Say Y.E.S. To Developing The Next Generation Of Motor-Culture's Life Blood

Tasca Racing and its driver, Bob Tasca III are looking for young minds to train and place into their organizations. Motor Culture and Motorsports for life. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

Say Y.E.S. To Developing The Next Generation Of Motor-Culture's Life Blood

To spend a day at the NHRA's infamous annual Winternationals event weekend is always a special treat. What most who attend do not know is that the NHRA is serious about investing in developing the next generation of functionaries that would be needed to keep the next generations of racing superstars performing at dragstrips across the country in pursuit of their claim of the national championship.

Just this last Friday, for example, a group of friends were able to be invited to take in the introductory portion of the NHRA's enticement and engagement program directed at High School aged students to have them to begin thinking about the future of their lives as having careers that involve skills needed in support of automobiles, mobility, and communications engagement to others. 

This program goes by the name NHRA Y.E.S. Program which stands for Youth & Education Services Program. It was formed in 1989 with the expressed purpose to provide quality programs and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide that focus on the importance of goals and continued education so that students learn about and explore various career opportunities. The program will also show students how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is applied to both, real world situations and NHRA Drag Racing, which they will have the opportunity to see live, in action, at the track!

On Friday, large groups of students, and educators, totaling over 800 persons in each of three sessions - over 2,500 registered participants, were given a 25 minute presentation by four members of organizations that are directly involved in the goals of the NHRA's Y.E.S. Program and its powerful effects in career guidance. Panelists were: 

Hernan Cortez - Mac Tools- Franchise Recruiter

Susie Frausto - Gerber Collision & Glass - Vice President of Marketing

TSgt. Armando Munoz - U.S. Air Force

Bob Tasca III - FORD - The driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Funny Car

All introduced and presented by Alan Reinhart: NHRA Announcer. NHRA Y.E.S. Program Emcee 

First year, newly christened, venue title sponsor proudly displays new signage as IN-N-OUT Pomona Dragstrip. Not a better marriage could be made given the past history of association between these two Southern California born icons of drag racing. Further, it doesn't hurt to have access to a title sponsor Double-Double along the way as one takes in the activities at the Winternationals. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

This excerpted and edited from John Dinkel - Contributor to the SAE's Automotive Engineering magazine -

Say Y.E.S. to the NHRA

I spent Friday, March 31 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California as part of the NHRA’s Y.E.S. (Youth & Education Services) Program.

----

My role, beyond photographing the activities and being my usual Editorial Irritant, was assisting one of the student groups, Parkway Ford Heritage Mission (https://parkwaymission.org/), that participated in the YES activities.  

FORD Motor Co. Follow & Win awareness booth. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

As part of the Parkway Ford Heritage Mission apprenticeship and spirituality program, students learn skills such as how to bend, cut, grind and weld metal, working in a shop along side real life race cars. So, YES, students learn how to go fast with God.

Heritage Mission founder, Jack Burns, knows of what he teaches. He’s the founder of Burns Stainless, one of the premier engine header fabricators in the country. You’ll find Jack’s headers in most every known racing series: NHRA, IMSA, SCCA, IndyCar . . . and more.

 Jack Burns studying header design .Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

So when I refer to Mr. Burns as a”complete fabrication,” what can he say, he knows I’m telling the truth. 

Jack’s in the process of rebuilding a Pro Comp Ford Mustang, which will have a very trick motor, and I’ve promised not to let the pistons out of the bag until Jack is ready to unleash his unfair advantage on his unsuspecting competitors.  

So . . . you’ve been warned! 

The speakers at the Winternationals YES program included representatives from Mac Tools, Gerber Collision & Glass, the US Air Force and Bob Tasca III representing Ford Motor Company.

Panelists: from R to L in order of presentation - Hernan Cortez - Mac Tools- Franchise Recruiter | Susie Frausto - Gerber Collision & Glass- Vice President of Marketing | TSgt. Armando Munoz - U.S. Air Force | Bob Tasca III - FORD - The driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Funny Car. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

For those of you who have just moved here from another planet, Bob is a third-generation Ford dealer with a home base in Rhode Island.  

Funny Car Driver Bob Tasca III. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Bob Senior wanted Ford to get involved with NHRA drag racing in the 1960s and used a letter writing campaign by his customers and other friends to catch Henry Ford II’s attention.  

