INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmy Vasser, the 1996 Champ Car title winner, will return to the cockpit to compete in the final Champ Car race April 20 during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Now the co-owner of KV Racing Technology, which is making the transition from the Champ Car World Series to the IndyCar Series, will drive the No. 12 Cosworth-Panoz DP01 in the final Champ Car event, which will also carry IndyCar Series points.
“I’ve been out of the car for two years, but it will be a lot of fun and a great honor to take part in the Champ Car World Series’ final race,” said Vasser.  “It will also be great to compete in front of all the southern California fans that have been so supportive of me throughout my career.”
Vasser, who has raced only sparingly in endurance sports car events in recent seasons, is a 10-time winner in Champ Car competition.

Williams Lands Integra Lights Ride

INDIANAPOLIS — Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Integra Motorsports have teamed together to campaign Marc Williams in the Firestone Indy Light Series for the remainder of the season.
Starting his season at this past weekend’s Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the 19-year-old New Zealand native will wheel the No. 9 Cool Blue Water Dallara for the rest of 2008. Williams, after posting two top-10 finishes in six Firestone Indy Light starts in 2007, will be the newest addition to the Chip Ganassi Racing team’s driver development program.

Lucas Oil Inks Deal With MavTV

DENVER — MavTV and Lucas Oil Products have signed a four-year deal to develop their HD development program.
The two companies will share facilities on the East and West coasts to work together on original HD programming and coordinate joint marketing and promotional campaigns.
“Lucas is the perfect partner for us as we head into the launch of our HD feed,” said MavTV President/COO Steve Smith. “We will now have production facilities on both sides of the country, including two HD trucks which will enable us to make available an extremely robust line up of HD content targeting men.”

New Jersey Tracks To Work Together

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. — Bridgeport Speedway and New Egypt Speedway, the only two dirt-oval tracks in N.J., have united efforts with the 2008 Bridgeport-New Egypt Modified Challenge Series.
The eight-race series will set up a point fund for drivers with a minimum $1,000 going to the winner and paying through the top 10 at the end of the season. Kicking off April 5 at Bridgeport Speedway, the event will pay $3,000 for the winner of the 30-lap feature. The series will open the season at New Egypt April 19 with Bridgeport staying dark that night so all can attend the event.

Ninety Hours On Speed For All-Star Race

CONCORD, N.C. — Speed will deliver almost 90 hours of All-Star programming in the second-consecutive year as the home of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
The coverage will include coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, the Craftsman Truck Series race leading up to the NASCAR Sprint Showdown and the Sprint All-Star Race from Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., beginning on May 17 at 7 p.m.
“We started thinking about this year’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race about 20 seconds after Kevin Harvick crossed the finish line at last year’s event,” said Speed President Hunter Nickell. “This event is all about having a great time, celebrating the sport we are all very passionate about.” 
For the full schedule, visit Speedtv.com.

Daytona Promotes Two Vice Presidents

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brian Crichton and John Guthrie have been promoted to vice presidents at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
As vice president, special events and entertainment, Crichton, formerly the senior director, will negotiate track rental and sanction agreements and manage and grow all special events at the speedway.
Guthrie, as newly named vice president, business development and partnerships, will manage the sale of tickets, sponsorship and hospitality. Both have been with the company since 2004.
“Both Brian and John have displayed leadership and forward thinking that has helped put DIS in the forefront of the motorsports industry,” said Speedway President Robin Braig. “We will continue to look to them to keep DIS ahead of the pack.”

Martinez Secures Long Beach Drive

INDIANAPOLIS — Forsythe-Pettit Racing has selected David Martinez to compete in the 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach April 20.
The event, which will serve as a celebration of the history of Champ Car as it transitions into one open-wheel series, will mark Martinez as the only Mexican driver in the world competing in a premier open-wheel series. The 26-year-old Martinez has made all three of his Champ Car starts with the team, finishing in the top 10 in Mexico City in 2005 and at Surfers Paradise last year.
“I am very excited to be back with Forsythe-Pettit Racing,” said Martinez. “I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve spent with the team over the last two years and we have developed a great relationship. Their engineering group is the best in the business and I am confident that we will be very strong in Long Beach.”

Jim McElreath Joins Texas Hall Of Fame

FORT WORTH, Texas — Jim McElreath and Mark Martin were recent inductees into the Texas Motor Sports Hall of Fame.
McElreath, who began racing as a 17-year-old Texan, went onto 170 Indy car starts, including 15 in the Indianapolis 500.
Martin, who is an Arkansas native, was inducted for the success he has enjoyed racing in Texas, including victories in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series at Texas Motor Speedway.

Sutton Tabs Focus Drivers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle racing team, which operates as a driver development team, has named its Ford Focus midget drivers for the 2008 season.
The drivers are Jessica Brunelli, Brendan Langlois, Jeff Oleen and Brennan Newberry.

Curley Officially Joins LMS Management Staff

CONCORD, N.C. — Seamus Curley has joined Lowe’s Motor Speedway as manager of short-track and drag racing events at the facility.
Curley officially joins the LMS staff after working closely with them and overseeing the short-track events. The job expands this year with the addition of the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at the yet-to-be named dragstrip adjacent to LMS scheduled for Sept. 11-14.
Prior to his stint at LMS, he received the Ken Squier Award in 2005 for his commitment and service to the racing community.