Introduction: Teams asked for everyone to participate in registration.
It allows the series to promote and thrive. Registration is free.
Xcel Site 2023 Refresh
Version one of the Xcel Chassis refresh was a welcome update by many of the competitors. Prior to the 2022 season information was pretty much word of mouth and if you were in the close proximity you may have gotten the correct information.
After 10 years of being associated with the Xcel Modifieds, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish so I set to it.
Although by most accounts it was an improvement in most every way the development was done in stages and it got a little messy. The sticky widget was quite literally the word press function was separated from the custom dynamic (database) driven points system.
Watching the page hits, listening to your feedback and balancing time invested and the ability for someone else to manage if I someday need to pass this on led me to what the new version two looks like now.
2023 Goals and Accomplished Tasks
Here is the summary of many of the changes that I have implemented.
- New format for navigation broken into Xcel Chassis and Xcel Modified Series
- Short preview of a function (like say NEXT EVENT) and a button to the rest of the information
- Intertwined the database pages into embedded word press pages so the site has one type of navigation and no separation between the two types of pages. (Proud of this one – it was a lot of work)
- Simplified Navigation by using the breadcrumb feature and offering navigation just down from the top of the page to get back from where you came.
- Weather Status Light right on the front page.
- Buttons everywhere for those on mobile so they do not have to try to press a link.
You will see multiple add-ons and changes as I kick the tires during the preseason weeks. Some functionality is still not added, but I figured that it was far enough along to put it out there and let the masses give me feedback.
If you only view it on a phone, please try to see if on a monitor of some size bigger. I realize for quick information we all rely on our phones, but as far as websites go it is beyond my pay grade to maximize so many aspects of this thing for a phone so there has to be some give and take. Isn’t interesting that we call it a phone when anymore the phone part of it is just a fraction of what we do with it. 🙂
On that note, if you see errors or want to comment, please use the contact us link to send me a message. I appreciate any feedback good or bad.
This Week: Xcel Modified Season Update May 2022
Earlier this year we talked about a video series to bring some variety. While picking up a new gear for the bent up racer, I took the opportunity to get Mr. 365 (always in the shop – practically every day of the year) Doug Borger to stop a bit and discuss many things Xcel.
In this video:
- Registration discussion
- Season Winners including tour and weekly
- Transponders and seals including non-sealable motors
- Hamlin caution vs green flag laps discussion including great car count
- Drivers meeting scheduled for Xcel Drivers
- Schedule details
- Linda’s 50-Lap race has some new information that involves a racing legend family and possibly the biggest purse the Xcel has ever seen!
- Redraw challenge discussion
- New life for chassis number 4
- 3/4 car update
Fuel System Safety Notice
This season there was an incident related to fuel/fire safety early May 2022 in Iowa.
First: Help for one of our own
Troy Anderson was injured in a fire related crash. After reading from his facebook page, he is in the process of recovering from those injuries including his hands and back.
If you would like to help in his recovery, there is a GoFundMe link, and we are quite sure all donations will be incredibly appreciated.
Special thanks to C.M. Dugan (Facebook Mid-West Division) for the initial information being posted about this.
All teams are advised to review/remediate your fuel systems immediately.
Split Fuel Line
This image shows a fuel line that was replaced recently, but not the correct strength to handle the pressurized fuel system that the engines require. The line split and allowed fuel under pressure to spew starting a fire (that thankfully was quickly extinguished) by the safety crew, but still resulted in an injury to the driver.
The team unknowingly replace the line with new line (that was the same as what was on the car when they purchased it). What they were not aware of is that we use fuel line designed to withstand the high pressure fuel system.
This is not the first fuel related injury, and it is important that we all review our cars for safety in regard to the lines and connections.
If you look at the image for the title of this article note that it shows how to properly fit a fuel line to the fuel rail system. The practice of hose clamping is technically illegal (do to the last fire incident) but more importantly dangerous and must be avoided.
This is the correct fitting: Russell Performance 640863 Russell Fuel Rail Fitting Adapters | Summit Racing
You can purchase these from Xcel Chassis if you choose, but they are a requirement.
Some have used braided line, but more importanly, the rules specifically say ONLY BLUE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE*
*After speaking with Doug Borger, he asserted that braided lines are okay, but much more costly. He will allow them but prefers the blue line for ease of recognition.
In addition, MAKE SURE you have a check valve on the breather at the top of the fuel cell. It is there in the event of a roll-over crash and required as of 2022 in all Xcel Modifieds.
It is always time to do a safety review. When you check the other boxes – look for those safety concerns next.
Finally, please review your fire safety gear that you wear and DO NOT SKIMP on wearing those undergarments. Holes and missing items can have a profound impact on your protection level.
The warm weather of summer makes us all weigh in on comfort vs. safety. Please be uncomfortable, but safe.
Xcel Chassis wants this area to be a place where Xcel Modified Teams can come and get information directly from the source. As this area is realized, we hope to make it the place for us to put out information, notices and official responses to anything Xcel. All we ask is that you stop here and look at the new stuff regularly.
That doesn’t mean that we will stop on Facebook or other social media, but that this is intended to be the place (especially for those who aren’t on social media) for everyone to get the message the way it was intended. Please tell people about this area – Thanks in advance!
