NEWS NUGGETS

PEDREGON GRABS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON; MASSEY FIRST WIN OF HIS CAREER IN CHICAGO: In similar fashion to so many previous title runs, Tony Pedregon grabbed his first win of the season at the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois—just one race past the halfway point for the regular season in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship.

Pedregon dominated all weekend, picking up the No. 1 qualifier Friday and Saturday and driving past Ashley Force Hood in the final round to pick up his second consecutive and fourth overall win at the track. The win also boosted Pedregon from the fourth to second spot in the point standings, just 58 points behind first-place driver Ron Capps. But the win wasn’t an easy one for Pedregon and his team.

“We had a lot of drama in our pits,” said Pedregon. “We had to change a motor, and once they were done with the motor, they were changing front tires. Our car was so good in qualifying, and it gave me a lot of confidence going into race day. It’s not often that I would say (Ron) Capps is going to have to be a pretty bad cat to beat us, but I really felt that with the way the car was running.”

In Top Fuel, Auto Club Road to the Future Rookie of the Year candidate, Spencer Massey, grabbed the first win of his Top Fuel career when he drove his U.S. Smokeless Tobacco dragster past runner-up Antron Brown in the final round. Though he didn’t pick up the win, Brown was able to leave Route 66 Raceway with the points lead in the class, just 18 points ahead of second-place Tony Schumacher.

Defending Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin continued his dominance of the class when he drove past runner-up driver Mike Edwards in the final round to pick up his fourth win of the season as well as fourth at Route 66 Raceway, while Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Guidera held off defending world champion Eddie Krawiec to grab his first win of the 2009 season.

NEXT STOP: UNITED ASSOCIATION NHRA SUPERNATIONALS IN ENGLISHTOWN: This weekend, the last leg of a three races in three weeks run comes to an end at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, for the 40th annual United Association NHRA SuperNationals. For many drivers, a trip to Englishtown is a trip back through drag racing history:

“The history at Englishtown is almost unparalleled. It’s a track that my grandfather performed very well at and had countless match races over the years. There are magic moments in everyone’s life and for me, one of the greatest magic moments was Englishtown when I won that first national event in my alcohol funny car and my entire family was there.”—Funny Car driver Bob Tasca

“There are NHRA race tracks that I consider PGA TOUR major championships, and Englishtown is one of them. Englishtown ranks up there with Indianapolis, Pomona and Gainesville; they are all places I used to read about as a kid, and I hoped that someday, I’d get to race there. Racing at Englishtown, and especially winning four times there, is definitely a highlight of my career.”—Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon

“I listened to my dad talk about racing in Englishtown for years. If you were a drag racing fan, you probably attended an event at Englishtown, it had and still has, a place of prestige on the NHRA circuit.”—Top Fuel pilot Brandon Bernstein

REICHERT SEALS JEGS ALLSTARS TITLE FOR DIVISION 3 TEAM: With his win in the Top Alcohol Dragster category, Bill Reichert was able to top off the win for the North Central Division team at the 25th annual JEGS Allstars event at Route 66 Raceway. Ben Wenzel Sr. (Stock) and Ricky Shipp (Super Street) picked up wins in there respective categories to help strengthen the points lead, but it was Reichert’s win that gave the Division 3 team that extra push past the defending champions from Division 1 for their sixth team win, but first in over a decade.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Frank Manzo continued his dominance and nearly pulled out the team win for Division 1 with his win, while Division 5’s Bruno Massel pulled away with the win in the Comp category. Division 7’s Greg Luneack (Super Stock) and Aaron Kinard (Super Comp) walked away with wins in their respective categories, while Division 1’s Mike Sawyer rounded out the competition with a win in Super Gas. For more information on the 25th annual JEGS Allstars event, visit www.nhra.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

UNITED ASSOCIATION NHRA SUPERNATIONALS, OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP RACEWAY PARK, JUNE 11–14: A historic event in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, all four categories will head to New Jersey for the 40th annual visit to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Chip Ellis (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA NATIONALS, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT MOTORSPORTS PARK, JUNE 25–28: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Norwalk, Ohio, for its third annual event. Defending event winners include Doug Herbert (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle). Norwalk is also the site of the K&N Horsepower Challenge Pro Stock bonus event.

