CANIDAE California Classic Coming Thanksgiving Weekend!

CANIDAE is the title sponsor of this weekend's CANIDAE Natural Pet Food Company California Classic Presented by MasterCraft Safety in conjunction with Lucas Oil and Toyota Speedway.

Racing will feature the touring pros of the SRL/SPEARS Southwest Tour and the two most popular west coast weekly series, Late Models and Super Late Models, competing in three events, Saturday November 27, 2010 in Irwindale, CA near Los Angeles.

In addition to sponsoring an exciting weekend of short-course racing, CANIDAE has arranged for Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue of La Habra Heights, CA to be present on practice day, the Friday before the races. CANIDAE has supported Fast Friends for many years in their ongoing efforts to find placements for greyhounds in need of a permanent home. Fast Friends will be on hand at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale on Friday, November 26 as race fans come to watch teams practice. Several greyhounds in need of a "forever" home will be on hand for race fans to meet. Fast Friends is a non-profit organization operated by Joyce and Tom McRorie.

Race fans will also be able to come see the CANIDAE Jim Dunn NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car close-up and talk with members of the Jim Dunn Racing crew. Jim Dunn Racing is owned and operated by legendary innovator, Jim Dunn. Having competed with drag racing’s elite for 60 years, Dunn is heralded as one of the most respected car owners and tuners in the entire sport. Recently named to NHRA’s Top 50 drivers list, Jim remains a fan favorite to this day.

Racers will be competing for over $50,000 in prize money... [read more]

CANIDAE Pet Foods Sponsors Lucas Oil California Classic at Toyota Speedway

CANIDAE is the title sponsor of the CANIDAE Natural Pet Food Company California Classic Presented By MasterCraft Safety in conjunction with Lucas Oil and Toyota Speedway. Racing will feature the touring pros of the SRL/SPEARS Southwest Tour and the two most popular west coast weekly series, Late Models and Super Late Models, competing in three events, Saturday November 27, 2010 in Irwindale, CA near Los Angeles.

Racers will be competing for over $50,000 in prize money. Adding to the excitement is the fact that the Lucas Oil Production Studios will produce a one hour show of the races for broadcast which will air on the Versus Network on December 26th at 4:00pm Eastern Time.

"This is a dream event that Bob Patison from Lucas Oil and I have been working on for some time now," said Toyota Speedway GM/VP Bob DeFazio. "We’ve both been very interested in bringing a special Friday/Saturday stock car event to the long Thanksgiving weekend, and, thanks to Lucas Oil, we’re on the way to what we both feel will become an important annual event." (read more)

CANIDAE Racing Will Attend the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo

CANIDAE Pet Foods and the CANIDAE Racing Team will exhibit at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Exhibition on October 9-10, 2010 at Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, California, bringing with them one of their Team CANIDAE Racing Vehicles. CANIDAE Natural Pet Food Company and CANIDAE Racing will share the message of Responsible Pet Ownership and offer samples and coupons for the complete line of CANIDAE Pet Foods products.

The 2010 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Exhibition offers fans the greatest collection of off-road companies, parts, equipment, gear, and experts ever assembled in America. From off-road racing to rock crawling, trail riding to sand sports, to motorcycles and ATVs, to camping and adventure travel, enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to meet and talk with the most knowledgeable people in the off-road industry, including the CANIDAE Pet Foods Racing Team.

Race fans and their families are invited to stop by the CANIDAE Pet Foods demo area, where free samples and coupons for the complete line of CANIDAE Pet Foods products including CANIDAE for dogs, FELIDAE for cats, and nutritionally complete Snap-Biscuit and Snap-Bits treats for dogs... (read more)

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods Pro Pulling Nationals Comes to Wheatland, MO on September 11, 2010

CANIDAE Pro Pulling Nationals
Sept. 11, 2010
Wheatland, MO

CANIDAE Pet Foods sponsors the only 2010 appearance of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and promotes message of Responsible Pet Ownership

The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League will make their only appearance of 2010 in Wheatland, Missouri for the CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods Pro Pulling Nationals. CANIDAE Pet Foods, a Lucas Oil Products marketing partner with its own growing list of racing interests that include the NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car of Jim Dunn Racing, the CANIDAE Sand Drag teams and the CANIDAE off road Trophy Truck, is title sponsor on the event taking place at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland on September 11, 2010.

“Our title sponsorship of this Lucas Oil Products event affords us another great opportunity to share our message of Responsible Pet Ownership and the CANIDAE product line to dedicated motorsports fans and pet owners," said CANIDAE Director of Marketing, Jim Mantych... (read more)

...and don't forget to mark your calendars for the Primm 300 race this Saturday. Team CANIDAE will be there live blogging from the race all weekend with reports and photos coming in directly from the Team CANIDAE crew. Live satellite tracking provided by Ion Earth. Visit www.canidaeracing.com to learn more.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series to Make CBS Debut Saturday

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series to Make CBS Debut – This Saturday – 5pm Eastern / 2pm Pacific

