​The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Educations Services Day is taking place today.

Located at Toronto Motorsports Park, this event is bringing students in from the District School Board of Niagara and showing them more about the world of racing and trades.

One of the speakers is Conestoga College teacher Jason Hardie, who explains a bit about what students can expect to see that day.

Hardie teaches Heavy Equipment Repair, and he is always hoping to see more students pass through his class.

He just went to a recent meeting where it was made clear that a focus on the trades is needed.

Hardie says reaching directly to students like this, in a new and exciting way, can go a long way in helping fill this gap.

Students will hear from speakers, speak with professionals, and of course, watch some racing.

The Victoria Day Weekend Spectacular also kicks off on Friday and runs until Sunday, and offers no shortage of attractions for all types of racing lovers. Passes can be purchased for individual days, or as a weekend bundle for Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Toronto Motorsports Park’s website.

(Written by: Matt LeBlanc)

Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council.

Introduced in January by Council member Radiant Cordero, Bill 4 will “create and enhance public-private relationships, including with individuals, corporations, and other organizations, through the creation of commercial sponsorships.”

“Private sponsorships will create alternate revenue streams that will increase the city’s ability to deliver services and to maintain city assets, including its facilities, parks, programs, equipment, and tangible property, and provide enhanced levels of service and maintenance beyond the core levels funded from the city’s general fund for the benefit of users and the community at large,” the bill states.

The measure will also allow the director of a city agency to enter into a sponsorship agreement, but only for a term of less than five years, with a financial contribution of less than $50,000. Sponsorship agreements of $50,000 or more and agreements for a period of five years or more must be approved by a resolution adopted by the Council, the bill says.

Bill 4’s approval comes as the nine-member Council and city administration allege budgetary constraints for the coming 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Those multimillion-dollar costs include siting the city’s next solid-­waste landfill on Oahu; operating and maintaining ongoing city rail services toward downtown; and implementing a total increase of 115% for sewer fees across all rate-paying classes over a 10-year period to address rising operational costs and fund critical sewage treatment projects within the city’s $10.1 billion capital improvement program, scheduled for
2025-2040.

During public testimony, Kaimuki resident Tim Garry lauded Bill 4.

“This could be a game changer for so many things, to where we don’t have to tax everybody to death,” he said.

Garry said the measure’s intent could be like the city’s Adopt a Park program, “where somebody takes responsibility for a certain part of the public” properties.

“The possibilities are endless,” he said. “There are so many trusts, and foundations that are set up that have to give away money
every year.”

And he added, “I hope to see all of the Council people in NASCAR uniforms, with sponsorships all over their body.”

Council member Andria Tupola said the measure “really gives us a real pathway to bring in revenue, create partnerships and move our city forward.”

Representing the Leeward Coast, Tupola said her focus for sponsorships included approximately 400 acres of former Barbers Point Naval Air Station lands, also known as Kalaeloa, that the city officially took possession of in June.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration asserts that many in the public had asked for Kalaeloa to feature city parks and other recreational opportunities, including a racetrack.

“There is just no way we’re going to come up with the kind of funds that we need to create a sports facility or a racetrack,” said Tupola. “We are going to need to really rely on these community partnerships.”

Council Chair Tommy
Waters also supported Bill 4.

“And I just want to assure the public we’re not talking about renaming the Fasi Building or Honolulu Hale, but really we’re talking about things like … the basketball court at the Blaisdell Center, or the stage at the Tom Moffatt Shell, or … a sponsorship of the lawn at the Shell,” he said. “We’re just being creative and finding other ways of raising
revenues for our city.”

And alluding to a first-­reading measure he had
introduced at the same meeting, Waters quipped that sponsorship revenues could even be deposited in the city’s sewer fund to offset costs associated with the city’s pending 115% sewer fee hike.

In March the Council adopted Resolution 50, which urged the city Department of Enterprise Services to pursue the sponsorship of naming rights for Neal S. Blaisdell Center at 777 Ward Ave.

Typically, naming rights means the city may grant people or organizations the opportunity to have their names associated with a facility, such as a stadium or arena, in exchange for financial contributions.

As an example, the resolution notes that in 2020 the University of Hawaii and Bank of Hawaii entered into a 10-year, $5 million sponsorship agreement for the naming rights of the Stan Sheriff Center, now known as the SimpliFi Arena at
Stan Sheriff Center, at UH’s Manoa campus.

DES Director Dita Holifield previously told the Council her department was excited to pursue this revenue-­generating opportunity to improve the Blaisdell campus. But she also said that based on discussions with the city Department of the Corporation Counsel, existing city laws do not allow for the sponsorship of naming rights.

The Blaisdell Center, originally called the Honolulu International Center, was built in 1964.

CWRU Motorsports, the university’s Baja SAE team, had a record-breaking performance at the Arizona Baja SAE competition, earning first place in Design Presentation and first in the 4-hour-long Endurance race categories both first-time wins for the team. The team placed fourth overall out of more than 80 teams in a highly competitive field. Despite the challenge of competing in drastically hotter conditions than they’re used to in Cleveland, the team adapted quickly and pushed through to the finish.

When Kyle Larson is bouncing back and forth this week between North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis, he will be incredibly busy. Justin Allgaier is the substitute for the NASCAR Cup Series points leader, and Allgaier will practice and qualify the car. Hendrick Motorsports is skipping one thing, though.

Instead of having Justin Allgaier race in one of the two heat races that serve as qualifying on Saturday, Hendrick is skipping it. The No. 5 team will be a DNS for the heats. That means Kyle Larson will start the All-Star Race from the rear.

