By Clint Simone and Carr Winn

SEMA News had the cameras rolling to catch the industry in action in the halls and out front of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the four days of the 2016 SEMA Show. 

Since its inception, the SEMA Show has provided a venue for specialty-automotive manufacturers to showcase the latest products and design trends to industry buyers. During the past decade, the Show has added many attractions and features that put buyers and attendees in the middle of the action. This evolution has created a SEMA Show experience that’s fueled by live product demonstrations, high-speed ride-alongs, celebrity appearances and autograph signings, new business trends and techniques, new product reveals, the SEMA Cruise custom car parade, and the electric atmosphere of SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

By Clint Simone and Carr Winn

SEMA News had the cameras rolling to catch the industry in action in the halls and out front of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the four days of the 2016 SEMA Show. 

Since its inception, the SEMA Show has provided a venue for specialty-automotive manufacturers to showcase the latest products and design trends to industry buyers. During the past decade, the Show has added many attractions and features that put buyers and attendees in the middle of the action. This evolution has created a SEMA Show experience that’s fueled by live product demonstrations, high-speed ride-alongs, celebrity appearances and autograph signings, new business trends and techniques, new product reveals, the SEMA Cruise custom car parade, and the electric atmosphere of SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA, JOHNSON, ANDERSON, SMITH TAKE SEASON-ENDING CROWNS AT POMONA: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were victorious at the 24th and final event of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The Auto Club NHRA Finals marked the conclusion of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Kalitta powered to a holeshot victory with a 3.745-second pass at 326.63 mph in his Mac Tools dragster to defeat J.R. Todd’s 3.704 at 327.90 in his SealMaster dragster in the Top Fuel final. Kalitta claimed his fourth victory of the season and 42nd of his career. He sprinted past Shawn Reed, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Shawn Langdon in the earlier rounds. The win moved him to second in points, where he will finish for the fourth time in his career.

“I’ve been trying to win this last race for a long time,” said Kalitta, nephew of drag-racing legend Connie Kalitta. “The history here, for me, growing up watching Connie race over the years and to be able to win today was huge for me and for everybody on the team. It was very cool that [Todd] and I were both in the final and got to run for the money there. It will be good momentum for all of our teams, and we finished off the season with some good runs."

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NHRA AWARDS CEREMONY: Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Jason Line and Jerry Savoie were the headliners crowned as world champions Monday evening during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The four drivers were honored for their season-long achievements and presented with checks and trophies for winning 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship titles during the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship—NHRA’s playoffs.

SAVOIE RACES TO FIRST PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jerry Savoie earned his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship after he advanced to the semifinals while his nearest contenders, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines, were knocked out in the quarterfinals. Savoie, rider of the White Alligator Racing Suzuki, never led the points standings until he secured the title.

“To only dream of winning one race and to come out here and put a deal together with the support of Vance & Hines and my crew and to win the championship is amazing,” said Savoie, who won two races and notched four runner-ups. “I went to church this morning [Sunday] and the word was encouragement and to get encouraged from the people that inspire you. I want to thank everybody, especially the fans. Without these guys, this would not be possible; you make our dreams come true, and those guys are my family.”

He Said, She Said

“I really haven't slept well since the Countdown started after Labor Day. It really came together, but man, what a fight. My stomach has been in a knot since Indy. I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight. It hasn’t sunk in. I have to tell you that the trophy should be broken into a trillion pieces and given to all our fans. We have the best fans. I can't even tell you how focused Rahn Tobler has been this year. I almost gave up trying so hard and wishing so hard, and just focused on winning races. With everything we got this year—my 50th career win, passing some people I really looked up to in the sport with wins—that's mind-boggling for me. This was the toughest Funny Car class ever and the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car, which was awesome. What a great, great season.”

—Ron Capps after securing his first Funny Car world championship at Pomona. Capps raced to a category leading five wins in 2016 along with five runner-up finishes.

