The IMIS Safety & Technical Conference helps kick off the fourth annual IMIS, the United States’ premier hardcore racing tradeshow, conducted each year at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis and owned by Chris Paulsen, owner of C&R Racing, Jeff Stoops, president of Stoops Freightliner, and three-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.
From car builders to tire manufacturers to parts suppliers, every aspect of motorsports is represented at IMIS, which has a lifetime contract with the City of Indianapolis and reserved show dates through 2017. Attendees come from all levels of the sport and will do so once again this year from Dec. 6-8. From NASCAR team owners to weekend road racers, IMIS attracts motorsports professionals from around the globe.
“I’m honored to give the keynote address at the IMIS Safety and Technical Conference,” Evernham said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re racing in NASCAR or Formula 1 every weekend or just racing a street stock at your local track – you’re always looking to make your car faster and safer. And that’s what the IMIS Safety & Technical Conference is all about, providing information and advice from the best minds in the world so racers can find more speed and always be on the cutting edge of safety innovations.”
Evernham, who hails from Hazlet, N.J., is known as one of the most innovative minds in all of motorsports. He started out as a driver, racing Modified cars, before being hired as a chassis specialist for the prestigious International Race of Champions (IROC) series. From there, he quit driving full-time and went to work as a crew chief in NASCAR. There, he was paired with a young Gordon, first in 1992 at Bill Davis Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and then in the Sprint Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports, where he and Gordon won three titles and 47 races from 1993 to 1999.
In 2001, Evernham was tabbed to help Dodge return to NASCAR for the first time since the 1970s and Evernham Motorsports was formed as a two-car Dodge-affiliated team. The outfit was highly successful, producing several wins with drivers Bill Elliott, Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield, until Evernham sold the team in 2007. Since then, Evernham has worked as an analyst for ESPN, remained a close advisor to Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, and continued his driving career, including participating annually in Stewart’s Prelude to the Dream charity dirt Late Model race at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. He also owns and operates East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley, N.C.
“Ray Evernham is an incredible addition to the IMIS Safety & Technical Conference,” Paulsen said. “I’ve known and worked with Ray for several years and his knowledge of all aspects of motorsports is second-to-none. He’s been successful as a crew chief and an owner at the top level of motorsports, but he also understands and is an integral part of grassroots racing, especially with his ownership of East Lincoln Speedway and his occasional driving. He understands safety from a driver, crew chief, owner and track operator stance and that’s why he’s the perfect choice to give the keynote address to the IMIS Safety & Technical Conference.”
A list of presenters and presentation topics is routinely updated at www.imis-indy.com as they are added.
Attendees who register before Nov. 6 will save $55 on a two-day ticket or $45 on a one-day ticket. To register, visit www.imis-indy.com and click on Conference under the IMIS Events tab. The two-day conference ticket is $250 at the door, or $195 before Nov. 6.
