R Entertainment Taps Bryan R. Sperber as President

Former Motor Sports Executive Joins National Experiential Marketing Leader

Former ISM Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber

R Entertainment of Scottsdale, a special event, business development and concert entertainment company with projects nationwide, has tapped former ISM Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber, to serve as president.

Sperber is recognized as an innovative leader within the motor sports industry with a long tenure at International Speedway Corporation (ISCA), the publicly traded holding company of 12 NASCAR venues across the country, including the flagship Daytona International Speedway and ISM Raceway (formerly Phoenix International Raceway).

Sperber joined R Entertainment Dec 1.

Scottsdale, Ariz., based R Entertainment has a robust portfolio of lifestyle and concert events, and multi-day festivals with strategic partners across the country. Events include, for example, the 12-city USA TODAY Martha Stewart Wine & Food Experience culinary event series in partnership with Gannett, including MGM in Las Vegas; a national taco tour with COMCAST Spectacor, which manages more than 100 venues; a children’s festival series in conjunction with public television stations throughout the country; The Good Life Festival concert and lifestyle series with Shea Homes; and others.

“Experiential events like those by R Entertainment are gaining major attention, and this is an amazing time to join this remarkable team,” Sperber said. “The company is recognized for creating concert and culinary spectacles that mix interactive elements that patrons can make their own. R Entertainment is at the forefront of active entertainment experiences that are enjoyable, memorable and enriching for fans.”

Sperber began his 20-plus years in 1990, in a number of roles including serving as national sponsorship sales director of ISC and president of New York’s Watkins Glen.

For 16 years he led Phoenix International Raceway, now ISM Raceway, and concurrently served as chairman of the Los Angeles Auto Club Speedway for two years. At PIR, Sperber oversaw approximately $300 million in capital improvements that transformed the venue with a new grandstand, lighting for evening racing events, restaurants and bars, a state-of-the-art infield attraction and leading-edge technology.

A study of PIR by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business found that the venue had an economic impact of nearly $400 million annually in Arizona, the result of the venue’s annual schedule of races and major events that draw visitors from across the country.

Kerry Dunne, partner & cofounder, R Entertainment, said: “Bryan’s track record of business development and creativity is a rare mix and a great fit for the next phase of R Entertainment. We’re excited to have his leadership, business acumen and longstanding relationships as we continue to grow our brand of entertainment experiences.”

Reed Glick, partner & cofounder, R Entertainment, “What a wonderful addition to the team. Under Bryan’s leadership, we are excited for the future of R Entertainment. We have so many opportunities to capitalize on and happy to have him onboard.”

Sperber was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, serves on the Fiesta Bowl Executive Committee, and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO Gold).

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. NASCAR Silly Season Revving at Full Speed
2. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year
3. The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards were held on yesterday (11/28/18), at the Wynn Las Vegas
4. Police Chase Coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway
5. Nutri Chomps Backing Chase Briscoe for Start of 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season

NASCAR Silly Season Revving at Full Speed

Every week, it seems like there’s a new development in Silly Season for 2019.

Just because the racing has passed, there is no shortage of NASCAR News. Below is some of the buzz via Twitter.

Kurt Busch and Monster Energy announced that Kurt will pilot the No. 1 for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019. (No word where Jamie McMurray will land – however, Associated Press has reported that Chip Ganassi has offered McMurray driver a contract for just for the 2019 Daytona 500 and then a leadership position with the team.)

NEWS: @KurtBusch to drive the No. 1 car for @CGRTeams in 2019.

Details: https://t.co/4f9AoqfhY9 pic.twitter.com/WDJw3cjuM8

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 4, 2018

Noah Gragson won the prestigious 2018 Snowball Derby but not the heart of the trophy girl in victory lane. The driver attempted a kiss but was initially rejected. (It is rumored that the driver received his kiss and the model’s phone number later)

.@NoahGragson makes late-race pass, wins 51st annual Snowball Derby.

Recap: https://t.co/ioZFSfuJXr pic.twitter.com/RRVKCLGVdg

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 3, 2018

Carl Dakes won the 2018 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Dakes is a longtime volunteer with the Maryland-based ‘Believe In Tomorrow’ Children’s Foundation.

On Thursday, Carl Dakes was presented the @NASCAR_FDN's Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award.

Learn more about Carl's story and this prestigious honor: https://t.co/dcI7BJWmXo pic.twitter.com/2e8ReFIxty

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 2, 2018

DGR-Crosley announced that they have added Natalie Decker to their driver development program for the 2019 season. Decker will run a select number of NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series races as well as a combination of NASCAR K&N Pro Series and ARCA Racing Series events.

NEWS: @NatalieRacing to drive for @DGR_CROSLEY across three different series in 2019.

Details: https://t.co/c2Gtb87bRY pic.twitter.com/i8dFCzrPjb

— NASCAR Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) December 1, 2018

NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the most popular NASCAR driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series every year since 1956.

Three series; three fan-favorites.

