An All-Electric 2-Ton SUV with Extra Performance: The BMW iX5 M

The BMW X5 is due for a major redesign inside and out, and while several prototypes of the upcoming model have been spotted recently, photographers in Munich have now captured what appears to be the new BMW iX5 M for the first time.

The prototype features a significantly more aggressive front fascia thanks to larger, sportier air intakes. The grille and headlights are similar to those seen on other variants and appear to incorporate design elements that will help usher the model into BMW's Neue Klasse era.

Compared to the front fascia, the rear of this test vehicle appears relatively understated. The taillights and bumper-mounted reflectors are temporary units. Despite what the camouflage may suggest, the next-generation BMW X5 is expected to eliminate the split-opening tailgate. The change is also expected to apply to the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and hydrogen-powered variants.

In addition to its more aggressive styling, the prototype rides on a set of lightweight-looking five-spoke alloy wheels. Equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport tires for enhanced grip, the vehicle also features upgraded brakes, including large front calipers and cross-drilled brake rotors. These details further suggest this is the BMW iX5 M rather than a standard version of the electric premium midsize crossover.

BMW has not released powertrain specifications for the new iX5 M. However, the iX5 60 is expected to feature a dual-motor setup producing 569 hp and a 147.8-kWh battery pack. The iX7 M70 is rumored to produce more than 800 hp, raising questions about the performance potential of the iX5 M. More details are expected closer to launch.

In addition to battery-electric power, the next-generation BMW X5 lineup is expected to include hydrogen-powered, gasoline-powered and plug-in hybrid variants.

More Art of Steel: The Next-Generation Hyundai i20

While it is not a major player in the subcompact hatchback segment, the Hyundai i20 is expected to undergo a complete redesign later this year. Scheduled to arrive at European dealerships in 2027, the new model builds on the current third-generation platform while incorporating Hyundai's evolving Art of Steel design language.

The latest-generation Nexo introduced Art of Steel to production vehicles, shifting away from complex surface details in favor of cleaner proportions and stronger visual presence. One of the design language's key elements is its front lighting signature, and these spy photos suggest a clear departure from the current Hyundai i20.

Art of Steel is also intended to create a more unified design identity across Hyundai's lineup. Like the Nexo, the next-generation i20 appears to replace the traditional grille with a thin, wide opening and a separate lower intake. New alloy wheel designs and more pronounced wheel arches are also expected.

One notable difference between the upcoming model and the current i20 is the window line, which rises more sharply toward the C-pillar. The rear quarter windows appear to have been eliminated in favor of thicker pillars, and Hyundai has also revised the rear lighting design. A small exhaust outlet visible beneath the passenger-side underbody suggests the use of a relatively small-displacement engine.

Despite its size, the engine is capable of towing. The current i20 is rated to tow up to 1,110 kg (2,447 lbs.) with the 1.0L T-GDi engine and manual transmission, while versions equipped with the dual-clutch transmission are rated at 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs.). In some markets, a naturally aspirated 1.2L MPi engine is available exclusively with a manual transmission.

Inside, the '27 Hyundai i20 is expected to feature a simplified dashboard layout, updated trim and revised infotainment technology. One of the most significant changes could be a panoramic glass display that combines the digital instrument cluster and central infotainment screen into a single integrated unit.

Like Hyundai's newer models, the i20 is also expected to replace its four-spoke steering wheel with a more compact three-spoke design. The model may also adopt Hyundai's Pleos Connect infotainment system in place of the current Navigation System.

The next-generation i20 is expected to offer multiple powertrain options, including three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines. A hybrid powertrain is also anticipated, particularly in response to upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations. Reports further suggest that the i20 N could return with some form of electrified assistance.

While the 1.2L MPi engine may remain available in emerging markets, it could be discontinued in Europe. Aside from the i20 N, most versions are expected to be powered by the 1.0L T-GDi engine paired with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia 

By SEMA News Editors

SEMA has announced the result of the 2026-2027 SEMA Board of Directors election, with Jeff Hermann of the MagnaFlow Group elected as a board member.
 

SEMA Board members are industry representatives who volunteer their time to lead and guide the association. They are elected by SEMA-member companies and represent the key membership categories, including, but not limited to, manufacturers, distributors/retailers, manufacturers' representatives and services.
 

