Motorsports

Ed Pink, The Old Master and Engine Builder Extraordinaire, Has Died

Ed Pink, known throughout racing as The Old Master, whose engines powered racers from Tony Stewart, Don Prudhomme, Ed “The Ace” McCulloch, Kasey Kahne, and Eddie Cheever to victories in Indianapolis, NHRA, USAC Sprint cars, IMSA, and Infiniti IRL, has passed away at age 94. Pink started out as a drag racing specialist in the […]

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1 month ago

April 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Pink started out as a drag racing specialist in the 1960s, the golden age of the sport, building big block Hemis for the best racers in the field. Pink and Keith Black were the dominant forces in the sport, and their rivalry elevated drag racing in America just as it lowered ETs in the quarter mile.

ed pink the old master — Ed Pink and Big Daddy Don Garlits. SEMA

But as racing changed over the years, so did Ed Pink Racing Engines in Van Nuys, California. After decades of success in drag racing, Pink expanded into seemingly everything, from Can-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA, and even midget racers and Infiniti’s IRL efforts, as well as LMP2 and the Japanese Super GT championship, winning races in all those categories.

He did restoration engines, too. EPRE did the powerplants for seven entries at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in 2013, for instance. Those engines varied from a 1916 National Champ Car, to Chevy V8s, to Turbo Porsches, and many unique engines in between. Two of those cars were class winners. Ed Pink Racing also did the engines for two entries at the Pebble Beach Concours that year.

Ed Pink helped develop the engines used in Singer Porsches, as well as working on restorations of 917s for Bruce Canepa and others.

When Don Prudhomme wanted to sell one of his dragsters, the front-engine Shelby Super Snake that he drove in 1968 and ’69, he had Pink rebuild the engine.

“I told him, ‘All I want to do is a burnout,’ and he built a f** Rolex watch!”

man holding two carburetors — Ed Pink over some barrels. SEMA

Pink was born in Los Angeles in 1931. Almost as soon as he could drive he was taking part in lakes racing on Southern California’s El Mirage dry lake bed in the Mojave desert in a 1934 Ford Coupe.

From that he eventually developed an interest in the 426 Chrysler Hemi, lending his talents to its development as the engine of choice among Top Fuel and, later, Funny Car teams in the growing NHRA drag racing series.

And from that came all the other racing series and the restorations.

Pink stayed with the shop until he sold it to local race car collector and sponsor Tom Malloy in 2008, remaining as a consultant for many years after that.

Under the guidance of racing specialist Frank Honsowetz, the 12,000-square-foot shop has grown to include a variety of high-tech tools and equipment, such as the latest versions of CAD solid modeling and three-dimensional software systems, according to a 2014 article in Vintage Motorsport. One of the departments houses Haas CNC vertical machines, which manufacture some of the company’s products.

In 2013, Pink was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame.

“There is a good reason Ed Pink is known as The Old Master: The man’s command over automotive engineering is legendary and in a league of its own,” wrote racing historian and former director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum Tony Thacker. “Engines and high performance have been in his blood right from the start. He didn’t have his first car 24 hours before he had the engine out and apart.”

In 2012 Pink was inducted into the Class of 2012 of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America along with luminaries such as Derek Bell, Ricky Johnson, Pop Dreyer, Neil Bonnett, Vic Edelbrock, Sr., and Danny Sullivan.

That same year, Engine Builder magazine announced Ed Pink Racing Engines as the winner of its inaugural “Performance Engine Builder of the Year” contest during the
International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS) in Indianapolis.

“Too many times, the driver and the race day team are the only ones who get to hold
the trophy for winning a championship,” said Lake Speed, Jr., at the award ceremony. “The engine builder knows that he was part of that and, while there
are some trophies for those guys, frankly, they only win if the whole team
wins. This is more of a contest about who runs the best engine shop.

“Personally, I think the race engine builder needs this. The simple fact of the matter is,
nobody is going to cross that finish line without the expertise of a great
engine builder.”

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Motorsports

Big Game Motorsports and Gravel Garner Pair of Podiums in North Dakota – Speedway Digest

Big Game Motorsports recorded back-to-back runner-up results in North Dakota last weekend. That gives team driver David Gravel 17 podium finishes in 28 races this season and it extended his lead in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship standings to 188 points. “I felt happy with how our weekend went,” […]

Published

6 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Big Game Motorsports recorded back-to-back runner-up results in North Dakota last weekend.

That gives team driver David Gravel 17 podium finishes in 28 races this season and it extended his lead in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship standings to 188 points.

“I felt happy with how our weekend went,” he said. “The second night was definitely a more deserving second place. If everything goes right the first night we could have or should have won, but that’s racing.”

Gravel kicked off the weekend on Friday at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, where he qualified fourth quickest. A heat race win was followed by a dash victory to earn the pole position for the main event. Gravel led the first five laps before dropping a position.

