Irwindale Speedway Cancels Season
Irwindale Speedway, which opened in 1999, has canceled the 2012 season and appears to be closing, according to the Los Angeles Daily News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Irwindale was considered among the best short track and drifting
facilities in the nation. However, last Saturday, workers were
dismantling the pit grandstand and taking apart storage areas, according
to the Daily News report. In addition, the large billboard bordering the San Gabriel Valley River Freeway was
not lit up and
the track's website was taken off the Internet.
NEWS NUGGETS
NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES RETURNS TO FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY FOR SECOND STOP OF 2012: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Firebird International Raceway for the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, February 17–19, with a ticket special the whole family can enjoy. Children 12 and younger will receive free admission to the NHRA's February return to Arizona when accompanied by a paying adult. The NHRA's second event of the 2012 season will allow all NHRA fans an opportunity to see and meet all of the drivers who will be racing at speeds of more than 320 mph during the 17-race regular season in hopes of qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA's six-race playoffs.
NHRA FULL THROTTLE SERIES RETURNS TO FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY FOR SECOND STOP OF 2012: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Firebird International Raceway for the 28th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, February 17–19, with a ticket special the whole family can enjoy. Children 12 and younger will receive free admission to the NHRA's February return to Arizona when accompanied by a paying adult. The NHRA's second event of the 2012 season will allow all NHRA fans an opportunity to see and meet all of the drivers who will be racing at speeds of more than 320 mph during the 17-race regular season in hopes of qualifying for the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA's six-race playoffs.
NEWS NUGGETS
2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE SEASON BEGINS WITH O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: Three months after the final pass of the 2011 season at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the historic facility for its 2012 debut this weekend with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, presented by Super Start Batteries, February 9–12. The biggest names in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing will return to action in hopes of starting their campaigns for 2012 NHRA Full Throttle world championships off right with a win in the birthplace of drag racing—Southern California. With temperatures expected to stay in the mid-70s and clear skies in the forecast all weekend, the 52nd annual season opener is expected to have some of the best weather and racing conditions that teams and drivers could imagine.
2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE SEASON BEGINS WITH O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS: Three months after the final pass of the 2011 season at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to the historic facility for its 2012 debut this weekend with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals, presented by Super Start Batteries, February 9–12. The biggest names in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing will return to action in hopes of starting their campaigns for 2012 NHRA Full Throttle world championships off right with a win in the birthplace of drag racing—Southern California. With temperatures expected to stay in the mid-70s and clear skies in the forecast all weekend, the 52nd annual season opener is expected to have some of the best weather and racing conditions that teams and drivers could imagine.
Keystone Automotive's 1-800-AUTOPARTS Official Performance Parts Supplier of NMCA and NMCA WEST
Keystone Automotive, a distributor and marketer of specialty automotive equipment and accessories, has signed on as a major sponsor with the NMCA and NMCA WEST series in 2012. Keystone's "support your local speed shop" campaign resonates as their speed and performance accounts plan to participate with both series. Expect to see Keystone speed and performance customers on display as a part of the manufacturer's midway at most events. Keystone's dealer locator program, 1-800-AUTOPARTS, will become the official performance parts supplier of the NMCA and NMCA WEST.
Keystone Automotive, a distributor and marketer of specialty automotive equipment and accessories, has signed on as a major sponsor with the NMCA and NMCA WEST series in 2012. Keystone's "support your local speed shop" campaign resonates as their speed and performance accounts plan to participate with both series. Expect to see Keystone speed and performance customers on display as a part of the manufacturer's midway at most events. Keystone's dealer locator program, 1-800-AUTOPARTS, will become the official performance parts supplier of the NMCA and NMCA WEST.
NEWS NUGGETS
ROOKIES PREPARED FOR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS AND START OF 2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE SEASON: Just one week remains before the beginning of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries, February 9–12, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. For three drivers, the season-opening race will mark their first full-season debuts as competitors in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
ROOKIES PREPARED FOR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA WINTERNATIONALS AND START OF 2012 NHRA FULL THROTTLE SEASON: Just one week remains before the beginning of the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries, February 9–12, at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. For three drivers, the season-opening race will mark their first full-season debuts as competitors in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
Brian Deegan Named 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Driver of the Year
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.
