'The Stinger' IndyCar brings in almost $1 million at auction to benefit sick children

"The Stinger," an ode to the Marmon Wasp, which won the first Indy 500, recently sold during auction for $900,000. All of the money raised will go to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Photo by WINDOW WORLD

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NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2017 includes first active team owners

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Panel votes in Benny Parsons, Mark Martin, Raymond Parks, active owners Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress The five men declared Wednesday afternoon to a NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte embody a former Sprint Cup champion, an underappreciated businessman who helped NASCAR gain financial traction in its early years, dual active championship-winning owners as well as a motorist whose resume doesnt embody a pretension of any kind.That group brings to 40 a number of racers enshrined in a attraction since it opened in 2010.Certainly a many popular member of a Class of 2017 is a late Benny Parsons. Inexplicably, a 1973 NASCAR champion languished 7 years upon a list whilst some-more new champions Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte as well as Dale Jarrett -- all of them living, by a way -- were voted in. Enormously respected as both a motorist as well as an award-winning broadcaster, Parsons won 20 poles as well as 21 races in 526 career starts. Among his successes: a 1975 Daytona as well as 1980 Coca-Cola World 600, plus victories during Bristol, Dover, Atlanta, Michigan as well as Ontario. He late after a 1988 deteriorate as well as became a broadcaster for NBC as well as TNT. He died in January of 2006.At a other finish of a familiarity spectrum is a late Raymond Parks. He was an Atlanta-area entrepreneur -- some of his businesses were legit, others may be a bit untrustworthy -- who helped NASCAR founder Bill France bankroll his new sports try in a late 1940s. The well-connected Parks was listed as team owners when a late Red Byron won a initial NASCAR Modified pretension in 1948 as well as when Byron won a initial Sprint Cup pretension a next year. Just as Parsons had done, Parks spent 7 years upon a ballot, leading many to fright he might never get in despite vital contributions that few fans would ever appreciate.The many controversial members of a Class of 2017 have been team owners Rick Hendrick as well as Richard Childress. Its not that they dont merit a honor; indeed, nobody in NASCAR approaches their organizations on-track opening over a past several decades. But both have been still active, accumulating poles as well as victories as well as office building their companys resumes upon a weekly basis. They have been a initial dual owners voted into a gymnasium whilst still active in a sport. Drivers for Hendrick Motorsports have won eleven Sprint Cup titles as well as three some-more in a Camping World Truck Series. Hendrick's Chevrolet-based Cup teams have total for 3,603 starts with 208 poles as well as 242 victories, many of them from Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Darrell Waltrip, Ken Schrader, Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Terry Labonte as well as a late Tim Richmond as well as Parsons. His Xfinity teams have won 23 races as well as his Truck Series teams have won 26. Most of Childresss success came with a late Dale Earnhardt. They teamed up in 1981, when Childress late midseason after a middling career as a driver. (Rudd gave Childress a initial dual of his 105 victories before Earnhardt came aboard for good in 1984).Childress as well as Earnhardt won Sprint Cups in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 as well as 1994. Richard Childress Racing, additionally a Chevrolet-based organization, additionally won Xfinity Series titles in 2001, 2003, 2006 as well as 2007 as well as a Truck Series pretension in 1995. All told, RCRs Cup resume shows 45 poles as well as 105 victories in 2,596 starts between upwards of a dozen drivers.Mark Martin is generally considered a many successful NASCAR motorist to have never won a championship during any level. He came close in Cup, finishing as runner-up five times, by usually 26 points in his closest bid in 1990. He additionally finished second in 1994, 1998, 2002 as well as 2009. All told, he won 56 poles as well as 40 races in 882 Cup starts (including dual Southern 500s), as well as additionally won 49 Xfinity Series races as well as 7 in a Truck Series. Most of his success came with team owners Jack Roush, who was additionally nominated for a Class of 2017.The late H. Clay Earles, founder as well as longtime president of Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, was declared winner of a Landmark Award for Lifetime Service to NASCAR. He won over Parks, Janet Guthrie, Ralph Seagraves as well as Ken Squier. Parsons appeared upon 85 percent of a 54 HOF ballots, followed by Hendrick during 62 percent, Martin during 57, Parks during 53 as well as Childress during 43. Robert Yates as well as a late Red Byron as well as Alan Kulwicki were sixth, seventh as well as eighth in a voting. The Class of 2017 will be inducted in January. By Al Pearce


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Where did Formula One's new phenom Max Verstappen come from?