“With them doing track work I didn’t know which lane would be the best and stayed on the bottom a little too long,” he said. “Buddy (Kofoid) got by me and took the lead. From there we were able to pace him and stick with him, but didn’t have the opportunity to get back by him. I was a little bummed with that second place.”

The weekend wrapped up on Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway, where Gravel timed in third quickest. He won a heat race and moved from fourth to third place in the dash to start the feature on the inside of the second row.

“Fargo was stressful with how the track was greasy,” he said. “To qualify good that night was a big relief. We qualified and put ourselves in position. To win our heat and draw the No. 4 for the dash was pretty good. We did good to gain a spot.

“We were okay early (in the feature). As the race went on we were good. Donny (Schatz) sniffed me out on the bottom and took my lane away, which slowed me up. We were able to get by him late.”

Gravel got into second with a late-race move, but was unable to make a bid for the lead. It marked his sixth second-place outing of the season.

This week is a big one for the team with four races in five days, beginning on Wednesday with the FENDT Showdown hosted by Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn. A trip to Wisconsin encompasses races on Friday at Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth during the Badger State Triple; on Saturday at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam during the Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial; and on Sunday at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie during the Badger State Triple.

“Jackson is a track I haven’t won at so I’m eager to try to win there,” Gravel said. “Wisconsin will be interesting. The Plymouth track is one I haven’t been to. Beaver Dam is a track we’ve been fast at and I think I’ve ran second there five or six times. And Sun Prairie, I’ve been to it one time I think in 2016. It was a very unique track that is very flat and round.”

QUICK RESULTS –

May 30 – River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 1 (1); Feature: 2 (1).

May 31 – Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 3 (4); Feature: 2 (3).

SEASON STATS –

28 races, 8 wins, 24 top fives, 28 top 10s, 28 top 15s, 28 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Wednesday at Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn., for the FENDT Showdown; Friday at Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, Wis., for the Badger State Triple; Saturday at Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis., for the Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial; and Sunday at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., for the Badger State Triple with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

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Motorsports

2025 NASCAR Michigan Entry List: All 36 drivers for Firekeepers Casino 400

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The NASCAR Cup Series is set to take on the Michigan International Speedway for the next race of the 2025 season, with 36 cars registered for the race. Check out the entry list for this year’s Firekeepers Casino 400. 2025 NASCAR Michigan Entry List Ross Chastain (#1, […]

Published

7 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The NASCAR Cup Series is set to take on the Michigan International Speedway for the next race of the 2025 season, with 36 cars registered for the race.

Check out the entry list for this year’s Firekeepers Casino 400.

2025 NASCAR Michigan Entry List

Ross Chastain (#1, Trackhouse Racing)
Austin Cindric (#2, Team Penske)
Austin Dillon (#3, Richard Childress Racing)
Noah Gragson (#4, Front Row Motorsports)
Kyle Larson (#5, Hendrick Motorsports)
Brad Keselowski (#6, RFK Racing)
Justin Haley (#7, Spire Motorsports)
Kyle Busch (#8, Richard Childress Racing)
Chase Elliott (#9, Hendrick Motorsports)
Ty Dillon (#10, Kaulig Racing)
Denny Hamlin (#11, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Ryan Blaney (#12, Team Penske)
AJ Allmendinger (#16, Kaulig Racing)
Chris Buescher (#17, RFK Racing)
Chase Briscoe (#19, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Christopher Bell (#20, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Josh Berry (#21, Wood Brothers Racing)
Joey Logano (#22, Team Penske)
Bubba Wallace (#23, 23XI Racing)
William Byron (#24, Hendrick Motorsports)
Todd Gilliland (#34, Front Row Motorsports)
Riley Herbst (#35, 23XI Racing)
Zane Smith (#38, Front Row Motorsports)
Cole Custer (#41, Haas Factory Team)
John Hunter Nemechek (#42, Legacy Motor Club)
Erik Jones (#43, Legacy Motor Club)
Tyler Reddick (#45, 23XI Racing)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (#47, HYAK Motorsports)
Alex Bowman (#48, Hendrick Motorsports)
Cody Ware (#51, Rick Ware Racing)
Ty Gibbs (#54, Joe Gibbs Racing)
Ryan Preece (#60, RFK Racing)
Michael McDowell (#71, Spire Motorsports)
Carson Hocevar (#77, Spire Motorsports)
Shane van Gisbergen (#88, Trackhouse Racing)
Daniel Suárez (#99, Trackhouse Racing)

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Motorsports

The 2025 PRI Show Is Taking Shape—Don’t Let Your Brand Miss OutPerformance Racing Industry

Planning for the 2025 edition of the world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals–December 11-13, Indianapolis–is well underway, but it’s not too late to stake your claim to a piece of the 2025 PRI Show floorplan. Ensure your brand has a presence at this one-of-a-kind industry event by securing a booth now. Securing your booth space […]

Published

31 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Planning for the 2025 edition of the world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals–December 11-13, Indianapolis–is well underway, but it’s not too late to stake your claim to a piece of the 2025 PRI Show floorplan. Ensure your brand has a presence at this one-of-a-kind industry event by securing a booth now.