Of course, the Cobra Jet 428 engine Bob Sr. and his dealership team built from parts found in the Ford service parts catalog didn’t hurt. Especially when Tasca’s Mustang Cobra Jet race cars were blowing the doors off the competition at the drag strip.

Tasca Sr. coined the phrase, "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday,” had a major influence on improving Ford’s durability and reliability, and was a driving force behind the “Quality is Job 1” initiative.

Today, Bob Tasca III continues his grandfather’s legacy.

Photo Courtesty Bob Tasca Racing (2023)

Bob races one of the baddest and fastest Ford Mustang Funny Cars (https://www.tascaracing.com) on this or any other planet. And he is a great representative for Ford, for kids, for racing and for education. Everyone needs to spend a few “motorvating” minutes listening to Bob explaining in simple terms the connections among education, setting goals and planning to achieve those goals. 

Ford’s involvement in the YES program also included the opportunity for students to talk to several dealer training reps from area Ford dealers.

 Tasca Racing support pit. Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

After this “schooling,” I took a small group of the Parkway Ford Heritage Mission students, instructors and parents over to Bob Tasca’s paddock trailer for a look-see. A big ”thank you” to all of Bob’s crew who took time out of their busy schedules to chat with our group and give them a close-up look at what goes on behind the scenes of a successful racing program, including a tour of Bob’s car and his motorhome/work shop inner sanctum.

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

It was a day they will long remember as they explore education pathways and post graduation career opportunities.

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

The rest of the day was spent grabbing burgers at In-and-Out, checking out the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Dragsters, which are half-scale versions of Top Fuel dragsters offering kids ages 5-17 the opportunity to experience the thrill of drag racing in a controlled environment, watching practice and qualifying runs, and standing close enough to the starting line to feel the thunder from Tasca’s Funny Car punching you in the stomach.  

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

Image Credit: John Dinkel (2023)

A great day for learning about earning, the importance of schooling and goal setting, and having fun around drag racing and drag racers.

Can’t think of anything better. . .

And don’t forget, this is drag racing where Funny Cars like Bob Tasca’s Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang cover 1000 feet in less than 4 seconds at more than 325 mph. This is about 1000 miles in around five hours, give or take a burnout!  If you’re living within a 1000-mile radius of Pomona, you’ve still got time to make the Finals on Sunday, April 2.

So step on it!

[Reference Here]

The NHRA Y.E.S. Program will be a part of most all of the NHRA Drag Racing Events throughout the rest of the year - check listings for your own 2023 event location and take part.

2023 NHRA CAMPING WORLD DRAG RACING SERIES YES PROGRAM SCHEDULE

March 10              Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Gainesville, Florida

March 24              NHRA Arizona Nationals Phoenix, Arizona

March 31              Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Pomona, California

April 14              NHRA Four-Wide Nationals   Las Vegas, Nevada

April 21              Career Day at the Racetrack” Mid America Dragway Ark City, Kansas (Virtual Program)

April 28              Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Charlotte, North Carolina.

May 19                Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance Joliet, Illinois

June 2                NHRA New England Nationals Epping, New Hampshire

June 9                NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Bristol, Tennessee

June 23               Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals Norwalk, Ohio (Virtual Program)

July 14               Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile High Nationals Denver, CO (Virtual Program)

July 21               Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals Seattle, Washington (Virtual Program)

July 28               DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals Sonoma, California (Virtual Program)

Aug. 11               Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor Topeka, Kansas (Virtual Program)

Aug. 18               Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals Brainerd, Minnesota (Virtual Program)

Sept. 1               Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals Indianapolis, Indiana

Sept. 15              Pep Boys NHRA Nationals Reading, Pennsylvania

Sept. 22              NHRA Carolina Nationals Charlotte, North Carolina

Sept. 29              NHRA Midwest Nationals Madison, Illinois

Oct. 13               Texas NHRA FallNationals Dallas, Texas

Oct. 26               NHRA Nevada Nationals Las Vegas, Nevada 

Nov. 9                In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals Pomona, California

* Please Note any event listed with a (Virtual Program) notation involves watching the Virtual YES Program Presentation at any point during the school year and receiving a free Friday Race Ticket for the Date of the event to attend in Person.  You can find the virtual Program by visiting the Virtual Y.E.S. Program page in the main menu above.

All rolling stock need a Human to be trained up and focused to take care of it in order to deliver the desired results in performance. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

Are you a Parent, an Educator, a Mentor, an influential business/civic leader and wish to give undirected kids a path for personal growth and a possible living-earning six-figure career within just a few years without huge college debt????  