A dream come loyal for immature Red Bull driver Verstappen streaks by upon his way to the first victory of his career. After the couple podiums in which stop/start first season, his careera few extraordinary performances aside (notably hauling the unimpressive Simtek as high as sixth in the 1995 Argentinian Grand Prix before retiring)reads similar to which of the journeyman. He should have achieved more, meaning Jos doesnt only know how formidable it is to translate ability into results, he has lived it.I had the bad luck which we was next to Michael Schumacher when we started in F1; we should have started in the lower team, says Jos. we came into F1 after two years in which we did about 50 races. Max will have done around 45, though he has done the lot some-more in the go-kart. He is better prepared, as good as the world has changed.In all kinds of sports, people have been younger. In F1, the cars have been completely different to the ones in my time, as good as the tracks have been different. When we done the inapplicable designation during the chicane, we was in the gravel trap; now when we brake as good late, there is pavement we can use as good as drive behind upon the circuit.I done as good most mistakes as good as we was compared to the best driver in the total world. But with Max, we have the longer deal, not only the one-year contract. So Max will get the time, as good as Red Bull will prepare Max the lot better. He can handle it. After climbing out of his car, Verstappen celebrates being the youngest driver to ever win the Formula 1 race. The elder Verstappen has been nurturing his sons bent for the long time, even forsaking his own racing career to focus upon it. Max started guidance in the kart during the age of only 4. Initially, it was only the fun way for the father as good as son to pass the time, though it soon became transparent to Jos which his son had the little serious talent.Given which Max doesnt only have racing DNA upon the paternal sidehis mom is Sophie Kumpen, who had the very successful karting careerit is perhaps no surprise which he had raw ability in abundance.Speaking with Jos during length about his sons development, though, it becomes transparent which nurture has played some-more of the part than nature.Its natural talent, as good as its education, he says. The way he overtakes is natural talent, though there have been things we have to do to understand which talent. You have to teach them, investigate overtaking, watch F1. He is regularly watching what to do as good as how to overtake. After the incident between Lewis Hamilton as good as Nico Rosberg in Barcelona, Verstappen wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity. Ill give we an example. He was winning the lot when he was young. At the time, we had standing starts, as good as people would put the bit of oil upon the clutch to have the better start. we didnt do that. we liked him to come out of the first corner in fourth because we wanted him to race. He regularly overtook easily, as good as although people were saying his engine was stronger, we consider it was due to keeping speed up in the corner.At times we told him, Youre not authorised to overtake upon the straight as good as which we cant overtake there or there. we wanted him to overtake in different places to make it hard for him.Gut reaction says this seems apocryphal, some-more about mythmaking than the truth. But look during Maxs career to date, as good as it rings true. In winning the CIK-FIA World KZ Championship kart title last year, Max had to battle his way up from third, whilst in F3 this season he has done the habit of overtaking in astonishing places.The quality of his education has shone through in every facet of his F3 debate opposite vastly some-more gifted opposition, to the point which most of his rivals regard him as the most intelligent in the field. The 19-year-old receives direction before to starting out as good as winning the Spanish Grand Prix. When Red Bull Junior Team boss Helmut Marko originally lifted the idea of the jump straight into F1, Jos claims to have been skeptical. But the some-more he suspicion about it, the some-more sense it made. Max is the driver who has been pushed as good as challenged consistently during his career; only winning was never enough. And whilst Jos during times has been the hard taskmaster, the fact Max has come through it so good to date suggests he is done of the kind of steel which wont buckle under F1s pressure.Working with him for so long, we have seen him do implausible things, says Jos. His ability is very high, as good as we really consider he can do it, though its formidable to say as the father because every father admires their son. But we have something really special, as good as we helped him, helped to create him, to push him as good as to be in the right equipment.The subject is perhaps not whether the 17-year-old can competition in F1. The subject is whether this 17-year-old can. Verstappen is certainly an exceptional prospect as good as possibly one of those rare, once-in-a-generation talents. By Edd Straw


