Compiled by SEMA Editors
PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS to edge out teammate
Hight’s 3.993 at 323.35.
J. Force, B. Torrence and Stanfield All Get Wins at Tascaparts.com NHRA New England Nationals Presented by Bandero Premium Tequila
John Force knocked off Robert Hight in Funny Car at New England Dragway, powering to his 153rd career victory last Sunday at the TascaParts.com NHRA New England Nationals presented by Bandero Premium Tequila. Billy Torrence (Top Fuel) and Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) also won in their respective categories at the sixth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
Force, NHRA’s all-time wins leader, went 3.972 seconds at 327.51 mph in his 11,000hp PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Chevrolet Camaro SS to edge out teammate Hight’s 3.993 at 323.35. Force is now second in points.
B. Torrence, who qualified No. 1, finished off his standout Top Fuel weekend in Epping with a victory, beating Mike Salinas on a holeshot in his 11,000hp Capco Contractors dragster. B. Torrence went 3.827 at 324.44 to Salinas’ 3.816 at 325.37, but the Texan was slightly quicker on the starting line to earn his first victory of 2021 and seventh in his career.
Stanfield again came through with a clutch performance, beating four-time world champ Greg Anderson with a run of 6.576 at 209.88 in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action June 24–27 with the 14th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Oxford Replaces Monadnock on ACT, PASS Schedules
The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) have announced that the doubleheader initially planned for New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway on July 4 has been moved to Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway on Sunday, July 11. The program will remain the same with twin 150-lap features for the ACT Late Model Tour and PASS Super Late Models, plus a 50-lap PASS Modified shootout. The change allows weekly Late Model and Super Late Model racers around the region more time to get their cars ready. Qualifying begins at 4:00 p.m. with features to follow. PASS will also visit Oxford Speedway for the 48th annual Oxford 250, August 27–29. Monadnock Speedway and ACT are still in discussions about the possibility of an event at the track later in the year if scheduling allows. For more information, visit acttour.com and proallstarsseries.com.
North American IMSA series, beginning with the 2023 season. Photo
courtesy: BMW M Motorsport
BMW M Motorsport to Return to Prototype Racing
BMW M Motorsport has announced its return to international prototype racing. It was confirmed that an LMDh car is being developed for use in the North American IMSA series, beginning with the 2023 season with visits to Daytona, Sebring and Road Atlanta. Head of BMW M Motorsport Mike Krack will be responsible for the development, testing, and race outings of the new car. The regulations for LMDh cars stipulate that they have both a combustion engine and an electric motor. While each manufacturer may develop their own combustion engine, the electric motor and battery, as well as the transmission, are standard parts. The chassis is also built by an external partner. The works team and the driver lineup for the two LMDh prototypes will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit bmw-motorsport.com.
Simon Roberts to Leave Williams F1 Team
Formula 1 has announced that the restructure of Team Williams, following the arrival of new owners Dorilton Capital, continues following the arrival of new owners Dorilton Capital. Simon Roberts will leave the Formula 1 team, and Team CEO Jost Capito will absorb the team principal duties. Roberts first joined Williams last June in the newly created role of managing director before taking over as acting team principal when the Williams family sold the team last August. That role was made permanent before the start of 2021, and Roberts was charged with managing the transition. He previously served as operations director and then chief operating officer for McLaren for nearly 17 years. Capito, who joined the team about four months ago, will take on the role of team principal. Trackside leadership duties held by Roberts will be transferred to Technical Director Francois-Xavier Demaison, putting him in charge of technical aspects across the factory and race track.
Grand Prix of St. Pete Extended Through 2026
Florida’s St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved a two-year extension with Green Savoree St. Petersburg (GSSP) for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg to remain a cornerstone event on the downtown streets and waterfront through at least 2026. A marquee event for the NTT IndyCar Series for the past 17 years, the Grand Prix of St. Pete is set to return to its traditional position on the calendar during the second weekend of March in 2022. It was previously moved to October in 2020 and late April in 2021.
The dates for the next five Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg races are March 10–13, 2022; March 9–12, 2023; March 7–10, 2024; March 6–9, 2025; and March 12–15, 2026. The City of St. Petersburg’s “Embrace the Race” campaign has worked alongside local businesses to help multiply the economic impact for the city and surrounding communities each year. For more information, visit gpstpete.com.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.