The SEMA Board of Directors for 2026-2027 will be as follows: 

Board Officers

• Chair–Melanie White, president, Hellwig Products

• Chair-elect–Norris Marshall, CEO, BluePrint Engines

• Immediate Past-Chair/Secretary–Kyle Fickler, director of business development, ProCharger

• Treasurer–Chris Douglas, president, MCD Enterprises

Board Members

• Bill Bader, president and owner, Summit Motorsports Park

• Rich Butler, CEO, R&R Marketing Consultants

• Jeff Hermann, vice president, strategy and brand, MagnaFlow Group

• Brian Herron, president, OPUS IVS

• Doug Lane, president and owner, Motor State Distributing

• Tim McCarthy, founder/CEO, Hushmat and ZyCoat

• Kelle Oeste, CEO and owner, V8TV Speed & Resto Shop

• Kim Pendergast, CEO, Magnuson Superchargers

• Melissa Scoles, president and CEO, QA1

• Marcus Umlauff, general manager truck, Toyota Motor North America

Outgoing Board Member

• Ted Wentz, CEO, Quadratec

The entire 2026-2027 SEMA Board of Directors and outgoing board member will be honored and recognized during the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala in Newport Beach, California, on July 24. All SEMA members and industry professionals are invited to join the celebration by purchasing tickets at www.sema.org/gala.

By SEMA News Editors

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte traded the State House for the starting line Friday as she visited New England Dragway during the opening day of the 2026 NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto. 

Accompanied by NHRA President Glen Cromwell, Bob Tasca III and Austin Prock, Ayotte received a behind-the-scenes tour of New Hampshire's premier annual sporting events, getting an up-close look at the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and the teams that compete at speeds exceeding 330 mph. Ayotte spent time on the starting line during qualifying, where she witnessed firsthand the intensity and precision required to launch Funny Cars down the historic track. 

She also met with members of Team Tasca, including Bob Tasca III and the Ford-backed Funny Car organization that calls New England home. The visit provided an opportunity for Ayotte to learn more about the economic and tourism impact generated by the New England Nationals, which annually attracts thousands of fans, racers, and crew members to southern New Hampshire. The event serves as one of the state's largest motorsports attractions and has been a fixture on the NHRA national event schedule for decades. 

Team Tasca, long one of New England's most recognizable motorsports organizations, welcomed the governor as part of her tour. The Rhode Island-based team has deep roots in the region and remains one of Ford Performance's flagship NHRA operations. For Ayotte, the visit offered a unique perspective on the technology, teamwork and dedication that drive professional drag racing, while highlighting the importance of New England Dragway and the NHRA New England Nationals to the region's motorsports community.

Images courtesy of NHRA and Shutterstock

By SEMA News Editors

Ned Jarrett, twice a NASCAR premier-series champion as well as a second-year inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and one of the first competitors to make a successful transition from the race car to the television booth, has died. He was 93.

The Jarrett family made the following statement: "With profound sadness, the family of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and radio/TV personality, Ned Jarrett, announces his passing on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, with his family by his side. He was 93 years old. Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR's oldest living champion. By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in Peace, Dad."

"Despite his calm demeanor, 'Gentleman' Ned Jarrett was as fierce a competitor as NASCAR has ever seen," NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell said in a statement. "His on-track accomplishments speak for themselves with wins and championships across several NASCAR divisions. But it was his off-the-track persona that separated Ned from his peers. He was as kind as his nickname indicated. And his endearing personality helped him excel in his second career as a broadcaster. Ned was an outstanding ambassador for the sport for more than six decades, and he will be dearly missed. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to all of Ned's family and friends on the loss of a NASCAR legend."

The third driver to win at least 50 NASCAR premier-series races, Jarrett won championships in 1961 and 1965 in what is known today as the NASCAR Cup Series. He is also a two-time Sportsman champion, claiming back-to-back titles in 1957 and '58 after finishing second to Ralph Earnhardt in '56.

Jarrett holds the record for the premier series' largest margin of victory––claiming the 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway by a whopping 14 laps.

His 50 career wins came in just 352 starts during a career that lasted 13 years, from 1953 through 1966. However, he ran more than half the scheduled races only six times.

In that short span, Jarrett still totaled 185 top-five finishes and 239 top-10 results.

His championships came with two team owners––his '61 title was won while competing for shipping heir B.G. Holloway, while his '65 title came with owner Bondy Long.

It was also in '65 that Jarrett suffered his worst injury in racing––breaking his back in a crash at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

That injury, and the temporary withdrawal of Ford Motor Company from stock-car racing the next year, hastened Jarrett's retirement at the age of 34.

