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Battlebird: This ’57 Ford with a 430-Cube V-8 Brings the Thunder

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Some nameplates in automotive history just ooze power and speed. Models and marques that were born in the pits and learned to run on the track. When naming those storied brands, this one comes far down the list, if it’s on there at all: Thunderbird. That doesn’t mean one can’t go racing though, and the Battlebird at this year’s Goodwood Revival proved that personal luxury can still go fast.

The ‘Bird caught my interest in this Goodwood Road and Racing video that highlights some of the interesting cars of the 2025 Goodwood Revival. A white 1957 Thunderbird doesn’t seem like a prime example of a race car, but that is partly due to the change in the perception of what a Thunderbird is over the years. Early production T-birds targeted similar buyers as the Chevrolet Corvette, while later ‘Birds grew larger, more luxurious, and less sporty (or at least, less sports-adjacent). The Battlebird, though, is a whole different animal.

While much of the Thunderbird character remains, this car was fit with a 430-cubic-inch MEL V-8 by the Peter De Paulo Speed Shop in 1957. Ford sponsored the project with the goal of racing the Daytona Beach Speed Trials. The car proved fast, clocking a 204-mph pass but failing to back it up on the return run that would cement a record. The car then received a road-racing setup for some years before being crashed and settling into storage.

Battlebird Ford Thunderbird Goodwood racing
Goodwood Road and Racing
Battlebird Ford Thunderbird Goodwood racing
Goodwood Road and Racing

Only about 10 years ago did the car start its journey back toward a race track, and after a thorough restoration, the car first ran at Goodwood in 2019. It’s a heavy car for a driver to handle in the race traffic, and its pitching about and clawing for grip have made it a fan favorite. This year, the Battlebird came in after qualifying with basically no brakes. The driver used up nearly all the brake linings just trying to put down a quick time that would place him well on the starting grid.

Picking offbeat models for racing often comes with challenges like this. Still, we love the perseverance, and seeing the Battlebird out on track—even if its main battle is just making it through an environment it was never really designed for.



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Business Leader and Former NASCAR Team Marketing Executive Tony Priscaro Releases His New Book Still Standing, A Real-World Guide to Building Credibility When the Stakes Are High – Speedway Digest

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January 2, 2026

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Tony Priscaro, founder of PK Velocity Sports & Entertainment and a veteran sports marketing executive, has released his debut book, Still Standing, now available on Amazon and Kindle. The book delivers a candid, practical look at leadership, resilience, and value creation drawn from decades operating at the intersection of professional sports and business.

Unlike traditional business books rooted in theory, Still Standing is built on real-world execution—closing high-stakes deals, navigating career pivots, managing risk, and rebuilding momentum when circumstances collapse.

“This isn’t a book about success,” said Priscaro. “It’s about what happens between success—the pressure, the setbacks, the moments where quitting feels logical but staying the course matters most.”

Priscaro’s career spans professional sports marketing, NASCAR sponsorship strategy, corporate partnerships, and brand development. In Still Standing, he translates lessons learned in high-pressure sports environments into actionable insights for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals.

“In sports, there’s no room for excuses,” Priscaro said. “You either deliver or you don’t. That same reality exists in business—especially when trust, reputation, and credibility are on the line.”

A Business Book Disguised as a Story

While the book draws on experiences from NASCAR, professional basketball, and national brand partnerships, Still Standing is ultimately about business fundamentals: decision-making under uncertainty, earning trust without credentials, and creating value when resources are limited.

“Brands don’t care where you went to school,” Priscaro noted. “They care if you can reduce risk, execute consistently, and deliver results. That lesson applies to every industry.”

The book has already begun resonating with professionals navigating career transitions, leadership challenges, and entrepreneurial risk.

Supporting Speaking & Executive Engagements

The release of Still Standing coincides with Priscaro’s expanded focus on executive speaking engagements and business workshops. His talks center on leadership under pressure, credibility over credentials, and what professional sports reveal about how decisions are really made in business.

“I didn’t write this book to sell books,” said Priscaro. “I wrote it to start conversations—with leaders, teams, and organizations that want to perform when the stakes are real.”

Tony Priscaro PR



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Nashville fairgrounds group petitions against NASCAR-type racing

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January 2, 2026

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A coalition dubbed Restore Our Fairgrounds is calling for a voter referendum to block NASCAR-style racing in favor of affordable housing and green space at the Fairgrounds in South Nashville, the latest measure in a two-decade effort to strip auto racing from the property.

The group said it filed paperwork recently with the metro clerk to start a charter amendment ending auto racing at the Metro Nashville Fairgrounds amid rumors about Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Speedway Motorsports negotiating a deal for NASCAR-type expansion.

The group says resumption of car races would hurt local taxpayers and cause more traffic and noise.

If successful, the amendment would undo a 2011 referendum that amended the charter to protect existing uses of the fairgrounds, including auto racing. The measure passed with 72% of voters approving it.

Metro Nashville voters would have to vote in favor of a referendum to end racing at the fairgrounds, which was home to different types of racing for more than 100 years.

