Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Motorsports professionals will be able to hear the colorful racing stories behind one of the most popular rivalries in racing at the PRI Trade Show Grand Opening Breakfast, as Don "Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "Mongoose" McEwen join MAVTV's Dave Despain on stage. | |
Snake & Mongoose to Join MAVTV's Dave Despain on Stage at PRI Trade Show's Grand Opening Breakfast
The Grand Opening Breakfast at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show will feature special appearance of two of the biggest names in drag racing's storied history—Don "Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "Mongoose" McEwen—on the morning of Thursday, December 11, 2014.
With 49 career victories, Prudhomme ranks sixth in NHRA history for most wins. Beginning his driving career in 1962, he was the first driver to win the NHRA series title four consecutive times. McEwen is listed as number 16 of the 50 most significant drivers of NHRA's first 50 years, winning five NHRA national events.
McEwen started racing in 1953, and received the nickname the "Mongoose" in 1964 from engine builder Ed Donovan as a way to promote Funny Car match races against Prudhomme. McEwen's promotional abilities evolved into a 1969 deal with Mattel's Hot Wheels toy line that become one of the biggest, most successful national promotions in racing history.
The Hot Wheels promotion of Prudhomme's Plymouth Barracuda and McEwen's Plymouth Duster was so big, and made such an impact on so many children at the time, that Mattel organized a two-day, 35-year anniversary celebration in 2005. The original Hot Wheels Snake and Mongoose toys are now highly sought-after collectibles.
A film on the two Southern Callifornia drag racers came out in 2013.
"We're honored to have Don Prudhomme and Tom McEwen as our special on-stage guests at the Grand Opening Breakfast," said John Kilroy, producer of the PRI Trade Show. "In addition to their skills as racers, they were responsible for a promotion that started countless boys, as well as girls, dreaming about becoming drag racers.
The Grand Opening Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, December 11, 2014, with doors set to open at 7:00 a.m. It will be held in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center.
 Jason Voss finished in first place in the Best In the Desert race. | |
Kroyer Racing Engines Brings the Heat to the Baja and Nevada Desert
Kroyer Racing Engines swept this past June's BAJA 500 Trophy Truck podium and had five drivers finish in the top six: 1st – Bryce Menzies (8:51:50), 2nd – Jason Voss (8:55:17), 3rd – Jesse Jones (8:57:21), 4th – BJ Baldwin (9:04:58), 6th – Luke McMillin (9:19:58)
In the Best In The Desert, Kroyer Racing Engines Trick Trucks finished three out of the top five for this year's race: 1st – Jason Voss (8:29:28), 4th – Steve Strobel (8:56:00), 5th – Jesse Jones (8:58:24).
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORS) is running down the final stretch of the season and with rounds 11&12 this weekend in Sparks, Nevada.
Jeff Gordon and No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS Win in Michigan
Axalta Coating Systems and driver Jeff Gordon got another win at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), August 17. This is the third win of the season and the 91st career win for the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Record-breaking speed led Gordon to capture a second pole position of the season, making it his sixth at MIS and his 76th career pole.
 Bubba Burger will serve as the primary sponsor on Sarah Burgess' Chevrolet Sonic Red Bull Global Rallycross car. | |
Sarah Burgess, Bubba Burger Team Up for Red Bull Global Rallycross Daytona
Sarah Burgess and her team BMI Racing have officially teamed up with Bubba Burger, which will serve as the primary sponsor on Burgess' Chevrolet Sonic Red Bull Global Rallycross car at round 6 of the Red Bull Global Rallycross Series being held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach Florida, August 22–23. After dealing with a variety of setbacks in the first half of the season, Burgess and her team have regrouped for the second half of the season and are ready to fight back.
Banning Motorsports Triumphant at the 2014 BITD Vegas To Reno
In the 2014 Best In The Desert (BITD) Vegas to Reno series 10 class, Banning Motorsports' Lee Banning Sr. piloted the #1023 car to a third-place finish, while Hayden Melton, behind the wheel of the 1178 car, crossed the finish line and onto the podium to claim the win.