NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS PREPARE FOR FINAL COUNTDOWN PUSH: With only one race left in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series regular season, the Countdown to 10, whether they’re first or 15th in the point standings, drivers are preparing themselves for one last chance to pick up as many points as they can next week at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the start of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Of the drivers, 30 of the 40 spots have been clinched, with two drivers, Top Fuel’s Larry Dixon and Pro Stock’s Mike Edwards, clinching the No. 1 spots in their respective categories and securing that 20-point bonus that comes with being No. 1 entering the Countdown to 1.

“Today wasn’t our day,” said Dixon, after a semifinal round loss to Brandon Bernstein at the just completed Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. “The consolation prize is the Al-Anabi Toyota team locked in the No. 1 seed for the Countdown, and getting those extra 30 points (10 ahead of second place, plus the 20-point bonus) over whoever ends up No. 2 when the Countdown begins is big. I’ve said before that we sure could have used those extra 30 points last season so I’m glad to have them this year.”

While Dixon and Edwards are locked into the field at the top of the point standings, an all-out battle is taking place for the 10th-place spot in all four categories. With the final race of the season just one week away, only 33 points in Funny Car separate 10th place and two-time world champion Tony Pedregon from 11th place Jeff Arend, and only 19 points in Top Fuel separate 10th place David Grubnic from 11th place Terry McMillen. A first-round loss in Brainerd for any of these drivers could spell the end of their 2010 world championship campaigns.

And while the competition for the final spot heats up in the two Nitro classes, nearly half the field in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class awaits its fate heading into Brainerd. With the regular season schedule for the bike class being six races shorter than that of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, only the top five drivers in the point standings have clinched their spots in the Countdown, leaving five openings, the most of any of the four classes, still up for grabs at Brainerd in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway should prove to be one of the most exciting and instrumental races of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

For tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, call 866/444-4455 or online at www.brainerdraceway.com.

FRIEND OF NHRA, LEGENDARY MOTORSPORTS REPORTER FROSCHER DIES AT 79: Norm Froscher, a longtime friend and supporter of NHRA drag racing who worked for several Florida newspapers, including The Gainesville Sun, and later as a freelance writer, died July 29. He was 79. The media center at NHRA’s Gainesville Raceway, where Froscher tirelessly worked to cover nearly every edition of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, is named in his honor.

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the news of the passing of Norm Froscher,” said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of communications and public relations. “Norm was a constant fixture at Gainesville Raceway, treating the facility as though it was his second home. He was not just a reporter but a friend to every racer that went down the dragstrip and everyone at NHRA. We will miss him, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Legendary racer Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, a five-time Gatornationals champ, added, “I am really sorry to hear about Norm. We became good friends through the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him each year in Gainesville. As far as I am concerned, he had a great deal to do with helping my career and the growth of drag racing from his articles about everything from race results to unique feature stories. I will always picture him in my mind walking around chewing on a cigar. He is just one guy that I always enjoyed speaking with. He always had some great questions, and I enjoyed answering them. I am going to miss him.”

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, August 12–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to northern Minnesota for the final race of the Countdown to 10 regular season. Defending event winners include Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Ashley Force Hood: “For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, [but] we got in the Countdown [and] we will just keep plugging away.”

HE SAID, SHE SAID

MADE THE COUNTDOWN; NOW WAITING FOR A WIN: Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood on the struggles of the 2010 season and clinching her spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs:

“For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, (but) we got in the Countdown (and) we will just keep plugging away.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: In the past four races Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson has moved up four spots in the point standings from 15th to 11th. He is currently 80 points behind 10th-place driver Rodger Brogdon. Johnson has four wins at Brainerd International Raceway. A fifth could give him the push he needs to lock up the 10th and final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Johnson has never finished outside the Top 10 in his 17-year career.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Funny Car driver and Get Screened America Pro Mod driver Melanie Troxel, along with Pro Mod drivers Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Mike Knowles, Brad Personett, Derrick Townes, Danny Row, Michael Janis, Ike Maier and series points leader Von Smith will race this weekend in the Pro Mod field at the inaugural NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis?

