Compiled by SEMA Editors
Texas Motorplex Adds Charles Myers as Operations Manager
The Texas Motorplex has hired Charles Myers to the newly created operations manager position at the multi-use motorsports facility located in Ennis, Texas. Myers joins the Texas Motorplex staff with a wealth of motorsports and event management experience. Myers will work with the sales manager on new sponsor recruitment as well as current sponsors support to maximize relationships with the race track. He will also focus on all production aspects of events, including planning, creative, staff and promoter management.
The motorsports marketing professional joins the Texas Motorplex after serving as business development manager for Nitrous Supply in Huntington Beach, California, where he grew the business from $900,000 in sales to $3.5 million in one year. He also developed and implemented a dealer program in 29 states while increasing profits and expanding the brand internationally. Myers also worked with government officials on a variety of projects.
Myers brings on-track experience from his time at Irwindale Speedway, Auto Club Famoso Raceway and Galot Motorsports Park. He also has national event series experience as marketing services manager for the National Hot Rod Association. Myers has twice been named to the Drag Illustrated “30 under 30 List” and was recently announced by SEMA as a member of the “35 Under 35” class for 2021.
champ, went 3.757 seconds at 327.98 mph in his 11,000-hp Capco
Contractors dragster to squeak past Leah Pruett in the final round by
just .002.
S. Torrence, Hight, Stanfield and Stoffer Celebrate Wins at NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Steve Torrence kept his hopes alive to sweep the NHRA’s famed three-race Western Swing on Sunday, powering to the Top Fuel win at the 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in their respective categories at the ninth race of the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season and the second of the famed three-race NHRA Western Swing.
Torrence, the points leader and three-time defending world champ, went 3.757 seconds at 327.98 mph in his 11,000-hp Capco Contractors dragster to squeak past Leah Pruett in the final round by just .002. It gives Torrence his third straight win, and second in a row during the Western Swing and he’ll head to Pomona next weekend to try to become the eighth driver in NHRA history to sweep the Western Swing and the first since 2009.
Hight won for a third straight time, delivering a run of 3.971 at 322.50 in his 11,000-hp Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS to beat defending world champ Matt Hagan in the final round.
Stanfield won a duel of young standouts in the Pro Stock final round, slipping past rookie Dallas Glenn with a run of 6.557 at 209.56 in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet Camaro. The close win gave Stanfield his second victory in the past three Pro Stock races and three in his career.
Stoffer capped off a resurgent weekend in Pro Stock Motorcycle, winning for the first time since 2019 by taking out Andrew Hines in the final round with a run of 6.798 at 197.36 on her Ray Skillman/Big St. Charles Suzuki. It also marked Stoffer’s 10th career win, as she was able to hold off a hard-charging Hines at the finish line.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series closes out its three-race Western Swing with next weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Series victory last Saturday night at the Champion Racing Oil Summer
Nationals.
Brent Marks Wins $20,000 at Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals
PA Posse’s Brent Marks scored his sixth-career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory last Saturday night at the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals. Marks took the lead in the closing laps and officially scored his 11th career Williams Grove win with a 0.903-second margin of victory. Over the final five laps, Marks maintained a steady pace on the cushion and walked away with his second World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series victory of the 2021 season.
ICMS Announces New Mentor, Ambassador Programs
Officials from the International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) have announced its new ICMS Mentor Program, which was founded to assist young motorsports enthusiasts with the chance to enter a racing career with proper supervision from an ICMS member as they complete their schooling and training. Designed and executed by the ICMS, this new program will connect an ICMS member as a mentor to students with aspirations to serve in the motorsports industry's medical and/or safety rescue sectors. ICMS members will share real-life experiences, provide input on career opportunities, and assist with networking with others in the industry.
Led by ICMS Education Committee Chair Dr. David Ferguson from Michigan State University and ICMS Executive Director Tom Weisenbach, ICMS will work with universities and colleges globally to connect interested students with ICMS members who live in 27 U.S. states and 20 countries.
In addition, the ICMS will launch virtual networking events for its student members so they can have open discussions about their studies and career pathway while meeting key players in the industry.
ICMS has also announced its new worldwide ICMS Ambassador Program led by Weisenbach, Mark Tyler, MD from Cambridgeshire, England, and Rickard Johansson, a fire lieutenant for High Coast Ådalens Rescue Service in Sundsvall, Sweden. The program is designed to expand awareness of the council through live and virtual events.
Coastal Plains Raceway Becomes Goodyear All American Speedway
Coastal Plains Raceway Park, the tri-oval track based in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is now Goodyear All American Speedway. Veteran racer Anthony Goodyear and his wife Tonya have taken ownership of the 4/10-mile track and have renamed it Goodyear All American Speedway. The pair also runs the infield restaurant and bar at Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro, North Carolina. The track will host its inaugural race on Saturday, July 31, for the All American Showdown featuring Late Models, Super Trucks, street stocks, Legends, U-CARS, Mini Cups and Jr. Mini Cups.
Goodyear has announced plans to secure events with regional touring series, including the Carolina Pro Late Model Series and the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour. He also plans to implement affordable racing classes, including stock V8s. Cars shows, concerts, and related events are also slated to take place. Officials have also announced upgrades to the facility, including new paint, updated bathrooms, remodeled suites, and a “good, family-oriented” menu for its concession stands.
Related, the nearby Coastal Plains Raceway Park Dragway is separate from the announcement and will remain in operation as-is, according to officials with Goodyear All American Speedway. For more information, visit goodyearallamericanspeedway.com.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.