By SEMA News Editors
2003 Indianapolis 500 Winner Gil de Ferran, 56
Gil de Ferran, winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 and two IndyCar Series championships, passed away on December 29 near his home in Florida. He was 56.
Gil de Ferran. Image courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In addition to his 2003 Indianapolis 500 victory, the Brazilian won consecutive IndyCar Series championships in 2000 and 2001 and earned CART Rookie of the Year honors in 1995.
Ending his IndyCar career with 12 victories and 21 poles, de Ferran also set the closed-course land speed record with a lap of 241.428 mph at California Speedway in 2000. The record still stands today.
For the full announcement, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
NASCAR Cup Series Champion Cale Yarborough, 84
Cale Yarborough, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has passed away at the age of 84.
Cale Yarborough. Image courtesy of NASCAR.
Yarborough, a four-time Daytona 500 winner and a five-time victor in the Southern 500, won his three Cup Series titles consecutively from 1976-78 and is tied for sixth on the Cup Series' all-time wins list with 83 victories.
A 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee, Yarborough led more than 31,500 laps in his career and became the first to qualify for a race at an average speed of over 200 mph at Daytona in 1984.
For the full announcement, visit nascar.com.
Legendary NHRA Team Owner Roland Leong, 79
Legendary NHRA Team Owner Roland Leong, known for his Top Fuel and Funny Cars emblazoned with the name "The Hawaiian" in tribute to his birthplace, passed away on December 29. He was 79.
Roland Leong. Image courtesy of the NHRA.
As a team owner and tuner, Leong won the 1965 Winternationals and U.S. Nationals with Don Prudhomme behind the wheel and repeated in both events in 1966 with new driver Mike Snively.
In 1969, Leong switched to Funny Cars, winning the Winternationals in 1970 and 1971 with drivers Larry Reyes and Butch Maas.
For the full announcement, visit nhra.com.
HPD Completes Change to Honda Racing Corporation USA
Honda Performance Development (HPD), Honda's United States-based motorsports arm, has officially changed its name to Honda Racing Corporation U.S.A. (HRC US) to reflect its new role in Honda's global racing efforts.
With the change HRC US will take on an increased role in Honda's global motorsports activities.
With the change, HRC US will take on an increased role in Honda's global motorsports activities, including the company's Formula 1 power unit development program.
For more information, visit the HRC US website.
Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod Adds Pro 10.5 Challenge
The Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod has created the new Pro 10.5 Challenge to run in conjunction with the 2024 Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod, March 1-3, at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
The Pro 10.5 Challenge will be an invitation-only, $25,000-to-win, 16-car shootout utilizing PDRA Pro Street rules. More than 20 drivers will attempt to qualify.
For more information, visit worldseriesofpromod.com.
Applications Open for PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship
Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) has opened applications for the 2024 PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship.
The scholarship aims to create a more diverse field while empowering drivers from a variety of backgrounds to participate in a PMH-owned race series. Scholarship recipients receive free entries for any PMH-owned race series.
The PMH Powering Diversity Scholarship is open to individuals who demonstrate diversity, equity and inclusion, and have a ride confirmed in a PMH-owned series for 2024. Applicants will be responsible for securing any additional funding needed to compete.
All applications must be submitted by January 15, 2024.
For more information or to apply, visit speedtour.net.
For additional racing news, visit the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) website.