Inside the Numbers

3: Both the number of points separating 2016 Pro Stock world champion Jason Line and Greg Anderson and the number of championships for Line. The veteran racer was able to clinch the championship after he raced to victory in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro in the semifinal round at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, putting the points out of reach for second-place teammate Greg Anderson.

“It’s been a great year and thanks to all of our competitors; they kept us honest and made us work hard right to the end,” said Line, who also won the world title in 2006 and 2011. “I have to thank all the Summit guys, Ken Black, and all of them. It has been an incredible season and I can’t believe I didn’t actually mess it up.  It is such an honor to be up here. We have had a great car all year. Greg [Anderson] and I have had probably the two best cars all year. If it had ended any other way, I would have been disappointed.”

Did You Know

SUMMIT SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPS CROWNED: Jeff Hefler won his third Summit Racing Series national championship and was joined in victory by Timothy Smith, Chad Isley and Curtis Spracklin as the yearlong competition raced to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. The quartet of winners, all champions at the divisional level, battled drivers from other regions of the country in eight-vehicle fields to win bracket racing’s greatest honor.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA, JOHNSON, ANDERSON, SMITH TAKE SEASON-ENDING CROWNS AT POMONA: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were victorious at the 24th and final event of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The Auto Club NHRA Finals marked the conclusion of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Kalitta powered to a holeshot victory with a 3.745-second pass at 326.63 mph in his Mac Tools dragster to defeat J.R. Todd’s 3.704 at 327.90 in his SealMaster dragster in the Top Fuel final. Kalitta claimed his fourth victory of the season and 42nd of his career. He sprinted past Shawn Reed, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Shawn Langdon in the earlier rounds. The win moved him to second in points, where he will finish for the fourth time in his career.

“I’ve been trying to win this last race for a long time,” said Kalitta, nephew of drag-racing legend Connie Kalitta. “The history here, for me, growing up watching Connie race over the years and to be able to win today was huge for me and for everybody on the team. It was very cool that [Todd] and I were both in the final and got to run for the money there. It will be good momentum for all of our teams, and we finished off the season with some good runs."

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NHRA AWARDS CEREMONY: Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Jason Line and Jerry Savoie were the headliners crowned as world champions Monday evening during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The four drivers were honored for their season-long achievements and presented with checks and trophies for winning 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship titles during the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship—NHRA’s playoffs.

SAVOIE RACES TO FIRST PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jerry Savoie earned his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship after he advanced to the semifinals while his nearest contenders, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines, were knocked out in the quarterfinals. Savoie, rider of the White Alligator Racing Suzuki, never led the points standings until he secured the title.

“To only dream of winning one race and to come out here and put a deal together with the support of Vance & Hines and my crew and to win the championship is amazing,” said Savoie, who won two races and notched four runner-ups. “I went to church this morning [Sunday] and the word was encouragement and to get encouraged from the people that inspire you. I want to thank everybody, especially the fans. Without these guys, this would not be possible; you make our dreams come true, and those guys are my family.”

He Said, She Said

“I really haven't slept well since the Countdown started after Labor Day. It really came together, but man, what a fight. My stomach has been in a knot since Indy. I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight. It hasn’t sunk in. I have to tell you that the trophy should be broken into a trillion pieces and given to all our fans. We have the best fans. I can't even tell you how focused Rahn Tobler has been this year. I almost gave up trying so hard and wishing so hard, and just focused on winning races. With everything we got this year—my 50th career win, passing some people I really looked up to in the sport with wins—that's mind-boggling for me. This was the toughest Funny Car class ever and the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car, which was awesome. What a great, great season.”

—Ron Capps after securing his first Funny Car world championship at Pomona. Capps raced to a category leading five wins in 2016 along with five runner-up finishes.