Weather App Comes to Xcel
One of the primary things Xcel is focusing on is being able to communicate with the masses in a quick, painless method that will let everyone see the same thing at the same time.
When it comes to that day where there are forecast thunderstorms, we all look to the sky and wonder if the night is work out.
The truth is no one is going to answer that question, it could literally be raining (or snowing) in turn 3 and the rest of the track is fine.
Nothing makes a weather cancellation good, but now at least there is potential to know as soon as someone of authority does.
The app (if that is what you want to call it) is browser displayed, but designed to work on all size screens including a mobile device.
To view it, visit THIS LINK
Couple things to know, there are some lights that may not be obvious.
- Green = All good to go, no weather
- Red = Cancelled – Though there might be message below it about makeup
- Yellow = We are watching the forecast because of potential for bad weather
- Red/Yellow = Some type of weather happened, awaiting word on outcome
The address is simple to remember: weather.xcelchassis.net, but we suggest you use your browser on you mobile device to put an icon directly on you home screen somewhere for easy access.
A couple YouTube videos will show you how to do that for both types of phone. They are located at the bottom of the page.
Xcel Chassis wants this area to be a place where Xcel Modified Teams can come and get information directly from the source. As this area is realized, we hope to make it the place for us to put out information, notices and official responses to anything Xcel.
That doesn’t mean that we will stop on Facebook or other social media, but that this is intended to be the place (especially for those who aren’t on social media) for everyone to get the message the way it was intended. Please tell people about this area – Thanks in advance!
What is the gear at [insert track name here]?
Almost weekly there is a request on the Xcel Facebook page of someone asking for the base gear for a given track.
Teams are always quick to respond, and the racer has never been left in the lurch that we know of.
You can help: Read on to find out how
We are looking at checking things off the box and this week we found this task on our list, so we are checking it.
Doug provided information on his charts, and I painstakingly typed them into a table for both the Yamaha and Suzuki programs.
The Suzuki one is fair as far as completion but could use some help. I am waiting to get to our race car trailer (at Korey’s House) to get the Yamaha information we have.
If you have a default gear that isn’t crazy off the norm, please email it me at keith@xcelchassis.net and I will update the missing table information.
Here is a link to the XCEL GEAR CHART PAGE. It isn’t in the rotation yet so the only way to get to it is right here.
Help: Xcel Seal Information
Part of registration is to have your Xcel Seal information posted.
Many are not clear on what that means so on a recent trip to the Xcel Chassis shop, we took a few images to clear things up.
CPU Serial Number
The CPU serial number is in the corner and it is not a sticker, but STAMPED into the plastic casing
example: The CPU serial number for this image is SN9178
Xcel CPU Seal Sticker
This is required on and Xcel Chassis CPU. It is the barcode sticker and you are responsible for submitting the ID number for this sticker.
example: the Top sticker number here is 1036101
Xcel Motor Seal Number
The Xcel Chassis Motor Seal is on both the Yamaha and Suzuki motors. It is inserted into the top of the motor and will feature this blue seal. You are responsible for listing the seal number.
example: The top number seal in this image is 6786851
Motor Serial Numbers
There is another post dedicated to how to identify and report serial numbers for both the Yamaha and Suzuki motors LOOK HERE to view that post
Help: Registration Serial Numbers
Registration is on-going and many have asked where they can locate the serial numbers.
To help, we have these two images that will help you narrow down where you are looking.
We realize that your motor is in the car, but hopefully it is clean and easy to get the numbers since most have been in the shop working on cars at the time of this posting.
HERE IS A LINK to the page where registration starts. PLEASE read the list and make sure you have all the parts prior to opening the form..
Suzuki Motor Serial Number
Yamaha Motor Serial Number
Xcel Seal Information
There is another post dedicated to helping you find the numbers on Xcel seals and the CPU serial number. LOOK HERE
Fire suppression systems – an update
The end of 2021 rules meeting it was discussed that teams are slated to have a fire suppression system onboard for and Xcel Modified.
Those systems will be standard on the new 3/4 modified for 2022, but Xcel has determined that the system will be not mandatory until 2023 for the Xcel Modified Series cars.
Teams are strongly encouraged not to wait until it becomes a mandatory rule and purchase the system (at a reduced rate) from Xcel for the 2022 Xcel Modified season.
Xcel has secured a number of fire suppression systems at an incredible discounted price for teams to purchase.
Each system is priced at just $250. The are available for purchase on a first come first serve basis and there isn’t any guarantee that the price will not increase with the next order.
What is “This Week…”?
This Week… is an area of the site dedicated to putting out information, so everyone has the same information right from the source.
Information such as changes, news & updates will be listed here.
We want all teams to stop by here during the week and especially on race day to get any updates on what is happening. For our part, Xcel Chassis will do what it can to place information here worthy of your return.
Short articles do not require you to use the SEE MORE button, but longer stories only show the beginning or an excerpt. To see the post on its own page, click the SEE MORE button.
Your participation is something we could all benefit from. If you would like to contribute articles or information on anything Xcel related perhaps, we could set up a spot here for your input. Feel free to contact us if you would like to be a part of this.