Congratulations again to your 2018 #MostPopularDriver Award winners: @NoahGragson, @chaseelliott, and @Elliott_Sadler! pic.twitter.com/0WofVlQFl3

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 30, 2018

Bob Pockrass announced this will be his last season – he will not be covering motorsports for ESPN in 2019.

Look who’s sitting behind me heading to Indy, we need to keep this guy in our sport.....@bobpockrass #BobPics pic.twitter.com/VeSLBkWdG6

— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) December 4, 2018

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year
2. The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards were held on yesterday (11/28/18), at the Wynn Las Vegas
3. Police Chase Coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway
4. Nutri Chomps Backing Chase Briscoe for Start of 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season
5. Front Row Motorsports Adds Third Team for 2019, Signs Matt Tifft to Drive No. 36

Adam Stevens, Crew Chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's #18 Toyota Camry, is MOOG® 'Go the Extra Mile' Crew Chief of the Year

Stevens Earns MOOG Honor After Winning Five Weekly 'Go the Extra Mile' Awards in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ™ Competition

Adam Stevens, crew chief for Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing's MOOG®-equipped #18 Toyota Camry, is the 2018 MOOG "Go the Extra Mile" Crew Chief of the Year. The award, given to the crew chief with the best overall performance in advancing a team's competitive position during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™ season, was presented to Stevens during the NMPA Myers Brothers awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev. MOOG is a premium brand from Federal-Mogul Motorparts and the Official Steering and Suspension of NASCAR.

Stevens won a season-high five weekly MOOG "Go the Extra Mile" Crew Chief awards, which are presented to the crew chief whose car delivers the greatest improvement in average lap time from the first to the second half of a race while finishing on the lead lap. A total of 17 different crew chiefs earned the weekly award over the 36-race season.

"Succeeding with this team was inevitable, as it was through Adam's initial success as Kyle Busch's crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series™ that he was rewarded by moving up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, where they continued their winning ways and developed their chemistry," said Tim Nelson, director of motorsports for Federal-Mogul Motorparts. "Adam's engineering skills and on-the-spot decision-making earned him eight wins in 2018 alone, and pushed the team to become regular season points champion, qualified for the Playoffs, and advanced to the Championship Four.

"We congratulate Adam on his 2018 MOOG Crew Chief of the Year Award."

As the MOOG brand's Crew Chief of the Year, Stevens received a handcrafted MOOG ball joint trophy and $100,000 check from Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

The MOOG brand is the preferred choice of professional technicians and NASCAR crew chiefs. MOOG product engineers go the extra mile in developing innovative steering and suspension parts that provide superior performance, greater durability and easier installation. These benefits have helped drive the brand's unsurpassed success in NASCAR competition, with every NASCAR Cup Series champion for the past 53 seasons driving to victory with MOOG parts.

To learn more about MOOG parts, please visit www.MOOGparts.com contact your MOOG supplier. Like MOOG on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MOOGparts, follow MOOG on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/MOOGparts, or connect with the brand on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/MOOGparts.

Big congratulations to Adam Stevens, who just won the Go The Extra Mile Crew Chief of the Year Award! pic.twitter.com/Qmy8Ey5imr

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) November 28, 2018

About Tenneco

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of Ride Performance and Clean Air products and technology solutions for diversified markets, including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway equipment and the aftermarket, with 2017 revenues of $9.3 billion and approximately 32,000 employees worldwide.

On October 1, 2018, Tenneco completed the acquisition of Federal-Mogul, a leading global supplier to original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with nearly 55,000 employees globally and 2017 revenues of $7.8 billion. Additionally, the company expects to separate its businesses to form two new, independent companies, an Aftermarket and Ride Performance company as well as a new Powertrain Technology company, in late 2019.

About the Future Aftermarket and Ride Performance Company

Following the separation, the aftermarket and ride performance company will be one of the largest global multi-line, multi-brand aftermarket companies, and one of the largest global OE ride performance and braking companies. The aftermarket and ride performance company's principal product brands will feature Monroe®, Walker®, Clevite® Elastomers, MOOG®, Fel-Pro®, Wagner®, Champion® and others. The Aftermarket and Ride Performance company would have 2017 pro-forma revenues of $6.4 billion, with 57% of those revenues from aftermarket and 43% from original equipment customers.

About the Future Powertrain Technology Company

Following the separation, the powertrain technology company will be one of the world's largest pure-play powertrain companies serving OE markets worldwide with engineered solutions addressing fuel economy, power output, and criteria pollution requirements for gasoline, diesel and electrified powertrains. The powertrain technology company would have 2017 pro-forma revenues of $10.7 billion, serving light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway and industrial markets.

Source: PR Newswire

🏁 🏆 Last Five Posts 🏆 🏁

1. The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards were held on yesterday (11/28/18), at the Wynn Las Vegas
2. Police Chase Coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway
3. Nutri Chomps Backing Chase Briscoe for Start of 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season
4. Front Row Motorsports Adds Third Team for 2019, Signs Matt Tifft to Drive No. 36
5. Auto Club Speedway Gets in the Holiday Spirit