Inside the Numbers

3: Both the number of points separating 2016 Pro Stock world champion Jason Line and Greg Anderson and the number of championships for Line. The veteran racer was able to clinch the championship after he raced to victory in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro in the semifinal round at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, putting the points out of reach for second-place teammate Greg Anderson.

“It’s been a great year and thanks to all of our competitors; they kept us honest and made us work hard right to the end,” said Line, who also won the world title in 2006 and 2011. “I have to thank all the Summit guys, Ken Black, and all of them. It has been an incredible season and I can’t believe I didn’t actually mess it up.  It is such an honor to be up here. We have had a great car all year. Greg [Anderson] and I have had probably the two best cars all year. If it had ended any other way, I would have been disappointed.”

Did You Know

SUMMIT SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPS CROWNED: Jeff Hefler won his third Summit Racing Series national championship and was joined in victory by Timothy Smith, Chad Isley and Curtis Spracklin as the yearlong competition raced to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. The quartet of winners, all champions at the divisional level, battled drivers from other regions of the country in eight-vehicle fields to win bracket racing’s greatest honor.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

KALITTA, JOHNSON, ANDERSON, SMITH TAKE SEASON-ENDING CROWNS AT POMONA: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were victorious at the 24th and final event of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The Auto Club NHRA Finals marked the conclusion of the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. Kalitta powered to a holeshot victory with a 3.745-second pass at 326.63 mph in his Mac Tools dragster to defeat J.R. Todd’s 3.704 at 327.90 in his SealMaster dragster in the Top Fuel final. Kalitta claimed his fourth victory of the season and 42nd of his career. He sprinted past Shawn Reed, eight-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Shawn Langdon in the earlier rounds. The win moved him to second in points, where he will finish for the fourth time in his career.

“I’ve been trying to win this last race for a long time,” said Kalitta, nephew of drag-racing legend Connie Kalitta. “The history here, for me, growing up watching Connie race over the years and to be able to win today was huge for me and for everybody on the team. It was very cool that [Todd] and I were both in the final and got to run for the money there. It will be good momentum for all of our teams, and we finished off the season with some good runs."

CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT NHRA AWARDS CEREMONY: Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Jason Line and Jerry Savoie were the headliners crowned as world champions Monday evening during the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The four drivers were honored for their season-long achievements and presented with checks and trophies for winning 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championship titles during the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship—NHRA’s playoffs.

SAVOIE RACES TO FIRST PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jerry Savoie earned his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship after he advanced to the semifinals while his nearest contenders, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines, were knocked out in the quarterfinals. Savoie, rider of the White Alligator Racing Suzuki, never led the points standings until he secured the title.

“To only dream of winning one race and to come out here and put a deal together with the support of Vance & Hines and my crew and to win the championship is amazing,” said Savoie, who won two races and notched four runner-ups. “I went to church this morning [Sunday] and the word was encouragement and to get encouraged from the people that inspire you. I want to thank everybody, especially the fans. Without these guys, this would not be possible; you make our dreams come true, and those guys are my family.”

He Said, She Said

“I really haven't slept well since the Countdown started after Labor Day. It really came together, but man, what a fight. My stomach has been in a knot since Indy. I’m not sure I’ll sleep tonight. It hasn’t sunk in. I have to tell you that the trophy should be broken into a trillion pieces and given to all our fans. We have the best fans. I can't even tell you how focused Rahn Tobler has been this year. I almost gave up trying so hard and wishing so hard, and just focused on winning races. With everything we got this year—my 50th career win, passing some people I really looked up to in the sport with wins—that's mind-boggling for me. This was the toughest Funny Car class ever and the 50th anniversary of the Funny Car, which was awesome. What a great, great season.”

—Ron Capps after securing his first Funny Car world championship at Pomona. Capps raced to a category leading five wins in 2016 along with five runner-up finishes.

