9 minute read
Road Rumblings
Leaked Documents Say Nascar EV Series Coming In 2023
The transition to Nascar EV racing seems inevitable, and fans could get a taste of its batterypowered future as soon as 2023, as leaked documents indicate that the U.S. racing series plans to launch an EV-only support series next season. Screenshots of the documents were uncovered by Kickin’ The Tires, revealing plans to bring a prototype EV race car to the track next year, where it will debut at the pre-season 2023 Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. In the third quarter of 2023, Nascar will then introduce a six-race support series with EV race cars at six venues “likely aligned with Cup Series events.” It’s not clear if Cup Series drivers will participate in the events, however. Each EV racing event will include a roster of just 12 race cars. There will be two 30-minute races, one on Saturday and the next on Sunday. The goal is for the EV race cars to be able to run lap times on par with the gasoline -powered race cars, and non-competitive pit stops will be allowed for teams to change tires or fix crash damage, while charging and battery swaps will not be allowed. The vehicles will feature all-wheel-drive powertrains capable of up to 1,000 horsepower, facilitated by three high-output motors and a 200 kW regen unit. The uncovered documents also indicate that Nascar will employ what it learns from the EV racing division to “determine the best path forward in National Series for 2025.” In fact, the Next Gen race car, which debuted for the 2022 Cup Series season, was designed with electrification in mind, and can support the addition of hybrid motors without modification. Nascar has not confirmed its plans to execute an EV-only series next season, but in early 2022, Steve O’Donnell, Nascar Chief Operating Officer, stated that the organization was looking into an exhibition series consisting of battery electric race cars. Reportedly, Nascar’s push toward electrification will include “exploring options for sound,” bringing excitement to what would otherwise be a silent drive. The sanctioning body and manufacturers may also consider the use of crossover of SUV bodies in the future to reflect recent buyer trends and embody the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mantra. If Nascar does, in fact, go all-electric, it will certainly be interesting to observe which vehicles each manufacturer chooses to run. Currently, Chevrolet runs the Camaro ZL1 coupe, but the production model will be discontinued after 2024. There could be a yet-unveiled Bow Tie EV waiting in the wings for a Cup Series debut. Meanwhile, Ford could choose to move forward with a Mustang Mach -E racer.
US Postal Ser vice Honors the Pony Car
The U.S. Postal Service will be launching five new stamps to commemorate the Pony Car era of American automobiles. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at 11 a.m. PT will be the first-day-of-issue event for the Pony Cars Forever stamp will be held at the Great American Stamp Show in partnership with the American Philatelic Society. The ceremony is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #PonyCarsStamps. The five stamps will include: 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 1969 AMC Javelin SST 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
NASCAR Tabs Chicago for First Ever Street Race on 2023 July 4th Weekend
NASCAR is changing. A lot. It has new Next Gen race cars for this 2022 season, the sanctioning body has taken steps to introduce more road courses – that are more compatible with their new cars – and now the NASCAR Cup Series will conduct its first points race in downtown Chicago, IL during the Fourth of July weekend, July 1-2, 2023. The event will be a doubleheader with a yet-to-be-named IMSA series as support race. The Windy City will make history hosting the NASCAR Cup Series against a backdrop of Lake Michigan and Grant Park, with broadcasting by the NBC network. “Like the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, we seized an incredible opportunity to add an unprecedented element to our schedule and take center stage in the heart of another major metropolitan marked,” Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy declared. “This is the ideal setting for the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race,” which will be conducted during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season. “The NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen cars and the IMSA machines will race along the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago, marking a truly historic moment for our sport. We are very appreciative of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her team, along with the entire City of Chicago, for working with us to make this concept a reality,” he said.
The 12-turn, 2.2-mile Chicago road course will feature Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive and select surrounding thoroughfares, with the start/ finish line and pit road located along South Columbus Drive, directly in front of the city’s iconic Buckingham Fountain. The course will pass through Grant Park, as well as approach the northern edge of Soldier Field, one of the most recognizable sports venues in the United States – and the site of the only other Cup Series race, which took place in the city’s downtown, in 1956.
