Mark Stielow’s ’69 Camaro won last year's GT Awards for Best Hot Rod and Best of Show. Stielow’s car will be the next vehicle included in the award-winning Gran Turismo franchise.

The Gran Turismo (GT) Awards ceremony is just one week away, so if your car has what it takes to be the talk of the automotive industry, visit www.granturismoawards.com and enter your information and car details for a chance to win Best in Class and Best in Show.

Judging for the GT Awards takes place on the SEMA Show floor, Tuesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 2. Judges will include industry influencers and representatives from various automobile magazines. The overall winner will be selected by the father of the Gran Turismo franchise, Kazunori Yamauchi.

The GT Awards event takes place Thursday, November 3, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel's Marquee Club at 9:00 p.m. After the ceremony, a top rock n' roll act will take the stage to help celebrate the evening in style.

In addition to honoring winning automobiles in categories, including Best Hot Rod, Best Asian Import, Best European Import, Best Domestic Auto and Best Truck/SUV, an overall GT Awards winner will be selected as Best in Show and given the honor of having their vehicle included in the Gran Turismo franchise.

More information on the GT Awards.

 

	Mark Stielow’s ’69 Camaro won last year's GT Awards for Best Hot Rod and Best of Show. Stielow’s car will be the next vehicle included in the award-winning Gran Turismo franchise.

The Gran Turismo (GT) Awards ceremony is just one week away, so if your car has what it takes to be the talk of the automotive industry, visit www.granturismoawards.com and enter your information and car details for a chance to win Best in Class and Best in Show.

Judging for the GT Awards takes place on the SEMA Show floor, Tuesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 2. Judges will include industry influencers and representatives from various automobile magazines. The overall winner will be selected by the father of the Gran Turismo franchise, Kazunori Yamauchi.

The GT Awards event takes place Thursday, November 3, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel's Marquee Club at 9:00 p.m. After the ceremony, a top rock n' roll act will take the stage to help celebrate the evening in style.

In addition to honoring winning automobiles in categories, including Best Hot Rod, Best Asian Import, Best European Import, Best Domestic Auto and Best Truck/SUV, an overall GT Awards winner will be selected as Best in Show and given the honor of having their vehicle included in the Gran Turismo franchise.

More information on the GT Awards.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DO-OR-DIE TIME FOR MANY COUNTDOWN DRIVERS AT BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS: Top Fuel pilot Del Worsham knows that it is do-or-die time. After leading the points for nearly the entire regular season and entering the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship with a 30-point lead, Worsham could only watch his points lead diminish as drivers below him in the standings raced their way to consecutive final-round appearances. A runner-up finish in Reading, Pennsylvania, gave the Al-Anabi Racing driver a confidence boost he needed, and now, as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its penultimate stop of the season at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Worsham, currently fourth, knows that this may be his last chance to make a push toward his first world championship.

“We definitely haven’t had the results we’ve wanted so far in the Countdown, but with two races left, I feel pretty good about the Al-Anabi team’s chances,” said Worsham. “We only have to make up three rounds, and our teammate, Larry Dixon, is running great. I’ve been in this sport for 21 years, but I’ve never been in a championship battle like this. It feels good to be in contention and have a team that can get it done.”

While one driver is working to obtain the early-season success he once enjoyed, another, Funny Car racer Cruz Pedregon, is hoping to ride the wave of Countdown success right into his third world championship. He has kept his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry within the top four in the point standings all season, but with a race win and two No. 1 qualifiers in the Countdown, he is hoping to move from fourth, 48 points behind first-place Jack Beckman, all the way up to the top spot with two races remaining. It’s an accomplishment that Pedregon has achieved before. In 2008, he entered the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals third in the standings with the final two races remaining. He won the Las Vegas race as well as the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, on his way to his second world championship. With the top four drivers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car separated by less than three rounds of racing, only time will tell who races to the 2011 world championship and who is left to watch. For tickets to the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com.

