This is the upcoming the ’22 Nissan Frontier in its base trim, the Frontier S. The configuration has never been seen, as Nissan has only debuted the ’22 Frontier in Pro-4X trim. The rest of the lineup remains to be seen.
The model features a prominent lower front fascia finished in black plastic, along with the base grille configuration and base-level headlights, seemingly without any LED treatment. The wheels are the base units, complemented by black door handles and mirror caps.
Out back, this base Frontier appears to feature the same LED taillights as the Pro-4X model revealed by Nissan. A black bumper and single-exit side exhaust round out the package.
Expect more trims to be debuted via Nissan’s website in the coming months.
4 Wheel Parts has been selected as a premier manufacturer of Ford
Bronco parts and accessories.
4 Wheel Parts Unveils ’21 Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport in Moab, Utah
The 4 Wheel Parts(4WP) team has been selected as a premier manufacturer of Ford Bronco parts and accessories, and will also install, sell and be an aftermarket headquarters for future Bronco builds.
The 4WP team has outfitted both the Bronco and Bronco Sport with 34 aftermarket products specifically designed, engineering and tested in California by a team of enthusiasts under the 4WP Factory brand. With the launch of Ford’s new Bronco family, 4WP is anticipating this will be one of the most desired vehicles both on and off-road and 4WP is ready to accessorize and upgrade each one.
Turn 14 Distribution Currently Hiring for 60+ Open Positions
Turn 14 Distribution is searching for dedicated, ambitious candidates to fill more than 60 available positions and meet the company’s continued growth. Openings include management, specialty roles and entry-level positions with the opportunity to grow into lasting careers. The open positions exist across all of the company's locations, including its office headquarters in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and distribution centers in Hatfield, Pennsylvania; Arlington, Texas; and Reno, Nevada. To learn more about the available positions and the benefits of working at Turn 14 Distribution, visit www.turn14.com/careers.
ROUSH Performance has announced its new “You Don’t Know Jack” podcast, available on the ROUSH Performance YouTube Channel. ROUSH Performance Vice President of Marketing Jack Roush Jr. and Channel Marketing Manager Trevor Wright will talk with a wide range of motorsports icons to explore their thoughts about industry events, automotive culture and racing, as well as share exclusive news about ROUSH Performance products. Episode One of the podcast aired Monday, April 5. The program will air monthly on the last Friday of each month. For more information about the ROUSH Performance podcast “You Don’t Know Jack” or to listen to the latest episode, visit ROUSH Performance on Facebook.
Premium Guard Inc. has released a new mobile app.
Premium Guard Launches All-New, Advanced Mobile App and e-Catalog
Premium Guard Inc. has released a new mobile app and e-catalog for its line of automotive filters at www.pgfilters.com. The new catalog features intuitive and robust search functionality for easier application lookup and parts search.
Designed to help users easily identify the exact part needed for their application, the e-catalog offers three search options: Classic Search, Dynamic Search, and VIN Number Search. Classic Search uses the standard Year/Make/Model drop-down, while Dynamic Search allows users to search for parts using vehicle keywords or part numbers and provides a list of potential matches. The Dynamic Search function also allows users to search for OE or competitor part numbers and converts the results to a Premium Guard part number. Users can also search for vehicle applications using the VIN Number Search function, and the mobile app allows for direct scans of the VIN barcode or VIN number for identification. PGI’s online catalog can be found by visiting www.pgfilters.com/filter-lookup/, and the mobile app can be downloaded in the Apple App and Google Play stores.
Scott Baubie
Champion Oil adds Scott Baubie as Director of Sales/Business Development Manager
Champion Brands has recently announced the appointment of Scott Baubie from High Point, North Carolina, to its sales, business development and marketing team. As director of sales/business development manager, Baubie will contribute to sales strategies and business development initiatives, as well as design and implement new market penetrations within racing, fleet and private-label markets. In addition to advancing Champion Oil’s global position, Baubie will focus on structuring and delivering an effective communications strategy both internally and externally to ensure alignment with corporate culture and business objectives. He brings more than 20 years of lubricant experience within the commercial, industrial, automotive, heavy-duty and racing sectors, plus business development and strategic sales/marketing to the position.
