Wilks Named Charlotte Businesswoman Of The Year

CONCORD, N.C. — Lauri Wilks, executive vice president of management and administration for Lowe’s Motor Speedway, was honored March 12 as the 2007 Charlotte Businesswoman of the Year.
 The 22nd-annual awards luncheon took place at Queens University of Charlotte. Wilks was one of five finalists selected from a number of nominees representing Charlotte and the eight-county surrounding area.
  “It is the ultimate honor to win this award because of the professional caliber of the four other nominees,” said Wilks. “I am also blessed to work for a company that provides me the opportunity to achieve my professional goals and where we have fun every day.”

Jetmore Announces Opening-Day Events

JETMORE, Kan. — Jetmore Motorplex has announced a flurry of activities surrounding its seasonal kickoff on April 26 when the sprint and modified cars will start the racing action. One of the biggest draws, The City of Jetmore’s Steve King Memorial Sprint Car Classic, is scheduled for May 10.
The event benefits the Steve King Foundation, providing support to drivers, crew members, officials and track personnel who are seriously ill, injured or killed in dirt track racing events.
Some activities include display cars, golf outings with the local racers, autograph opportunities, a post-race concert and a raffle drawing to win a ride in a 360 sprint car.

Jackson Speedway Inks New Sponsors

JACKSON, Minn. — Jackson Speedway has announced the addition of two new sponsors, providing a new sprint-car event for the track. Van Wyhe Livestock and Folkens Brothers Trucking have teamed up with Jackson Speedway to present the Jackson Sprint Car Spring Nationals. The event will kick off the track’s racing season on May 9 and will pay $2,500 to win.
The event will also be a part of the newly formed Jackson Speedway Touring Series.
For more information on the Jackson Sprint Car Spring Nationals, Jackson Speedway and possible additional contingency awards, visit www.jacksonspeedway.com.

DARF Plans ‘Meet The Promoter’ Night

DAYTON, Ohio — Area members of the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club can attend the “Meet the Promoter” night on March 25 and sit in on plans regarding the 2008 racing season. Fans are also invited to participate by voicing opinions and posing questions to the track promoters. The meeting will be held at The Flats at 7 p.m.
Fans can join DARF by logging on to www.darfnews.com or by calling (937) 698-2237. Memberships entail free or reduced ticket pricing for 14 Midwest regional tracks.

Pirelli Antes Up For Grand Am PaceSetters

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The top teams in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series will be eligible for $300,000 in cash bonuses during the 2008 season under the Rolex Series’ Pirelli PaceSetters program that goes into effect today.
At the end of the season, the Italian tire manufacturer will award a $100,000 bonus to the top Daytona Prototype team.
Last season’s top-15 Daytona Prototype teams and top-10 GT class teams are eligible for the 2008 Pirelli PaceSetters program. Teams earn bonuses for activities such as attending autograph sessions and displaying the PaceSetters flag in their garage area. In addition to monetary bonuses, participants in the Pirelli PaceSetters program will be eligible for other at-the-track bonuses, including priority rig parking upon arrival at events and preferred pit selection. Pirelli will also provide, free of charge, three sets of rain tires to each team that competed in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and also commits to run the entire 2008 Grand Am schedule.

Speed World Challenge Joins Elkhart Lineup

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — The Speed World Challenge is now part of Road America’s Road Race Showcase, scheduled for Aug. 7-10.
Saturday and Sunday of the showcase will feature an open-wheel event on both dates. Saturday will highlight the American Le Mans Series in the Generac 500, and Sunday will feature the Speed Pro Racing World Challenge GT and Touring Championship. For more information, visit www.roadamerica.com.

Kansas City ARCA Race Moved To April 25

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The ARCA RE/MAX Series Kansas Lottery $150 Grand at Kansas Speedway has been moved to April 25. With this date change, Kansas Speedway has designated the day as Kansas Lottery FREE Day at Kansas Speedway.
With always-free parking at the speedway, the Kansas Lottery has allowed for free general admission into the ARCA race as well. Tickets can be reserved by logging on to www.kansasspeedway.com.

Key Motorsports Joins Efforts With Skinner

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Key Motorsports has established a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver development program for 22-year-old Dustin Skinner — the youngest son of former NCTS driving champion Mike Skinner. That project entered the action phase recently when the parties tested for two days at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
The team hopes to raise enough money from sponsors to continue the testing process and to run Dustin in a maximum of six NCTS races in 2008 and vie for the rookie-of-the-year title in 2009.

Oswego, Cayuga Reach Classic Agreement

OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Budweiser-Burke’s Winged Super Nationals will now be co-sanctioned by ISMA and the MSA and scheduled for Aug. 29.
The Budweiser Int’l Classic and other Oswego Classic weekend events will go on as scheduled, while Cayuga Speedway officials have agreed to cancel their conflicting ISMA event.