By SEMA Editors

	John Menzler of COMP Performance Group gets ready to launch the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races at last year's event in Pomona.

How would you like to race your car at Pomona for only $95? No, it won't be on historic NHRA Raceway's quarter-mile; however, it will be on SEMA Cares' Pinewood Drag Races track where your generous donation will support various charities, including two that help children. Who knows, you just might just make the record books as the winner of this year's special event! Wally Parks, the founder of the NHRA and a very charitable man himself, will be watching the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races from above with a smile on his face knowing the specialty-equipment market he loved so much continues to support people in need.

Held in conjunction with the annual SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, the SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Races, presented by eBay Motors, takes place Friday, July 26, 2013, at 12:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona, California. There is no better location for SEMA Pinewood Drag Races than Pomona—home of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and Auto Club Raceway.

Sponsoring a SEMA Cares Pinewood Drag Race car is easy and rewarding. Help a child or person in need today.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ALBALOOSHI WINS FIRST TOP FUEL RACE OF THE YEAR; J. GRAY, EDWARDS, SMITH WIN IN NORWALK: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals ended a stretch of four consecutive races and Khalid alBalooshi (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins on Sunday. It was the first win of the season for alBalooshi, the fourth of the year for Gray and Edwards and for Smith it was his first win since Englishtown of 2011. Visit NHRA.com for more.

EDWARDS FIRST DRIVER TO SECURE POSITION IN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP: Mike Edwards in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro became the first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series driver to secure a berth into the Countdown to the Championship following his victory in Norwalk. Edwards—the 2009 Pro Stock world champion—has a category four wins and 10 No. 1 qualifying positions out of 13 events. "It feels good to finally come here and win a race here in Ohio and Norwalk," Edwards said. "Hat's off to all my guys. I hope we can keep the wheels on this thing and keep the momentum going and want to thank everyone that is associated with this team and go to the West Coast and see what we can do out there."

TOYOTA NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF FALL NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT IN LAS VEGAS: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A has expanded it participation in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series through a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the fall event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The NHRA Toyota Nationals, October 24–27, is the penultimate race of the Countdown to the Championship and all eyes in the racing world will be on the event to see the top racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. "With the combination of the key round in the Countdown, the lead-in to SEMA the following week and the overall excitement of Las Vegas, the NHRA Toyota Nationals is a guaranteed winner," said Keith Dahl, national manager, motorsports and engagement marketing at Toyota.


COMING ATTRACTIONS

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, Bandimere Speedway, July 19–21: The NHRA Western Swing kicks off at high-altitude Bandimere Speedway near Denver where NHRA teams must adjust their tune-ups to compensate for some of the most extreme racing conditions they will face all season. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawic, (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were the 2012 winners. To purchase tickets, call 800-664-UWIN or visit www.bandimere.com.

NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS, Sonoma Raceway, July 26–28: Located in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Raceway will host the second stop of the Western Swing when the NHRA takes to the track July 26–28 for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) will attempt to defend their 2012 race victories. To purchase tickets, call 800-870-7223 or visit www.racesonoma.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“From the first week when Shawn [Langdon] won the first race I've been thinking, 'I need to win to be in the Traxxas Shootout. I need to be in that race. And there is only the one way to win to get into the Traxxas Shootout.' Then to get into the final and finally be able to win, I was lucky enough to finish this deal."

—Khalid alBalooshi following his first win of the 2013 season and securing a position for his Al-Anabi Racing dragster in the Traxxas Shootout at Lucas Oil Raceway, August 31, during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

9:The number of times the points lead has changed hands so far this season in the Top Fuel category. Three different drivers have led the class including Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown. Langdon currently has the lead by just one point over Schumacher.