Contact and schedule to have High School, or after school social groups/associations attend a NHRA Youth & Education Services (Y.E.S.) Program and expose young lives to a path of stability, abundance, and fulfilment based in the life-science found in Motor Culture. 

Raise up the next generation of motor-culture's life blood - S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) - toward a land of accomplishment. The next mobility device you save may be your own.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Ford, NHRA, Youth & Education Services, Y.E.S.,  Tasca Racing, MAC Tools, Pep Boys, U.S. Air Force, Gerber Collision & Glass, John Dinkel, SAE, Automotive Engineering Magazine. The EDJE

VP Racing And IMSA Collaborate On New Renewable Fuel For 2023 Season

VP Racing Fuels as they set up to provide the liquid energy used to move racing platforms around the famed track at Daytona during the Rolex 24. Image Credit: VP Racing Fuels (2021)

VP Racing And IMSA Collaborate On New Renewable Fuel For 2023 Season

James McVey - International Sales Manager and Sales Consultant at VP Racing Fuels - San Antonio, TX 

VP Racing Fuels, Inc., the global leader in performance fuels, lubricants, and additives, officially announces that their newly engineered R80 renewable fuel is now powering IMSA’s GTP class throughout the 2023 season, starting at the Rolex 24 in Daytona last month.

"VP Racing is excited to be the official fuel for the new IMSA GTP class with our new R80 renewable fuel," said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President - Global Sales for VP. "We worked closely with IMSA and the OEMs to develop and deliver a new 80% renewable fuel, and now it is racetrack proven." continued Hendel. "With over 80 specially engineered fuels, VP continues to be at the forefront of performance and race fuel development, now and for the future."

GTP/LMDh Class field is filled with cars produced by four manufacturers. From left to right - ACURA ARX-06 LMDh - Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport, Cadillac V-LMDh - Action Express Racing, BMW M Hybrid V8 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL), Cadillac V-LMDh - Porsche 963 - Porsche Penske Motorsport. Image Credit: IMSA (2023)

Through close collaboration with IMSA and the OEMs, VP Racing engineered R80 specifically for the GTP class to deliver sustainability with performance. To ensure the highest quality components are used, VP globally sourced advanced renewable components used in the R80 formulation. This environmentally friendly, sustainable fuel will help reduce emissions and give the world-class performance expected of a VP fuel. Specific R80 features include ...

** A fuel formulated with 64% Gen 2 non-food biomass

** At or more than 55% reduction in CO2 versus previous fuels

** All the performance needed is track-proven at the Rolex 24

R80 did indeed perform and impress the race teams as they experienced this new generation of fuel and racing. "There is a really cool renewable fuel in this car," said David Salters, President of Honda Performance Development. "It’s great because it’s a new thing. We are cutting edge."

"Sustainability is one of the pillars of our new GTP class," said IMSA Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Operations David Pettit. "As our technical team developed plans for the next generation of our top prototype class, it quickly became clear that renewable fuels and hybrid technology were vital to earning commitments from our manufacturers to participate. We are proud to partner with VP Racing on the introduction of R80 and are committed to building toward 100 percent renewable fuel in the future."

GTP sports cars use a single-source hybrid powertrain and will run exclusively on renewable R80 fuel.

For more information about VP Racing Fuels and its products for racers, enthusiasts, and general consumers, visit www.vpracingfuels.com.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: VP Racing Fuels, IMSA, GTP, LMDh, Class, R80, renewable fuel, Gen 2 non-food biomass, hybrid powertrain, The EDJE

Welcome To 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES JHR's Rookie Argentinian Agustin Canapino

During his first test at Sebring in October, team principal Ricardo Juncos (l) instructs past Juncos Hollinger Racing IMSA driver Agustin Canapino (r) on the particulars of open-wheel INDYCAR racing platform. Agustin passed the test and was named as the second driver on a two driver team that includes 24 yr. old British born NICS driver in his second full year Callum Ilott. Image Credit: Chris Owens - NICS (2022) 

Welcome To 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES JHR's Rookie Argentinian Agustin Canapino

Meet Juncos Hollinger Racing's 2023 Rookie driver Agustin Canapino.