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS PREPARE FOR FINAL COUNTDOWN PUSH: With only one race left in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series regular season, the Countdown to 10, whether they’re first or 15th in the point standings, drivers are preparing themselves for one last chance to pick up as many points as they can next week at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the start of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Of the drivers, 30 of the 40 spots have been clinched, with two drivers, Top Fuel’s Larry Dixon and Pro Stock’s Mike Edwards, clinching the No. 1 spots in their respective categories and securing that 20-point bonus that comes with being No. 1 entering the Countdown to 1.

“Today wasn’t our day,” said Dixon, after a semifinal round loss to Brandon Bernstein at the just completed Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. “The consolation prize is the Al-Anabi Toyota team locked in the No. 1 seed for the Countdown, and getting those extra 30 points (10 ahead of second place, plus the 20-point bonus) over whoever ends up No. 2 when the Countdown begins is big. I’ve said before that we sure could have used those extra 30 points last season so I’m glad to have them this year.”

While Dixon and Edwards are locked into the field at the top of the point standings, an all-out battle is taking place for the 10th-place spot in all four categories. With the final race of the season just one week away, only 33 points in Funny Car separate 10th place and two-time world champion Tony Pedregon from 11th place Jeff Arend, and only 19 points in Top Fuel separate 10th place David Grubnic from 11th place Terry McMillen. A first-round loss in Brainerd for any of these drivers could spell the end of their 2010 world championship campaigns.

And while the competition for the final spot heats up in the two Nitro classes, nearly half the field in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class awaits its fate heading into Brainerd. With the regular season schedule for the bike class being six races shorter than that of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, only the top five drivers in the point standings have clinched their spots in the Countdown, leaving five openings, the most of any of the four classes, still up for grabs at Brainerd in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway should prove to be one of the most exciting and instrumental races of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

For tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, call 866/444-4455 or online at www.brainerdraceway.com.

FRIEND OF NHRA, LEGENDARY MOTORSPORTS REPORTER FROSCHER DIES AT 79: Norm Froscher, a longtime friend and supporter of NHRA drag racing who worked for several Florida newspapers, including The Gainesville Sun, and later as a freelance writer, died July 29. He was 79. The media center at NHRA’s Gainesville Raceway, where Froscher tirelessly worked to cover nearly every edition of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, is named in his honor.

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the news of the passing of Norm Froscher,” said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of communications and public relations. “Norm was a constant fixture at Gainesville Raceway, treating the facility as though it was his second home. He was not just a reporter but a friend to every racer that went down the dragstrip and everyone at NHRA. We will miss him, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Legendary racer Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, a five-time Gatornationals champ, added, “I am really sorry to hear about Norm. We became good friends through the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him each year in Gainesville. As far as I am concerned, he had a great deal to do with helping my career and the growth of drag racing from his articles about everything from race results to unique feature stories. I will always picture him in my mind walking around chewing on a cigar. He is just one guy that I always enjoyed speaking with. He always had some great questions, and I enjoyed answering them. I am going to miss him.”

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, August 12–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to northern Minnesota for the final race of the Countdown to 10 regular season. Defending event winners include Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Ashley Force Hood: “For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, [but] we got in the Countdown [and] we will just keep plugging away.”

HE SAID, SHE SAID

MADE THE COUNTDOWN; NOW WAITING FOR A WIN: Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood on the struggles of the 2010 season and clinching her spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs:

“For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, (but) we got in the Countdown (and) we will just keep plugging away.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: In the past four races Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson has moved up four spots in the point standings from 15th to 11th. He is currently 80 points behind 10th-place driver Rodger Brogdon. Johnson has four wins at Brainerd International Raceway. A fifth could give him the push he needs to lock up the 10th and final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Johnson has never finished outside the Top 10 in his 17-year career.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Funny Car driver and Get Screened America Pro Mod driver Melanie Troxel, along with Pro Mod drivers Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Mike Knowles, Brad Personett, Derrick Townes, Danny Row, Michael Janis, Ike Maier and series points leader Von Smith will race this weekend in the Pro Mod field at the inaugural NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis?