DID YOU KNOW…

ICE CREAM SCOOP TROPHIES AT NORWALK UNVEILED: Not only did winners in both the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Series take home their NHRA Wally for winning the race they were also presented with a commemorative ice cream scoop by the management of Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Fourteen of the 2-lb. stainless steel laser-etched scoops were presented to winners in each category by track president Bill Bader Jr. "We wanted a special trophy to give to the winners that was unique to Summit Motorsports Park," Bader said. "Since we're known for our dollar-a-pound Velvet Ice Cream, an ice cream scoop trophy made perfect sense." The 2012 event winners were also presented with these scoops to commemorate their wins last season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ALBALOOSHI WINS FIRST TOP FUEL RACE OF THE YEAR; J. GRAY, EDWARDS, SMITH WIN IN NORWALK: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals ended a stretch of four consecutive races and Khalid alBalooshi (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins on Sunday. It was the first win of the season for alBalooshi, the fourth of the year for Gray and Edwards and for Smith it was his first win since Englishtown of 2011. Visit NHRA.com for more.

EDWARDS FIRST DRIVER TO SECURE POSITION IN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP: Mike Edwards in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro became the first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series driver to secure a berth into the Countdown to the Championship following his victory in Norwalk. Edwards—the 2009 Pro Stock world champion—has a category four wins and 10 No. 1 qualifying positions out of 13 events. "It feels good to finally come here and win a race here in Ohio and Norwalk," Edwards said. "Hat's off to all my guys. I hope we can keep the wheels on this thing and keep the momentum going and want to thank everyone that is associated with this team and go to the West Coast and see what we can do out there."

TOYOTA NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF FALL NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT IN LAS VEGAS: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A has expanded it participation in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series through a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the fall event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The NHRA Toyota Nationals, October 24–27, is the penultimate race of the Countdown to the Championship and all eyes in the racing world will be on the event to see the top racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. "With the combination of the key round in the Countdown, the lead-in to SEMA the following week and the overall excitement of Las Vegas, the NHRA Toyota Nationals is a guaranteed winner," said Keith Dahl, national manager, motorsports and engagement marketing at Toyota.


COMING ATTRACTIONS

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, Bandimere Speedway, July 19–21: The NHRA Western Swing kicks off at high-altitude Bandimere Speedway near Denver where NHRA teams must adjust their tune-ups to compensate for some of the most extreme racing conditions they will face all season. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawic, (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were the 2012 winners. To purchase tickets, call 800-664-UWIN or visit www.bandimere.com.

NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS, Sonoma Raceway, July 26–28: Located in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Raceway will host the second stop of the Western Swing when the NHRA takes to the track July 26–28 for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) will attempt to defend their 2012 race victories. To purchase tickets, call 800-870-7223 or visit www.racesonoma.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“From the first week when Shawn [Langdon] won the first race I've been thinking, 'I need to win to be in the Traxxas Shootout. I need to be in that race. And there is only the one way to win to get into the Traxxas Shootout.' Then to get into the final and finally be able to win, I was lucky enough to finish this deal."

—Khalid alBalooshi following his first win of the 2013 season and securing a position for his Al-Anabi Racing dragster in the Traxxas Shootout at Lucas Oil Raceway, August 31, during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

9:The number of times the points lead has changed hands so far this season in the Top Fuel category. Three different drivers have led the class including Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown. Langdon currently has the lead by just one point over Schumacher.

DID YOU KNOW…

ICE CREAM SCOOP TROPHIES AT NORWALK UNVEILED: Not only did winners in both the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Series take home their NHRA Wally for winning the race they were also presented with a commemorative ice cream scoop by the management of Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Fourteen of the 2-lb. stainless steel laser-etched scoops were presented to winners in each category by track president Bill Bader Jr. "We wanted a special trophy to give to the winners that was unique to Summit Motorsports Park," Bader said. "Since we're known for our dollar-a-pound Velvet Ice Cream, an ice cream scoop trophy made perfect sense." The 2012 event winners were also presented with these scoops to commemorate their wins last season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

ALBALOOSHI WINS FIRST TOP FUEL RACE OF THE YEAR; J. GRAY, EDWARDS, SMITH WIN IN NORWALK: The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals ended a stretch of four consecutive races and Khalid alBalooshi (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) took home wins on Sunday. It was the first win of the season for alBalooshi, the fourth of the year for Gray and Edwards and for Smith it was his first win since Englishtown of 2011. Visit NHRA.com for more.