The 33-year-old (born: 19 January 1990) is one of Argentina’s most successful drivers, and is set to start competing the NTT IndyCar Series after securing 15 national championships in his homeland – winning multiple titles in the Super TC2000, Top Race V6, and Turismo Carretera categories. Canapino has already enjoyed a successful relationship with Chevrolet during his career and will continue this special relationship with Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR).

The newly-tapped IndyCar driver, the second 2023 pilot for JHR next to Brit Callum Ilott, has experience with JHR, having competed for the organization in 2019 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, as well as the 12 Hours of Sebring, as part of the team’s Cadillac DPi entry.

Canapino got the opportunity to get his first taste of the current-generation INDYCAR car when he completed a private test with JHR in October 2022 at Sebring International Raceway. 

To begin the 2023 NICS championship season, Agustin was able to gain four days of track/seat time and relationship building at NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test held at the private facility - The Thermal Club - where he was able to post up at P21 in a field of 27 drivers.

The Thermal Club combined results of the two day/four session Winter Open Test as published by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The fastest time posted breaks any other published track time for the Long circuit configuration - 01:38.4221 tops the time posted by a Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991) at 2:08.0000 (est.) - Image Credit: NICS (2023)

It was noticed that Agustin Canapino was following Team Penske Chevrolet's Scott McLaughlin and tracking his speed as well as car placement through sections of the track - was this pre-arranged and did Agustin have conversations with the New Zealand born, three-time champion of the Australian V8 Supercars, 29 yr. old Scott McLaughlin? 

Two recognized stock car style champions tracking nose to tail on the Private Pavement of The Thermal Club - Rookie learns from 2022 P4 season Team Penske transition master. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

When Motorsports Journal's Edmund Jenks asked for a follow-up response to what was observed and his overall impressions of his first official NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams event in 2023 - here are his responses.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, Scott approached very kindly and I am very grateful for that. He told me I will need time and practice but the most difficult thing to learn for us, the touring car drivers, is trust in the aerodynamic and of course accustom the body to G forces.

This still photos video catches a rare opportunity to witness the comraderie found when accomplished drivers are able to share in the process of their evolving passions. Here we see Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin, who came to INDYCAR after a very successful career in driving Stock/Sports cars in Australia, introduce much of the transitional lessons he learned over these last couple of years with Agustin Canapino, himself a very accomplished Stock/Sports cars in Argentina. All Images Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: My first experience was really good, honestly much better than I expected. The main thing is I could do the whole test without mistakes and I did a lot of laps [both] Thermal and Sebring. 

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: I have a lot of work to do, I still with a lot of doubts and with things to learn, but the starting point was really good [better] than everybody expected, inclusive me and the team. 

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Now the goal will be to finish a race, doesn't matter the position, the objective is finish the race and gain experience.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: I didn't follow wheel to wheel [as the structure of the Open Test on The Thermal Club dictated - no passing] and [this skill] is the big challenge I will have in the race. So, it's just the beginning, we need to keep calm, obviously I will be in the last positions but our focus will be in learn and finish the race. During the year we will progress and see how far we can go.

The Thermal Club Long configuration which includes two configurations joined together run in a counter-clockwise rotation - the North Palm Circuit in BLUE and the South Palm Circuit in RED - delivered a test track day for the fastest laps ever turned here on Private Pavement Long - as measured by NICS 3.067 mile(s). The tracking images of Agustin following Scott were taken from a balcony where TruSpeed Autosport is located - at the top of the front straight away of the South Palm Circuit. Image Credit: Fastlaps

Before taking to the "Private Pavement" track at The Thermal Club, Agustin Canapino, spent about 19 minutes with writers who follow the NTT INDYCAR SERIES throughout the season and proved, to him and members of the press, that English as a second language is no big deal after only three months. 

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference

Agustin Canapino - Press Conference

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

THE MODERATOR: Great to have the rookie for Juncos Hollinger Racing, Agustin Canapino, after so much experience in Argentina and now carrying the Argentine flag for the team.

Just announced a couple weeks ago, and you just arrived to the United States 10 days or so ago probably.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes. Hello, everybody. It's only two weeks ago.

Q. How has the transition been?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, difficult. I am very happy to be here. Of course it's my first time outside my country, outside my language. I never speak English all the time, so sorry for my English for everybody, but I'm trying to learn day by day, and I'm excited about this opportunity.

Q. Callum said that you only started learning English last year; is that correct?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Three months ago I only could say hello.