"With the help of a lot of good doctors and a lot of people, we were able to keep going and finish out the season and went on to win the championship," Jarrett said during his NASCAR Hall of Fame acceptance speech in 2011. "I'm very grateful for that."

Jarrett was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers in 1998, and his 43 victories in Ford entries remain tops for that manufacturer.

After his retirement from driving, Jarrett quickly became a fan favorite behind the microphone.

"Ned Jarrett's World of Racing," a daily radio news show, became a staple among those in the sport and those who followed it.

He worked with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) as a pit-road reporter before moving to the television booth, where he enjoyed stints with CBS and ESPN. His call for CBS of the final laps of the 1993 Daytona 500, in which his youngest son, Dale Jarrett, held off then-five-time series champion Dale Earnhardt for the victory, remains one of the most memorable calls in NASCAR.

"C'mon, Dale, go baby, go," the elder Jarrett said as the final lap unfolded, urging on his son while a national television audience listened in. "... Don't let him (Earnhardt) get to the inside of you coming around this turn. Here he comes, Earnhardt; it's the Dale and Dale show as they come off Turn 4.

"You know who I'm pulling for, it's Dale Jarrett. Bring her to the inside, Dale, don't let him get down there. He's gonna make it! Dale Jarrett's gonna win the Daytona 500! Alright!"

Ned Jarrett was born Oct. 12, 1932, near Newton, North Carolina, and grew up working on his family's farm and sawmill. When talk of a new race track, Hickory Speedway, became hot news in the community, Jarrett began making plans to compete when the track held its first premier-series event in 1953.

"I played a little basketball and baseball in high school (and) thought I had some athletic ability," he said. "When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever run there. I was hooked."

Racing was little more than a hobby at that time for Jarrett, who said he won half interest in his first race car in a poker game.

When he began running in the Sportsman Series full time and winning regularly, he started to consider moving up to the premier series, where he could try to race for a living.

When no car owners came calling, however, Jarrett found himself still competing in Sportsman races. After one particularly stressful night, Jarrett said he told others he needed a change.

"I need to get in a car that will win a race for me or run up front on a consistent basis," he said.

What followed remains one of the more interesting stories in NASCAR lore.

After his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011, Jarrett shared the story with members of the media.

"There was a 1957 Ford for sale, being maintained in my hometown," Jarrett said. "Junior Johnson was winning on a fairly regular basis in that car. They were building Junior a new Dodge to run at Darlington that year, 1959."

The owners wanted $2,000 for the car. Jarrett didn't have $2,000, but he did have a plan––which was to write a check for the car after the bank closed on Friday, meaning it would be at least Monday before the money could be drawn from his account.

"There was a 100-mile race, pays $950 to win Friday night at Myrtle Beach," he said. "There was another race on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte that pays $950 to win. That's $1,900. I can cover that check on Monday morning.

"You can't be foolish enough to try that, but I did. I had no doubt in my mind. I was cocky enough to believe if Junior Johnson could win races in that car, I could, too."

The result was Jarrett's first two premier-series victories as he won back-to-back events at Rambi Raceway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on August 1 and Southern States Fairgrounds in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 2.

"We were able to pull it off," he said. "... That's what launched me into the Grand National Series."

Jarrett won five times the following season as he ran 40 of the 44 races on the schedule and finished fifth in the points standings.

In 1961, he hooked up with Holloway and Chevrolet––thanks to a recommendation from 1960 series champion Rex White––and won his first title despite winning only one race. He finished in the top five in 23 of his 46 starts, outpointing White for the title.

Jarrett won a career-best 15 races driving for Long in 1964 but finished second to Richard Petty in the battle for the championship.

In the '64 running of the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jarrett helped pull a critically injured Fireball Roberts from his burning car after a crash. Roberts suffered third-degree burns, while Jarrett was treated for minor burns.

Roberts, one of NASCAR's first superstars, died two months later while still being treated for his injuries.
The '65 season saw Jarrett win 13 more times and capture his second series title. Included in his victories was the stunning 14-lap winning margin at Darlington. He made his final start the following year, finishing third at Rockingham while driving for Long.

Besides a driving and broadcasting career, Jarrett also took a turn as a track promoter, running Hickory Speedway from 1968 through 1977. He was named Promoter of the Year twice for his efforts.

All three of Jarrett's children––sons Dale and Glenn and daughter Patti––have NASCAR ties.

Dale Jarrett won the NASCAR premier-series title in 1999 and retired with 32 career victories. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2014.