In 2023, Larson got a penalty that sent him to the back of the field after speeding on pit road. Well, he charged right back through it and took the win. However, that was on the old asphalt. It will be difficult to replicate on a more or less freshly paved surface.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported on the decision from Hendrick Motorsports. A bold move from the team. If anyone can do it, it’s Kyle Larson, right?

Larson is going to be doing practice sessions and then going into qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 this week. He has to balance that with being at North Wilkesboro and handling his NASCAR duties there.

Should Kyle Larson qualify for the Fast 6 and it causes any kind of issues with the All-Star Race, he does plan to make the NASCAR race over staying in Indy for qualifying. So, no matter what goes on at Indy this week, we will see Larson in the No. 5 car, at the back of the pack, on Sunday.

Kyle Larson wants $1,000,000 over the Indy 500 pole

There are few pole positions as special as the Indianapolis 500. It comes with prestige and at high risk. The speeds these racers are going to qualify at the top of the field are absolutely insane.

Even though the pole at Indy would be a massive deal, Kyle Larson knows where he would rather be – North Wilkesboro. There will basically be just over an hour between Fast 6 qualifying and the All-Star Race at Wilkesboro on Sunday. That is a tight window to make work.

If Larson makes the Fast 6 again, it sounds like he will just take P6 and move on to the All-Star Race. Not a bad idea.

“I think that I would miss the Fast 6 and go to the All-Star Race,” Larson explained to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports a couple of weeks ago. “It’s important to race in, it’s a lot of money on the line, so sure it’d be great to you know, have an opportunity to get the pole, but I’d rather race for a million dollars and start sixth [at Indy]. We’ll see. I mean, you never really know how it’s going to go. Gotta make sure our car’s fast enough to even worry about all that anyways.”

An Iowa motorsport race recently made USA TODAY’S 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards list as one of the best in the country.

With 10 raceways around the state and Iowa hosting high-profile races like the NASCAR Cup Series and Sukup IndyCar Race Weekend, it is safe to say Iowans have an affinity for motorsports.

Advertisement

So out of all the races in Iowa, which one in the state is one of the best in the country?

What Iowa motorsport race is one of the best in the country?

The NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals placed second in the Top 10 best motorsports races in the country, according to USA TODAY 10BEST.

The south-central Iowa race beat out the Dayton 500, Indianapolis 500 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix for Formula 1.

More: 15 sports-related things to do in Iowa this summer from marathons to baseball games

The only race ranked better than Knoxville’s is Sick Week in Orlando, Florida.

What is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals race?

First held in 1961, the race draws more than 20,000 spectators annually across four days in early August. Drivers earn points with every lap they complete, and the competitor with the highest point total at the end takes home $1 million.

Advertisement

The track was initially used for horse racing and is located on the Marion County Fairgrounds. The first automobile race was held in 1901.

When is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals Race?

The 64th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals begins Aug. 6 and runs until Aug. 9.

The current champion of the race is Kyle Larson, who has won the Knoxville Nationals in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Tickets are still available for all four days, and they start at $54.

More: Kyle Larson revels in time at Iowa Speedway, Knoxville Raceway during off-week

Register reporter Kate Kealey contributed to this report

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Knoxville Nationals ranked among the best motorsport races in U.S.

Hendrick Motorsports Shakes Up Crew After Kansas Pit Stop Blunder

In a shocking turn of events, Hendrick Motorsports has decided to shake up Chase Elliott’s crew following a critical pit road error at the Kansas Speedway. The 2020 Cup Series champion was on the verge of securing his playoff spot during the AdventHealth 400 when a late-race pit stop blunder dashed his hopes.

Despite starting the race weekend in ninth place, Elliott showcased an impressive performance, clinching runner-up finishes in Stages 1 and 2. The #9 Chevrolet driver even took the lead after a swift pit stop on Lap 169, dominating the race with 77 laps to go. However, disaster struck during a subsequent pit stop, where a mishandled carjack while changing the rear tire cost Elliott valuable time and pushed him back to 16th place.

To address this issue, Hendrick Motorsports has made a bold move by swapping the rear tire changer for Elliott’s team ahead of the upcoming NASCAR All-Star Race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The experienced Calvin Teague, who previously worked as Kyle Larson’s tire changer, will now join the #9 crew. Meanwhile, Chad Avrit, Elliott’s former tire changer, will transition to Justin Haley’s car.

Despite the setback at Kansas, Chase Elliott’s standings in the Cup Series remain unchanged as he gears up for the next points race in Charlotte, maintaining a strong fourth-place position.

The NASCAR community is abuzz with anticipation as North Wilkesboro Speedway, a historic venue revitalized in 2021 and 2022, prepares to host NASCAR events starting in 2023. With the NASCAR All-Star Race set to take place at the Bristol Motor Speedway, past winners like Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano are gearing up for the high-stakes event that promises a million-dollar prize to the victor.

In a recent statement, Chase Elliott expressed his excitement about North Wilkesboro Speedway’s significance in the NASCAR world, highlighting its proximity to Charlotte and the sport’s roots. Known for his stellar track record in the All-Star Race, Elliott’s positive outlook and commitment to excellence set the stage for an electrifying competition.

As fans eagerly await the upcoming NASCAR events, including the prestigious All-Star Race, Chase Elliott’s determination and adaptability position him as a formidable contender on the racing circuit. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as the NASCAR season unfolds.