NASCAR PLAYOFF FORMAT EXTENDED

TO NASCAR XFINITY SERIES AND NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

 Chicagoland Speedway to Host Last-Chance Races

Before New XFINITY, Truck Series Playoffs

 Following the overwhelming success of elimination format of The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs introduced in 2014, NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Brian France, announced Tuesday that a similar system will be implemented in both NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The announcement made on Tuesday was the first of several racing innovations presented by NASCAR for the 2016 season.

Chicagoland Speedway will present a dynamic weekend Sept. 15-18 as it kicks off the Chase for The NASCAR Sprint Cup for the sixth consecutive season. New in 2016, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers will participate in their last-chance race before the new playoff format begins.

“The anticipation, excitement and energy surrounding the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at Chicagoland Speedway continues to grow year after year,” said Chicagoland Speedway President, Scott Paddock. “First and foremost we will see the intensity of NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers competing to punch their ticket to the second round of the Chase. Now, with the extension of the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoff format, our fans will experience two more high-stakes races with playoff berths on the line.”

Starting this season, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will each feature a seven-race, three-round Chase format to determine its respective champions. While all three series will conclude with a Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, each will begin at different tracks.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase will begin following the race at Chicagoland Speedway and will feature 12 drivers with two elimination rounds. In the subsequent races, the field will be trimmed to eight and then the Championship 4 who will compete at Homestead.

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase will also begin following the last qualifying opportunity at Chicagoland Speedway. The first round in this series will only feature eight drivers with two elimination rounds that will trim the field to six and then the Championship 4. Similar to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the four drivers advancing to the Championship in Miami will have their points reset with the highest finishing Championship 4 driving winning it all.

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, Sept. 15-18, will begin on Thursday, Sept. 15 with the ARCA Racing Series followed by American Ethanol E15 225 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series under the lights on Friday night. On Saturday, Sept. 17, the NASCAR XFINITY Series will hit the track as the precursor to Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series showdown, the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Chicagoland Speedway

LVMS Chairman’s Experience takes luxury to a new level

 Race fans won’t need to find a five-star resort to get the latest in luxury on March 6.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has created the most top-shelf experience in all of NASCAR with the debut of the Chairman’s Experience at the Blackjack Club during the Kobalt 400. Fine dining, open bars, massages, guided garage tours, driver appearances, Victory Lane passes and much more will await the select few who take part in this experience.

“This is the ultimate ‘insider’ experience for race fans,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “There is going to be unprecedented access to many of the behind-the-scenes activities on race day along with the best in food, drinks and comfort during the race itself.”

The Chairman’s Experience, which will be limited to the first 60 race fans, will take place in the Blackjack Club, which is located on the third floor of the infield media center. This location allows fans a 360-degree view of the speedway from both an indoor, climate-controlled area as well as an outdoor patio.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

“The Chase adds intense pressure and helps you see who has the heart of the champion. Other times we find out who has a spaghetti backbone. Either way, it is fascinating to witness and now Texas Motor Speedway fans will get to see it happen in NASCAR’s top three series all in one weekend.”

Lilly Diabetes 250 to showcase NASCAR XFINITY Series’ new format

Key Points:

• The Lilly Diabetes 250 will feature two heats and a main this season as the NASCAR XFINITY Series debuts a new format in four races.
• Four “Dash 4 Cash” races will have the new format and the race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the last of the four on the schedule.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series is making format changes in a handful of races this season, and the Lilly Diabetes 250 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23 is a beneficiary.

The four-race “Dash 4 Cash” program will now feature two heats and a main in each of four events, offering more racing action and spurring memories.

“Many of our fans in Indiana and throughout the Midwest are big supporters of short-track racing, where Saturday night programs always feature heats leading up to the main event,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said. “Now we’ll get some of that flat-out, all-or-nothing flavor for our Saturday afternoon Lilly Diabetes 250, one of the spotlight races on the NASCAR XFINITY schedule.”

Qualifying for each Dash 4 Cash event will set the 40-car field and the starting positions for the two heats, with the fastest qualifier awarded the Coors Light Pole Award. Odd-numbered qualifiers (first, third, fifth, etc.) will start in the first heat in respective order, while even-numbered qualifiers (second, fourth, sixth, etc.) will start the second heat in respective order. The two heats will set the starting positions for the main with the top two NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars in each heat becoming eligible for the Dash 4 Cash bonus. The highest finishing driver among the four Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers will be awarded a $100,000 bonus.

The other Dash 4 Cash races will be held at Bristol Motor Speedway (April 16), Richmond International Raceway (April 23) and Dover International Speedway (May 14), where the format should prove equally popular. If any driver wins two of the four Dash 4 Cash bonuses available, he/she is all but guaranteed a spot in the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase. In short, two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are equivalent to one race win in the new NASCAR XFINITY Series Chase format, similar to the Chase for the Sprint Cup used in NASCAR’s top series.