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS PREPARE FOR FINAL COUNTDOWN PUSH: With only one race left in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series regular season, the Countdown to 10, whether they’re first or 15th in the point standings, drivers are preparing themselves for one last chance to pick up as many points as they can next week at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the start of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Of the drivers, 30 of the 40 spots have been clinched, with two drivers, Top Fuel’s Larry Dixon and Pro Stock’s Mike Edwards, clinching the No. 1 spots in their respective categories and securing that 20-point bonus that comes with being No. 1 entering the Countdown to 1.

“Today wasn’t our day,” said Dixon, after a semifinal round loss to Brandon Bernstein at the just completed Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. “The consolation prize is the Al-Anabi Toyota team locked in the No. 1 seed for the Countdown, and getting those extra 30 points (10 ahead of second place, plus the 20-point bonus) over whoever ends up No. 2 when the Countdown begins is big. I’ve said before that we sure could have used those extra 30 points last season so I’m glad to have them this year.”

While Dixon and Edwards are locked into the field at the top of the point standings, an all-out battle is taking place for the 10th-place spot in all four categories. With the final race of the season just one week away, only 33 points in Funny Car separate 10th place and two-time world champion Tony Pedregon from 11th place Jeff Arend, and only 19 points in Top Fuel separate 10th place David Grubnic from 11th place Terry McMillen. A first-round loss in Brainerd for any of these drivers could spell the end of their 2010 world championship campaigns.

And while the competition for the final spot heats up in the two Nitro classes, nearly half the field in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class awaits its fate heading into Brainerd. With the regular season schedule for the bike class being six races shorter than that of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, only the top five drivers in the point standings have clinched their spots in the Countdown, leaving five openings, the most of any of the four classes, still up for grabs at Brainerd in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway should prove to be one of the most exciting and instrumental races of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

For tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, call 866/444-4455 or online at www.brainerdraceway.com.

FRIEND OF NHRA, LEGENDARY MOTORSPORTS REPORTER FROSCHER DIES AT 79: Norm Froscher, a longtime friend and supporter of NHRA drag racing who worked for several Florida newspapers, including The Gainesville Sun, and later as a freelance writer, died July 29. He was 79. The media center at NHRA’s Gainesville Raceway, where Froscher tirelessly worked to cover nearly every edition of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, is named in his honor.

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the news of the passing of Norm Froscher,” said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of communications and public relations. “Norm was a constant fixture at Gainesville Raceway, treating the facility as though it was his second home. He was not just a reporter but a friend to every racer that went down the dragstrip and everyone at NHRA. We will miss him, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Legendary racer Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, a five-time Gatornationals champ, added, “I am really sorry to hear about Norm. We became good friends through the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him each year in Gainesville. As far as I am concerned, he had a great deal to do with helping my career and the growth of drag racing from his articles about everything from race results to unique feature stories. I will always picture him in my mind walking around chewing on a cigar. He is just one guy that I always enjoyed speaking with. He always had some great questions, and I enjoyed answering them. I am going to miss him.”

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, August 12–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to northern Minnesota for the final race of the Countdown to 10 regular season. Defending event winners include Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Ashley Force Hood: “For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, [but] we got in the Countdown [and] we will just keep plugging away.”

HE SAID, SHE SAID

MADE THE COUNTDOWN; NOW WAITING FOR A WIN: Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood on the struggles of the 2010 season and clinching her spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs:

“For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, (but) we got in the Countdown (and) we will just keep plugging away.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: In the past four races Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson has moved up four spots in the point standings from 15th to 11th. He is currently 80 points behind 10th-place driver Rodger Brogdon. Johnson has four wins at Brainerd International Raceway. A fifth could give him the push he needs to lock up the 10th and final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Johnson has never finished outside the Top 10 in his 17-year career.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Funny Car driver and Get Screened America Pro Mod driver Melanie Troxel, along with Pro Mod drivers Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Mike Knowles, Brad Personett, Derrick Townes, Danny Row, Michael Janis, Ike Maier and series points leader Von Smith will race this weekend in the Pro Mod field at the inaugural NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis?