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Google to run autonomous Chrysler Pacificas outside Detroit

Search giant paid for 100 minivan hybrids for testingGoogle plans to open the 53,000-square-foot operation in suburban Detroit to control further r&d for the companys self-driving automotive technology.Many of the stream partners have been based here, so carrying the local trickery will assistance us collaborate some-more easily as well as access Michigans top talent in vehicle development as well as engineering, the association pronounced upon Google+.Google pronounced it will be moving into the trickery in Novi, Mich., northwest of Detroit, throughout 2016.The association pronounced one of the first tasks will be operative upon the self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan project.Earlier in May, Google concluded to buy 100 plug-in hybrid Pacificas from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Crains Detroit Business, an associate of Automotive News, reported in Feb which Google was in the market for new high-tech space in the Detroit suburbs.Engineers will also be operative with local partners at the site.John Krafcik, who leads Googles automobile project, also tweeted about the proclamation today.At this years Automotive News World Congress, Krafcik pronounced finding partnerships was one of Googles priorities for 2016.We have been starting to need the lot of help, Krafcik pronounced at the time. And in the next stages of the project, were starting to be partnering some-more as well as some-more for sure. You can equate upon it.Google has run some-more than 1.5 million miles of tests upon its own driverless prototypes.The search engine association has the accumulation of ties to Michigan. Founder Larry Page is the native of East Lansing, Mich., as well as holds the bachelors degree from the University of Michigan."Google plans r&d center for self-driving cars in suburban Detroit" originally appeared at Automotive News upon 5/25/2016. By Jack Walsworth


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2017 GMC Acadia first drive: A lighter shade of crossover