“These innovations contain the elements of racing that our fans want the most,” said NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell. “The enhancements put a premium on in-race strategy, and will create an unprecedented level of excitement as teams make tactical decisions that could impact their spot in the Chase.”

The 23rd annual Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard will take place on Sunday, July 24. Indiana legend Tony Stewart, a two-time winner, will race for the final time against defending champion Kyle Busch, former champions Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, fellow Hoosier Ryan Newman and the rest of the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

FIRST TO IGNITE DASH 4 CASH HEAT RACING FORMAT APRIL 16

A new race format for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash is heating up for 2016 as Bristol Motor Speedway prepares for the first of the four shootout-style events.

The Dash 4 Cash format will include two Heats and a Main event at four different tracks during the season. Qualifying for the event will set the 40-car field with odd-numbered qualifiers competing in the first Heat and even-numbered qualifiers contending in the second.

Finishing order from the two Heats will then set the final starting spots for the Main event. The top two series regulars from each Heat will then battle for the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus.

If any driver wins two of the four Dash 4 Cash bonuses during the regular season, he/she will be all but guaranteed a spot in this year’s new NASCAR XFINITY Series seven-race Chase. Two Dash 4 Cash bonuses are equivalent to one race win in the Chase format beginning Sept. 24 at Kentucky Speedway.

“This new Dash 4 Cash format is perfect for a short track like Bristol Motor Speedway and it is sure to add a new level of intrigue to the Food City 500 weekend,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway. “Races of this nature are a staple of hometown tracks all over the country and one that drivers and fans love. We are ready to see it in action here in east Tennessee.”

The XFINITY Series 300 is the first race of an exciting doubleheader also featuring the K&N Pro Series-East PITTLITE 125 on Saturday, April 16. Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader start at just $35 for adults and $17 for youth (12 and under). Weekend packages for the Food City 500 are also on sale, beginning at $89 for adults and $44 for youth (12 and under). For more information, visit BristolTix.com or call (855) 580-5525.

Bristol Motor Speedway

ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES
ALL-NEW GEORGIA-THEMED RACE WEEKEND

Atlanta Motor Speedway will celebrate its classic southern roots in true Georgia fashion with all-new, fan-friendly features at its 2016 NASCAR weekend Feb. 26-28. From concession food unique to Georgia and celebrities who call the Peach State home, to warm southern hospitality and charming drawls, AMS will embrace the identity that sets it apart while enhancing the race-day experience that makes it a perennial fan-favorite event.

Visible enhancements in and around the track during race weekend will include new, themed branding paying tribute to Atlanta Motor Speedway’s influence on NASCAR’s roots. “Classic” and “Southern” themes will infuse fan areas, displays and the general atmosphere with renewed attention to the characteristic southern demeanor.

Much of Atlanta’s classic NASCAR tradition can be traced to NASCAR Hall of Famer and Georgia’s own “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Bill Elliott. The 1988 Winston Cup Champion who won five times at Atlanta, with another 19 top-10s during his career, was the star of AMS’s new flagship TV ad released late last year that conjures historic milestones from the track’s history. The past-present message finishes with a cut to son, Chase, who will make his own Atlanta Sprint Cup Series debut in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports car next month.

No classic southern theme would be complete without soulful southern fare that everyone can agree on. Georgia-grown goods, southern barbecue and the wildly popular Georgia peanut butter and jelly milkshake are just a handful of new concession options to help transport fans into a southern utopia full of NASCAR and down-home delight

Among the lineup of Georgia celebrities, Robin Meade, host of HLN’s Morning Express and a former Miss Ohio, will perform the national anthem ahead of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 on Sunday, Feb. 28.

Also on hand during Atlanta’s race weekend will be Rutledge Wood, motorsports analyst for NBC Sports and host of History’s “Top Gear.” Wood, who lives minutes from AMS in Senoia, Georgia, will present a “first-time fans” experience complete with special seating, a Q&A session and discounted ticket pricing.

Fans, media and drivers are encouraged to let their southern side show during Atlanta’s race weekend and interact with the hashtag #ClassicSouthern on social media.

NASCAR racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway Feb. 26-28, 2016, featuring an XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27 and the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 28. For more information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Dash 4 Cash Brings Excitement to RIR This April

Heat Races, Main Event All Part of New Format Changes to the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series Race

What do two heat races and a 140-lap main event equal? A new and exciting experience for race fans.  That’s what the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash is bringing to Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, April 23. The ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race is one of only four Dash 4 Cash races for the 2016 season, bringing with it a new on-track race format specific to these four races.