LAS VEGAS NHRA FANFEST AUTOGRAPH SESSION OCTOBER 27: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Las Vegas for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals October 27–30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the NHRA is inviting fans to experience a Fanfest unlike any other, Vegas-style. The stars of the NHRA will interact with fans, sign autographs and participate in a Q&A session with legendary announcer Bob Frey under the lights of Viva Vision, the state-of-the-art light and animation display above the Fremont Street Experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. An NHRA-themed light show will play on the Viva Vision throughout the evening, and ticket giveaways and music will also highlight the most popular Fanfest of the year. The NHRA Las Vegas Fanfest will kick off at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, on the 3rd Street Stage at the intersection of 3rd and Fremont streets and is free to the public. Johnny Gray’s Big O Tires Dodge Charger Funny Car as well as the Tequila Patron Funny Car driven by Alexis DeJoria will be on display throughout the evening. For a list of some of the drivers participating in this event or for more information, log on to NHRA.com.

MEET THE STARS OF NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING AT THE 2011 SEMA SHOW IN LAS VEGAS: The stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will be out in full force at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will visit the NHRA booth (Booth No. 22327, Central Hall) for autograph sessions Tuesday, November 1, at 12:15 p.m. and Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m. Headlining the NHRA stars signing on Tuesday are Funny Car drivers Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Johnny Gray for Don Schumacher Racing. From Kalitta Racing will be David Grubnic, Jeff Arend and 2012 rookie Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria. R2B2 Racing team member Leah Pruett, coming off her first win in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series earlier this fall in Charlotte, is also scheduled to appear. Others who will be featured at the autograph sessions are Top Fuel drivers T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen and Dominick Lagana and Pro Stock racer Allen Johnson.

In addition to the autograph sessions, the NHRA will again host the popular NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 2, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton Ballrooms A&B. This year’s theme is NHRA Nitro Generation. Scheduled panelists for the NHRA Breakfast, representing the generations of drivers and participants in the NHRA, are Bob Tasca and Bob Tasca III; LE, GT and Gary Tonglet; Jeg Coughlin Sr. and Jeg Coughlin Jr. and John and Courtney Force. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served. Several of the participants from the NHRA Breakfast are also scheduled to make an appearance at the NHRA Booth for the 10:00 a.m. autograph session following the breakfast, including Courtney and John Force, Bob Tasca, and GT and LE Tonglet. For more information, log on to NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, October 27–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its stop at the penultimate race of the season in Las Vegas. Defending event winners are Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, November 10–13: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of 2011 where it all began, in sunny Southern California. It is also the spot where world champions will be crowned. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to extremetix.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

NOT YET SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: Funny Car point leader Jack Beckman: “I don’t know what we have to do to win the championship; what I do know is we are going to approach these last two races the same way we have done all year. Rahn (Tobler, crew chief) and John (Collins, assistant crew chief) take a methodical approach at each race, collecting data, getting down the track as consistently as possible. If we have to step it up, we know how to take the steps to do so. We don’t swing for fences unless we’re well-qualified.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

NHRA founder Wally Parks with Ak Miller and Marvin Lee.

1951, FOUNDING OF NHRA: In 1951, Wally Parks, then editor of the influential magazine Hot Rod, proposed the idea of a national organization to educate, promote and regulate the fledgling sport of hot rodding. The National Hot Rod Association was officially incorporated March 13, 1951. The founding of the NHRA is one of the six top moments in NHRA history that fans can still vote on to determine No. 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: Since the Countdown to the Championship was introduced in 2007, the Funny Car winner at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals has gone on to win the world championship in each of the four years. Here is a list of those drivers:

2007: Tony Pedregon

2008: Cruz Pedregon

2009: Robert Hight

2010: John Force

DID YOU KNOW

…that as part of the final NHRA 60th Anniversary season celebration, children 12 and younger can receive free tickets to the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California? To take advantage of this money-saving offer, log on to www.NHRATix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626-914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DO-OR-DIE TIME FOR MANY COUNTDOWN DRIVERS AT BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS: Top Fuel pilot Del Worsham knows that it is do-or-die time. After leading the points for nearly the entire regular season and entering the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship with a 30-point lead, Worsham could only watch his points lead diminish as drivers below him in the standings raced their way to consecutive final-round appearances. A runner-up finish in Reading, Pennsylvania, gave the Al-Anabi Racing driver a confidence boost he needed, and now, as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its penultimate stop of the season at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Worsham, currently fourth, knows that this may be his last chance to make a push toward his first world championship.