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY, JULY 10–12: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads back to the Mile-High city for the 30th national event at Bandimere Speedway. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

EVERYONE REMEMBERS THEIR FIRST WIN: Top Fuel pilot Spencer Massey, who won his first event in Top Fuel at the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals last weekend in Joliet, Illinois: “This whole season has been a dream. I’ve been watching NHRA racing and wanting to drive a Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA since I was 4 years old and saw my first race. I watched Don Prudhomme win his last Top Fuel race in Dallas in 1994, and now he’s high-fiving me in the winner’s circle. That’s unbelievable.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

23: That’s the number of different drivers in Top Fuel that have won at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. Of the 23, only seven have won more than once at the historic track and out of that seven, Larry Dixon (2007, 2005, 2004, 1995) and Doug Kalitta (2003, 2000) are the only active drivers to have repeat wins at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA President Tom Compton, Coca-Cola North America Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing Bea Perez, Coca-Cola North America Director of Motorsports Marketing Ben Reiling and George Pyne, President of IMG’s Sports and Entertainment Group rang the Opening Bell today at the New York Stock Exchange? Drivers Antron Brown, Ashley Force Hood, Bob Tasca, Tony Pedregon, Eddie Krawiec, Morgan Lucas and Karen Stoffer also participated in this event and a fan fest was held in front of the NYSE.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

SEMA manufacturing members: Take advantage of a rare opportunity to experience the latest in CAD software, reverse-engineering tools and rapid prototyping by attending the first-ever SEMA Engineering Technology Expo on Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The expo will feature easy-to-use software design tools that help companies get products to the market faster using less manpower while minimizing capital investments—two key considerations in the current economic climate. You’ll network with CAD design, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping exhibitors and other SEMA manufacturing members whose representatives will share their real-world success stories.

The inaugural event will also include a measuring session featuring the 2010 Ford Mustang. Through SEMA Measuring Sessions, manufacturers can take the tape to the latest vehicle releases and gather specific data and measurements for product development.

The measuring session featuring the Ford Mustang and the Engineering Technology Expo are open only to SEMA manufacturing members free of charge. Space is limited, so sign up now!

What: SEMA Engineering Technology Expo
When: Wednesday, June 24, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: SEMA Headquarters, 1575 South Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765

For more information on the event, contact Oscar Munoz at 909/396-0289, ext. 211.

To RSVP for the event, contact Megan McKernan at 909/396-0289, ext. 125.

	The SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors highlights an afternoon of charitable giving and industry honors.

The second-annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors, rolls into Pasadena, California on August 1. The Drag Race is part of the SEMA Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser, a full day of industry honors and charitable giving beginning with the Show N’ Shine Car Show and culminating with the Installation Banquet honoring 2009 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Bill Perry, Rolan “Jeep” Worthan and Henry “Smokey” Yunick.

But it is the Pinewood Drag Race that captures most of the attention during the afternoon. Proceeds from race car sponsorships benefit children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp. Approximately $40,000 was raised for the two organizations during last year’s inaugural races.

For this year’s race, children from Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp built 250 cars, assisted by SEMA committee members, staff and even the fabrication team from West Coast Customs.

As part of its commitment to the Pinewood Drag Race, the Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is sponsoring two cars.

"ARMO is proud to support the efforts of the Pinewood Derby competition," said Laura Bergan, chair-elect of ARMO. "Our Select Committee members have all chipped in together. We've purchased two cars, and even though we have many talented car builders among our membership, we've opted to let the kids have some fun by building and designing our cars," said Bergan. "After all, that's what this event is about—helping the kids!"

Interested in sponsoring a car? Members that sponsor a child’s car will be the team owner and will race it under the child’s name. To sponsor a child, visit www.sema.org/derby.

The Pinewood Drag Race sponsored by eBay Motors will be held 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. on August 1, 2009, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

For questions about the Pinewood Drag Race and the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, contact Lisa Moreno at 909/396-0289, ext. 105 or lisam@sema.org.

	Established brands and first-time exhibitors make the SEMA Show a one-stop in the search for both classic and innovative products.

Joining an impressive list of growing first-time SEMA Show exhibitors is CFMOTO Powersports, a manufacturer specializing in scooters, motorcycles and liquid-cooled engines ranging from 50cc to 500cc. CFMOTO will be exhibiting in the new Powersports & Utility Vehicles section.

“While we have a great tradition of companies supporting the SEMA Show for more than 40 years, we are very pleased to welcome hundreds of new exhibitors each year,” says Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice-president of communications and events.

Priority space selections for 2009 SEMA Show exhibitors begin on Tuesday, June 16. Exhibitors were sent an email from Show Manager Chuck Schwartz earlier this week with their space selection day and time.

Exhibitors that did not receive their selection day and time and companies interested in exhibiting should contact Show Management at salesmgr@convexx.com or 702/450-7662, ext. 120.

View a complete list of 2009 SEMA Show exhibitors here.

Follow this link to register for the 2009 SEMA Show.