Drivers in the NASCAR XFINITY Series will compete in two heat races to determine the starting order for the main event, which will be 140 laps of beating and banging to see who ends up in Victory Lane and who will get the cash prize. Series rookies, like Erik Jones, will battle with veterans of the series like Elliott Sadler to see who comes out on top as the big winner.

“By having the Dash 4 Cash here at RIR, it brings a new, exciting format to our race fans,” said Dennis Bickmeier, President of Richmond International Raceway. “NASCAR could have picked any track on the circuit and they picked Richmond for this unique opportunity. Many of our fans grew up watching this type of format at local short tracks, and I’m sure new fans will enjoy the high level of drama this format will certainly create.  This change to the Saturday ToyotaCare 250 aligns with many new and exciting changes for the April race weekend in Richmond.”

So, how’s it all going down? Here’s how one driver will end up with big money:

• Drivers will participate in three rounds of knockout group qualifying to set the 40-car field. The fastest after the three rounds will be awarded the Coors Light Pole Award.

• From qualifying, the odd number position qualifiers (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) in respective order, will run in the first heat race, and the even number position qualifiers (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) in respective order, will run the second heat race.

• Heat #1 will consist of 35 laps, where caution laps count. After the race is complete, there will be a 15 minute break.

• Heat #2 will also be 35 laps, where caution laps count. After this heat, there will be a 20 minute break.

• The starting order for the final 140-lap Main Event will be determined by the finishing positions of the Heat races, with the top two NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars in each Heat becoming eligible for the Dash 4 Cash bonus.

• Then comes the Main Event. A 140-lap dash with side-by-side racing to see who will grab the checkered flag and the Dash 4 Cash prize.

• The total number of laps at RIR will be 210, which puts the event at nearly 250 kilometers (based on where the line is measured).

The highest finishing driver among the four Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers will be awarded a $100,000 bonus, which means there could be two different winners at RIR on Saturday, April 23 – The ToyotaCare 250 race winner AND the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash winner.

“We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this format change and applaud NASCAR and XFINITY for their innovation in bringing this excitement to the fans,” added Bickmeier.  “Given our long history in the sport, I’m certain this format change will resonate with our fans.  This will be one of those ‘I was there when’ moments.”

So don’t wait, click here to get your tickets to be part of this historical event at RIR!  Advance general admission tickets are $30 and advance reserved tickets are $40. Kids 12 and younger are FREE in general admission seating areas for the ToyotaCare 250.

Then come back out and join us as Sunday racing returns to Richmond with the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 24.  Advance tickets start at $35. Kids 12 and younger are $25 off in every reserved grandstand section.  Click here to join us in making new memories in 2016.

Richmond International Speedway

Three Elected to West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame Board of Directors

Three longtime members of the motorsports industry – Steve Page, Richard Spencer and Richard (Dick) Woodland – have been named to the board of directors of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.

The trio was elected during the organization’s December board meeting. Their election brings the number to 17 directors governing the nomination and selection of West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame inductees.

Voting by the board on the Class of 2016 has begun and inductees will be announced in March. Next year’s induction ceremonies will take place June 23 at the Meritage Resort in Napa, Calif. during Sonoma Raceway’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series/K&N Pro Series West weekend.

“The election of our newest directors is recognition of their decades of service within the industry,” said Ken Clapp, chairman of the board of directors. “We are pleased that they have pledged their energies to growing our organization.”

Page, president of Sonoma Raceway, joined the motorsports world in 1991, after 11 years working in marketing and special events for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics. Among other responsibilities with the A’s, he served as the coordinator for the 1987 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Before entering the sports arena, Page spent several years on Capitol Hill as press secretary for U.S. Congressman Leon Panetta. Page is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

Page is ranked by the racing industry as one of the foremost and top major speedway presidents in the country and has served on special boards and committees for the motor racing industry to protect the rights of motor sports and its future in the state of California.

He was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2014.

Spencer grew up around automobiles. His grandfather, Roy Spencer, was a vice president of Packard Motor Co. in the 1950s. Father Beverly (Bev) Spencer, who operated a Buick and Ferrari dealership in San Francisco, owned and raced every significant Ferrari of the 1950-60 era. His drivers included F1 World Champion Phil Hill, Richard Spencer’s life-long friend and neighbor and George Follmer.

Richard Spencer, president and vice president of several businesses, is a 39-year member of the Sports Car Club of America and an SCCA competitor for two decades. He was a regional racing champion in 1978 and won the 1980 RDC 4-Hour enduro.

Spencer is a member of the board of directors of the Aragon Dons Foundation.

Woodland, an entrepreneur and developer, owns Patricia Diane Vineyards as well as partnership in Eberle Vineyards, both in Paso Robles, Calif. He purchased his first NASCAR modified/jalopy in the late 1950s as a 15 year old, racing at the old Atascadero Speedway as well as in Fresno. Following service in the U.S. Army, he relocated to southern California to work in his in-laws’ poultry business and purchased a sprint car, competing with the California Racing Association and other groups.