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS PREPARE FOR FINAL COUNTDOWN PUSH: With only one race left in the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series regular season, the Countdown to 10, whether they’re first or 15th in the point standings, drivers are preparing themselves for one last chance to pick up as many points as they can next week at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota, before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and the start of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Of the drivers, 30 of the 40 spots have been clinched, with two drivers, Top Fuel’s Larry Dixon and Pro Stock’s Mike Edwards, clinching the No. 1 spots in their respective categories and securing that 20-point bonus that comes with being No. 1 entering the Countdown to 1.

“Today wasn’t our day,” said Dixon, after a semifinal round loss to Brandon Bernstein at the just completed Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals. “The consolation prize is the Al-Anabi Toyota team locked in the No. 1 seed for the Countdown, and getting those extra 30 points (10 ahead of second place, plus the 20-point bonus) over whoever ends up No. 2 when the Countdown begins is big. I’ve said before that we sure could have used those extra 30 points last season so I’m glad to have them this year.”

While Dixon and Edwards are locked into the field at the top of the point standings, an all-out battle is taking place for the 10th-place spot in all four categories. With the final race of the season just one week away, only 33 points in Funny Car separate 10th place and two-time world champion Tony Pedregon from 11th place Jeff Arend, and only 19 points in Top Fuel separate 10th place David Grubnic from 11th place Terry McMillen. A first-round loss in Brainerd for any of these drivers could spell the end of their 2010 world championship campaigns.

And while the competition for the final spot heats up in the two Nitro classes, nearly half the field in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class awaits its fate heading into Brainerd. With the regular season schedule for the bike class being six races shorter than that of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, only the top five drivers in the point standings have clinched their spots in the Countdown, leaving five openings, the most of any of the four classes, still up for grabs at Brainerd in Pro Stock Motorcycle. The upcoming Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway should prove to be one of the most exciting and instrumental races of the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

For tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, call 866/444-4455 or online at www.brainerdraceway.com.

FRIEND OF NHRA, LEGENDARY MOTORSPORTS REPORTER FROSCHER DIES AT 79: Norm Froscher, a longtime friend and supporter of NHRA drag racing who worked for several Florida newspapers, including The Gainesville Sun, and later as a freelance writer, died July 29. He was 79. The media center at NHRA’s Gainesville Raceway, where Froscher tirelessly worked to cover nearly every edition of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, is named in his honor.

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the news of the passing of Norm Froscher,” said Jerry Archambeault, NHRA vice president of communications and public relations. “Norm was a constant fixture at Gainesville Raceway, treating the facility as though it was his second home. He was not just a reporter but a friend to every racer that went down the dragstrip and everyone at NHRA. We will miss him, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Legendary racer Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, a five-time Gatornationals champ, added, “I am really sorry to hear about Norm. We became good friends through the years, and I always looked forward to seeing him each year in Gainesville. As far as I am concerned, he had a great deal to do with helping my career and the growth of drag racing from his articles about everything from race results to unique feature stories. I will always picture him in my mind walking around chewing on a cigar. He is just one guy that I always enjoyed speaking with. He always had some great questions, and I enjoyed answering them. I am going to miss him.”

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, August 12–15: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to northern Minnesota for the final race of the Countdown to 10 regular season. Defending event winners include Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Ashley Force Hood: “For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, [but] we got in the Countdown [and] we will just keep plugging away.”

HE SAID, SHE SAID

MADE THE COUNTDOWN; NOW WAITING FOR A WIN: Funny Car driver Ashley Force Hood on the struggles of the 2010 season and clinching her spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs:

“For some reason, we are just having a crappy year, (but) we got in the Countdown (and) we will just keep plugging away.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: In the past four races Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson has moved up four spots in the point standings from 15th to 11th. He is currently 80 points behind 10th-place driver Rodger Brogdon. Johnson has four wins at Brainerd International Raceway. A fifth could give him the push he needs to lock up the 10th and final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Johnson has never finished outside the Top 10 in his 17-year career.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that Funny Car driver and Get Screened America Pro Mod driver Melanie Troxel, along with Pro Mod drivers Roger Burgess, Raymond Commisso, Mike Knowles, Brad Personett, Derrick Townes, Danny Row, Michael Janis, Ike Maier and series points leader Von Smith will race this weekend in the Pro Mod field at the inaugural NHRA Unleashed presented by Lucas Oil event at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis?

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

	The sales leads gathered at the SEMA Show will be loaded onto a USB thumb drive given to exhibitors at Show close.