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Newest GMC 3-row crossover is smaller, lighter as well as much, most betterIn 2007,GMCunveiled athree-row crossoverbuilt upon a then-new Lambda platform. DubbedAcadia, a newSuburban-lite shared a height with a likes of theBuick Enclave,Saturn OutlookandChevrolet Traverse. At a time, a Acadia was ideally excusable as well as supposing people with what they wanted: a comfortable, attractive three-row crossover.But by todays standards, nearly a decade on, a Lambda height is heavy. The outgoing 2016 Acadia tips a scales during 4,656 pounds in front-wheel-drive base trim, though jumps to 4,850 pounds when optioned with all-wheel drive.That heft requires a sole engine, a 281-hp DOHC V6, to work hard to transport itself around as well as it still feels similar to a dog.For a brand new 2017 model, GMC combined what a Acadia needs most: lightness. GMC claims a 2017 Acadia will tip a scales, in I4 FWD trim, during 3,956 pounds -- a whopping700 poundslighter. Some of a weight savings comes from dropping a base V6 in lieu of a lighter, of course aspirated 2.5-liter I4, though even V6 models have been more than 600 pounds lighter. The 2017 GMC Acadia sports a brand new height as well as a estimable weight loss. To get a weight off, GMC trimmed 7.2 inches off a sum length of a Acadia as well as used more aluminum as well as high-strength steel throughout. The shortened structure clips about 2 inches of legroom from a third row, as well as cuts storage behind a third row in half -- down from 24.1 cubic feet to 12.8. Total cargo space is down 37 cubic feet when compared to a outgoing Acadia, that equates to sports-equipment space can get scarce.In base trim, a Acadias interior is adorned often with plastic, with soft-touch materials placed strategically to improve comfort. However, if we can afford to spring for a top-tier Denali, youll be welcomed with plenty of leather.The 7-inch standard MyLink infotainment complement can be optioned up to an 8-inch screen for $495. New for 2017, a MyLink complement allows for third-party applications such as a Weather Channel app. There will be other apps, with a single operating similar to a automotive homogeneous of Foursquare, that tells your friends, as well as presumably GM, as well as presumably a little advertising partners, where we have been while you're in your car. The apps work fine, though dont add most to a Acadias cabin experience. The 2017 GMC Acadia sports a brand new height as well as a estimable weight loss. What's it similar to to drive?Imagine youre hauling a1962 Lincoln enginein a behind of your 2015 Acadia. Now take it out. Driving a 2017 Acadia feels kind of similar to that. The staggering weight detriment makes a of course aspirated 2.5-liter a viable option -- that is, unless we want to tow something. The I4s 194 hp during 6,300 rpm as well as 190 lb-ft during 4,400 is good enough to move around a car full of folks, though can usually tow 1,000 pounds. Acceleration from a 2.5-liter is predictably slow, though pleasantly linear.Stepping up to a 3.6-liter V6 will set we behind a fair amount of coin -- around $6,000 -- often because its usually accessible if we step up to a higher trim levels. If we can fork over a extra dough, youll get 310 hp as well as 271 lb-ft of torque, that is bumps a towing capability to 4,000 pounds. Unlike a entry-level I4, a V6 is ideally peppy, with clever acceleration from a get-go.Both engines have been mated to a six-speed hanging ornament converter automatic. The 2017 GMC Acadia sports a brand new height as well as a estimable weight loss. The Acadias underpinnings include of MacPherson struts up front, with a five-link eccentric rear suspension taking care of a back. The Denali trim turn can be had with an electronically controlled damping complement that helps keep a Acadia from feeling as well floaty, though that will set we behind another $1,200. Even without a electronic shocks, we wont find a Acadias body roll distracting until we make discerning changes or dive deep into a turn.Forward sightlines can be blocked while seeking around a turn, because of a massive A-pillars. The well-placed mirrors help with becoming different lanes, as well as eliminate any blind spots. The 2017 GMC Acadia sports a brand new height as well as a estimable weight loss. Do I want it?As far as three-row crossovers go, a Acadia has gone from a single of a heaviest accessible to a single of a lightest, undercutting even a newMazda CX-9that tips a scales during 4,054 pounds. Compared to a three-rowFord Explorer, a Acadia is around 400 pounds lighter. Cargo space is about a wash, with a Acadia's 79 cubic feet of sum space splitting a difference between Mazda's 71 cubic feet as well as Ford's more ample 81 cubic feet. The consummate refresh as well as drastic diet put a Acadia behind in a running in this ultra-competive class, though -- it's definitely worth putting upon your selling list. GMC AcadiaMSRP $30,975 SLMPG 17 / 24 City / HWYResearch GMC Acadia >


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Recall alert: 271,000 2013-14 Ford F-150 pickups need immediate brake inspection

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Faulty stop master cylinders coax stop of 271,000 pickup trucksFord Motor Co. pronounced currently which it is recalling scarcely 271,000 previous-generation F-150s after a three-month review by sovereign reserve regulators in to dozens of complaints about front stop failures as well as 9 crashes.Ford pronounced a problem involves fluid leaking from a master stop cylinder in to a stop booster, ensuing in reduced or no braking ability. Some owners who complained pronounced they could not stop even when dire a stop pedal all a way to a floor.Dealers will reinstate a master cylinder and, if there are signs of a leak, a booster, Ford said.Ford pronounced it knows of 9 crashes potentially linked to a problem though which none caused any injuries. One driver reported being injured whilst trying to stop though without being involved in a crash, Ford said.The influenced vehicles are equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine as well as embody 225,012 in a U.S. as well as 43,682 in Canada. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an review in to 33 complaints of stop failure in February. Since then, 74 some-more complaints about stop problems on a 2013 as well as 2014 F-150 have been posted on a agencys website.We have had 3 wrecks in this lorry from rear-ending people since a lorry would not stop or a pedal would go to a floor, reads a complaint submitted in March by an owner in Arkansas. we still own this lorry since we still owe a lot of money on it. we cant afford to get rid of it. So we just frequency ever expostulate it unless we have to.A complainant from Texas reported crashing in April since a pickup didnt slow down even though a witness reported seeing a stop lights come on.This is a first stop for a 2013 F-150 as well as a largest of 4 recalls for a 2014 version.Separately, Ford pronounced it was recalling five 2016 Lincoln MKX crossovers in a U.S. since one of a second-row seats was errantly fitted with a Chinese-market trim cover, restraint access to a child-seat tether anchor."Ford recalls scarcely 271,000 previous-generation F-150s after stop failures" originally appeared at autonews.com By Nick Bunkley, Automotive News


