Antron Brown and his Matco sponsorship will remain with the Don Schumacher Racing organization for at least one more year. According to a source on the Capco team, both Brown and Capco driver Steve Torrence would like to get together but both parties will have to wait until Antron and Matco aren't under contract to DSR. (Jim Doyle file photo)  [01/02/19]

The venerable Venolia Pistons reportedly closed the doors for good on Friday, Dec. 28. Sources say that owner Frank Pisano didn’t want to sell the Venolia name. More details coming.   [01/02/19]

Rodney Williford is one of nine riders already pre-entered for the 2019 PX events.

Pro Xtreme will be contested on the eighth mile at four XDA events this season.

The events are the PFR Spring Nationals on Apr. 26-28 at MDIR, the Superbike Showdown on June 21-23 at MDIR, the Bike Bash on Aug. 23-25 at VMP, and the DME Racing Fall Nationals on Sept. 20-22 at MDIR.

Other XDA events are the Summer Nationals on May 31-June 2 at VMP and Bike Fest on July 26-28 at MDIR.     [01/02/19]

Joey Martin of Joey Martin Race Cars (JMRC) is determined to help fellow chassis builder and Pro Mod driver Dan Parker continue to fulfill his need for speed.

Next March will mark six years since a devastating racing accident left Parker 100-percent blind, but as he likes to say, "I'm not a blind man who wants to go racing; I'm a racer who happened to go blind." To that end, the Columbus, GA-based driver is currently building a 2008 Corvette in which he plans to become the world's fastest blind man, aiming for the 200-mph mark.

Martin recently donated a one-of-a-kind street buggy he built to serve as the top prize in a charity drawing that will benefit Parker's "Blind Ambition" racing efforts.

Martin explained it would cost at least $65,000 to replicate the car by a professional builder and stressed everything on the donated ride, except the engine and transmission, which came out of a 2012 Camaro, is brand-new.

Resting up front in the JMRC-built chassis is a Holley-equipped 6.2-liter LS engine boosted by a pair of Precision Turbo 62-mm units that results in approximately 1,000 horsepower going through a 6L80 automatic transmission mated to a 9-inch posi rearend. Strange Engineering struts and shocks, as well as Strange axles and Strange disc brakes reside on all four corners, while the interior features racing seats and seatbelts, Street Glow multi-color gauges, and all wiring hidden within the chassis tubes.

"This is no rat rod where everything is just put together from whatever junk is lying around," Martin said. "This is a brand-new car, basically a Top Sportsman setup for the street, minus the body."

An opportunity to receive the four-seat, fully street-legal buggy is available for each $150 donation to Parker's Tragedy to Triumph Racing Team. Rewards of $1,000 and $500 will go to second- and third-place recipients. Donation details can be found by calling Martin at (850) 698-1023 or via e-mail sent to martinracecars@yahoo.com; or by reaching Parker at dansblindambition@gmail.com. Plans call for the buggy to be awarded this spring at a yet-to-be-confirmed drag racing event.     [01/02/19]

Evadale Raceway in East Texas has entered into a multi-year sanctioning agreement with the IHRA. The track, located near the Louisiana border, features racing on the eighth mile and quarter mile.

The track open with the Hangover Nationals on Saturday, Jan. 12, and will once again participate in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries throughout the season.   [01/02/19]

Protorque Performance Products has teamed up with Transtar Industries, Inc., to bring specialized performance torque converters to the transmission repair specialty market. With over 67 retail locations nationwide, Transtar makes it possible to have a custom-built ProTorque converter in-hand, in some cases as soon as the same day.    [01/02/19]

Jerry Wagler, owner of Wagler Competition Products, recently purchased the No Box Nationals from Triple O Promotions, which began the bracket race in 2007 under owners Greg Dillman and Allyn Neff. All rules will remain the same.

The 12th annual No Box Nationals will take place on June 14-16 at Wagler Motorsports Park in Lyons, IN.

The annual Merrill Downey Memorial race will be held on Friday after the final round of the main event and there will also be a Gambler’s Race on Saturday after the main event final round. Once official sponsors have been finalized, additional races and giveaways will be announced at a later date.   [01/02/19]