Team Changes, 30 Under 30 Highlight PRI 2021 Day 2

• Anne Proffit


• 11 Dec 2021

 

Friday at the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis was definitely busier than the first day, as the action on the floors ramped up considerably from the first day. There might not have been as many formal press conferences as we’re accustomed to seeing during PRI, but there was still plenty of news to go around.

Shortly after Dale Coyne Racing with RWR confirmed the addition of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato to that entry, Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Racing exited the agreement they’ve had over the past four seasons. “We’ve had a great and successful time with our partners at Vasser Sullivan Racing,” Dale Coyne said, “and we appreciate everything Jimmy and Sulli have done and brought to the team and our No. 18 entry. We understand that they want to focus on their sportswear endeavors and we wish them continued success with their factory Lexus deal and the best of luck in their future projects.”

Vasser and Sullivan’s contract with Lexus will see them campaigning a car in IMSA’s new GTD Pro class next year, and will continue to field a Lexus in GTD as well, hoping to add to the seven races won with Lexus in the GTD class. “Vasser Sullivan Racing wants to thank Dale for his partnership over the last four seasons. We reaffirm our desire to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and with Dale and the Dale Coyne Racing team the best of luck in the future,” the team said.

On the NHRA stage, Top Fuel racer Doug Foley said he’d be at the first three races of the 22-contest NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series campaign, intending to compete in Pomona, Phoenix and Gainesville. He’s also got the fourth race in his radar scope, the Four-Wide contest in Las Vegas. Foley said his Foley & Lewis Racing team is hoping to make many more races than this and are working to make sure they’ve got a consistent car for their driver.

Away from the Indiana Convention Center, Stewart-Haas Racing used the grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to announce that tractor manufacturer Mahindra is partnering with their No. 14 Ford Mustang and driver Chase Briscoe as the car’s anchor sponsor in NASCAR’s Cup Series. Mahindra will also join Briscoe as he attempts to win the 36th annual Chili Bowl Nationals in January. The red and black No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang makes its NASCAR debut during the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum February 5-6 in Los Angeles before heading to Daytona International Speedway for the traditional north Florida start of the Cup Series season, the Daytona 500.

Like his team co-owner Tony Stewart, Briscoe is a native Indianan and he’s a third generation racer. He started on dirt tracks after watching his father, Kevin, compete against Stewart in USAC sprint cars. Stewart watched Briscoe come up through open wheel ranks of midgets and sprint cars en route to NASCAR, mimicking Stewart’s early career en route to INDYCAR and then NASCAR.

Mahindra president and CEO for the company’s North American and North American Automotive group, Viren Popli recognized the bond of their new driver and team co-owner as partners for the company. “Chase Briscoe and Tony Stewart are relatable men of great character who have worked hard to get where they are today. Like our dealers, they have a tough work ethic, and the drive to be successful. In fact, Tony is already a Mahindra owner and has been putting his 5145 tractor to great use on his ranch in Indiana.”

Former NHRA Pro Stock and Pro Mod standout driver Alex Laughlin confirmed he’s hooked on Top Fuel dragsters and expects to compete in at least 10 Camping World competitions next season. He expects to get his first runs at Gainesville in March. Laughlin had his first taste of 11,000-horsepower dragsters this summer, when he raced Scott Palmer’s rail in Denver. Although he only raced a handful of times in 2021, he went faster each time out, won a round and ended up 12th in the final standings.

Drag Illustrated’s 30 Under 30 racers got together – at least 26 of them did – to celebrate their achievements, receive their jackets and gift certificates and, of course, see the show. As usual, Wes Buck’s announcement drew one of the largest crowds in the two days of the show, with team and family members congregating to take in this annual show once again.

 

Wandering the PRI floor to get parts together for his next assignment, Rob Flynn confirmed he’s taking the helm off the Scrappers Racing Top Fuel car driven by Mike Salinas, who was exceptionally consistent during NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship and ended up in third place behind only four-time and reigning champion Steve Torrence and runner-up (and 2017 titleholder) Brittany Force. Flynn does have a couple of openings left as he builds a new crew around Salinas.

A new area of PRI is the electric showcase and content creators stage, which was located outside the main exhibition areas. There were electric dragsters outside the content creators stage room, while many more were located inside, including vintage vehicles that have been converted to electric power, the Ford MustangE that Bob Tasca III has taken on exhibition runs at some NHRA Camping World races, a Jegs electric Jr. dragster of which about 30 examples have been sold, and the Formula Drift Camaro from Napoleon Racing.

On Friday night, USAC celebrated its 2021 USAC Night of Champions: Buddy Kofoid in National Midget, Brady Bacon’s National Sprint Car title and Kody Swanson’s unexpected Silver Crown championship. These drivers and the car entrants received their trophies at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.