© The Official Newsletter Of The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association May 2018 Vol. 51 No. 4 The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and will lead drivers to the green flag Sunday, May 27 for the 102nd Running of the legendary race. It marks the 15th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car, starting in 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field, dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. No other vehicle has served as the Pace Car more than the Corvette. To celebrate the iconic supercar's connec- tion to "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the 2019 Corvette ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the "500" were on display on the front straightaway today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Chevrolet is proud to once again pace the Indianapolis 500," said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. "The ZR1 is the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever made. It's the perfect choice to pace 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'" The Corvette ZR1 Pace Car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, the fastest Corvette in history. Chevrolet has a storied history with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-Mile Race, and company co-founder Louis Chevrolet, along with brothers Arthur and Gaston, competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race, and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920. "Chevrolet and IMS enjoy one of the longest-running and strongest bonds in motorsports," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "Seeing all of the incredible Corvettes that have paced the Indianapolis 500 on track today is an exciting reminder of the rich history of this great relationship. This year's Pace Car, the 2019 Corvette ZR1, is an incredible, fast machine that is a perfect fit to lead the '500' field to the green flag." Chevrolet is pursuing its seventh consecutive IndyCar manufacturer championship this year, building on a suc- cessful 2017 season that saw 10 wins out of 17 races. The race also will be televised live on ABC, with the pre- race show starting at 11 a.m. (ET). Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio will provide live coverage of the race to its affiliates and on Sirius 214, XM 209, indycar.com, indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app. American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” Newspaper Feature 2. Mike Adaskaveg, Speedway Illustrated, "How to 1. Michael Knight, Arizona Republic, "Boys from Choose a Quality Fire Suit" Brazil" 3. Linda Mansfield, Speed Sport Magazine, "An Evolution 2. Michael Johnson, Amarillo Globe News, "Indy of Seat Safety" Diary 2017" Magazine Event 3. Keith Lair, Southern California Newspaper 1. J.A. Ackley, Speedway Illustrated, "St. Louis Specta- Group, "There is No Glamour Being a Motor Rac- cle" ing Crew Member" 2. Mary Mendez, Inside Track Motorsport News, "Penske Newspaper Column Tops Andretti in Toronto" 1. Scott Walsh, Scranton Times-Tribune, "NA- SCAR Changes Aim to Add More Exciting Races" 3. Karl Fredrickson, Speedway Illustrated, "How Matt Hirschman Wins" NewspaperTechnical 1. Scott Walsh, Scranton Times-Tribune, "Stage Magazine News Racing at Pocono to Bring on Different 1. Louise Ann Noeth, PRI: Performance Racing Industry Strategies" Magazine, "Seven Key Developments in EV Racing" Newspaper News Radio Feature Program 1. Scott Walsh, Scranton Sunday Times, "Last 1. Alex Wollf, The Pace Lap: Honda Indy 200 Preview, Ride: Dale Jr. Preps for Final Race at Pocono" WIMA Radio 2. Nicholas Dettmann, Washington County Daily News, 'It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" Print Photography Action 1. Mike Adaskavey, Speedway Illustrated, "Hobby Stock 3. Scott Walsh, Scranton Times-Tribune, "Igdalsky Action" Steps Down as Pocono President, CEO" 2. Louise Ann Noeth, Save the Salt: SEMA, "Saving the Magazine Feature Bonneville Salt Flats" 1. Louise Ann Noeth, PRI: Performance Racing Industry Magazine, "Rev Up Revenue in the Road 3. Michael C. Johnson, Amarillo Globe News, "Dixon Racing Market" Wreck" 2. Ron Hedger, Speed Sport Magazine, "Heffner: Trophies and Photographs" Print Photography People 3. Bruce A. Bennett, CC Racer, "House of Payne" 1. J.A. Ackley, Speedway Illustrated, "Seasoned" Magazine Column 2. David Moulthrop, Speed Sport Magazine, "Taming 1. Burt Levy, Vintage Motorsport, "Syd Silverman Texas" Obituary" 3. Karl Fredrickson, Speedway Illustrated, "How Matt 2. Karl Fredrickson, Speedway Illustrated, "God Hirschman Wins" and Santa Claus" Online Media Deadline News Report 3. Ron Hedger, Speed Sport Magazine, "The Long 1. Deb Williams, RacinToday.com, "Almirola: Injury Felt Look: 'Kramer' Theory Lives During Super DIRT Like Twisting Knife In Back" Week" 2. Linda Mansfield, RestartCommunications.com, "Nolen Magazine Technical