Obtaining quality leads is a key objective for all trade show exhibitors. Turning those leads into sales drives business. Lead management products are designed to help capture leads on the Show floor and allow easy follow-up after the Show.

All attendees wear a badge with a barcode printed directly on the badge. Exhibitors who rent a lead retrieval unit have the ability to scan the barcode when a buyer visits your booth. The scan captures the buyer’s profile and demographic information, offering data more detailed than a typical business card.

At Show close, exhibitors are given a USB drive containing all Show leads, which can be uploaded into most formats.

Order a lead management product from CompuSystems here.

	The sales leads gathered at the SEMA Show will be loaded onto a USB thumb drive given to exhibitors at Show close.

Obtaining quality leads is a key objective for all trade show exhibitors. Turning those leads into sales drives business. Lead management products are designed to help capture leads on the Show floor and allow easy follow-up after the Show.

All attendees wear a badge with a barcode printed directly on the badge. Exhibitors who rent a lead retrieval unit have the ability to scan the barcode when a buyer visits your booth. The scan captures the buyer’s profile and demographic information, offering data more detailed than a typical business card.

At Show close, exhibitors are given a USB drive containing all Show leads, which can be uploaded into most formats.

Order a lead management product from CompuSystems here.

	SEMA members met a challenge to raise $10,000 specifically to see SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting shave his head.

Members of the specialty-equipment industry stepped up and reached deep for Childhelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp, two of SEMA's partner charities dedicated to providing better lives for children.

Through the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, Pinewood Drag Races and Show ‘N Shine car show, the industry and its enthusiasts raised nearly $86,000 — including $10,000 raised to see SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting shave his head.

"This year's event was the most exciting in the past four years,” says Joel Ayres, SEMA Cares Committee Chairman. “We had a record number of Pinewood Drag cars, a sold-out car show, automotive celebrities Chip Foose and Dennis Gage, kids from the Childhelp Village and Victory Junction Gang Camp and a special area for our SEMA Hall of Fame members to meet and greet the attendees.

“To top it off, Chris Kersting put his head on the block, which raised over $10,000 thanks to the generosity of many SEMA members, especially Board members Doug Evans, Ed Orzetti, and Tony Napoli. Best of all, we still have a 2011 Mustang customized by WD-40 to auction off at next year's Barrett-Jackson auction.”

SEMA thanks all for their extraordinary volunteer efforts and encourages all who would like to volunteer for next year's event to contact SEMA Special Events Administrator Lisa Moreno at LisaM@sema.org.

The 2010 SEMA Show's Education Days feature a wealth of educational seminars and workshops designed to enhance the operations of today's specialty-equipment business, regardless of size. Topics range from increasing sales, digital marketing and creating more return customers to data standards, financial tips  and industry trends and forecasts, all sessions are available free to SEMA Show attendees.

See all of the sessions' times, locations and topics by visiting the Education Days page on www.SEMAShow.com.

The 2010 SEMA Show's Education Days feature a wealth of educational seminars and workshops designed to enhance the operations of today's specialty-equipment business, regardless of size. Topics range from increasing sales, digital marketing and creating more return customers to data standards, financial tips  and industry trends and forecasts, all sessions are available free to SEMA Show attendees.

See all of the sessions' times, locations and topics by visiting the Education Days page on www.SEMAShow.com.

	SEMA Chairman-Elect and former Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee Chairman Paul "Scooter" Brothers speaks to automotive students at the SEMA Show.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program designed to foster leadership opportunities in the automotive specialty-equipment marketplace and support educational goals for students, has awarded 55 scholarships and 12 loan forgiveness awards totaling $111,000 for the 2010–2011 academic year.

“SEMA is privileged and proud to support the young talent that will ultimately lead our industry to future success," said Tom Myroniak, SEMA vice president of marketing and member services. "We're especially excited about this year's winners and believe that they will go on to make positive and significant contributions to our industry.”

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund offers scholarships for students attending universities, colleges and/or vocational schools in either the United States or Canada. Awards in this program range from $1,000–$2,000, with $4,000 going to the top student.