This Saturday, May 8th, the door to door, fender mashing action of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is making its CBS debut at 5pm Eastern Time (2pm Pacific). This premier national short course off road racing organization features eight hundred horse powered, purpose built trucks racing door to door on motocross style tracks. Highlighting action from Round Four of the Magnaflow Exhaust Off Road Nationals in Surprise, Arizona, the mile long course at the Speedworld facility features challenging terrain and action at every turn.... (read more)

About the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit LucasOilOffRoadRacing.com

Canidae Sponsored Geiser Bros Pro 2 Truck to Debut as Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Relocates Season Opener

CANIDAE Pet Foods/Geiser Pro 2 Truck to open season in Las Vegas instead of Lake Elsinore due to series venue change

Jeff Geiser and his CANIDAE sponsored Pro 2 truck team will head to Las Vegas in two weeks for the season opener of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series which has relocated the first event of 2010, March 6th and 7th, to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Lucas Oil Executive Vice-President, Bob Patison spoke on the move to the new facility in Las Vegas. “Due to recent unrealistic demands made by the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park management, the environment of the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park no longer remains conducive to providing the atmosphere for a first class event. We have taken great pride in developing spectacular venues for our fans and racers alike to showcase the excitement of our short course off road racing series. While failing to meet their commitments, the management of the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park has complicated our relationship to the point that we now feel the best course of action is to transition away from this venue as we pursue an alternative site in the Southern California region. We are grateful to the staff of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for assisting us in making this as smooth a transition as possible while we look forward to our first event at this fantastic new location.”

Kicking off the 2010 season, rounds 1& 2 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be held on a brand new, mile long, purpose built track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway featuring the highest banked turn on the Lucas Oil Off Road circuit. With its ten turns and giant table top, this technical track brings the high flying door to door exhilaration of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series to Las Vegas for the first time ever.

Ticket prices are $30/day for adults, $10 for children. Weekend passes are available for $50/adult and $15/child. Children three and under are admitted free. Reservations are now being taken for a limited number of on-site, trackside R.V. spaces available on a first come first serve basis. To secure a weekend R.V. spot at $200 please contact Crystal Liby crystal@lucasoiloffroad.com.

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods Teams Up With Lucas Oil Products

Corona, California (February 1, 2010) - Today it was announced that CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods has aligned itself in a marketing partnership with Lucas Oil Products and the far reaching motorsports properties that fall under the Team Lucas umbrella. No stranger to motorsports marketing, CANIDAE will add to its already impressive list of racing interests that include the NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car of Jim Dunn Racing, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki CANIDAE Pro Supercross and Motocross Team, CANIDAE Sand Drag teams and the CANIDAE Pet Foods off road Trophy Truck and Class 6 Truck.

"This connection with Lucas Oil Products provides us with the opportunity to share our message of Responsible Pet Ownership and the CANIDAE product line to the national and worldwide audience that is passionate about motorsports and their pets. Each of these individual series that Lucas Oil oversees provides unique and exciting racing and we can't wait to be a part of it," said CANIDAE Director Scott Whipple, himself a sand dragster record holder and co-driver of the CANIDAE Pet Foods Trophy Truck.

This comprehensive program will provide CANIDAE with a full slate of national grass roots racing event programming and on-site activation opportunities to complement their high profile motorsports endeavors. Along with fielding teams in many of the involved series, CANIDAE will be the Official Pet Food of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series.

"All of the folks at CANIDAE share our enthusiasm for racing," said Lucas Oil Products Executive Vice-President Bob Patison. He continued, "We are delighted that they see the wide ranging marketing opportunities that are created with this partnership and we look forward to working with them side by side to accomplish their goals."

About CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods

Founded out of love for pets and animals, CANIDAE Pet Food, Inc. manufactures and distributes a complete line of healthy, meat-based, holistic, all natural dog food, cat food, and gourmet pet treats sold worldwide through independent pet food retailers including over 7,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada. For the most recent information about CANIDAE and its line of healthy pet products, visit www.canidae.com

About Responsible Pet Ownership

In accordance with its philosophy of promoting Responsible Pet Ownership through proper nutrition and care, CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods is the title sponsor of the Responsible Pet Ownership blog which provides helpful tips and advice for caring pet owners. This daily RPO blog exists as a free service to all pet owners, offering articles from a range of professional pet authors on topics such as natural nutrition, training and exercise, veterinarian care, planned breeding, spaying and neutering, and supporting reputable breeders and rescue groups. Pet owners can subscribe to these informative daily articles at canidaepetfood.blogspot.com

About Lucas Oil Products

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes and problem-solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the number one selling fuel treatment and additive products manufacturer in America and Canada. Lucas Oil Products has long been directly involved in the American racing industry at all levels through multiple vehicle sponsorships and racing events.

For more information about Lucas Oil Products, please visit www.LucasOil.com

NHRA Hall of Famer Jim Dunn to Celebrate 75th Birthday at Houston's Spring Nationals

Team Owner/Crew Chief Participating in his 60th Year of Drag Racing

Where else would you expect a man in his 60th year of drag racing to celebrate his 75th birthday? At a drag strip, of course, and that's exactly what NHRA legend Jim Dunn will be doing this weekend as the team owner/crew chief takes his Canidae Racing Funny Car team to Houston for the 22nd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park on March 27-29.