“We definitely haven’t had the results we’ve wanted so far in the Countdown, but with two races left, I feel pretty good about the Al-Anabi team’s chances,” said Worsham. “We only have to make up three rounds, and our teammate, Larry Dixon, is running great. I’ve been in this sport for 21 years, but I’ve never been in a championship battle like this. It feels good to be in contention and have a team that can get it done.”

While one driver is working to obtain the early-season success he once enjoyed, another, Funny Car racer Cruz Pedregon, is hoping to ride the wave of Countdown success right into his third world championship. He has kept his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry within the top four in the point standings all season, but with a race win and two No. 1 qualifiers in the Countdown, he is hoping to move from fourth, 48 points behind first-place Jack Beckman, all the way up to the top spot with two races remaining. It’s an accomplishment that Pedregon has achieved before. In 2008, he entered the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals third in the standings with the final two races remaining. He won the Las Vegas race as well as the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, on his way to his second world championship. With the top four drivers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car separated by less than three rounds of racing, only time will tell who races to the 2011 world championship and who is left to watch. For tickets to the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com.

LAS VEGAS NHRA FANFEST AUTOGRAPH SESSION OCTOBER 27: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Las Vegas for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals October 27–30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the NHRA is inviting fans to experience a Fanfest unlike any other, Vegas-style. The stars of the NHRA will interact with fans, sign autographs and participate in a Q&A session with legendary announcer Bob Frey under the lights of Viva Vision, the state-of-the-art light and animation display above the Fremont Street Experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. An NHRA-themed light show will play on the Viva Vision throughout the evening, and ticket giveaways and music will also highlight the most popular Fanfest of the year. The NHRA Las Vegas Fanfest will kick off at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, on the 3rd Street Stage at the intersection of 3rd and Fremont streets and is free to the public. Johnny Gray’s Big O Tires Dodge Charger Funny Car as well as the Tequila Patron Funny Car driven by Alexis DeJoria will be on display throughout the evening. For a list of some of the drivers participating in this event or for more information, log on to NHRA.com.

MEET THE STARS OF NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING AT THE 2011 SEMA SHOW IN LAS VEGAS: The stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will be out in full force at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will visit the NHRA booth (Booth No. 22327, Central Hall) for autograph sessions Tuesday, November 1, at 12:15 p.m. and Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m. Headlining the NHRA stars signing on Tuesday are Funny Car drivers Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Johnny Gray for Don Schumacher Racing. From Kalitta Racing will be David Grubnic, Jeff Arend and 2012 rookie Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria. R2B2 Racing team member Leah Pruett, coming off her first win in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series earlier this fall in Charlotte, is also scheduled to appear. Others who will be featured at the autograph sessions are Top Fuel drivers T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen and Dominick Lagana and Pro Stock racer Allen Johnson.

In addition to the autograph sessions, the NHRA will again host the popular NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 2, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton Ballrooms A&B. This year’s theme is NHRA Nitro Generation. Scheduled panelists for the NHRA Breakfast, representing the generations of drivers and participants in the NHRA, are Bob Tasca and Bob Tasca III; LE, GT and Gary Tonglet; Jeg Coughlin Sr. and Jeg Coughlin Jr. and John and Courtney Force. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served. Several of the participants from the NHRA Breakfast are also scheduled to make an appearance at the NHRA Booth for the 10:00 a.m. autograph session following the breakfast, including Courtney and John Force, Bob Tasca, and GT and LE Tonglet. For more information, log on to NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, October 27–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its stop at the penultimate race of the season in Las Vegas. Defending event winners are Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, November 10–13: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of 2011 where it all began, in sunny Southern California. It is also the spot where world champions will be crowned. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to extremetix.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