Michael Buffamonti
Dynabrade Promotes CFO to President
Dynabrade Inc. has announced the appointment of Michael Buffamonti as the company’s new president. He replaces Hardy Hamann, who retired earlier this year. Buffamonti most recently held the role of chief financial officer and has been a member of the executive management team for many years. Before joining Dynabrade, he held various management positions at Deloitte LLP. Since the beginning of his career at Dynabrade 25 years ago, Buffamonti worked closely with the company’s founder Walter Welsch.
Starrett Appoints Director of Sales, Metrology Systems
The L.S. Starrett Company—a global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems and more—has announced the appointment of Jim VandeHei as director of sales of Starrett Metrology Systems. In this newly created role, VandeHei’s primary responsibility will be North American sales of the company’s vision systems, optical measuring projectors and force measurement systems. VandeHei has led and developed multi-channel sales teams for more than 28 years, including more than 20 years of metrology sales and commercial operations management for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Carl Zeiss IMT Corp., and DW Fritz Automation.
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.
The European drag-racing season is set to finally get underway with
May kick-off events scheduled for both the sportsman division—the
Summit Racing EDRS Series and FIA European Drag Racing Cham
pionship.Photo courtesy: Lena Pena, Speedgroup
The European drag-racing season is set to finally get underway with May kick-off events scheduled for both the sportsman division—the Summit Racing EDRS Series and FIA European Drag Racing Championship.
“Racers have been waiting a very long time now for the return of a normal race calendar [following the 2020 season disruption due to COVID], and we expect a strong 2021 season,” noted Nils Lagerlof, CEO of Speedgroup, the Swedish-based administrator and promotion entity of both the Championship series and Summit Racing EDRS Series.
The ties with U.S. drag racing and the opportunities for U.S. racing supplies are deep, according to the U.S. firms with whom SEMA News spoke. Read more about this market.
Want to enhance your relationships with your existing distributors in the region or line up new resellers? Join SEMA on the first SEMA Nordic trip, August 25–29, in Stockholm, Sweden. U.S. government grants are available to help defray the participation costs. Meet pre-vetted buyers and see the market first-hand.
For more information about the 2021 SEMA Nordic trip, visit www.sema.org/nordic, or contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.
Exhibit at the 2021 SEMA Show and shine the spotlight on your company in front of tens of thousands of qualified buyers looking for the best that the automotive specialty-equipment market has to offer.
In addition to buyers, the Show also attracts thousands of traditional media and social-media influencers ready to let the rest of the world know about your products and applications, opening up even more sales opportunities well after the Show concludes.
Access SEMA's worldwide network and create more opportunities to sell. Be there to reconnect at the 2021 SEMA Show, Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, Las Vegas.
Below are key dates that SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to mark on their calendars.
The Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) will be live in May. The ESM contains all of the forms and applications required to prepare for the Show: feature vehicles, new products, booth vehicles, celebrity appearances, etc.
The Exhibit Space Rental Application and deposit are due May 7.
Dates for the SEMA Show Space Selection: June 7-23
Get expert interviewing tips from HR professionals by registering here for “Interview Skills,” a one-hour interactive webinar taking place Tuesday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m. (PDT).
Featuring expert HR professionals, the webinar will include breakout sessions and question-and-answer periods to help participants gain confidence and secure a job offer. In addition to learning tips and tricks that will help applicants stand out from the competition, participants will have the opportunity to network, engage with other peers and gain skills by participating in small group activities.
Interview Skills is part of a four-part webinar series, “Perfecting Your Job Search,” presented by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN). The series covers everything a job seeker needs to know and prepare for to help secure a new job.
Jim Liaw – President/Co-Founder, Formula Drift Holdings
Voting will take place online between May 11–25, and is open to current SEMA-member companies. Votes must be cast by each company’s primary contact. Details on the upcoming election will be sent to the member company’s designated primary contact beginning April 30. Winners will be announced by May 28.