Partnering with Billy and Anne Wilkerson, the cars were raced by many top drivers – including Joe Leonard, Billy Vukovich Jr., Marshall Sargent, George Snider, Bob Hogle and 2016 WCSCHOF nominee Frank Secrist.

From 1992 through 2008, Woodland’s Cold Duck Racing, with WCSCHOF member Ron Hornaday Jr. and Rich Woodland Jr., competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The team made additional starts in NASCAR Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series events.

Woodland owns Woodland Auto Display which is affiliated with the Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles.

The West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 and inducted its inaugural class the following year. It memorializes significant contributors to the sport’s development and history – including designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, racetrack owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.

Phoenix International Raceway

IMS statement on the passing of Bob Harkey

A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles about six-time Indianapolis 500 veteran driver Bob Harkey, who died at age 85 on Jan. 16.

“Bob Harkey competed during one of the most transformative times in Indianapolis 500 history as the cars moved from rear-engine to front-engine and from no aerodynamic devices to wings and downforce. But what made Bob Harkey special was his continued involvement in and around the Speedway each May after his racing years. He always had time for our fans, young and old, and his passion for the Indianapolis 500 was evident in every fan interaction. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Lewis, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 7, was treated to some high-speed laps around the 1.5-mile speedway in the official Duck Commander 500 Chevrolet SS pace car with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage as part of a special birthday extravaganza for their neighboring resident.

“This has been a beautiful day and I don’t feel 100 years old either,” Lewis said. “My favorite part today is…well, I don’t know. Everything has been great. I just want to live. When I wake up in the morning I say thank you for another day.”

“I asked her several times are you doing okay and are you comfortable and she said, ‘I am very comfortable.’ I look down and were doing 100,” Gossage said. “What a sweet lady at 100 years of age celebrating her birthday out here. You talk to people like this and they got so much they can share with you and they don’t even know they are teaching you things.”

Rain Cancels First Day Of ARCA Test Session At DIS

Second Day Of Test Set for Saturday

With a steady rain Friday at Daytona International Speedway forcing cancellation of the opening day of preseason testing for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, teams were left to their cars inside the garages.

With more time than usual on his hands, eight-time Lucas Oil 200 winner Bobby Gerhart Jr. looked over his No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet – right down to every minute detail. Friday brought back one of Gerhart’s most vivid memories at the Speedway.

“After I got into a really bad wreck here [in 1994]…and headed to the track the next day, my mother kept telling me how important preparation obviously needs to be here,” Gerhart said. “She said, ‘You need to be able to win the pole. I want you to commit to do that.’”

Gerhart, who went on to win four consecutive Daytona poles from 2003-2006, is one of approximately 60 drivers expected to test Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in advance of the Lucas Oil 200 on Feb. 13.

“I’d like the opportunity to be blessed and get to 10 wins [at Daytona] if I could,” Gerhart said. “If I get to 10 wins I’ll retire right in victory lane. I’ll be done right there.”

While Gerhart’s main focus Friday was on his own efforts, he also took time to share advice with young aspiring drivers like Gus Dean, who has partnered with Mason Mitchell Motorsports to pilot a car during testing.

“Any time you get the chance to talk to these older drivers who have been there and done that, it gives you that much more of an advantage when you go on the track,” Dean said. “It gets you faster, and it gets you faster, quicker.”

Gerhart, 57, is trying to become the oldest superspeedway winner in stock car racing history. He admits to making plenty of mistakes at DIS since 1988, but he can offer his wisdom to Dean and other up-and-comers.

“I think all I can do is share the bad mistakes I’ve made, the things I overlooked and the things I took for granted,” Gerhart said. “I think it’s very easy for a young guy to get lost in this big thing that is Daytona. You have to be able to separate that and understand we are here to race.”

Dean, a former X-1R Pro Cup Series champion, said he is hopeful of competing in the 53rd annual Lucas Oil 200.

“I feel that we will [make the field],” Dean said. “I’ve run heavy cars like these for a long time. I’m used to the bigger and heavy cars and once I learn how to run a superspeedway, we should be good for the race.”

Daytona International Speedway

Matt Wallace Ready to Emerge in 2016

Matt Wallace grinned, wide-eyed, when he looked out to the frontstretch from the garages. This will be Wallace’s first visit to the track not as a spectator, but as a driver. Wallace, a third-generation racer, will finally get his chance in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

“Knowing you’re going to be on the biggest of race tracks there is now, running pretty close to 180 miles per hour, that’s kind of a thrill,” Wallace said.