NOT YET SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: Funny Car point leader Jack Beckman: “I don’t know what we have to do to win the championship; what I do know is we are going to approach these last two races the same way we have done all year. Rahn (Tobler, crew chief) and John (Collins, assistant crew chief) take a methodical approach at each race, collecting data, getting down the track as consistently as possible. If we have to step it up, we know how to take the steps to do so. We don’t swing for fences unless we’re well-qualified.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

NHRA founder Wally Parks with Ak Miller and Marvin Lee.

1951, FOUNDING OF NHRA: In 1951, Wally Parks, then editor of the influential magazine Hot Rod, proposed the idea of a national organization to educate, promote and regulate the fledgling sport of hot rodding. The National Hot Rod Association was officially incorporated March 13, 1951. The founding of the NHRA is one of the six top moments in NHRA history that fans can still vote on to determine No. 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: Since the Countdown to the Championship was introduced in 2007, the Funny Car winner at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals has gone on to win the world championship in each of the four years. Here is a list of those drivers:

2007: Tony Pedregon

2008: Cruz Pedregon

2009: Robert Hight

2010: John Force

DID YOU KNOW

…that as part of the final NHRA 60th Anniversary season celebration, children 12 and younger can receive free tickets to the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California? To take advantage of this money-saving offer, log on to www.NHRATix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626-914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DO-OR-DIE TIME FOR MANY COUNTDOWN DRIVERS AT BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS: Top Fuel pilot Del Worsham knows that it is do-or-die time. After leading the points for nearly the entire regular season and entering the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship with a 30-point lead, Worsham could only watch his points lead diminish as drivers below him in the standings raced their way to consecutive final-round appearances. A runner-up finish in Reading, Pennsylvania, gave the Al-Anabi Racing driver a confidence boost he needed, and now, as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its penultimate stop of the season at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Worsham, currently fourth, knows that this may be his last chance to make a push toward his first world championship.

“We definitely haven’t had the results we’ve wanted so far in the Countdown, but with two races left, I feel pretty good about the Al-Anabi team’s chances,” said Worsham. “We only have to make up three rounds, and our teammate, Larry Dixon, is running great. I’ve been in this sport for 21 years, but I’ve never been in a championship battle like this. It feels good to be in contention and have a team that can get it done.”

While one driver is working to obtain the early-season success he once enjoyed, another, Funny Car racer Cruz Pedregon, is hoping to ride the wave of Countdown success right into his third world championship. He has kept his Snap-on Tools Toyota Camry within the top four in the point standings all season, but with a race win and two No. 1 qualifiers in the Countdown, he is hoping to move from fourth, 48 points behind first-place Jack Beckman, all the way up to the top spot with two races remaining. It’s an accomplishment that Pedregon has achieved before. In 2008, he entered the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals third in the standings with the final two races remaining. He won the Las Vegas race as well as the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, on his way to his second world championship. With the top four drivers in both Top Fuel and Funny Car separated by less than three rounds of racing, only time will tell who races to the 2011 world championship and who is left to watch. For tickets to the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com.

LAS VEGAS NHRA FANFEST AUTOGRAPH SESSION OCTOBER 27: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Las Vegas for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals October 27–30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the NHRA is inviting fans to experience a Fanfest unlike any other, Vegas-style. The stars of the NHRA will interact with fans, sign autographs and participate in a Q&A session with legendary announcer Bob Frey under the lights of Viva Vision, the state-of-the-art light and animation display above the Fremont Street Experience in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. An NHRA-themed light show will play on the Viva Vision throughout the evening, and ticket giveaways and music will also highlight the most popular Fanfest of the year. The NHRA Las Vegas Fanfest will kick off at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, on the 3rd Street Stage at the intersection of 3rd and Fremont streets and is free to the public. Johnny Gray’s Big O Tires Dodge Charger Funny Car as well as the Tequila Patron Funny Car driven by Alexis DeJoria will be on display throughout the evening. For a list of some of the drivers participating in this event or for more information, log on to NHRA.com.