Glenn Jarrett competed in both the Cup Series and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series before embarking on his own broadcasting career, while his daughter, Patti Makar, is married to Jimmy Makar, who was the senior vice president of racing operations for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Ned Jarrett was preceded in death by Martha, his wife of 67 years, on February 5, 2023.

In January 1963, Ned Jarrett spoke to The Associated Press about the business of running a race team, its pitfalls as well as its advantages.

"There's very little glamour in this business of stock-car racing," Jarrett said at the time. "It is hard work. To make money in it, you've got to run your team like you would any other business.

"You've got to match dollars that go out with dollars that come in. You can't live on fame."

Image courtesy of NASCAR

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, an important, bipartisan group of lawmakers whose legislative work reflects their unwavering support for America’s car culture and the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. 

As co-chair of the caucus, Rep. Harshbarger will partner with Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) to educate lawmakers on policies affecting automotive enthusiasts, racers, aftermarket businesses and the broader motorsports ecosystem. 

"Motorsports and automotive performance are woven into the fabric of American culture and support an industry that drives innovation, fuels small businesses, and sustains more than a million jobs across the country," said Rep. Harshbarger. "From manufacturers and suppliers to racers, collectors and enthusiasts, this industry represents the ingenuity and craftsmanship that make America exceptional. I'm honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus alongside Congressman Bishop, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to support an industry that means so much to our economy and to communities like ours in East Tennessee."

SEMA applauds this announcement, hailing Rep. Harshbarger as a tireless advocate for the interests of aftermarket small businesses and automotive enthusiasts nationwide. 

"Rep. Harshbarger understands the economic and cultural importance of America's automotive aftermarket industry and enthusiast community," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "Her leadership and commitment to supporting small businesses, manufacturing, and consumer choice make her a strong advocate for our industry and the millions of Americans who live their best lives through their cars and trucks."

Congresswoman Harshbarger's appointment comes at an important time for the nation's automotive performance industry, which delivers an annual economic impact of $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports over 1.3 million American jobs.  

Congresswoman Harshbarger is leading the effort to secure passage of the "ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act" (H.R. 6688), her bipartisan bill that would protect American vehicle owners' right to modify vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the impact of vehicle modifications on safety systems and empowers the agency to publish guidelines to ensure that life-saving technology, such as automatic emergency braking, continues to work as designed after a vehicle has been modified. 

SEMA looks forward to working with Rep. Harshbarger, Rep. Bishop and caucus members to advance policies that protect consumer access to automotive customization, support domestic manufacturing and preserve the future of motorsports and enthusiast activities nationwide. 

About the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus and Motorsports Caucus

The Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus is a forum for lawmakers to engage on issues impacting vehicle customization, motorsports competition, automotive innovation and the specialty-equipment marketplace. 

Formed in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, the bipartisan Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus reflects America's always-growing love affair with the automobile and motorsports. The SEMA-supported Congressional Caucus helps shine a spotlight on the significant economic and cultural contributions of the automotive performance and motorsports industries, as well as the innovation delivered by small businesses and manufacturers from every corner of the U.S. The honorary caucus also recognizes the important role that modifying vehicles and racing play in our daily lives, through advancements in safety, performance, and customization that support the various needs of families and businesses.

To sign up for updates from SEMA Action, visit semahq.org.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, an important, bipartisan group of lawmakers whose legislative work reflects their unwavering support for America’s car culture and the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. 

As co-chair of the caucus, Rep. Harshbarger will partner with Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) to educate lawmakers on policies affecting automotive enthusiasts, racers, aftermarket businesses and the broader motorsports ecosystem. 

"Motorsports and automotive performance are woven into the fabric of American culture and support an industry that drives innovation, fuels small businesses, and sustains more than a million jobs across the country," said Rep. Harshbarger. "From manufacturers and suppliers to racers, collectors and enthusiasts, this industry represents the ingenuity and craftsmanship that make America exceptional. I'm honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus alongside Congressman Bishop, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to support an industry that means so much to our economy and to communities like ours in East Tennessee."

SEMA applauds this announcement, hailing Rep. Harshbarger as a tireless advocate for the interests of aftermarket small businesses and automotive enthusiasts nationwide. 

"Rep. Harshbarger understands the economic and cultural importance of America's automotive aftermarket industry and enthusiast community," said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. "Her leadership and commitment to supporting small businesses, manufacturing, and consumer choice make her a strong advocate for our industry and the millions of Americans who live their best lives through their cars and trucks."

Congresswoman Harshbarger's appointment comes at an important time for the nation's automotive performance industry, which delivers an annual economic impact of $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports over 1.3 million American jobs.  