The group supports the preservation of green space, development of affordable housing and improvements to nearby Brown’s Creek, a tributary to Cumberland River on the federal list of polluted waterways.

Multiple Nashville groups, such as the Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Nashville Organized for Action and Hope Economic Equity, Jobs & Transportation Task Force and South Nashville Action People are part of the coalition.

Mike Kopp, cofounder of Fairgrounds Preservation Partners, is among those signing the petition, along with Metro Council member Terry Vo; Heidi Basgall Favorite, founder of Neighbors Opposing Track Expansion; and Jose Gonzales, cofounder of Conexion Americas.

Read more at TennesseeLookout.com.

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VanDoren, Janisch Lead PA Drivers Hoping For Another Allentown Indoor Racing Series Victory – Speedway Digest

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January 2, 2026

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In 15 TQ Midget races contested inside the PPL Center over the past nine years, a Pennsylvania driver has visited Victory Lane just twice. Young standout Tanner VanDoren of Slatington and veteran Matt Janisch of Wind Gap are hoping to become the first Keystone State drivers to score multiple Allentown Indoor Racing Series victories when the Ironton Global Races return on Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10.

A total of 13 drivers from Pennsylvania are entered, and they’ll have two chances to win a feature. On Friday, the headline TQ Midgets will compete in a 30-lap feature, and on Saturday, the distance will be 40 laps. It won’t be easy with drivers entered from eight different states with many different forms of motorsports racing experience.

Ryan Flores remains the undisputed king of Allentown. The Huntersville, N.C. driver and New Jersey native has captured seven victories at the PPL Center. New York drivers account for five wins, led by Erick Rudolph—the only other repeat winner—along with Justin Bonsignore, Scott Kreutter, and Andy Jankowiak, who will be seeking his second Allentown triumph.

Since winning in his Friday-night Indoor Series debut at Allentown in 2024, VanDoren has been a contender in nearly every race he’s entered while driving for car owner Jeff Ulrich. Tragically, Ulrich was struck by a vehicle and killed while crossing a street last February.

New Jersey’s Anthony Sesley, a four-time Gambler’s Classic winner in Atlantic City, earned his lone Allentown victory in 2023, driving for Ulrich. It was Sesley who arranged for VanDoren to serve as his test driver in Allentown the following season, and the two have been teammates in the Indoor Series TQ Midgets ever since. Following Ulrich’s passing, Sesley acquired the team’s two race cars to continue Ulrich’s legacy.

At Allentown, Sesley will not compete as a driver, instead focusing solely on VanDoren’s efforts as crew chief. After gaining speed through two Allentown events without Ulrich, Sesley will return to the cockpit as VanDoren’s teammate at the Atlantic City Indoor Race on January 30 and 31.

Allentown native Briggs Danner could bring the house down if he captures his first Indoor Series victory on his home turf. A frequent contender in past seasons, Danner is banking on speed found last year with a new TQ Midget built by Kevin Graver to finally seal the deal and become the third driver from his state to win in Allentown’s ten-year history.

Danner will have a new teammate in 16-year-old Logan Watt of Boyertown, who stormed onto the Modified racing scene during his rookie season in 2025. Although Watt has never driven a TQ Midget, the proven Graver-Danner setup could make him fast right out of the gate—much like VanDoren, who won in his Indoor debut at age 16 in 2024.

Tim Buckwalter of Royersford, a former Indoor Series Atlantic City Gambler’s Classic winner, hopes to score an Allentown victory in front of his home-state fans, driving for a new team assembled by legendary racer Lou Cicconi.

Ryan Smith, coming off a strong outdoor season in 410 Sprint Cars, returns to TQ Midget competition in George VanVarick’s No. 43. After resolving mechanical issues last season, Smith found speed in Atlantic City last January and hopes to carry that momentum into Allentown.

Matt Roselli of Brodheadsville, Pa.—a past preliminary-night Triple 20 winner in Allentown—returns in the radical Laffler-built TQ Midget featuring a right-side-mounted engine that debuted last season. Chad Jones of Quakertown, Pa., who designed and built a brand-new TQ Midget from the ground up last year, looks to iron out the remaining issues and take a step forward.

Kyle Lick of Lehighton, who finished seventh in the standings last year, is another driver knocking on the door of his first Indoor TQ Midget series win. Pennsburg car owner Matt Chowns returns with a two-car effort, including John Barnett in the second entry.

Jesse Strohl, a 24-year-old asphalt Modified driver from Slatington, will make his TQ Midget debut. Strohl comes from deep racing roots, with his grandfather, Marvin Bartholomew, and father, Lou Strohl, longtime competitors at Mahoning Valley and Evergreen Speedways.

Drivers will again have the opportunity to claim the Ironton Auto Body Challenge by winning both feature races in Allentown. Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday’s main event—provided they start tenth. Accepting the challenge earns a $1,000 bonus, with an additional $4,000 awarded if they advance from tenth to win. Combined with Saturday’s purse, a weekend sweep would total $10,000.