Wallace comes from a long line of racing greats, all who have excelled at the NASCAR level. He is Rusty and Kenny Wallace’s nephew; he is Mike Wallace’s son. Even so, he wants to blaze his own trail.

 “Me being a Wallace helps maybe open a door, but nothing to the financial standpoint of getting me a ride,” said Wallace, who is testing for Cunningham Motorsports. “We need to find great marketing partners who will represent me well and I can represent myself well.”

With his family’s support and his own ambition, Wallace wants to be defined not by his family, but defined as himself. But, he’s not about to steer away from the family name completely.

            “I want to be my own person and definitely carry the tradition on,” he said.

Daytona International Speedway

HOMESTEAD KARTING HOSTS FLORIDA WINTER TOUR ROK CUP

Rubens Barrichello and Nelson Piquet Junior among those participating in event at Homestead Karting track

 While the championship 1.5-mile oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway is relatively quiet this weekend there is plenty of action taking place at the adjacent karting track.  Homestead-Miami Speedway’s Homestead Karting track opens up the 2016 season with the Florida Winter Tour ROK Cup this weekend, starting Friday and concluding on Sunday.

 The event features several of the nation’s top teams and drivers. Several pro drivers are also participating, most notably former Formula One standouts Rubens Barrichello and Nelson Piquet Junior, two of more than 150 competitors in six different divisions.

 The Sofina Foods Florida Winter Tour Presented by Fikse Wheels is one of karting’s oldest and longest continuously running racing programs. From its humble beginnings in the winter of 1999, “The FWT” has grown into one of the world’s longest, geographically diverse, competitive and prestigious sprint kart racing programs.

 As one of the premier karting series in not only North America, but also the world, the Florida Winter Tour ROK Cup USA Weekend includes teams and competitors racing in the series utilizing only one engine brand per weekend.

 The action begins today and continues through Sunday, Jan. 17. Racing starts at approximately 7:30 am each day and runs throughout the course of the day.  The Florida Winter Tour will continue its 2016 season opener next weekend, Jan. 22-24, with the Rotax Weekend, also at the Homestead Karting track.

Live streaming of the karting from Homestead-Miami Speedway is available on both weekends at http://maxspeedentertainment.com/mse-live/.

 Homestead-Miami Speedway

ROUTE 66 RACEWAY ANNOUNCES ITS FULL SEASON SCHEDULE FOR 2016

Tickets are on-sale now for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals

The complete Route 66 Raceway event schedule was released today ensuring yet another complete season of exhilarating, super-charged racing. Renowned events such as Test & Tunes presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Races, the Hollywood Casino Joliet Snocross National Presented by Hayes Brake, Import Face-Off, the Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing Burndown at Sundown!, NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing and the D’Arcy Buick GMC Route 66 Classic join the Route 66 NHRA Nationals to form the complete 2016 lineup.

“In 2015, we witnessed a terrific year of racing at Route 66 Raceway with a thrilling mix of new events, such as ISOC Championship Snocross and RevArena, accompanying long-standing favorites like the Burndown at Sundown!, the Route 66 Classic and our weekly Test & Tunes,” said Scott Paddock, President of Route 66 Raceway. “As we flip the calendar to 2016, we look forward to building on the momentum of the previous season and once again delivering an unparalleled racing and guest experience at our world class facility”

The season opens with the Hollywood Casino Joliet Snocross National Presented by Hayes Brake on March 4-5. AMSOIL Championship snowmobile racing descends upon the famed drag strip for a rare mid-winter motorsports treat. Fans can once again expect two days of high flying, berm-busting snowmobile action as professional, semi-pro and amateur classes compete for the AMSOIL Championship.

2016 continues as bracket series racers ready for the season with the first of three Test & Tunes presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts on April 16 leading to the first of eight Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series races on April 24. Starting on May 1, Test & Tunes morph into Race Your Ride events where local competitors have the opportunity to enter the World’s Premier Drag Racing Facility to put their vehicles to the ultimate test. Junior Dragsters get their first crack at the dragstrip on May 21, in the first of six competitions for the season.

On May 22, the most innovative import series in the U.S. returns to Joliet bringing much more than a race and care show. Import fans will spend the entire day enjoying amenities such as quarter-mile drag racing, a car, truck and bike show, sound-system contests, a model expo, burnout contests, DJs, vendors and more.

Taking place under the lights on Saturday, June 4, the Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing Burndown at Sundown! features jet-propelled, fire-breathing cars rocketing to speeds approaching 300 miles per hour. The Burndown at Sundown! serves as a precursor for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, July 7-10. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will feature a full day and one night of nitro qualifying. Here fans will be able to see who has the best speeds both under the sun and under the stars. The weekend culminates with the Championship on Sunday.

The Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing showcases the National Mustang Racers Association and National Muscle Car Association, July 28-31.  On top of the monumental street legal drag racing, the weekend features a car show, swap meet, manufacturer’s midway and much more.  Last year’s Super Bowl was the closest contest in the event history.

On August 20, the D’Arcy Buick GMC Route 66 Classic returns to pay homage to early drag racing and hot rod culture. Featuring nostalgia match racing including funny cars, gassers and pro stocks and a Show ‘n Shine, the Route 66 Classic is a quarter-mile blast down memory lane.

To close the season, the Route 66 Raceway Swap Meet will return for its eighth year, inviting buyers and sellers from all over the Midwest to exchange items and display their cars in a Show ‘n Shine.

Tickets for the 2016 events at Route 66 Raceway are on sale now and will be available by visiting www.Route66Raceway.com or by calling (888) 629-RACE.

The 2016 schedule of events at Route 66 Raceway is as follows:

Date                             Event  

March 4-5                     Hollywood Casino Joliet Snocross National Presented by Hayes Brake

April 16                         Test & Tune presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

April 23                         Test & Tune presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

April 24                         Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

April 30                         Test & Tune presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

May 1                           Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

May 6                           Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

May 7                           Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

May 13                         Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

May 14                         Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

Junior Dragsters

May 20                         Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

May 22                         Import Face-Off

May 27                         Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

June 3-5                       NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

June 4                          Four Seasons Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing Burndown at Sundown!

June 17                         Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

June 18                         Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series Racing

Junior Dragsters

June 24                         Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

June 26                         Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

Junior Dragsters

July 7-10                      Route 66 NHRA Nationals

July 15                          Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

July 16                          Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

Junior Dragsters

July 22                          Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

July 28-31                     NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing

August 5                       Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

August 7                       Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Series

Junior Dragsters

August 12                     Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

August 20                     D’Arcy Buick GMC Route 66 Classic

Junior Dragsters

August 26                     Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

September 9                 Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

September 23               Race Your Ride presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts

October 2                     Route 66 Raceway Swap Meet 

*This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of Route 66 Raceway, its affiliates and partners.

Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Racewat

St. Louis is the Best Sports Town in America

“Those who can must step up as a community when the need arises and save our precious assets and encourage growth so we can retain our status as a top-tier city.”

Just two weeks ago, the Wall Street Journal recognized St. Louis as the Best City to be a Fan in 2015. Gateway Motorsports Park Owner and President Curtis Francois says,

“I concur with the Wall Street Journal that St. Louis is the best sports town in the country.  That’s a big reason why I’ve invested so heavily in the restoration of Gateway Motorsports Park. Our region needs significant sporting, entertainment and cultural venues to remain relevant, and Gateway Motorsports Park is among the finest venues in the country. I also believe St. Louis a great place for people who want a career in the sporting industry.”

Wednesday, Francois reached out to the Ram’s organization and to the St. Louis Sports Commission in an effort to talk to Rams employees who won’t be moving to Los Angeles with the team.

“I firmly believe we have the best fans in the nation, and that transcends a specific sports team. Also, to have a first-class facility in a first-class town, you need top-notch people,” says Francois. “I think it’s important to keep talented people in town. I know there are many smart people who work for the Rams who want to stay in St. Louis.  I’d like to talk with those folks and see if there are opportunities for them here at Gateway Motorsports Park to help us realize our vision.”

Francois is looking to hire 60-100 full and part-time employees over the next several months.  Positions include marketing, maintenance, ticketing, security, event operations, promotions and hospitality, among others.

“To help us achieve the aggressive vision we have for this racetrack, we are going to need quality people who are as committed to this community as we are,” explains Francois. “The success of the revitalization of this racetrack and the interest we are seeing from national sanctioning bodies like NASCAR, NHRA and Indycar, are a testament to how diverse and strong our fans are and how much they love sports of all kinds.”

In 2012, St. Louis native Francois took the reins at Gateway Motorsports Park with a lofty fan-focused vision, solid business plan, one of the largest racing schedules in the track’s history and a $15 million capital improvement campaign that has positioned Gateway Motorsports Park as one of the region’s premiere entertainment, sports and cultural venues.  Last year alone, nearly 1,000,000 fans crossed the gates of Gateway Motorsports Park to see professional and amateur racing at its finest.  In a few short years, Francois has brought world-class racing back to the track including NHRA, NASCAR, USAC, karting, off-road racing a variety of local and regional programs.  At the time of the acquisition, Francois said,

 “Those who can must step up as a community when the need arises and save our precious assets and encourage growth so we can retain our status as a top-tier city.”

Gateway Motorsports Park

GEORGIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGNS ON AS
TITLE SPONSOR OF FEB. 27 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE AT AMS

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) will sponsor the Feb. 27 Heads Up Georgia 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race during Atlanta Motor Speedway’s 2016 NASCAR weekend. The race is the front-end of an XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series same-day doubleheader unique to Atlanta.