Congresswoman Harshbarger is leading the effort to secure passage of the "ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act" (H.R. 6688), her bipartisan bill that would protect American vehicle owners' right to modify vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the impact of vehicle modifications on safety systems and empowers the agency to publish guidelines to ensure that life-saving technology, such as automatic emergency braking, continues to work as designed after a vehicle has been modified. 

SEMA looks forward to working with Rep. Harshbarger, Rep. Bishop and caucus members to advance policies that protect consumer access to automotive customization, support domestic manufacturing and preserve the future of motorsports and enthusiast activities nationwide. 

About the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus and Motorsports Caucus

The Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus is a forum for lawmakers to engage on issues impacting vehicle customization, motorsports competition, automotive innovation and the specialty-equipment marketplace. 

Formed in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, the bipartisan Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus reflects America's always-growing love affair with the automobile and motorsports. The SEMA-supported Congressional Caucus helps shine a spotlight on the significant economic and cultural contributions of the automotive performance and motorsports industries, as well as the innovation delivered by small businesses and manufacturers from every corner of the U.S. The honorary caucus also recognizes the important role that modifying vehicles and racing play in our daily lives, through advancements in safety, performance, and customization that support the various needs of families and businesses.

To sign up for updates from SEMA Action, visit semahq.org.

By SEMA News Editors

Attendee registration for the 2026 SEMA Show is open. 

Set for November 3-6 in Las Vegas, the SEMA Show delivers an attendee experience unlike any other, bringing together thousands of world-class vehicle displays alongside even more of the newest automotive aftermarket products from both emerging and established exhibitors.  

The SEMA Show floor serves as the ultimate destination for automotive professionals of all experience levels, backgrounds and areas of focus to convene, share insights and ideas and conduct business for four days straight. 

How to Register for the 2026 SEMA Show 

Approved attendees can register for a SEMA Show badge at the lowest available rate ($50 per badge) until pricing increases (to $75 per badge) after June 26.

In short, the sooner an attendee registers for the SEMA Show, the more they save. But, early registrants can also get a head start on their SEMA Show plan, with access to the Registration Resource Center to print receipts, register a spouse, book hotels, reserve a spot in one of dozens of educational sessions, purchase tickets to events like SEMA Fest, the SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast, SEMA Industry Honors and more.

How to Save on Your 2026 SEMA Show Hotel Reservations

Hotel reservations are open through SEMA's only official housing partner, onPeak. Bookings made in the official SEMA Show block are eligible for hotel loyalty and member programs and are guaranteed to be the lowest possible prices available. That's right: organizers will price-match if you happen to find a lower rate, so there's no downside to booking within the official SEMA Show hotel block at semashow.com/hotel. 

How to Save on Airfare to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show

SEMA Show organizers know travel costs can add up, which is why they've partnered with several airlines to offer exclusive discounts for attendees heading to the 2026 SEMA Show. 

With these deals from exclusive SEMA Show partners––detailed at the link below––attendees can take advantage of airfare savings while planning their trip to the industry's premier automotive aftermarket event. 

SEMA Fest Tickets Now on Sale for 2026

SEMA Fest, which has featured headliners Imagine Dragons, Cage the Elephant, Sublime and Queens of the Stone Age, will return to Las Vegas on Friday, November 6, with motorsports, music and car culture. 

Tickets are available now for industry members at the lowest available price ahead of the 2026 lineup announcement. Qualified SEMA Show attendees can add SEMA Fest tickets directly through the Registration Resource Center when securing a Show badge.

Non-industry friends and family can purchase tickets now at SEMAFest.com, along with passes for the one-day "SEMA Show Friday – Open to the Public," a bucket-list experience for automotive enthusiasts.

The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee, buyer and media registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com. 

By Ashley Reyes

The Industry Cup Challenge returns to the SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala on Friday, July 24, in Newport Beach, uniting SEMA members for an evening of friendly competition, camaraderie and charitable impact.

The event features sponsored pinewood derby cars racing head-to-head in thrilling downhill action. All proceeds support SEMA Cares and its charity partners: Austin Hatcher Foundation, Childhelp and Victory Junction.

How the Industry Cup Challenge Works

The Industry Cup Challenge features five divisions: warehouse distributors, manufacturers, media, sales rep agencies and service providers. Each division will compete for the top spot in its category with the winning companies going on to represent that division in an all-out industry race and to be crowned the Industry Cup Challenge champion.