EDWARDS FIRST DRIVER TO SECURE POSITION IN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP: Mike Edwards in his Interstate Batteries/I Am Second Chevy Camaro became the first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series driver to secure a berth into the Countdown to the Championship following his victory in Norwalk. Edwards—the 2009 Pro Stock world champion—has a category four wins and 10 No. 1 qualifying positions out of 13 events. "It feels good to finally come here and win a race here in Ohio and Norwalk," Edwards said. "Hat's off to all my guys. I hope we can keep the wheels on this thing and keep the momentum going and want to thank everyone that is associated with this team and go to the West Coast and see what we can do out there."

TOYOTA NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF FALL NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES EVENT IN LAS VEGAS: Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A has expanded it participation in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series through a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the fall event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. The NHRA Toyota Nationals, October 24–27, is the penultimate race of the Countdown to the Championship and all eyes in the racing world will be on the event to see the top racers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. "With the combination of the key round in the Countdown, the lead-in to SEMA the following week and the overall excitement of Las Vegas, the NHRA Toyota Nationals is a guaranteed winner," said Keith Dahl, national manager, motorsports and engagement marketing at Toyota.


COMING ATTRACTIONS

MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS, Bandimere Speedway, July 19–21: The NHRA Western Swing kicks off at high-altitude Bandimere Speedway near Denver where NHRA teams must adjust their tune-ups to compensate for some of the most extreme racing conditions they will face all season. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawic, (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were the 2012 winners. To purchase tickets, call 800-664-UWIN or visit www.bandimere.com.

NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS, Sonoma Raceway, July 26–28: Located in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Raceway will host the second stop of the Western Swing when the NHRA takes to the track July 26–28 for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) will attempt to defend their 2012 race victories. To purchase tickets, call 800-870-7223 or visit www.racesonoma.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“From the first week when Shawn [Langdon] won the first race I've been thinking, 'I need to win to be in the Traxxas Shootout. I need to be in that race. And there is only the one way to win to get into the Traxxas Shootout.' Then to get into the final and finally be able to win, I was lucky enough to finish this deal."

—Khalid alBalooshi following his first win of the 2013 season and securing a position for his Al-Anabi Racing dragster in the Traxxas Shootout at Lucas Oil Raceway, August 31, during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

9:The number of times the points lead has changed hands so far this season in the Top Fuel category. Three different drivers have led the class including Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown. Langdon currently has the lead by just one point over Schumacher.

DID YOU KNOW…

ICE CREAM SCOOP TROPHIES AT NORWALK UNVEILED: Not only did winners in both the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil Series take home their NHRA Wally for winning the race they were also presented with a commemorative ice cream scoop by the management of Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Fourteen of the 2-lb. stainless steel laser-etched scoops were presented to winners in each category by track president Bill Bader Jr. "We wanted a special trophy to give to the winners that was unique to Summit Motorsports Park," Bader said. "Since we're known for our dollar-a-pound Velvet Ice Cream, an ice cream scoop trophy made perfect sense." The 2012 event winners were also presented with these scoops to commemorate their wins last season.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Summer is here and members of the U.S. Congress will be spending the month of August back in their home districts. The August “district work period” provides members of Congress with opportunities to hear directly from their constituents on hot topics, such as tax reform, health care and small business economic development. The SEMA Government Affairs team has developed the Congressional District Site Visit Program that pairs SEMA-member companies with their elected officials through productive meetings and personal interactions.

More than two dozen SEMA-member companies have taken advantage of this unique program in the last few years. The events, coordinated entirely by SEMA staff, include informative plant tours, meetings with senior executives and business roundtable discussions that put our members face-to-face with their federal decision makers in a familiar setting. These tours are invaluable opportunities to share your company’s impact on the local economy and learn more about resources available to help grow your business. Most events only take one or two hours, but the results are invaluable.

