People, Places & Racing News

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Racer's Equipment Warehouse, Perma-Cool Products, Sports Car Club of America Inc., SCCA Pro Racing, Car Guy Nation, QA1 and more.

Robert (Bob) Hirsch, president of the Aftermarket Foundation, has announced the appointment of William J. (Bill) Long, president and chief operating officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) to its board.

Loan Mart—a provider of speciality lending services—will be a partner with Team Lucas for the second straight season in 2013 with a sponsorship package that includes the Lucas Oil Modifed Series presented by Loan Mart, with Shelby Stroebel in the No. 24 car carrying the Loan Mart banner, plus a substantial presence in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.

News and updates and from SEMA's councils and committees. 

AMALIE OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS SET FOR EXCITEMENT: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville March 14–17 for the 44th annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 24 races in the 2013 season. The history and rich traditions at the annual East Coast opener have long made this race a strong draw for fans across the country, and for many, the Gators is a spring-break destination. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult. The Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which will be telecast on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD, will also feature the season-debut of the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Riders will be looking to knock defending series champion Eddie Krawiec off his title perch. Last year, Krawiec and his Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle teammate Andrew Hines dominated the two-wheel category by winning 15 of the 16 events contested during the season. 

Here is a brief look at some of news and updates from around the specialty-equipment industry. Companies featured this week: Illumaware, FMI Automotive, B.R.A.K.E.S., LeMay Museum, Maradyne High Performance Fans, Strattec and more.

LANGDON, C. FORCE, NOBILE TAKE SEASON-OPENING WINS: Courtney Force raced to victory in Funny Car last Sunday at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel) and Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock) also were winners at the first of 24 events in the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Force, 24, powered her Traxxas Ford Mustang past NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger driver Ron Capps with a pass of 4.025 seconds at 317.12 mph to earn her second career victory. In Top Fuel, Langdon, 30, drove his Al-Anabi Racing dragster to the win with his pass of 3.721 at 322.27, defeating seven-time champion Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team. In front of a hometown crowd, Langdon said his second victory is so much sweeter than the first. Nobile, 21, rounded out the youngest trio to ever share the podium at an NHRA national event by taking the Pro Stock title over Jeg Coughlin Jr. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

Holley has announced that Holley LS Fest 2013 will be held September 6–8. This will be the fourth year that Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, has been the venue for the all-LS celebration of performance and handling.

News and updates and from SEMA's councils and committees. 

"R U Faster Than a Redneck?" premieres Friday, February 22, with a special advance preview on the SPEED Channel immediately following the season-opening NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Daytona.