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It's 1972 and you need a cheap new family car right now. Fiat 128!

After the cross-country move in which the family Chevy outpost suffered the rollover, this 128 got my family back upon wheelsIn late December of 1972, not long after Richard Nixon pounded the crap out of George McGovern as well as the final Apollo lunar mission took place, my relatives decided to pack up as well as move from Minneapolis to the San Francisco Bay Area. This was some-more or less the spur-of-the-moment decision triggered by the California visit featuring the 100-degree Fahrenheit disproportion in outside temperatures between the dual places. They give up their jobs, sold the house, sold their cars, bought the mint 1973 Chevrolet Beauville van, as well as we all headed west. I was six years old.The outpost strike black ice as well as flipped over near Battle Mountain, Nevada. Nobody was hurt, as well as the Nevada Highway Patrol gave us the ride to the Reno airport, but there was the complaint when we reached the brand new home in California: no wheels, as well as thus no approach to hunt for jobs in the screwed-without-a-car Golden State. The Beauville would be fixed by the insurance association as well as delivered months later, but in the meantime my relatives needed the approach to get around. The solution: head over to J. Dunn Imports in Walnut Creek as well as buy the span of mint Fiat 128 sedans! This was the single of the cheapest 1973-model cars you could buy in America. Photo by Judy Greden I'd like to say which these efficient little sedans were good cars, but they fell detached flattering fast (in spite of their beautiful engine sounds); the yellow the single lasted until about 1975 as well as the green the single limped upon to 1977. However, they did get the job done, fit dual adults as well as three kids only fine, as well as their good fuel economy proved to be the godsend when the Arabs shut off the oil spigot the year later. The main thing the 128s had going for them, though, was which they were incredibly cheap, something which an industrial-equipment salesman as well as the nurse could afford to buy while between jobs as well as raising three kids. The 1973 Fiat 128 four-door sedan had an MSRP of only $2,299, versus $2,499 for the 1973 Super Beetle (which had only dual doors as well as the distant some-more primitive design, even considering the snazzy McPherson strut front suspension). Of course, the 1973 Civic hatchback (a distant higher machine, despite the lack of the four-door chronicle during which time) was only $2,250, but during which time Honda was well well known by most Americans as the motorcycle manufacturer as well as Honda cars were yet to be taken seriously. Not most photos of the Martin family Fiats exist. Photo by Judy Greden In fact, there were very couple of choices for four-door cars cheaper than the Fiat 128 in the United States during this time. You could get the stripper '73 Chevrolet Nova sedan for $2,407 or the '73 Plymouth Valiant sedan for $2,447, so the price disproportion versus the 128 was quite significant. If you were the masochist, you could pick up the brand new Plymouth-badged Hillman Avenger (known as the Cricket) for $2,017; the most better Mitsubishi-based '73 Dodge Colt sedan went for $2,437, but those Chrysler-badged import cars were old-fashioned front-engine/rear-drive machines with nowhere near the interior space of the 128. The front-wheel-drive, Mini-cousin Austin America would have been available for the mere $1,985 ('72 was the last model year British Leyland attempted to sell the ADO16 in the United States), but the Fiat was most some-more the well well known quantity. So, most of my first years as the brand new Californian was spent in breakdown-prone-yet-spirited Italian machinery. See, even Enzo Ferrari drove one!

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