Q. How are you learning? Who's teaching you?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: A teacher from Argentina, a friend to my main sponsor and manager. I started to do two, three classes a week, and I don't know, I am here.

Q. How long are the classes?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Hours and a half, but I focus a lot to at least try to learn to speak, to communicate, and of course I need to improve a lot, but at least I can speak with the engineers and some people.

Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

Q. It's actually fascinating. Your English is fine; it's mind blowing. Like we're idiots.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I think it's really bad. This morning actually a lot in the car because I need to speak English every time, but I don't know.

Q. This is your first time out of Argentina?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, my first --

Q. You've never left Argentina before?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, I left, but only for a few days, but it my first time living outside my country. I did my career in South America and speak Spanish, only a little bit of Portuguese. When I did stock car in Brazil I did two races, but otherwise Spanish.

Q. You're the first Argentinian I've seen since the World Cup. How was that?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, my God, we are very proud. We are very proud, especially for Messi. He's like a God in our country, and he is a God. But we are very proud, very proud of the soccer in our country is very, very important sport, very popular.

We are in a bad moment in our country, economic moment is very bad in that moment, so this situation is very good for all the people because we are in a bad moment.

Q. I know Ricardo has been talking to us for a while about wanting to add a second full-time driver alongside Callum to continue to build this INDYCAR team. When did the prospect of joining INDYCAR and conversations with Ricardo and Brad come to your attention? How long had this potential opportunity been in motion for you?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, everything started in the test because we did exhibitions in Argentina. We had a lot of people watching the exhibitions, very successful event. It all started there in Sebring and I started the exhibitions.

Honestly, I didn't expect that, so I have all of my 2023 ready in my series in Argentina, and Ricardo called me in December, we have a chance to do that, so of course I need to change everything, to talk with my team owner in Argentina, make a new life very different.

But I take this opportunity because for me it's my first opportunity outside my country. Of course I know, it's very difficult to me. I never did any full season in a single seat car, but I'm very excited and I will do my best. I will do my best.

Q. What about this INDYCAR opportunity, as one who has had so little time in single seaters, open-wheel racing, and someone who's had such an incredibly successful career in stock cars in South America, why was this something you wanted to give a shot?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Because it's INDYCAR. INDYCAR is in my opinion the most demanding and competitive category in the world. For me it's a big opportunity to try something outside, something in international level. We are here with Grosjean, with Dixon, with Power, of course Callum, one of the best drivers in the world, so for me it's a big opportunity.

Of course we are in trouble because I don't know the cars, the tracks, the ovals, but I love the challenge. I love the situation. So I know it's very difficult to me, but I have confidence. Of course I need time. I need time. I need to learn day by day, test by test. That's it.

Q. Again, your English is amazing, but were you worried? Is there a backup plan if you wouldn't have gotten it so quickly in three months? Were you nervous about being able to get up to speed quick enough?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I don't know, so I'm very -- always in my life -- it was very difficult, honestly. I lost my father two years ago. I have a very tough infancy -- I don't know the name, but when I was a child always was very difficult to me, so I am like this.

I am very focused on when I have an objective in my mind, I go for that. I don't know. Honestly, I think my English is very bad. Sorry.

Q. It's not.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: This is the situation. I always try to do perfect everything, and if I can't do it perfect, for me it's not do it. I am like this.

Q. You always figure it out; it always works out?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yeah.

Q. What's important about knowing English with communicating to the engineers? Are there certain things you had to know how to talk to them about the car? Are you going to be learning that in the next few days?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: It's very important. It's very important, but I need to practice. Need to practice the conversation, need to practice to hear the engineer. Ricardo helped me, of course. Tomorrow and on Friday and of course in St. Pete. But I need practice. I need to do laps. I need to hear my engineer in English. I need to speak with you in English. I need to practice and keep my focus on everything.

Q. How big of a culture shock was it moving from Argentina to Indianapolis?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: The cold. But I love United States. It's very different. All is very different. I'm very happy to be here. I like this experience with my girlfriend. All is very, very different, the food, the weather. I don't know, all -- I'm enjoying a lot the experience. Only two weeks I am here. I need to live a lot more.

Q. The exhibition run that Ricardo had with the car in Argentina, how big was that, and how do you describe to us really how that helped seal the deal for you to be an INDYCAR driver?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, yes. Maybe about that, it's better if Ricardo talks about that. But it was very successful. We had a lot of people, more than 70,000, because in our country, the motorsport is very popular. It's the second sport after the soccer. We have a lot of fans, so you can see in social media the people are very crazy with this opportunity for me.