The Heads Up Georgia 250 will be the first of three NASCAR national touring series races during the weekend. Following the 1:30 p.m. Saturday race, the Camping World Truck Series Georgia 200 will polish off the twinbill with a scheduled green flag at 4:30 p.m. The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will round out the weekend at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28.

GOHS’s “Heads Up Georgia” campaign is a safe driving initiative that addresses a startling increase in fatalities on Georgia’s roadways. The goal of the statewide initiative is to educate drivers about how making simple, fundamental changes in their driving behavior can prevent crashes and save lives.

“We are delighted to be part of the XFINITY Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway,” said GOHS director Harris Blackwood. “We are seeking ways to reach more Georgians about the dangers of texting and driving and believe that a high-profile NASCAR race will help us in that mission. Our state is one of those that gave birth to stock car racing, and we are anticipating a great weekend at AMS.”

The Mission of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is to educate the public on traffic safety and facilitate the implementation of programs that reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia roadways.

GOHS sponsored the Drive Sober Georgia Qualifying day at Atlanta’s 2015 NASCAR weekend and steps in as a first-time race sponsor in 2016.

Atlanta Motor Speedway

ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
Daytona Int’l Speedway Open Test

arcaracing.com: Live Timing & Scoring & Live Chat Board

Friday & Saturday, January 15-16

On Track Activity
Friday, January 15: Morning Session – 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Afternoon Session – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16: Morning Session – 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Afternoon Session – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All on-track sessions weather permitting. Sunday reserved as rain day.

ARCA Racing Series/at DIS

Richmond International Raceway Helps Create Memories for Generations

Tickets for the April 23-24 TOYOTA OWNERS 400 and ToyotaCare 250

On Sale January 15

NASCAR and family is synonymous with one another. When people think of NASCAR, they think of sharing a unique tradition with their grandparents, parents, and friends.  A tradition that can be passed down for generations, so future fans can feel their heart beat faster in excitement when their favorite driver crosses the Start/Finish line first.

Richmond International Raceway is helping fans to create this tradition during our April race weekend. And you can get your tickets for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race as tickets go on sale Friday, January 15! With our family friendly pricing, fans can sit in the grandstands with their kids, and watch them smile as they see their heroes in person for the first time. You will be able to relive the memories you created with your parents when you came to RIR back in the day.

Fans now have the perfect opportunity to carry on these traditions for generations, as RIR brings back racing on a Sunday afternoon with the TOYOTA OWNERS 400, Sunday, April 24. Forty years of day racing took place at RIR, and now it’s back! Many fans today have never witnessed a Sunday race at RIR, which is perfect for creating a new family tradition. It’s easy to do with kids pricing all weekend. Come see all the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as they take to the track for the first scheduled day race at RIR since 1997.

You’ll experience every thrill in every turn as you watch your favorite driver charge to the front. Your hair will stand on end when the cars come roaring past. Smell the burnt rubber when the cars come racing out of the pits. You can feel all these exciting moments by purchasing your ticket on January 15! Advance tickets for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race start at $35. Kids 12 and younger are $25 off in every reserved grandstand section.

And, don’t forget your tickets to the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, April 23. Watch as NASCAR’s next generation battles it out on the track. Who has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars? Advance general admission tickets are $30 and advance reserved tickets are $40. Kids 12 and younger are FREE in general admission seating areas on Saturday. It all starts on Friday, April 22 with NASCAR XFINITY Series practice and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying. Tickets are $10 and general admission only. Kids 12 and younger are FREE.

Come out and create a new tradition this April at RIR. Witness all the excitement and make lifelong memories with your family. You don’t want to miss this!

Richmond Interntional Raceway

GOBOWLING.COM 400 SET FOR MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND

AT KANSAS SPEEDWAY

Kansas Speedway and GoBowling.com announced a partnership today for the May 7 GoBowling.com 400, Kansas Speedway’s annual May NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We’re excited to announce our partnership with GoBowling.com for our May Sprint Cup Series night race,” said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. “I’m thrilled to be able to work with such a family-friendly brand at Kansas Speedway because NASCAR racing appeals to fans of all ages. I know this will be a great partnership with GoBowling.com and I can’t wait to see their activation not only at Kansas Speedway but at bowling centers around the country.”

“Bowling is the number one participation game in the U.S. and NASCAR is one of the most popular fan-based sports making this a natural partnership,” said Strike Ten Entertainment President John G. Harbuck. “We have very similar demographics so the exposure we get from this sponsorship – both in the Midwest and nationally –  will allow us to promote bowling to current and potential bowlers, especially families and young bowlers.