The other program is a loan forgiveness award, which offers individuals who have been working for a SEMA-member company for at least one year the opportunity to receive $1,000 to pay for his or her existing student loan. For the 2010–2011 academic year, 55 scholarships were awarded, and 12 loan forgiveness awards were distributed.

Applications for the 2011–2012 program will be available at www.sema.org/scholarship in December.

Scholarship Award Recipients

• Adedotun Adeluyi, St. Francis College
• David Arnouts, University of Michigan Dearborn, John Raffa Award
• Katelyn Bailey, Lincoln Technical Institute
• Kirk Barber, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Dan Borre Award
• Andrew Baum, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Yana Briggs, Art Center College of Design
• Ryan Brimhall, Weber State University
• Devin Butterbrodt, Iowa State University
• Joseph Campbell, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Bradley Cannon, California State Polytechnic University: Pomona, Harlan Felder Award
• Meghan Chamberlain, Oakland University, Truck and Off-Road Alliance Award
• Thomas Colvin, University of Toledo
• Jennifer Cook, Antelope Valley College, Performance Warehouse Association Award
• Douglass Coppage, Georgia Institute of Technology, Bernie Karp Award
• Cayle Damrow, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Street Performance Council Award
• Christopher Day, San Bernardino Valley College, K&N Engineering Award
• Krystle Dozier, California State University Chico
• Lee Esten, Rio Hondo College, Eastwood Award
• Thomas Fischer, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Michael A. Kunzman Award
• Daniel Fourie, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Top Student Award
• Samuel Gage, Indiana University
• Anthony Gregory, University of Texas Austin
• Dylan Hellman, Art Institute of Colorado, Jim A. Borre Award
• Jared Hokanson, Brigham Young University Idaho
• Matthew Hovan, San Jose State University, Performance Warehouse Association Award
• Amy Kao, Carnegie Mellon University
• Donovan Krehbiel, Kansas State University
• Soochan Lee, College For Creative Studies, Yee Award
• Jessica Martens, University of Michigan
• Brandon Mase, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Joe Amato Award
• Ashley Matejka, University of Akron
• Andrew Mattord, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Grant Maus, Montana State University: Billings College of Technology, Hot Rod Industry Alliance Award
• Isaac McAllister, Virginia Western Community College
• Walter McAllister, Virginia Western Community College
• Jack McCulloch, Gwinnett Technical Institute
• Thomas McDuffee, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Steven McKee, University of Missouri: Columbia, Jeff Moses – Automotive Restoration Market Organization Award
• Aaron Miller, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Bradley Miller, Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Dustin Montgomery, Indian Hills Community College
• Kyle Morgan, Nashville Auto-Diesel College
• Kale Nicodemus, Colorado State University Pueblo
• Thomas Nolte, Wayne State University - Steve Woomer Award
• Anthony Otero, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Matiaz Perez, Texas State Technical College Waco
• Matthew Proctor, Weber State University
• Andrew Raybon, Georgia Institute of Technology, Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Award
• Alexander Richards, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, L.L. Borrick Award
• Logan Schwiger, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Clarice Smith, Purdue University
• Cameron Sullivan, University of Alberta - Manufacturers Rep Council (MRC) Award
• Collin Veele, Michigan Technological University, Wally Parks Award
• Tahiem Williams, University of South Florida
• Wei Yang, Purdue University, Melvin Burton Award

Loan Forgiveness Awards

• Eric Bailey, Summit Racing Equipment
• Matthew Bowles, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Wheel & Tire Council Award
• Christopher Brown, Petersen Automotive Museum, Phil Weiand Award
• Mike Clark, Dee Zee, Dee Zee Award
• Sara Crooks-Naze, BCS International
• Debra Dixon-Coen, Nissan USA, Trudy Thompson Top Female Award
• Chris Gray, Marquez Design
• Jaclyn Kilani, Garage Equipment Supply, Young Executive's Network Award
• Yamuna McGuire, Skyjacker Suspensions, SEMA Businesswomen's Network Award
• Lynn Meredith, TruXedo Inc., Professional Restylers Organization Award
• Terri Northup, Auburn Gear Inc.
• Brandon Whitsell, Competition Cams, Joe Hrudka Award