Inside the Numbers

3: Both the number of points separating 2016 Pro Stock world champion Jason Line and Greg Anderson and the number of championships for Line. The veteran racer was able to clinch the championship after he raced to victory in his Summit Racing Equipment Chevy Camaro in the semifinal round at the Auto Club NHRA Finals, putting the points out of reach for second-place teammate Greg Anderson.

“It’s been a great year and thanks to all of our competitors; they kept us honest and made us work hard right to the end,” said Line, who also won the world title in 2006 and 2011. “I have to thank all the Summit guys, Ken Black, and all of them. It has been an incredible season and I can’t believe I didn’t actually mess it up.  It is such an honor to be up here. We have had a great car all year. Greg [Anderson] and I have had probably the two best cars all year. If it had ended any other way, I would have been disappointed.”

Did You Know

SUMMIT SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPS CROWNED: Jeff Hefler won his third Summit Racing Series national championship and was joined in victory by Timothy Smith, Chad Isley and Curtis Spracklin as the yearlong competition raced to a conclusion at the Auto Club NHRA Finals. The quartet of winners, all champions at the divisional level, battled drivers from other regions of the country in eight-vehicle fields to win bracket racing’s greatest honor.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Turn 14 Distribution Launches 12 New Brands Into Various Markets

Turn 14 Distribution has extended its penetration into the markets served by its distribution centers with the addition of 12 new brands. The additions to Turn 14 Distribution’s line card encompass the Light Truck, Sport Compact, European, and Modern Muscle market segments served by the company, and include premium brands such as Pace Edwards, Niche Road Wheels, Rotiform, Mahle Motorsports and HP Tuners.

The 2017 National Auto Body Council Board of Directors (front row, L-R): Jeff Peevy, Barry Barbee, Domenic Brusco, Anthony Natale. (Back row): Darren Huggins, Doug Schlueter, Keith Egan, Craig Camacho, Elizabeth Stein, Elizabeth Clark, Brandon Eckenrode, Scott  Bridges, Bill Mayer, Jim Ocampo, Arlo Johnson, Nick Notte, Joe Amodei, Michael Jordan, and Renee Ricciotti.

National Auto Body Council Elects 2017 Board and Officers

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announces new officers and board members for its 2017 Board of Directors. Executive Committee officers elected at NABC’s recent Annual Meeting in Las Vegas include Domenic Brusco, chairman (PPG Automotive Refinish); Jeff Peevy, vice chair of community involvement (Automotive Management Institute); Elizabeth Clark, vice chair of industry involvement (State Farm); Bill Mayer, treasurer (Insurance Auto Auctions); Renee Ricciotti, secretary (3M Automotive Aftermarket Division); Michael Jordan, director-at-large (Manchester Collision Center); Nick Notte, past chairman (I-CAR). Newly elected to the Board this year is Doug Schlueter (I-CAR). Board members elected to serve another term include officers named above—Ricciotti, Peevy, Clark and Mayer, plus Anthony Natale (Dent Concepts) and Craig Camacho (3D Auto Body & Collision Centers).

Brake Parts Inc. Announces Rick Woodside Promotion

Rick Woodside

Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) has promoted Rick Woodside to general manager, hydraulics, drums and rotors. In his new role, Woodside will manage the product life cycle for BPI hydraulics, drums and rotors and has responsibility for the operation of the Haimeng rotor plant in Shandong, China. Woodside began his career with BPI more than two decades ago at the company’s McHenry, Illinois, plant. He went on to become part of the NAPA Brakes sales team as a district sales manager before joining the product development group as a hydraulics product manager.

Luverne Truck Equipment Launches New Website

Luverne Truck Equipment launched a new website with updated features, including new videos and an easy-to-use vehicle search tool. At the top of each page of the new website, visitors will find the clear, easy-to-use vehicle lookup, which is powered by up-to-date application data. Simply enter the year, make, model and style to view all of the parts available for any particular vehicle application. For more  information, visit www.luvernetruck.com.