MEET THE STARS OF NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING AT THE 2011 SEMA SHOW IN LAS VEGAS: The stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will be out in full force at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas and will visit the NHRA booth (Booth No. 22327, Central Hall) for autograph sessions Tuesday, November 1, at 12:15 p.m. and Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m. Headlining the NHRA stars signing on Tuesday are Funny Car drivers Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Johnny Gray for Don Schumacher Racing. From Kalitta Racing will be David Grubnic, Jeff Arend and 2012 rookie Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria. R2B2 Racing team member Leah Pruett, coming off her first win in the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series earlier this fall in Charlotte, is also scheduled to appear. Others who will be featured at the autograph sessions are Top Fuel drivers T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen and Dominick Lagana and Pro Stock racer Allen Johnson.

In addition to the autograph sessions, the NHRA will again host the popular NHRA Breakfast, Wednesday, November 2, from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton Ballrooms A&B. This year’s theme is NHRA Nitro Generation. Scheduled panelists for the NHRA Breakfast, representing the generations of drivers and participants in the NHRA, are Bob Tasca and Bob Tasca III; LE, GT and Gary Tonglet; Jeg Coughlin Sr. and Jeg Coughlin Jr. and John and Courtney Force. The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees. A continental breakfast will be served. Several of the participants from the NHRA Breakfast are also scheduled to make an appearance at the NHRA Booth for the 10:00 a.m. autograph session following the breakfast, including Courtney and John Force, Bob Tasca, and GT and LE Tonglet. For more information, log on to NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, October 27–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its stop at the penultimate race of the season in Las Vegas. Defending event winners are Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, November 10–13: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of 2011 where it all began, in sunny Southern California. It is also the spot where world champions will be crowned. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to extremetix.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

NOT YET SWINGING FOR THE FENCES: Funny Car point leader Jack Beckman: “I don’t know what we have to do to win the championship; what I do know is we are going to approach these last two races the same way we have done all year. Rahn (Tobler, crew chief) and John (Collins, assistant crew chief) take a methodical approach at each race, collecting data, getting down the track as consistently as possible. If we have to step it up, we know how to take the steps to do so. We don’t swing for fences unless we’re well-qualified.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

NHRA founder Wally Parks with Ak Miller and Marvin Lee.

1951, FOUNDING OF NHRA: In 1951, Wally Parks, then editor of the influential magazine Hot Rod, proposed the idea of a national organization to educate, promote and regulate the fledgling sport of hot rodding. The National Hot Rod Association was officially incorporated March 13, 1951. The founding of the NHRA is one of the six top moments in NHRA history that fans can still vote on to determine No. 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

4: Since the Countdown to the Championship was introduced in 2007, the Funny Car winner at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals has gone on to win the world championship in each of the four years. Here is a list of those drivers:

2007: Tony Pedregon

2008: Cruz Pedregon

2009: Robert Hight

2010: John Force

DID YOU KNOW

…that as part of the final NHRA 60th Anniversary season celebration, children 12 and younger can receive free tickets to the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals, November 10–13, at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California? To take advantage of this money-saving offer, log on to www.NHRATix.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626-914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

When SEMA Showgoers dine at Lawry's The Prime Rib, Las Vegas, 10% of their meal tab will be donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Lawry's The Prime Rib in Las Vegas has announced its support of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund through a promotion with SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees. When SEMA Showgoers dine at Lawry's The Prime Rib, Las Vegas, 10% of their meal tab will be donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Attendees and exhibitors can enjoy roasted prime ribs of beef carved tableside from Lawry's signature silver carts and assist future auto industry professionals in paying college tuition. To support the fund, visit Lawry's for lunch or dinner from October 30 through November 6, show your SEMA badge and mention the SEMA Scholarship when seated.