Racing's Coons Finishes Third" 1. Louise Ann Noeth, PRI: Performance Racing Industry Magazine, "Digging Into the Latest Dyno 3. Patrick Reynolds, www.speedwayreport.com, Takuma Developments" Sato Becomes First Japanese Driver to Win Indy 500 All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005 American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 2 Online Media Feature Report Online Media Website 1. Patrick Reynolds, www.speedwayreport.com, 1. Patrick Reynolds, www.speedwayreport.com "Winning Drivers and Graceful Children Provide Daytona Smiles" 2. Kay Presto, www.carsandcompetition.com 2. Mary Mendez, www.popularspeed.com, "From Online Media Photo-Action Road Course to Oval, Changing Cars to Fit the 1. Michael Johnson, motorsport.com, "All Eight Off the Tracks" Ground!" 3. Deb Williams, espnw.com, "She's Got (NA- 2. Louise Ann Noeth, www.landspeedproductions.biz, SCAR) Next: Off-road Star Hailie Deegan Has "Top Fuel Saganaki-Destruction in Three Seconds" Sights on Bigger Prize" 3. David Moulthrop, goupstate.com (Herald-Journal), Online Media Column "Road to Victory" 1. Deb Williams, RacinToday.com," A Long List Spurred Edwards to Fix His Priorities" Online Media Photo- People 1. David Moulthrop, speedsport.com, "Daytona Clash 2. Ron Hedger, speedsport.com, "Hedger: The Bash" Long Look" 2. Michael Johnson, motorsport.com, "A "Force"ful Cele- 3. Patrick Reynolds, www.speedwayreport.com, bration" "NASCAR's Modified Tour Races On Without Ted Christopher" 3. Louise Ann Noeth, www.landspeedproductions.biz, "Tony Kaanan's Hot Afternoon Pitstop" Online Media Blog 1. Patrick Reynolds, www.speedwayreport.com, "Carolina Speedway Makes Friends Out of Strang- Online Media Webcast/Podcast ers" 1. Dick Sisich, sonomaraceway.com, "Unsung Heroes" Online Media Technical Report 1. Louise Ann Noeth, PRI: Performance Racing Books Industry Magazine, "Energy-Efficient Racing: A 1. Andrew Layton "Professor Speed" Blistering Future Pace" 2. Deb Williams, "Images of Modern America: Charlotte 2. Kay Presto, www.carsandcompetition.com, Motor Speedway" "Tires-A Vital Part of Any Racecar" 3. Tammy Kaehler, "Kiss the Bricks" 3. Mary Mendez, www.popularspeed.com, "Accel- erometers Just One Tool IndyCar Uses for Driver Safety" All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005 American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 3 By Ray Sotero - AARWBA Western VP For motorsports fans worldwide – as well as area resi- dents who benefit from local charities, it’s no joke that ef- fective April 1, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca changed its name to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The unanimous late-March vote by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to approve the change means $5 million over five years for a county-owned track that since opening in the late 1950s has shared millions with public- service groups who help support the track during many of its larger events including Monterey Bay Veterans, Veter- ans of Foreign Affairs, and the Defense Language Insti- tute in Monterey. WeatherTech, a maker of waterproof floor mats for cars, truck bed liners, side window deflectors and related ac- cessories, is well known among racing circles for support- ing auto racing, including title sponsorship of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and its own team, WeatherTech Racing. The Illinois-based firm replaces Mazda, which has been title sponsor at the world-famous “In today's motorsports landscape, you don't see a lot of tracks track for 17 years. Mazda will continue to be involved with that lose a naming rights sponsor find a new partner before the some sponsorship this year and next for both the August end of the agreement,” Smith said. Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix in September. The change also means Monterey County and the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, which operates the 11-turn, 2.238-mile track inside the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, will proceed with several track improvements, including drains and improved wireless access. Event goers will also no- tice a new bridge at the start/finish line and some new paddock buildings. Known for its unique and stomach-churning Corkscrew, S-turns that drop more than five stories in 450 feet and site of Alex Zanardi’s famous pass in 1996, the track is home to several key annual events. These include the Sea Otter Classic, a bicycling and outdoor sports festival April 19-22; Ferrari Challenge, May 4-6; AMGEN Tour of California Men's Stage 3 Finish, May 15; dragsters in the Interim track CEO Michael Smith said the smooth transi- second annual Spring Classic Showcasing Nitro Revival, May tion of title sponsors is testament to the iconic track’s stat- 18-20; MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship GEICO Mo- ure in the world of motorsports and ensures it will torcycle U.S.