next year, beginning at Daytona International Speedway in January through the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans in its season-ending slot in October at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. In addition, the Daytona Prototype international (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Le Mans (GTLM), and GT Daytona (GTD) classes will be joined by a new class—Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3)—at select events. A new generation of LMP3 models will be introduced to IMSA competition in 2021-2022 from four approved constructors—Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta, and Adess—using 455 horsepower Nissan VK56 engines. New LMP3 cars or earlier models that have been updated to the new Evo will be eligible for WeatherTech Championship LMP3 competition.
IMSA will also adopt a new championship points structure for the WeatherTech Championship, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA Prototype Challenge for all race events. Points will be 10 times what they were in previous years, with a win now worth 350 points, 320 for second, 300 for third, etc. Points will continue to be awarded to 30th place in each class.
In addition, the WeatherTech Championship will begin awarding points for qualifying at 10% of the 2021 points structure. A pole will be worth 35 points, with 32 points for a second-place qualifier, 30 for third, etc. down to 30th place in each class. Points from qualifying will be awarded for all drivers in each car in addition to each team. Each manufacturer’s highest-qualifying car also will earn points toward the manufacturers’ championship.
For more information, including the complete provisional schedules, new qualifying format information, and more, visit the IMSA website.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.