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SEMA eNews, Vol. 9, No. 25, June 21, 2006

NEW NAME FOR INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK AND OTHER RACING NEWS

TRAGIC END: Short-track racing lost one of its biggest supporters last week when former racer and veteran race-track and series promoter Fred Brownfield was killed during a race event at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington, where he has served as promoter for many years. Brownfield, who was hit by a modified while helping to line up a race, gained notoriety this season for forming and operating the National Sprint Tour, featuring sprint-car drivers the likes of Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski.

NEW NAME: The National Hot Rod ***’n, owners of Indianapolis Raceway Park, have sold the naming rights to the multi-purpose racing facility to O’Reilly Auto Parts. The facility will now be known as O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.

FAST CASH: Toyota announced a program which will pay bonus money to racers in the USAC National Midget Series based in their performances in specified events this season. The money will be paid regardless of whether or not teams use Toyota products.

WINNERS: The much-ballyhooed Audi R-10, powered by a turbocharged V-12 diesel engine, won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race at the Sarthe circuit in France. Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner handled the driving.

SIGNED: Casey Mears signed a multi-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports and will take over the No. 25 Chevrolet at the end of the season. Mears is currently in his fourth season of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing with Chip Ganassi Racing.

KICKED OUT: A federal judge rejected a class action lawsuit filed by lawyers following last year’s U.S. Grand Prix. Lawyers were seeking compensation for travel and other expenses as well as punitive damages for fans who were upset after 14 Michelin-shod cars withdrew from the race for safety reasons. Michelin later refunded ticket money to all those who attended the event.

STILL NO. 1: He didn’t win for the first time in five races this season, but a third-place finish was enough to keep Sebastien Bourdais atop the NSSN Power Rankings.