“We will use the race as a platform to remind people what a great game bowling is for all ages and drive them to our website where they can find bowling centers near them as well as connect with us via social media,” he added.

As part of the agreement, GoBowling.com has naming rights to the race that will be featured on a nationally-televised broadcast and other news media. In addition, GoBowling.com will have extensive signage throughout Kansas Speedway and the rights to execute on-site and online promotional activations including regional and national consumer promotions such as bowling leagues, prize promotions and other branding initiatives.

GoBowling.com is the go-to website to learn more about the great sport of bowling including information about 3,000+ bowling centers throughout the country. Fans can learn about their local bowling centers, take advantage of promotional offers, watch bowling video tips and more.

“Bowling proprietors across America are proud of our relationship with Kansas Speedway,” said Tom Martino, Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) President. “After race fans enjoy a great race, we look forward to having them visit their local bowling center.”

Kansas Speedway tickets for all events in 2016 will be on sale soon. Kansas Speedway’s May 6-7, 2016 race weekend will include the Toyota Tundra 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and the GoBowling.com 400. In October, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns with the Hollywood Casino 400 on Oct. 16. The Kansas Lottery 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race will take center stage on Oct. 15, while the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship race will run on Oct. 14.

Parking is always free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.

Kansas Speedway

Don’t delay! Tickets and camping on sale at MIS on Monday
Track will host two race weekends in 2016, June 10-12 and Aug. 26-28

Monday is your chance to get in on all the action at Michigan International Speedway in 2016. Tickets go on sale for both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends on January 18.

The speedway is making it easy for you to get the best tickets and camping. Fans can visit www.mispeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to find the perfect ticket, package or campsite.

The first of the track’s two NASCAR weekends is June 10-12 with the Corrigan Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series on June 10; NASCAR XFINITY Series on June 11; and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 on June 12.

The Sprint Cup Series will wind up its summertime stint at MIS on August 28 with the Pure Michigan 400. The Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation is on August 27.

Keloorah, a music festival experience, will take place on the Friday and Saturday of the June FireKeepers Casino 400 and the August Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends at MIS. The music festival will feature multiple bands each night. Keloorah is behind Turn 3, central to many of MIS’ MISCamping.com campgrounds.

In 2016, fans can see the two-day festival each weekend with a ticket to Keloorah in addition to a Sunday admission ticket or infield or APEX wristband that allows access to the FireKeepers Casino 400 or Pure Michigan 400.

“The 2016 racing season at MIS is lining up to be action packed with the debut of the new low-downforce package at the track,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “This is an exciting time for the sport and we proud of our partnerships with FireKeepers Casino Hotel and Pure Michigan, to name a few, as we look forward to being a part of the future with NASCAR. We cannot wait for the season to start and welcome fans back to MIS to see the best events.”

About 385,000 people visit MIS each year, generating an economic impact of more than $414 million, according to a University of Michigan study released in May of 2014. Nearly 60 percent of the guests on race weekend come from outside Michigan, making MIS the largest state welcome center.

The speedway hosts NASCAR. But the track also hosts events as an innovative and diverse business, hospitality and entertainment venue, bringing several events each year. And the track continues to explore opportunities to add to its impressive lineup in the future. NASCAR will return to Michigan International Speedway with a pair of weekends in 2016: June 10-12 and Aug. 26-28.

MIS is one of 23 tracks to host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in the nation and is the only one in the state of Michigan. The NASCAR races anchor a year’s worth of events that will continue to bring business and drive tourism in the state, helping to showcase all the great things the State of Michigan and all the track’s partners have to offer.

NASCAR announced agreements with the tracks to field NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series races for the next five years. The sanction agreements provide guests and partners of each track the knowledge that track will host NASCAR events the next five years.

NASCAR will kick off the 2016 season against the new backdrop of a completely reimagined Daytona International Speedway. DAYTONA Rising, the speedway’s $400 million redevelopment project, will be complete when both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series launch at Daytona Speedweeks. The 2016 DAYTONA 500 will be held on February 21 and will air live on FOX.

Michigan International Speedway continues to keep ticket prices low for 2016. Race fans who purchase early will have the best prices and the best seats. Tickets for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race start at $44, with children 12 and under free in certain sections, ensuring families a chance to see NASCAR at affordable prices. You can camp all week long for one price, starting at $145.

The track will also continue its junior pricing program where kids 13-16 are half price in reserve seats.

And if you want a turn-key option to help you make arrangements, PrimeSport is offering official FireKeepers Casino 400 travel packages and Pure Michigan 400 travel packages that include: two or three-night hotel accommodations, round-trip transfers to the race and airport, official welcome gifts, PrimeSport credential holder and lanyard, breakfast at the hotel and premium race tickets (with upgrades available). Each package is customizable and can be fit to a fan’s specific needs.

Michigan International Speedway.