We have a lot of fans of motorsport in South America, especially in Argentina.

Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

Q. Do you think there will be any translation from the Tourismo Carretera to the INDYCAR?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, it's very different. They're different because the demanding -- especially the physical demanding. INDYCAR is the most demanding about the physical conditioning in the world, so I think this is my big challenge, the physical, especially because the races are very long here.

I did 40 minutes, 45 minutes races in my country and here are two and a half hours, and especially the ovals. I think all is very different. But at the end of the day, it's racing cars. I think this is the most common thing is racing cars.

Q. You've had a long relationship with Chevrolet; how cool is that to keep continuing that --

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Oh, it's awesome. It's awesome, because in my country the Chevy fans are a lot. You can see a lot of people with tattoos, with the Chevy logo, with my car, with my sign. The Chevy brand in my country is very popular, so for me it's a good thing.

Q. I wanted to ask, you say a racing car is a racing car, but obviously those Chevys are front wheel drive, the TC car is front wheel drive. What are the bad habits that you have to get out of doing in order to be where you have to stop thinking like a touring car driver and start thinking like an INDYCAR driver? What are the big challenges there?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: I said racing cars, of course you need to go fast in every car. I say that. But it's very, very different. It's much more difficult, much more difficult an INDYCAR car than I drove in the past. Of course I know that, and this is the challenge.

I love that, because now I have to do more professional, more preparing, and I have the best drivers in the world in the track. All is very different, of course, and most demanding.

Q. How much simulator time have you had so far?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Simulator? Not too much. Not too much because I am a work in progress with simulator in my home, but I am a Williams Esports driver in the sim racing world. I love the simulations. Of course I did a lot of races or tests with an INDYCAR sim, but it's not the same. It's very different and more difficult.

Q. I know there are some things that are common to you, the Chevrolet logo, visit Argentina. Are you a Porteño, or are you from other places inside Argentina?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Where I am from?

Q. Yeah, are you a Porteño?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: No, I am from a small town like two hours from Buenos Aires. The name is Arrecifes. I am from there.

Q. Being from Arrecifes, what led you to start racing cars throughout Brazil or Argentina?

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yeah, I did my entire career in Argentina, because in our country we have a very strong categories and very popular. We have very good sponsors. We have a lot of fans in the tracks. Always we have 40, 30, 50,000 per race watching the races; 50 cars in only one category.

Head down and busy learning how to control a Dallara DW12 Chevrolet at The Thermal Club. Image Credit: James Black - NICS (2023)

It's very popular. It's very important, but of course it's touring cars, it's not INDYCAR, and low car drivers. The big difference now is the other drivers, the car and the ovals. This is my big three difference I will have this year.

Q. You started 18 years ago like a virtual driver. Could you talk a little bit about that. Plus, your INDYCAR rookie season starts with a race near to St. Petersburg. Talk about that.

AGUSTIN CANAPINO: Yes, I couldn't do go-karts because I couldn't for economic situations and a lot of other things about my family, and I started when I was 15 years old. I was older in comparison of the other drivers.

Everything in my whole career, it's like now very weird, very strange, very challenge. I did all my career like this, with a lot of difficulty, but I love that because I grew up with all of these situations, and I can take this opportunity with a lot of motivation unless, of course, it's very -- I don't know what happened, but I am here with a lot of confidence, and I am very happy to be here.
[ht: FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports]

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has always been a transition option to accomplished drivers from around the world to give topline professional luster to their careers. What is great about this era in INDYCAR culture is the broad shoulder acceptance shown by the professionals in this exclusive club of athletic pursuit. Again, witnessed by the time spent during this first time open test at a Private Pavement facility at The Thermal Club. 

How knows, this two day The Thermal Club session went so well, INDYCAR may just place some roots or commitments on the ground here and start growing some date palms along the way.

Agustín Canapino will make his competitive NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in the season-opening event on the Streets of St. Petersburg, on March 5th, 2023. Welcome Agustin Canapino. 

... notes from The EDJE

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Second Edition Of Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum Different But Still Good

Day of the 2023 Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum pre-activity track walk shot of the GEICO RESTART ZONE towards the iconic peristyle end of the Los Angeles Coliseum. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

Second Edition Of Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum Different But Still Good

Almost nothing can ever match up to a first time experience of anything. A meaningful kiss, a campout in nature of a city kid, friendship with someone completely different than yourself, the achievement of a long and cherished goal that was months or even years in the study and making. 