2023 NHRA Camping World Season To Open In Gainesville
NHRA officials revealed the first four races of the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule today. In a significant change from tradition, the upcoming season will open March 9-12 with the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, with Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle in attendance.
The legendary track served as the opener for the 2021 campaign and is set to open the 2023 season as well, as all the top NHRA stars will look to open their year with a victory at the historic Gatornationals. The year will also open with the Pep Boys All-Star Top Fuel Callout specialty race in Gainesville, pitting eight star Top Fuel drivers against each other in a thrilling one-day shootout within the Gatornationals race weekend.
Following the March opener in Gainesville, the NHRA will head to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park on March 24-26 for the final NHRA Arizona Nationals. Drivers will look to end nearly four decades of racing in Phoenix with a victory, and the last NHRA Arizona Nationals also starts a three-race stretch over four weeks on the West Coast. The 63rd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals takes place the following weekend, March 30-April 2, at famed Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, which has been home to some of the biggest moments in NHRA history. After an off week, the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will go to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on April 14-16 for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals to wrap up the first four races of the 2023 NHRA season. It is the first of two races in Las Vegas, with the spring race featuring the thrilling and popular four-wide racing that’s been a hit with fans on the West Coast. It will mark the fifth time a four-wide race has taken place at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and is also one of two four-wide races that takes place during the season. Fans may renew or purchase their tickets now for the first four races of 2023 at https:// www.nhra.com/schedule/2023. The full 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series schedule will be announced soon, as well as details on class schedules. All races during the 2023 NHRA will be aired exclusively on FOX Sports, with select events on the FOX broadcast network. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.nhra.com.
HIGH ANGLE BILLET SWIVEL BALL FLOOR MOUNT
ALLOWS FOR MORE ARTICULATION OF COLUMN TUBE
IDIDIT’s All New High Angled Swivel Ball Floor mount was designed for more complex, unusual installs that require steeper angles where the column meets the firewall. IDIDIT's new high angle floor mount provides up to 35 degrees of articulation of the column tube, that is 10 degrees more than other designs. Manufactured from billet aluminum this floor mount offers a sleek, more refined appearance and is available in a machined or black anodized finish. This floor mount accommodates 2" and 2.25" columns.
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Matt Jones, who joined Art Morrison Enterprises (AME) in 2005 with a freshly minted Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, was hand-selected by Art Morrison to purchase the controlling interest in AME. Over his nearly 20-year tenure, Matt has worked closely with company founder Art Morrison and the late Craig Morrison in numerous instrumental roles including lead engineer, operations manager and now president. Of the recently completed purchase, Art said “Matt has played a huge role in the success of the company and has earned the trust of our many long-term employees. It will be in good hands”. And while after 51 years in business, Art and his wife of 53-years, Jeanette, will now be able to refocus and spend more time traveling and enjoying their grandson Alexander, Art will not be disappearing. “Those of you who know Art and his desire to create things will appreciate that he will retain his office here – his home away from home – and will remain a valuable consultant and mentor, but without having the burden of running the business on his shoulders” added Matt.
As we look toward the future, I am immensely humbled and honored to continue the tremendous legacy of Art and Craig Morrison by retaining our long-term employees, providing top notch customer service, and producing the best products possible using the industry’s most talented craftsmen, right here in Washington” said Matt. The prime motivator in the development of the highly successful AME Multilink IRS, Matt has been an automotive enthusiast all his life. Matt’s silver 1969 Camaro became the development “mule” for many of AME’s suspension components, which scored high marks in several “suspension shootouts” held by leading enthusiast publications. Matt and his wife, Lisa, live in nearby Auburn, Washington and have two daughters, ages 13 and 8.
Founded in 1971, Art Morrison Enterprises has grown from a one-man garage fabrication business into an industry-leading designer and manufacturer of chassis and components, which are engineered for peak performance. Now occupying five stand-alone buildings in Fife, Washington, AME proudly completes virtually all of their metal-forming, CNC machining and precision assembly inhouse. An industry leader, AME pioneered the true bolt-on GT Sport chassis, which laid the foundation for the burgeoning restomod market. For more information visit www.ArtMorrison.com