On his actual 75th birthday on Saturday, Dunn will be turning the wrenches on the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy trying to qualify Jerry Toliver for his fourth race of the season. The Jim Dunn Racing team will feature a "75th Birthday" logo to commemorate the special day and historic season.

"I enjoy the races and the spectators are great," Dunn says. "That's my home away from home. I'm just glad that I'm still walking and still have the opportunity to tune this Canidae/Lucas Oil Funny Car. Anytime we go to the starting line we say we can beat the guy. I've always said that the day I go up to the starting line and say I can't beat him, I'll quit. Racing is racing."

Toliver and the Jim Dunn Racing team continue to make strides and are coming off of their best race weekend of the young season. Toliver made four full passes in qualifying the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy 12th at Gainesville and defeated Mike Neff in Round 1 for his first round-win of the year. Toliver looks to carry that momentum into Houston where he was runner-up to Tim Wilkerson in 2004 and runner-up to Bob Gilbertson in 2000. 

"I think our performance at Gainesville was definitely a step in the right direction and gives us some momentum going into Houston," Toliver said. "I don't care who you are, going rounds in Funny Car is tough. It was good to get a round-win there, and for this team with a new car and new driver to do it in such a short amount of time is impressive. We're starting to put the pieces together and we're getting closer."

Dunn, a pioneer in this sport as a driver, team owner and tuner, started his career as a competitor in 1950 when the popularity of drag racing was starting to move from the streets and began to take hold on local strips throughout Southern California. Over the years, he has accumulated numerous wins and performance records including a victory at the 1972 Supernationals in Ontario, Calif., a win at the 1981 World Finals in Irvine, Calif., and a runner-up finish at the 1981 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Dunn is also the only driver to win the prestigious March Meet at Bakersfield in both Top Fuel and Funny Car.

Since retiring from driving in 1990, Dunn's career has continued to flourish as a respected crew chief, technical advisor and car owner. He wrenched cars to numerous victories throughout the '90s including the 1997 Big Bud Shootout in Indianapolis, the 1998 Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, and the 1999 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. His most recent win as an owner/tuner came last July in Seattle with Tony Bartone behind the wheel of the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy. In 2001 Dunn was voted No. 27 on NHRA's list of the Top 50 Drivers of its first 50 years, and in 2006 he was given the great honor of induction into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. 

"Everybody asks how you can do this for 60 years," Dunn says. "I must just really love pain or I'm just really stupid (laughs). It's been good for me because I enjoy working on the cars. I enjoy listening to them and hearing them. I do it for myself because I enjoy it. When the car starts and does what you ask it to, that's the whole emotional trap right there." 

A one-hour telecast of qualifying coverage for the NHRA Spring Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Coverage on ESPN2 continues on Sunday, March 29, when NHRA Race Day will kick off eliminator coverage starting at 11:00 a.m. (ET), and concludes with three-and-a-half hours of final eliminations coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

Kirk Weeks

Toliver, Canidae Racing Team Ready for the Dry Heat of Phoenix

After a challenging, rainy weekend of drag racing at NHRA's season-opening Winternationals at Pomona (Calif.) two weeks ago, most teams should be ready for the desert sun at this weekend's 25th annual Lucas Oil Slick Mist NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway. Jerry Toliver in the Canidae/Lucas Oil Chevy Funny Car is certainly among those just wanting to make laps in his new ride. 

Toliver qualified 16th in the one and only qualifying session that set the field at Pomona and faced No. 1 qualifier Robert Hight in Sunday's first round. After more than four hours of rain delay and cooling temperatures, Toliver and Hight finally faced off with Hight getting the win light with an elapsed time of 4.159 seconds at 302.62 mph as Toliver's car lost traction and slowed to an 8.122 e.t. at 87.22 mph.

"We're very happy we qualified (at Pomona)," Toliver said. "You have to understand, (Sunday of eliminations) was only my second lap in the Canidae car. I've got a lot of things, personally as a driver, that I have to get comfortable with. You bond with a car and you know where everything is, and I'm still searching for stuff and trying to get comfortable, but that just comes with laps and we need some more laps. We're not frustrated by any means."

NHRA officials were able to complete only one round of eliminations on Sunday at Pomona before rain again interrupted action on the track. Ron Capps was eventually crowned the Winternationals Funny Car champ as he bested Jim Head when eliminations were finally completed on Tuesday.

Reinforcing the difficult conditions at Pomona was last year's primary championship contender and second-place finisher in points, Tim Wilkerson, failing to qualify for this year's season opener.

"It's going to be a tough class this year," Toliver said. "There are a lot of good cars out there. I've always said you've got to be in to win. Just qualifying is a feat in itself."

A two-hour telecast of qualifying coverage for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist NHRA Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 12:00 midnight (ET). Coverage on ESPN2 continues on Sunday, Feb. 22, when NHRA Race Day will kick off eliminator coverage starting at 12:30 p.m. (ET), and concludes with three hours of final eliminations coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. (ET).

Kirk Weeks