Hunter Announces Contest Winner of SEMA Show Drawing

Hunter Engineering announced that Trackspec Autosports won a SmartWeight Touch wheel balancer at Hunter Engineering’s booth at the 2016 SEMA Show. Trackspec Autosports won the random drawing by posting a photo of their favorite Hunter equipment at the SEMA Show, the Revolution tire changer, on Hunter Engineering’s Instagram using the hashtag #HunterAtSEMA. For more information, visit www.hunter.com.

Marx Group earned an Automotive Communications Award in the business-to-business category for best “Logo Design/Usage” for its work on the SERVICE-EDU logo.

Marx Group Receives 2016 Automotive Communications Award

Marx Group was a winner in the 2016 Automotive Communications Awards announced last week during the 2016 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas. The agency earned the award in the business-to-business category for best “Logo Design/Usage” for its work on the SERVICE-EDU logo—an education program designed for professional automotive technicians. Marx Group was among those recognized during the 19th annual Women in Auto Care news conference and reception, which took place at The Venetian on November 1. The awards applaud companies/agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and public relations efforts.

Also during AAPEX, Marx Group Chairman and Co-CEO Tom Marx earned his Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation from Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket. The University of the Aftermarket’s AAP and MAAP designation programs recognize long-term commitment to the aftermarket and professional development through programs and courses offered by the University and its association partners.

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 Ford F-150 Raptor has been spied in Dearborn, Michigan, and looks to have some changes to the rear of the vehicle.

The new Raptor is about to go on sale, but Ford appears to be modifying the vehicle for 2018 as it expands the variants and offers buyers more choices. Although this truck has camo at the rear of the bed, a new taillight design and new tailgate handle can clearly be seen, so it is assumed that the updates will also apply to the rest of tailgate. New Raptor graphics may also be lurking under the camo.

The F-150 line should also go in for a mid-cycle change for 2018, so all of the variants will get slightly altered styling, possibly including the just-introduced Raptor.

Expect to see the 2018 trucks starting at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Ford F-150 Raptor has been spied in Dearborn, Michigan, and looks to have some changes to the rear of the vehicle.

The new Raptor is about to go on sale, but Ford appears to be modifying the vehicle for 2018 as it expands the variants and offers buyers more choices. Although this truck has camo at the rear of the bed, a new taillight design and new tailgate handle can clearly be seen, so it is assumed that the updates will also apply to the rest of tailgate. New Raptor graphics may also be lurking under the camo.

The F-150 line should also go in for a mid-cycle change for 2018, so all of the variants will get slightly altered styling, possibly including the just-introduced Raptor.

Expect to see the 2018 trucks starting at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Ford F-150 Raptor has been spied in Dearborn, Michigan, and looks to have some changes to the rear of the vehicle.

The new Raptor is about to go on sale, but Ford appears to be modifying the vehicle for 2018 as it expands the variants and offers buyers more choices. Although this truck has camo at the rear of the bed, a new taillight design and new tailgate handle can clearly be seen, so it is assumed that the updates will also apply to the rest of tailgate. New Raptor graphics may also be lurking under the camo.

The F-150 line should also go in for a mid-cycle change for 2018, so all of the variants will get slightly altered styling, possibly including the just-introduced Raptor.

Expect to see the 2018 trucks starting at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

The Ford F-150 Raptor has been spied in Dearborn, Michigan, and looks to have some changes to the rear of the vehicle.

The new Raptor is about to go on sale, but Ford appears to be modifying the vehicle for 2018 as it expands the variants and offers buyers more choices. Although this truck has camo at the rear of the bed, a new taillight design and new tailgate handle can clearly be seen, so it is assumed that the updates will also apply to the rest of tailgate. New Raptor graphics may also be lurking under the camo.

The F-150 line should also go in for a mid-cycle change for 2018, so all of the variants will get slightly altered styling, possibly including the just-introduced Raptor.

Expect to see the 2018 trucks starting at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde