BONUS MONEY: The IZOD IndyCar Series will offer a $5 million
bonus for a driver from outside the series who can come in and win the
season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway October 16. The event will be
known as the IZOD IndyCar World Championships.
HIGH SPEEDS: NASCAR officials have lowered the tolerance level
of the pressure-relief valve on the radiator, hopefully forcing drivers
to pull out of the draft to cool down their engines and eliminate the
excessive speeds seen during the Budweiser Shootout.
- Read more about Racing News: Crash Sidelines Renault Formula One Driver Robert Kubica for the Season
INJURED: Renault Formula One driver Robert Kubica was seriously
injured in a crash during the Ronde di Andora Rally in Italy Sunday and
will miss the Formula One season.
NEW HOME: Mike Conway will return from injuries suffered during
the 2010 Indianapolis 500 to drive for Andretti Autosport throughout
the IZOD IndyCar Series season.
Students preparing for careers in the automotive industry may be
eligible to receive financial awards ranging from $1,000–$4,000 through
the 2011 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship application, which is due April 1 and requires college
transcripts and letters of recommendation, is now available here.
ROOKIE DRAG RACER: Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 22
Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be
making his NHRA Full Throttle Series debut at the 41st annual Tire
Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals March 11–13 at Gainesville Raceway.
NEW NAME: Lucas Oil Products has acquired the naming rights for
the NHRA-owned O’Reilly Raceway Park in Clermont, Indiana. The venue
will now be known as Lucas Oil Raceway.
Federated Auto Parts announced that Gene Jeffries,
a 50-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, would begin his
retirement at the end of December after having worked for Federated
Auto Parts distributors for the past 13 years. Jeffries began his
career in the automotive aftermarket 50 years ago working as a
technician and shop owner in Indianapolis. His career also includes
stints with Monroe Equipment Co., Unit Parts Company and Raybestos. In
1997, Jeffries joined Federated as president, a position he held for 10
years before transitioning into a reduced schedule as director of
membership development, the position he currently holds.
THE BEST: Chip Ganassi, based on his outstanding season as a car owner, was selected by the staff of National Speed Sport News as the 2010 Economaki Champion of Champions. For more, click here.
NEWS NUGGETS
CLAPP, COHEN NAMED TO NHRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NHRA Chairman of the Board Dallas Gardner announced that two new members have been elected to the NHRA Board of Directors—longtime NASCAR executive Ken Clapp and high-profile Los Angeles attorney Michael C. Cohen. Clapp and Cohen will join current board members Gardner, NHRA President Tom Compton, NHRA Executive Vice President Peter Clifford and NHRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Graham Light.
CLAPP, COHEN NAMED TO NHRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NHRA Chairman of the Board Dallas Gardner announced that two new members have been elected to the NHRA Board of Directors—longtime NASCAR executive Ken Clapp and high-profile Los Angeles attorney Michael C. Cohen. Clapp and Cohen will join current board members Gardner, NHRA President Tom Compton, NHRA Executive Vice President Peter Clifford and NHRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Graham Light.