VP Racing Fuels Powers YouTube With 24 Hours of Fuel
VP Racing Fuels Inc.’s premiere of 24 Hours of Fuel launched April 7 on YouTube. VP is the official fuel of IMSA, and has fueled the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway for years. The much-anticipated video will explore what it takes to fuel 50 of the world’s fastest prototypes and GT sports cars 24 hours straight at the historic speedway that hosts the Daytona 500 and AMA Supercross.
Fans Returning to Irwindale Speedway This Weekend
Irwindale Speedway has announced that fans can return to the grandstands beginning with the April 10 race. The short track will kick off the spectator season with a record night of racing featuring 10 main events. Features include the SPEARS SRL Modifieds, SPEARS Pro Late Models, and the SPEARS Southwest Tour Super Late division. They will be joined by the track’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series racers, including INEX Legends, LKQ Pick Your Part Pro Late Models (Twins), YouRaceLA Specs, Tucker Tire Enduros (Twins), and Street Stocks. Following local and state guidelines, officials will reduce grandstand capacity. Face masks will also be required for all in attendance. The track is set to host the NHRA Summit ET Series and Junior Dragsters on April 11. For tickets and more information, visit www.irwindalespeedway.com.
2021 Dates, Stops For HOT ROD Drag Week, Power Tour Announced
MOTORTREND has announced two of its annual events are returning in 2021: the HOT ROD Power Tour (August 23–27) and HOT ROD Drag Week (September 12–17). The combined events are set to host upwards of 6,000 participating vehicles.
The 17th annual HOT ROD Drag Week, presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, will crown the “Fastest Street Car in America,” which puts competitors to a grueling test over five days of drag racing, requiring racers to drive their vehicles on a specified route upward of 1,000 miles while securing the quickest possible elapsed time on the strip.
Celebrating 27 years, the HOT ROD Power Tour driven by Continental Tire, returns to five cities, including Norwalk, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis; St. Louis; and Champaign, Illinois. Thousands of classic cars and hot rods will travel city to city while HOT ROD editors and photographers follow along. Participants can join for one day or all five days.
HOT ROD Power Tour Schedule:
Kickoff / Day 1: Monday, August 23 - Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio
Day 2: Tuesday, August 24 - Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Dayton, Ohio
Day 3: Wednesday, August 25 - Lucas Oil Raceway, Indianapolis
Day 4: Thursday, August 26 - World Wide Technology Raceway, St. Louis
Day 5: Friday, August 27 - State Farm Center, Champaign, Illinois
HOT ROD Drag Week 2021 Schedule:
Registration, Tech Day, and Test ‘n’ Tune: Sunday, September 12 - US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan
Racing Day 1: Monday, September 13 - US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan
Racing Day 2: Tuesday, September 14 - Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio
Racing Day 3: Wednesday, September 15 - Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis
Racing Day 4: Thursday, September 16 - Byron Dragway in Byron, Illinois
Racing Day 5: Friday, September 17 - US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan
SCCA to Introduce Endurance Racing Program at Sebring
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) is launching a new program at Sebring International Raceway—the first-ever SCCA Endurance Team National Championship set for March 31–April 2, 2022. The inaugural event is built around a 20-hour invitational race, broken into segments over two days. National Champions will be crowned when the checkered flag falls under the lights Saturday night, April 2. Additional details on the format and rules package for the event will be forthcoming. The goal is a team competition utilizing modified production-based street vehicles, with technical regulations designed to be inclusive, welcoming cars from existing SCCA classes, as well as those that race with other organizations.
Lucas Oil Sponsors NHRA Southern Nationals
NHRA, Atlanta Dragway and Lucas Oil have teamed up to announce Lucas Oil as the title sponsor of the Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals. As a long-time NHRA partner, Lucas Oil joins the finale of Atlanta Dragway. The 40th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals will serve as the final national NHRA event at the historic track. For more information about the NHRA schedule, visit NHRA.com.