The winning company's name will be engraved on the Industry Cup Challenge trophy alongside past champions in a Stanley Cup-style tradition. The winner will hold the trophy for one year before returning it to defend their title at the next Gala.

Racing for a Cause

SEMA Cares provides a platform for association members to make a collective, positive impact beyond the automotive community. Through the Industry Cup Challenge, SEMA Cares provides critical resources, care and life-changing experiences for children and families navigating pediatric cancer, abuse recovery and serious medical conditions.

Join the Race

Ready to rally your team, connect with fellow industry members and make a difference that will have a lasting impact? Sponsor a pinewood derby car.

Sponsorships are $1,000 per company, and all races are officiated by SEMA Cares volunteers.

Can't attend the July 24 event in person? No problem. A SEMA Cares volunteer will race your company's pinewood derby car on your behalf, keeping you in the competition no matter where you are.

To purchase tickets for the 2026 SEMA Leaders & Legends Gala, the annual celebration honoring SEMA Hall of Fame inductees and recognizing incoming and outgoing members of the SEMA Board of Directors, visit sema.org/gala.

By Ashley Reyes

Do you know a person who has made an extraordinary impact on the automotive specialty equipment industry? Great, because nominations are now open for the coveted 2026 SEMA Person of the Year Award.

Each year, SEMA selects one individual to recognize at the SEMA Show whose passion, leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the automotive aftermarket and the SEMA community. The award celebrates an individual who has not only achieved professional excellence but also contributed their time and energy to advancing industry initiatives, mentored others and fostered collaboration across all levels of the aftermarket.

Award-winning qualities include:

• Serving as a catalyst for progress by shaping policy, building meaningful relationships or supporting programs that benefit the entire supply chain. 
• Demonstrating influence that extends beyond their immediate role or organization, touching a wide range of partners, professionals and future leaders.
• Embodying the spirit of volunteerism, integrity, and vision that strengthens the foundation of the industry and inspires those around them to do the same.

To be considered, the nominee's contributions must fall within the SEMA fiscal year, July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; the candidate must also work in the automotive aftermarket and be employed by a SEMA member company. (SEMA staff or people working under contract for SEMA are not eligible for consideration.)

Know of a person who has helped shape the industry's future? Submit your nomination before the Friday, August 15 deadline at sema.org/awards.

SEMA is also accepting nominations for more industry awards, including Channel Partner of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, Person of the Year and the Visionary 8.

2026 SEMA Show to Celebrate the Industry's Best

The SEMA Show festivities shift into gear on Tuesday, November 3, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 products will be recognized with New Product Awards alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.

On Thursday, November 5, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA's Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central.

The momentum will continue during the SEMA Industry Honors, celebrated at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry's biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year and Person of the Year. 

Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year–– a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build––will open in August. Learn more at sema.org/awards. 

The 2026 SEMA Show is set for November 3-6, in Las Vegas. Interested exhibitors can buy a booth and learn more at semashow.com/exhibitor. Attendee and buyer registration is now open online. For more information, visit semashow.com. SEMA Fest has been confirmed for Friday, November 6, 2026, and industry members will get the lowest rate on tickets through the registration portal and Attendee Resource Center. Sign up for updates at semafest.com.   

By Ashley Reyes

Building a successful restoration business requires world-class craftsmanship and a sound business strategy. To help automotive restoration professionals turn their shops into profitable businesses, the SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) is hosting a virtual General Membership Meeting and Panel Discussion on Thursday, June 25, at 10:00 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET.

During the general membership meeting, select committee leaders will share brief updates on ARMO's key initiatives and member resources. The event will then transition into a panel discussion, offering attendees a rare opportunity to learn from top restoration shop owners about business best practices.  

Moderated by Joanna Agosta Shere, president of Steele Rubber Products, the discussion will feature panelists Amy Beck of Hahn Auto Restoration; Tony D'Antonio of D'Antonio Automotive; and Jesse Henke of JH Restorations LTD. Together, they will share real-life examples of what works, what doesn't and where shops unknowingly lose time and money––and how to fix it.

What You'll Learn:

• Foundations of a successful business
• Financial and billing practices
• Efficient workflows and operations
• Client experience and marketing strategies

If you oversee project management, cash flow or make important decisions, this session is your chance to connect with and learn from shop owners who have mastered running a profitable and sustainable business. Don't miss it.  

ARMO membership is open to SEMA member companies serving the automotive restoration market, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, restorers, and car clubs. To learn more or to join, visit sema.org/armo.