Brian "The General" Deegan dominated the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Season (LOORRS) Championship Awards Banquet January 21, much in the same way that he dominated the 2011 LOORS season, taking home a total of four awards for the night.
NEWS NUGGETS
TRAXXAS JOINS LIST OF NHRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS; SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR SPECIALTY RACE PROGRAMS: The NHRA has announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Traxxas—a leading manufacturer and seller of high-performance radio-controlled vehicles. The agreement designates Traxxas as the “Official Radio Controlled Performance Products of the NHRA” and will fully integrate the Traxxas brand into all aspects of the NHRA, including extensive multi-media rights, broadcast elements and a strong on-site presence, including interactive displays, signage and entertainment features. The sponsorship includes new Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty “race-within-a-race” programs, both sponsored by Traxxas. The specifics of the specialty programs, including locations for each event, will be announced at a later date. Traxxas will provide $260,000 to fund the two programs, with the Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty race winners receiving $100,000 each.
TRAXXAS JOINS LIST OF NHRA OFFICIAL SPONSORS; SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES TOP FUEL AND FUNNY CAR SPECIALTY RACE PROGRAMS: The NHRA has announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Traxxas—a leading manufacturer and seller of high-performance radio-controlled vehicles. The agreement designates Traxxas as the “Official Radio Controlled Performance Products of the NHRA” and will fully integrate the Traxxas brand into all aspects of the NHRA, including extensive multi-media rights, broadcast elements and a strong on-site presence, including interactive displays, signage and entertainment features. The sponsorship includes new Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty “race-within-a-race” programs, both sponsored by Traxxas. The specifics of the specialty programs, including locations for each event, will be announced at a later date. Traxxas will provide $260,000 to fund the two programs, with the Top Fuel and Funny Car specialty race winners receiving $100,000 each.
TRAXXAS/Red Bull's Mitchell DeJong Makes History
Fourteen-year-old Mitchell DeJong has claimed his eighth racing title in five years—two off-road titles in a single season—including the only 2011 back-to-back championship in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. From training off the track, coupled with track practice and midnight race-car simulator gaming sessions, his dedication has pushed this TRAXXAS/Red Bull athlete into the history books.
Fourteen-year-old Mitchell DeJong has claimed his eighth racing title in five years—two off-road titles in a single season—including the only 2011 back-to-back championship in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series. From training off the track, coupled with track practice and midnight race-car simulator gaming sessions, his dedication has pushed this TRAXXAS/Red Bull athlete into the history books.
NEWS NUGGETS
TOYOTA SECURES SPONSORSHIP OF ENGLISHTOWN NHRA FULL THROTTLE EVENT: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A has expanded its participation in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing by becoming the title-rights sponsor of the event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown. The 43rd annual Toyota NHRA SuperNationals will be held May 31–June 3.
TOYOTA SECURES SPONSORSHIP OF ENGLISHTOWN NHRA FULL THROTTLE EVENT: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A has expanded its participation in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing by becoming the title-rights sponsor of the event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown. The 43rd annual Toyota NHRA SuperNationals will be held May 31–June 3.
SCCA Announces New Club Racing Majors Program
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has announced a new, top-level Club Racing program dubbed the “Majors,” launching as a pilot program in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain and Southwest Divisions in 2012. Focused on providing fresh, enhanced opportunities for national-level classes within a geographical racing area, the Majors offers a new-format race weekend focused on clustering competition and providing greater value for racers.
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) has announced a new, top-level Club Racing program dubbed the “Majors,” launching as a pilot program in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain and Southwest Divisions in 2012. Focused on providing fresh, enhanced opportunities for national-level classes within a geographical racing area, the Majors offers a new-format race weekend focused on clustering competition and providing greater value for racers.