Stan Lester Returns To FASTRAK, Ultimate Series
Stan Lester has resumed his position as the head of FASTRAK International, the parent company for FASTRAK Racing and the Ultimate Super Late Model Series. Lester, the owner and founder of the series, had partially retired in 2019, followed by a full retirement in 2020, due to health issues. The announcement follows FASTRAK Vice President DJ Irvine’s departure from the series to work with VP Racing Fuels. Lester will now focus on the 2021 touring schedule.
The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.
Many SEMA members are currently working with creative young professionals who are already industry trailblazers. They may have played key roles in leveraging new and emerging technologies with a traditional automotive aftermarket business to expand company reach, improve product development, energize marketing efforts or upgrade customer interaction.
They could be budding talents at an established company, entrepreneurs building their own brands or innovators who have launched companies that might become big names in the future. What they all will have in common are fresh ideas, enthusiasm, charisma and the drive to succeed.
SEMA News looks for candidates drawn from diverse industry segments who are already making a significant impact through their leadership within their organizations or businesses. Entrepreneurship, commitment, insight, innovation, integrity, responsibility, demonstrated skill, involvement and success within the marketplace weigh heavily in the decision-making process. We’ll honor the winners in the September issue of SEMA News and on www.sema.org.
SEMA members are urged to take advantage of a COVID-19 economic relief program enacted in 2020 and expanded in 2021—the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). The ERTC is meant to help employers that suffer significant financial losses or that were fully or partially closed due to a government order but continue to pay workers who are unable to perform their duties.
2020: The tax credit is equal to 50% of up to $10,000 in qualified wages paid between March 12–December 31, 2020. The total credit is capped at $5,000 per employee and applies against employment taxes on wages paid to all employees. There is a 100-employee limitation. Credit available if:
Employer had a fully or partially suspended operation during any calendar quarter in 2020 due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority due to COVID-19; or
Employer experienced a significant decline (more than 50%) in gross receipts during the calendar quarter.
2021: The tax credit applies to all four quarters of 2021. The credit is now equal to 70% of up to $10,000 in qualified wages per quarter (including health plan expenses). This means the tax credit is potentially $28,000 per employee ($7,000 for each quarter). Employers who have experienced a 20% or more decline of gross receipts in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019 can apply. For 2021, the size limitation was increased to employers with 500 or fewer employees (up from 100 workers).
Employers claim the ERTC by withholding payroll taxes for qualified employee wages. Because the tax credit is refundable, if the withholdings do not cover the entire tax credit, the IRS will send you a check for the remaining amount.
Under the expanded ERTC program, a business that obtained a PPP loan can claim the ERTC provided that wages paid with PPP funds are excluded for the purpose of calculating the ERTC.
California Assembly Member Tim Grayson (D-Concord) introduced SEMA-supported legislation (AB 904) that would create a new tax credit designed to stimulate long-term capital investments in manufacturing. SEMA members are encouraged to register their support for the bill by clicking here.
If enacted, AB 904 would provide Golden State manufacturers with more than 100 employees with a 5% credit against taxes imposed for the purchase of qualified tangible personal property, such as equipment, machinery, computers or computing software involved in the manufacturing process. Small manufacturers with fewer than 100 employees would be eligible for a 6% tax credit. This is especially important to SEMA’s member companies, of which 92% employ less than 100 individuals. In both cases, the tax credit covers up to $1 million in qualified investments and may be carried over for up to five years beginning in 2022.
Assembly Member Grayson is a member of the SEMA State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and was the 2019 winner of SEMA’s Stephen B. McDonald Legislator of the Year award. In addition to being a lawmaker, Assembly Member Grayson, along with his wife Tammy, is also an enthusiast. Included in the Grayson’s collection are two classic Ford Mustangs.
For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
Get expert interviewing tips from HR professionals by 
The September 2021 issue of SEMA News will highlight rising stars in the automotive aftermarket industry who are age 35 and younger. If you know a leader in that age range as of September 1, 2021—whether they are in manufacturing and design, marketing, retail, events and media, or distribution—we would like to hear from you.