Securing your booth space is the first step toward success at the PRI Show, which presents an unrivaled opportunity for racing industry professionals to drive sales, meet new clients and increase brand awareness, December 11-13, in downtown Indianapolis.

Exhibiting at the PRI Show offers a myriad of benefits to your brand:

Increase Your Brand Awareness: Whether you are an established brand or looking to break into the motorsports market, exhibiting at PRI is the best investment to advance your brand goals.
Connect With Your Customers: See existing customers and connect with them on the Show floor. Determine their business needs and use this opportunity to strengthen relationships.
Expand Your Sales Channels: Take your products to new markets, whether through retailers, distributors or other sales channels, expanding your brand’s reach domestically and internationally.
Introduce New Products: Ensure your latest and greatest products are seen by a large audience of potential customers at the PRI Show.

To reserve a booth at the 2025 PRI Show, visit here. For more information on why to exhibit, visit performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit.

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Motorsports

Rockingham NASCAR weekend provides nearly $40 million in economic impact

Rockingham NASCAR weekend provides nearly $40 million in economic impact – Sandhills Sentinel Home /Local News/Rockingham NASCAR weekend provides nearly $40 million in economic impact […]

Published

33 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Rockingham NASCAR weekend provides nearly $40 million in economic impact – Sandhills Sentinel

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Motorsports

NASCAR’s new $1 million in-season Challenge starts with drivers focused more on winning races – News-Herald

By TERESA M. WALKER LEBANON, Tenn. — Bubba Wallace sees NASCAR having all the momentum possible right now with different media partners. Perfect timing then for NASCAR’s “In-season Challenge” to debut, right? Well, Wallace forgot that was about to debut. “For me to forget about it and remember how exciting it was when they announced, […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Originally Published: June 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM EDT

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Motorsports

Atlanta Motor Speedway Rebranded to EchoPark Speedway

One of NASCAR’s most iconic venues has a brand-new identity. On Tuesday, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and the track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway announced a partnership with EchoPark Automotive, which will see the brand serve as the title sponsor of the 1.54-mile racetrack for the next seven years. The racetrack, which hosts a pair […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

One of NASCAR’s most iconic venues has a brand-new identity.

On Tuesday, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and the track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway announced a partnership with EchoPark Automotive, which will see the brand serve as the title sponsor of the 1.54-mile racetrack for the next seven years.

The racetrack, which hosts a pair of NASCAR Cup Series events on its superspeedway-like configuration, will be known as EchoPark Speedway for the duration of the seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.

“We have enjoyed serving guests in the Atlanta metro area since EchoPark Atlanta opened its doors in 2020,” said David B. Smith, Chairman and CEO of Sonic Automotive. “This partnership allows us to share the value of the exceptional EchoPark car-buying experience with more guests in Atlanta and the surrounding area who enjoy the excitement of NASCAR racing at this iconic venue.”

Specializing in pre-owned vehicle sales, EchoPark Automotive is one of three operating segments of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in the United States.

The company currently operates 17 locations in 13 markets, including Georgie, Tennessee, and Alabama, where the majority of Atlanta NASCAR fans travel from each year to visit the historic speedway.

EchoPark Automotive already has deep roots in NASCAR, serving as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Series event at Circuit of The Americas, while also serving as the naming rights sponsor of the ‘restart zone’ at all Speedway Motorsports racetracks, including what was formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible vehicles we sell at EchoPark and share the exposure with another important entity in our Sonic Automotive family,” said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. “The Sturgis Rally is right around the corner, and we know NASCAR fans and drivers will not only love the new presentation of this track, but also the opportunity to see this limited-edition Harley-Davidson presented in Victory Lane.”

The winner of the inaugural event at EchoPark Speedway will receive a “nearly new” EchoPark Chevy Silverado and a trailer equipped with an 85^th Anniversary, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Limited Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

“We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative, customer-focused company like EchoPark Automotive as the entitlement partner of our newly named EchoPark Speedway,” said Marcus Smith, CEO and President of Speedway Motorsports. “EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we’ll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedways for years to come.”

The racetrack has a storied history in NASCAR, hosting races every year since it opened as Atlanta International Raceway in 1960. From 1987 to 2000, the racetrack hosted the season-finale for the NASCAR Cup Series, and in 1992, saw a major changing of the guard, as Richard Petty competed in his final race while Jeff Gordon made his debut.

EchoPark Speedway will host both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series later this month, during the Quaker State 400 race weekend, which will also kick off NASCAR and TNT’s mid-season tournament. Those events will take place from June 26 to 28

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