Complimentary valet parking is available five minutes south of the Las Vegas and Sands Convention Centers on Flamingo and Howard Hughes Parkway, off the Strip.

For menu, hours and reservations, call 702-893-2223 or visit www.lawrysonline.com.

When SEMA Showgoers dine at Lawry's The Prime Rib, Las Vegas, 10% of their meal tab will be donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Lawry's The Prime Rib in Las Vegas has announced its support of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund through a promotion with SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees. When SEMA Showgoers dine at Lawry's The Prime Rib, Las Vegas, 10% of their meal tab will be donated to the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Attendees and exhibitors can enjoy roasted prime ribs of beef carved tableside from Lawry's signature silver carts and assist future auto industry professionals in paying college tuition. To support the fund, visit Lawry's for lunch or dinner from October 30 through November 6, show your SEMA badge and mention the SEMA Scholarship when seated.

Complimentary valet parking is available five minutes south of the Las Vegas and Sands Convention Centers on Flamingo and Howard Hughes Parkway, off the Strip.

For menu, hours and reservations, call 702-893-2223 or visit www.lawrysonline.com.

 

	Visit the Las Vegas Convention Center's Members Lounge, located on the upper level of the Grand Lobby, to pick up your limited-edition SEMA-member ribbons.

New at the 2011 SEMA Show is the Member Ribbon Bar, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center's Association Center and Members Lounge. A limited-time benefit, exclusive only to SEMA and council members, these ribbons reveal your individuality and role as a SEMA member. Some of our ribbons include: council members, SEMA new members and SEMA veteran members. These ribbons give you access to our Members Lounge, help identify which councils you are associated with and support networking opportunities at SEMA events and the Show floor.

Be sure to visit the Association Center, located in the Grand Lobby, and the Members Lounge, located on the upper level of the Grand Lobby, to pick up your limited-edition SEMA-member ribbons. If you would like to learn more about SEMA membership or join a specific council, stop by the Association Center Tuesday, November 1–Friday, November 4. We look forward to seeing you represent your unique member ribbons at the SEMA Show.

 

	Visit the Las Vegas Convention Center's Members Lounge, located on the upper level of the Grand Lobby, to pick up your limited-edition SEMA-member ribbons.

New at the 2011 SEMA Show is the Member Ribbon Bar, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center's Association Center and Members Lounge. A limited-time benefit, exclusive only to SEMA and council members, these ribbons reveal your individuality and role as a SEMA member. Some of our ribbons include: council members, SEMA new members and SEMA veteran members. These ribbons give you access to our Members Lounge, help identify which councils you are associated with and support networking opportunities at SEMA events and the Show floor.

Be sure to visit the Association Center, located in the Grand Lobby, and the Members Lounge, located on the upper level of the Grand Lobby, to pick up your limited-edition SEMA-member ribbons. If you would like to learn more about SEMA membership or join a specific council, stop by the Association Center Tuesday, November 1–Friday, November 4. We look forward to seeing you represent your unique member ribbons at the SEMA Show.

Chip Foose puts the finishing touches on the WD-40/SEMA Cares project vehicle.

Excitement continues to build around the WD-40/SEMA Cares project vehicle’s introduction at the 2011 SEMA Show, and the build is finally complete. The custom car made recent stops at Street Scene Equipment, Lanzini Body Works and, of course, Foose Design for the final touches.

Don’t miss the introduction of the WD-40/SEMA Cares project vehicle in the SEMA Show Grand Lobby (between the North and Central Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center) and stop by the WD-40/SEMA Cares press conference at the vehicle Tuesday, November 1, at 2:00 p.m. At the press conference, you’ll hear from Chip Foose, WD-40 Co. President and CEO Garry Ridge, and other partners about this year’s build and who the sale of the vehicle will support.

Learn more about the project at WD40.com/Foose.