By SEMA Editors

MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV will broadcast the 30th running of the world-famous Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire.

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Broadcast on MAVTV, LucasOilRacing.TV

MAVTV and the new LucasOilRacing.TV will broadcast the 30th running of the world-famous Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire. Through the channel and app, viewers can watch the three-hour finals Saturday night, January 16, starting at 8:30 p.m. (ET) from the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With the number of entries already topping 335, including 24 U.S. states, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the world's largest indoor race is on course to set driver and team records.

Lucas Oil Racing TV launched through its website www.LucasOilRacing.TV on January 1. The Chili Bowl broadcast will be available live to racing fans worldwide and roll out on devices as app development completes. Currently, apps are in development for AmazonFireTV, Amazon Kindle Fire tablets, Android TV, Android Tablets, Apple iPads and Roku.

Facelift Planned for Kentucky Speedway

Earlier this week, Kentucky Speedway officials announced that the facility is undertaking a comprehensive renovation of its racing surface, which is highlighted by increased banking in turns one and two, and further includes drainage improvements, additional SAFER barrier and repaving of the entire 1.5-mile tri-oval.

Work has begun and will be completed in time for this year’s NASCAR triple-header weekend in July.

Mickey Thompson Renews Sponsorship of Yamalube Team for 2016

Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha Team.

Mickey Thompson has renewed its sponsorship of the champion Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha team for 2016, beginning with the team’s first AMA Supercross event scheduled January 9. This exceptional team of professional athletes is well known in both Supercross and Motocross. For the second year in a row, 21-year old Jeremy Martin recently won the 250 class Pro Motocross Championship title, alongside his teammate, 18-year old Cooper Webb who won the West Coast Supercross Championship title. An ecstatic 18-year-old Aaron Plessinger earned the prestigious 250 class Rookie of the Year title in both Supercross and Motocross.

This year’s team welcomes newcomers Alex Martin and Mitchell Harrison. The AMA Supercross season begins this Saturday (January 9) at Anaheim’s Angel Stadium.  

By SEMA Editors

CARS Inc. will celebrate its 40 years in business at both of the company’s Open House events in 2016.

CARS Inc. Celebrates 40 Years in Business

The arrival of 2016 heralds several anniversaries important to classic Chevy enthusiasts. It marks the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Chevrolet, the 50th anniversary of several great 1966 Chevy models, and the 40th anniversary of CARS Inc. selling quality restoration parts, interiors, pieces and accessories for classic Chevy cars and trucks.

A celebration of the company’s 40 years in business will be held at both CARS Inc.'s Open House events this year. The Open House at the company’s Rochester, Michigan, headquarters and manufacturing facility will be June 4, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. The event at the California store August 7, from 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. For additional information, visit www.CARSinc.com.

USPS to Release 2016 Stamps Featuring Classic American Trucks

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has introduced four Forever stamps featuring iconic truck models. The specific release dates for the stamps will be announced at a later date. The stamps will feature the following:

• The strong, sturdy, 1938 International Harvester D-2 had a distinct barrel-shaped grille and its elegant styling mirrored the look of luxury automobiles of the era.
• The 1953 Chevrolet featured large windshields and provided drivers with excellent visibility, a distinctive curvy grille that bulged in the middle and a six-cylinder engine.
• The 1948 Ford F-1 included features like the roomy “Million Dollar Cab,” a sharp, horizontal five-bar grille and a six-cylinder engine.
• The 1965 Ford F-100 had a new grille that featured 18 small, rectangular openings. It also featured what Ford dubbed “Twin-I-Beam” independent front suspension.

1938 International Harvester D-2

'53 Chevrolet

'48 Ford F-1

'65 Ford F-100

Illustrator Chris Lyons created the artwork under the direction of Antonio Alcalá.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

SEMA’s Middle East Business Development Conference is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export.

The state of California recently announced that it is making funds available to SEMA to help members defray the cost of exhibiting at the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first 12 qualified California companies will receive the funds. The SEMA Middle East trip is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export. Program fees include a turnkey booth in the SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers and shop tours, among other activities. Hotel and all meals are also covered by program fees.

The newly announced funds are being made available as part of the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, a pilot export development program authorized by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The program, funded by money from the federal government and the State of California, is designed to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that are exporting, and increase the dollar value of exports by those small businesses. The program is being administered locally by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The State of California funds are in addition to the $900 in funds and technical assistance available to qualified firms through SEMA’s longtime partnership with the federal International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award. Those companies who self-certify as eligible for the federal funds would also be eligible for the state funds.

More information on the trip is available at www.sema.org/middleeast or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s International Director, at lindas@sema.org.

Register now! Interested in receiving the State funds? The first step is to be the first to register for the SEMA Middle East trip.

Want to confirm that the slots haven’t been filled? Have questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

By Linda Spencer

SEMA’s Middle East Business Development Conference is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export.

The state of California recently announced that it is making funds available to SEMA to help members defray the cost of exhibiting at the SEMA Middle East Business Development Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first 12 qualified California companies will receive the funds. The SEMA Middle East trip is designed to provide members with a low-cost, efficient way to explore markets the association has identified as promising for export. Program fees include a turnkey booth in the SEMA section of the Custom Show Emirates, networking events with pre-vetted buyers and shop tours, among other activities. Hotel and all meals are also covered by program fees.

The newly announced funds are being made available as part of the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program, a pilot export development program authorized by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The program, funded by money from the federal government and the State of California, is designed to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that are exporting, and increase the dollar value of exports by those small businesses. The program is being administered locally by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

The State of California funds are in addition to the $900 in funds and technical assistance available to qualified firms through SEMA’s longtime partnership with the federal International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) award. Those companies who self-certify as eligible for the federal funds would also be eligible for the state funds.

More information on the trip is available at www.sema.org/middleeast or by contacting Linda Spencer, SEMA’s International Director, at lindas@sema.org.

Register now! Interested in receiving the State funds? The first step is to be the first to register for the SEMA Middle East trip.

Want to confirm that the slots haven’t been filled? Have questions? Contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

The SEMA Cares/Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler JK will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27.

By Jason Catullo

The Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited donated by Omix-ADA to SEMA Cares and displayed at the 2015 SEMA Show, will be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson on Wednesday, January 27. The Jeep, which is customized with Rugged Ridge products, was designed by Arianny Celeste, LFTD & LVLD magazine, Rugged Ridge, SEMA Cares and built by DUB Garage.

Celeste, best known for her work as a ring girl for the UFC, also co-hosts the automotive reality TV show “Overhaulin’,” which features a team of builders completing a custom car or truck in just a matter of days.

The custom Jeep marks Omix-ADA’s third partnership with SEMA Cares over the past three years.

To read more about the Jeep and its full list of custom upgrades, visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

The SEMA Cares Committee was established by SEMA’s Board of Directors in 2007 and strives to make a positive difference through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts. SEMA Cares makes its mission to foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.SEMA.org/sema-cares.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.

SEMA News recently spoke with Nicky Fowler, vice president of fixed operations for Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center, about the parts store and the the company’s business philosophy.

In the late ’20s, cousins A.L. Scoggin and J. Ray Dickey were in the grocery business together in a small town outside Lubbock, Texas, when they heard that a GM franchise was going to become available. They decided to sell the store and pool their money, and they opened a Buick franchise in Lubbock in 1929. Scoggin-Dickey Chevrolet Buick is now in the fourth generation of family ownership, although the Dickeys retired several years ago, and the associated Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center is one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.