The repeat in the "One Of" NASCAR race on a purpose built temporary Quarter-Mile oval race track came kind of close but was very different.

The 2023 edition and second running of the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum had all of the elements in perfect order. During ground breaking ceremony held in December 2022, many of the crew that were there for the first build were happy to be putting the track back in again. 

The track build in preparation for the ground breaking ceremony at the nearly 100 year old LA Coliseum. The two rows of interlocking concrete edging balusters are already in place as the layered conversion of the base field takes place. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

When asked if there were any significant changes to the build, the answer was that the process and materials were exactly the same, even down to the special composite aggregate (piled center/left in above image) used for the base under the asphalt which was stored off-site over this last full year after deconstruction, but refinements to the timing and procedures will result in cost and time savings in the second time around build. Live and learn.

Ground breaking ceremony featured (L to R) star California driver Kyle Larson, pilot of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, Jeremy Casperson, Director, Civil Engineering, NASCAR Design and Development, Matt Humphrey, Director, Track Communications, NASCAR, Kevin Daly, Assistant GM, LA Memorial Coliseum, and Patrick Rogers, NASCAR VP of Marketing Services. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

Where the changes to the event from 2022 were most noticeable came to timing, competition, and surrounding entertainment. The overall focus in the purpose of this event seemed to drift off kilter over the experience achieved last year where an attendance of around 60,000 people filled the stands and an estimated 70% had never attended a NASCAR race event before (seems pretty easy in Los Angeles).

Roughly, about 3 weeks before the second running of the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum, musical rap performer, Pittsburg's Wiz Khalifa was announced as the primary headline artist to perform at the mid-race break of the 150 Lap main event.

Over four and a half weeks earlier, it was announced that Los Angeles area (South Gate) rap group Cypress Hill whom were most famous in the early 1990s winning the 1992 Top Rap Song Of The Year Grammy for their breakout hit "The Phuncky Feel One" from their self-titled first album, would perform before the race got started.

Cypress Hill festooned percussionist sets up Eric "Bobo" Correa's kit just a couple of hours before the South Gate rap group were to take the stage and the Coliseum. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

In 2022, the lead-in act Pitbull was announced in early December (as was the support act Cypress Hill for 2023), and in turn Ice Cube, the race break act, was announced also about 3 weeks from the race. Given just how much Ice Cube was identified with being a Los Angeles (Straight Outta' Compton) legend, his addition as the Race-Break entertainment boosted attendance.

 

Turn It Up As The Generation 7 Platforms Roll-In

The time of the competition was moved to start later so that the main event 150 Laps would be run under the lights of the stadium. What this brought about was a greater sense of mystery and it allowed impressive accompanying light show displays during the Wiz Khalifa Race Break show as well as end of race fireworks - again impressive as it was shot off around the glow from the Olympic Flame torch that was also lit during the Race Break ceremony.

Downtown Los Angeles at night might have had some folks give second thought about attending an event in the Coliseum. Football crowds are somewhat connected and mob-like whereas a group of folks who may be first-timers to a NASCAR event headlined with entertainment based in a hard scrabble street culture as Wiz Khalifa solo (non-duo) efforts extoll.

EXAMPLE LYRICS:

Black And Yellow 

Uh, black stripe, yellow paint

Them niggas scared of it, but them hoes ain't

Soon as I hit the club, look at them hoes' face

Hit the pedal once, make the floor shake

Suede inside, my engine roarin'

It’s the big boy, you know what I paid for it

And I got the pedal to the metal

Got you niggas checking game, I’m ballin' out on every level

Hear them haters talk, but there’s nothin' you can tell 'em

Just made a million, got another million on my schedule

No love for 'em, nigga breaking hearts

No keys, push to start

[ht: Genius Lyrics]

Last year the Super Bowl was held just West of the LA Coliseum at SoFi Stadium. This year, next week's Super Bowl will be held in Phoenix. The halftime act for the 2023 Super Bowl is Rihanna. Too bad Rihanna wasn't enticed to preview a portion of her show during halftime of the second edition of the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum. A recommended choice for such a showcase would have to be - original Rihanna Video link - "Shut Up and Drive" (featured on the soundtrack of the 2012 Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, playing over the scene in which Ralph teaches Vanellope von Schweetz to drive in the arcade game Sugar Rush).