If the challenge is not completed, Ironton Auto Body will roll over a portion of the bonus to the Atlantic City Indoor Race. Flores accomplished the feat last season at the NAPA Gambler’s Classic, earning $10,000, including challenge bonus money and support from the Atlantic City Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.

Friday night will also feature the Will Cagle Shootout, sponsored by Ricky Harring, showcasing the top 10 qualifiers in a 15-lap dash where drivers choose their starting positions. The pole pays $240 to win, with payouts increasing by $120 per position. A driver winning from tenth would earn $1,320.

The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs for all three classes. Champ Kart teams will arrive from 12 states and Ontario, Canada, while Slingshot competitors will represent Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Quebec.

Lower-level reserved ticket holders for Saturday night receive access to a pre-race FanFest, allowing fans to walk the track and meet drivers and teams prior to the 7 p.m. green flag.

Tickets are available through a Ticketmaster link at IndoorAutoRacing.com or at the box office on the day of the events. Check the website for more information.

Indoor Auto Racing PR



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DI 30 Under 30 2025: Austin Kardules

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January 2, 2026

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Like so many second-generation racers, Austin Kardules has always been around the sport. But what started out as a hobby has become a multi-faceted career that sees the central Ohio native reach new audiences in hopes of growing the sport he loves.

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #197, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November/December 2025.  

Kardules’ father started racing motorcycles in the late 1970s. When Austin and his older brother, Camron, came along, the boys were out at the track as babies. Austin, now 29, started racing Jr. Dragsters in 2003 and traveled with the MyChron series. He had some success, ultimately winning the points runoff at Summit Motorsports Park to take home a brand-new Half-Scale dragster custom-painted by R&R Auto Body. 

Driving took a back seat as Kardules grew up, but he filled the void by going to work for Pure Speed Drag Racing Experience, previously known as Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School. He started working with Foley and his family – including sons Doug Jr. (a 2016 honoree) and Joe (a 2024 honoree) – as a driving instructor on a part-time basis in 2012 before going on the road full-time in 2015.

Through that experience, he helped hundreds of people make their first passes down a dragstrip. Kardules then stepped away from racing completely for about two years to start a career in sales and marketing, which actually led him back to Foley and drag racing. 

After Foley decided to get back into NHRA Top Fuel competition, Kardules got involved with the Foley Lewis Racing sponsorship efforts. Over the last few years, he’s helped secure partnerships with Alloy Employer Services, United Garage Door, CHI Overhead Doors, and LiftMaster, introducing new brands to the sport in the process.

 “That’s probably the most rewarding part about what I do,” says Kardules, who counts Foley as a mentor. “Bringing new companies into the sport, and seeing them realize what all goes into it – not just on track, but off track – and how beneficial it can be on the B2B side with the experience they’re able to give their customers.”

That led to one of Kardules’ proudest moments in the sport earlier this year when Foley qualified No. 1 at the IHRA Nitro Outlaw Series event at Darana Raceway, previously known as National Trail Raceway, outside Columbus, Ohio. 

“That was surreal,” Kardules says. “The last NHRA national event that was there was 2006. I was 10 years old. Growing up there, it seemed like we would never have a Top Fuel race there ever again. So, for that to happen almost 20 years later is kind of unbelievable. But to be a part of a team while that happened, with my dad standing on the starting line, and to get the No. 1 spot when we weren’t in the show on the last qualifying session? I couldn’t even dream of that happening.”

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A few years ago, the Kardules brothers also worked with future 30 Under 30 honoree Jeb Bolyard to bring back the King of Columbus event to National Trail. Austin focused on sponsorships and promoting the event, which later expanded to two events. 

“I think the most rewarding part is all the appreciation from racers that we put a focus on what we would want if we were in their shoes,” he says. “Because a lot of races they go to, sometimes the focus is not the racer’s experience.”

Though Kardules is no longer involved with the racing school, he and his brother continue to mentor local racers both young and old who are just getting started. He even coached a former student who bought a race car, truck, and trailer after attending a Pure Speed school event. 

“My brother and I always try to help people getting into the sport, understanding the dos and don’ts, and helping them get their start and feel comfortable at the racetrack,” Kardules says. “The only way to keep people coming back is make them feel comfortable and understand what they’re doing.”

Kardules’ efforts in various arenas of the sport achieve different outcomes, but the overarching theme is bringing in new fans, racers, and sponsors. He says the sport sells itself once people see it in person. It’s getting them out to the racetrack that can be a challenge. 

“One thing that is universally the same, whether it’s driving a 10-second dragster for the first time or sponsoring a Top Fuel car – or just coming to watch Top Fuel – is that people underestimate what it is until they get there,” says Kardules, who thanked his parents and brother as well as Joe Clark with United Garage Door, Palmetto State Armory, and Kyle Fischer with Hot Shot’s Secret for supporting his various endeavors.

“When they get there, they realize it’s a lot cooler than they expected. There’s a lot more involved. Especially when someone gets in the driver’s seat for the first time, they realize it’s a lot faster in the seat than it looks.“Those people who have never even heard of drag racing, or have a lower expectation of what it truly is, how do we get them to the racetrack and get them to see it?” 





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