Members are available to meet in their district at least one week of every month. To learn more about the Congressional District Site Visit Program and begin planning your event in the coming year, please contact Dan Sadowski, director of congressional affairs, at dans@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Summer is here and members of the U.S. Congress will be spending the month of August back in their home districts. The August “district work period” provides members of Congress with opportunities to hear directly from their constituents on hot topics, such as tax reform, health care and small business economic development. The SEMA Government Affairs team has developed the Congressional District Site Visit Program that pairs SEMA-member companies with their elected officials through productive meetings and personal interactions.

More than two dozen SEMA-member companies have taken advantage of this unique program in the last few years. The events, coordinated entirely by SEMA staff, include informative plant tours, meetings with senior executives and business roundtable discussions that put our members face-to-face with their federal decision makers in a familiar setting. These tours are invaluable opportunities to share your company’s impact on the local economy and learn more about resources available to help grow your business. Most events only take one or two hours, but the results are invaluable.

Members are available to meet in their district at least one week of every month. To learn more about the Congressional District Site Visit Program and begin planning your event in the coming year, please contact Dan Sadowski, director of congressional affairs, at dans@sema.org.

	In honor of the 4th Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day, MSD Performance will host a drive-in movie at its headquarters in El Paso, Texas.

MSD Hosts Drive-In Movie to Celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day  
In honor of the 4th Annual National Collector Car Appreciation Day, July 12, 2013, MSD Performance will host a drive-in movie at its headquarters in El Paso, Texas. MSD employees and customers are encouraged to cruise their vehicles into the MSD parking lot, eat some popcorn and watch an American movie classic—American Graffiti. Most of the MSD employees are avid car enthusiasts who own some of the coolest street rods in the city. The company invites collector car enthusiasts to join the fun and enjoy a night at the drive-in. The U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 176 (S. Res. 176) designating July 12, 2013, as Collector Car Appreciation Day. The Resolution was requested by SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) councils. The date marks the fourth commemoration in what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. 

Lingenfelter Performance Partners With Continental Tire
Lingenfelter Performance Engineering announced an agreement to place Continental Tires on all Lingenfelter vehicles. Continental's line of performance passenger, light truck and SUV tires, including the ExtremeContact line of tires, will be featured on all vehicles that roll out of the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering shop, including Lingenfelter Signature Series cars and trucks, show cars, street rods and race vehicles.

U.S. Bank Named Presenting Sponsor of 2013 Kirkland Concours d’Elegance
LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) has signed an agreement with U.S. Bank to be the presenting sponsor of the 2013 Kirkland Concours d’Elegance, the 11th edition of the Pacific Northwest classic car show. Held on the second Sunday in September, the Kirkland Concours typically hosts more than 100 vehicles which are entered in a variety of judged classes, including antiques (pre-’25), classics (cars built from 1925–1948) and postwar vehicles (’48–’51). Specialty classes for the 2013 event will be announced this summer. Since its inception in 2003, the Kirkland show has become a signature event for the Puget Sound region. This year, as in years past, a portion of the proceeds from the Concours will benefit Seattle Children's Hospital. A ’33 Marmon V-16 Convertible Coupe owned by Aaron Weiss of San Marino, California, captured “Best of Show” honors at last year’s U.S. Bank Kirkland Concours d’Elegance.

Andrew Zeisser was named the new director of OE sales for Yokohama Tire Corp.

Andrew Zeisser Named Director of OE Sales for Yokohama
The Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) hired Andrew Zeisser as its new director of OE sales. He will be responsible for the company’s OE business in North America and will lead OE sales, engineering and quality functions. Zeisser will be based at YTC’s Detroit, Michigan, office. Prior to joining YTC, Zeisser worked at Hankook Tire America as vice president of OE, and also held various positions at Continental General Tire, including director of automotive engineering. Yokohama Tire Corp. is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917.

CTEK Power USA Selects The Marx Group for Marketing and PR
CTEK Power USA hired The Marx Group as its agency of record for marketing and public relations. The Marx Group will assist CTEK with marketing efforts, including planning, research, writing and distribution, and representing the company to industry and consumer media.

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.