The race for the second time around was another experience altogether. In 2022, the venue was completely new as was the NextGen (7th generation formula) racing stockcar. Given the tight track and a new platform, the drivers were not keen to take big chances. In the 150 lap race, there were 5 Caution periods. The action began to feel predictable. Joey Logano held off hard-charging pole winner Kyle Busch to triumph in Sunday’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Logano got the lead on Lap 116, moments before Kyle Larson retaliated against Justin Haley for earlier contact that was not of Haley’s doing. Larson steered toward the bottom of the track, knocking Haley’s Chevrolet into the concrete Jersey barrier on the front stretch.

Michael McDowell (spins prior to Turn 3) — Finished 24th: “I don’t know how many laps under caution we ran, but obviously just a calculation running the LCQ and a heat race. We just didn’t anticipate running over 100 laps of caution, so that was unfortunate. It was a battle out there for sure. I feel good about how we were able to start near the back and drive up into the top 12, top 13 twice, so our car was good. It’s just a good weekend. We’ve got a lot of new guys, so it was good to get up to speed and figure each other out.” Image Credit: Ralph Garcia (2023)

This second bite at the Los Angeles Avocado (as opposed to Apple), drivers knew just how tough the NextGen platform could be, since it was tested throughout the 36 race 2022 season, and the phrase "if it ain't rubbin', it ain't racin'" came to full effect. 

The race time went much longer than most in attendance expected largely on the turn of 16 Caution periods with the majority coming during the second 75 Laps to finish the race. It was as if there was an understanding the the first 75 Laps we will push and shove, but the hammer drops when the end of the race is in all of our sights. 

Confetti flies in the air as Martin Truex Jr. won NASCAR's exhibition Clash on Sunday night. Truex’s win in the exhibition race comes after he was winless in 2022 for the first time since 2014. Truex had won 29 races from 2015-2021 but had just four top fives and 15 top 10s as he missed the playoffs for the first time since that 2014 season. Image Credit: Black Kat Sports (2023)

Post Race Driver Remarks >>> 

In honor of the celebration of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum being constructed 100 years ago, it was decided to award the podium finishers of the 2nd edition of Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum with Olympic style medals - Martin Truex 1st/Gold, Austin Dillon 2nd/Silver, and Kyle Busch 3rd/Bronze. Jostens produced these exquisite medals, along with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Trophy that was presented to the winner of the non-points paying exhibition. Each custom-crafted keepsake features the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum logo beautifully embossed on one side. The other side features the Coliseum’s centennial mark and the NASCAR 75th Anniversary logo. Image Credit: Ralph Garcia (2023)

Fox earned a 2.01 rating and 3.647 million viewers for Sunday night’s Clash at the Coliseum. The ratings were down about 15% from last year, but second most watched sports program - the NFL Pro Bowl was most watched for the weekend.

Despite the smaller audience, the race still delivered NASCAR’s largest viewing audience since the Coca-Cola 600 on FOX last May (3.87M), surprisingly outpacing all of last season’s playoff races (which aired opposite the NFL). Last year’s season finale from Phoenix averaged 3.21 million on NBC.

The crowd at the Coliseum was estimated by the LA Times to be around 50,000, so attendance was off from last year as well.

During the lead up to the Busch Light Clash At The Coliseum, some attendants were able to sign up and pay for a track walk. many who participated were able to leave a note on the painted Start/Finish Line of the temporary track. Image 1 - Shut Up And Sign "... notes from The EDJE."  Image 2 - Others inked an opinion - F-RIGHT - that supported oval racing in America as always turning Left. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2023)

To be honest, the current economy is tanking through inflation, which is a real modifier that effects everyone, especially since wages are not keeping up with the shifts caused through current economic policies. Attendance was enthusiastic and stadium-filling, especially for a non-points paying exhibition race. 

The jury was out on coming back to the Los Angeles Coliseum at this time last year and NASCAR closed in on a decision for year two. Is a year three in the offing? Only time will tell ... but the overall verdict is that the event was different, but still very good. 

If there is to be another Clash at the Coliseum in 2024, wrap it up in a celebration of ASCOT! Bring on another bite of the LA Avocado!

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Busch Light Clash, 2023, Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR, NextGen, 7th Generation, Martin Truex, Gold, Austin Dillon, Silver, Kyle Busch, Bronze, Ralph Garcia, The EDJE