Speedway Outlines Environmental Initiatives

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Michigan Int’l Speedway is undertaking several “green initiatives” in the coming weeks, designed to help the track reduce its carbon footprint in the scenic Irish Hills.
The first new initiative is voluntary involvement in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership (MBP3) and Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (RETAP).
The MBP3 program is designed to reduce pollution, lower energy usage and reduce costs. MIS is the first sports venue in the state to join MBP3.
“This is a very important step for us in our conservation efforts,” MIS Senior Director of Facility Development Michael Printup said. “To be the first professional sports venue in the state to participate in the MBP3 program is a great honor. We’re pleased to voluntarily join this venture. It’s good for us, our fans and our business as a whole.”
RETAP was created to provide assessed companies with technical assistance in the implementation of pollution prevention programs.
MIS officials plan to announce other conservation efforts and green initiatives in the coming weeks.

CJM, Joe Gibbs Racing Form Partnership

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — CJM Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing have formed an alliance under which CJM will receive technical support as well as information pertaining to research and development in the Nationwide Series.
CJM, which fields the No. 11 America’s Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet driven by Jason Keller, will continue to run Chevrolet Monte Carlos for the remainder of 2008, but will transition to a Toyota Racing Development team in 2009.
CJM Racing was 10th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver-point standings after a third-place finish Saturday at Gateway Int’l Raceway.

Villeneuve, Braun Team Up For Montreal

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive the No. 32 Toyota of Braun Racing in the second running of the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Circuit Gille Villeneuve in Montreal Aug. 1-2.
The event will mark Villeneuve’s first Nationwide Series start at the track that carries his father’s name and will be a fan-favorite in his native Montreal.
“We’re excited for the race fans in Montreal that Jacques Villeneuve will participate in this event,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s vice president of racing operations. “His addition increases the competitiveness of the field and brings another Canadian driver to the mix.”

Simpson Promotes Two Vice Presidents

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Simpson Performance Products, manufacturer of safety apparel and equipment for the motorsports industry, recently announced two senior-level management promotions.
Dave Nelson has been promoted vice president of the company’s California operations, while Scott DeBoyace has been named vice president of Texas operations for the organization.
“The Simpson senior management team has over sixty years of combined racing safety experience. We are extremely fortunate to have such a strong leadership team and frankly, we are unmatched in the industry. These promotions recognize the significant contributions that Dave Nelson and Scott DeBoyace have made to our success in a highly competitive market,” said Simpson CEO Chuck Davies.

Petty Enterprises Hires Bartelli As VP

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Michael Bartelli has been named senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Bartelli joins Petty Enterprises from Millsport’s Charlotte-based motorsports division where he spent eight years and was most recently its president. Named to Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal “Forty Under 40” list of the industry’s top young marketers in 2005, Bartelli also serves on the Charlotte board of directors for the National Sports Marketing Network, the national trade organization for the sports business industry.
In his new role, Bartelli will be responsible for directing and overseeing all sales, marketing and licensing activities of the Petty Enterprise companies.

Hitachi Signs On With Yates, No. 28

CONCORD, N.C. — Hatachi Power Tools will sponsor the Yates Racing No. 28 entry driven by Travis Kvapil for six races over the remaining NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule.
The primary sponsorship will debut at this weekend’s Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is Hitachi Power Tools’ first primary sponsorship in Sprint Cup competition.
Hitachi’s remaining five races of primary sponsorship will include events at Pocono, Richmond, Dover, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Motorsport Construction Opens N.C. Office

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Motorsport Construction, an Indianapolis-based design-and-build general contractor, has opened its new Mooresville office in Talbert Pointe Business Park at 138 Cedar Pointe Drive.
“With our motorsports focus, a North Carolina office has been on the agenda since day one,” said Jake Gibson, company president. “With several North Carolina projects slated to start next year, and with the help of a few good partners, we were able to accelerate our plans. The Mooresville area is a great location for our company.”

Web Site Connects Racers, Sponsors

COLUMBUS, Ohio — QuarterPanelMedia.com, an online motorsports sponsorship marketplace, is offering potential advertisers the chance to instantly purchase decal space on a race car with the click of a mouse.
The Web site is designed to put race teams together with potential sponsors, including smaller businesses who are interested sponsors for local or regional races, and vice-versa.