Compiled by SEMA Editors

Team Penske's No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion driven by Joey Logano

Shell and Penske Corp. Announce Multi-Year Motorsports Alliance

Shell and Penske Corp. have announced a multi-year continuation of their ongoing business, technical and motorsport alliance. As part of the agreement, Shell and Pennzoil will continue sponsoring Team Penske entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2022 season and beyond. Shell and Pennzoil will also continue to be the preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Shell and Pennzoil began their current relationship with Team Penske in 2011. Pennzoil first aligned with Team Penske as part of its IndyCar program in 1983, and won two Indianapolis 500s with driver Rick Mears. Since forging a renewed alliance in 2011, the partners have earned more wins in IndyCar than any other organization and 80 total NASCAR national series victories—second most of all competing teams. Team Penske driver Joey Logano has won 15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races since joining Team Penske and Shell-Pennzoil in 2013, and delivered Shell-Pennzoil their second Daytona 500 Championship in 2015. The 26-year-old driver finished second in the series point standings last season and won the season-opening, non-points Clash event last weekend at Daytona.

Team Penske has also announced that it has come to an agreement with Logano to continue driving the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion throughout the length of the Shell-Team Penske extension. For the sixth consecutive season, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will continue to represent the Shell and Pennzoil brands in 2017. Castroneves will drive the No. 3 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ IndyCar at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Shell and Pennzoil will also be associate sponsors on all Team Penske cars competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Verizon IndyCar Series.

DEI Supports Grassroots Motorsports With Multiple-Year Contingency Connection Commitment

In support of grassroots motorsports, Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has signed a multiple-year agreement to sponsor Contingency Connection’s weekly Racer Rewards Program and the DEI “Coolest Champion” end-of-season championship bonus. DEI is also launching its national grassroots support program with a special pre-season 20% discount for purchases made online. To receive the discount, enter the code “DEICCRACER.” Contingency Connection’s Racer Reward Program allows DEI the most direct way to reach target consumers—the racers, engine builders, machine shops and enthusiasts—at the track or online for the broadest number of venues and series. In 2017 and 2018, Racer Rewards winners at Contingency Connection tracks and series will qualify to receive the “DEI Racer’s Deal” receiving special discount pricing on four groups of DEI heat protective products. To participate, racers display the DEI decal in order to win DEI product discount certificates.

Fidanza Announces Sponsorship for 2017 NMRA Season

In support of the 2017 NMRA Ford Nationals, Ohio-based aluminum flywheel manufacturer Fidanza Performance has inked a sponsorship agreement with the series and posted contingency in a number of classes. The six-race NMRA season kicks off March 3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and concludes September 29–October 2, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  

Wilwood Disc Brakes Renews Sponsorship for Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding Competition

Wilwood Disc Brakes will return as an official product sponsor of the Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding competition. The annual competition, hosted by Street Rodder Magazine, will take place during the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, held September 8–9, 2017, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Shades of the Past event entrants and Painless Performance Products/Street Rodder Top 100 winners are eligible, and will be judged to receive one of three titles: Street Rod of the Year, Street Machine of the Year or Street Cruiser of the Year. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $1,000 product certificate to each of the three category winners. For the latest eligible vehicles and selection process, visit www.hotrod.com/street-rodder-magazine.

Wilwood also has renewed its partnership with Speed Ventures as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge for the 2017 season. This is the third consecutive year as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge—a time-trialing series that promotes friendly competition among drivers from all levels of experience and tests their skills against the clock. The series is open to all Corvette models within four classes: stock, modified, super-modified and unlimited.

Wilwood also has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) through the 2017 season. Wilwood will support select IMCA divisions through product and monetary contingency to multiple finishers in national points and at the Super Nationals.

In addition, Wilwood has renewed its partnership with ChumpCar International Inc. as a series sponsor with the ChumpCar World Series in 2017. Wilwood also has been named title sponsor of The Wilwood Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 14–16, 2017. As a series sponsor, Wilwood’s contingency will support the more than 40 ChumpCar events annually across four divisions (East, West, Central and Canada). Eligible drivers have the opportunity to earn $100 product certificates at each ChumpCar event. Each driver will be required to run at least two Wilwood contingency decals on the sides of their competition vehicles to be eligible to receive the contingency.

Finally, Wilwood will return to the Trans Am Series in 2017 as sponsor of the TA2 and TA4 class Rookie of the Year battle. In addition, Wilwood has added contingency support to the new West Coast Championship Rookie of the Year battle. Both the Trans Am TA2 and TA4 classes will race the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. The TA2 Class platform includes high-performance, purpose-built race cars while the TA4 Class is dedicated to year-specific, production-based models. New for 2017 is the West Coast Championship—a four-event series independent of the Trans Am Championship. The series commences March 25–26 at Willow Springs International Raceway in conjunction with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

Tanner Foust is the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas.

Champion Racer Tanner Foust to Guest Drive Mint 400 in Polaris RZR Star Car

Champion driver and television personality Tanner Foust this week becomes the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, March 2–5. Foust joins racing radio host Beaver and action-sport star Van Vugt to make a three-driver roster for the Las Vegas race. The blue-and-white vehicle was unveiled for the first time earlier this week. In addition to the Mint 400, the Polaris RZR Star Car will appear with celebrity guest drivers at three additional motorsport weekends this year:

• Polaris RZR UTV World Championship, April 13–15, in Laughlin, Nevada
• General Tire Vegas to Reno, presented by FOX, August 18–19, in Las Vegas
• Pahrump Nugget 250, presented by Supercross.com, November 30–December 3, in Pahrump, Nevada

The team’s participation in the four select Best in the Desert races will be documented in a series of online videos released throughout the season.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Team Penske's No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion driven by Joey Logano

Shell and Penske Corp. Announce Multi-Year Motorsports Alliance

Shell and Penske Corp. have announced a multi-year continuation of their ongoing business, technical and motorsport alliance. As part of the agreement, Shell and Pennzoil will continue sponsoring Team Penske entries in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2022 season and beyond. Shell and Pennzoil will also continue to be the preferred supplier of fuels, lubricants and related products to the Penske organization. Shell and Pennzoil began their current relationship with Team Penske in 2011. Pennzoil first aligned with Team Penske as part of its IndyCar program in 1983, and won two Indianapolis 500s with driver Rick Mears. Since forging a renewed alliance in 2011, the partners have earned more wins in IndyCar than any other organization and 80 total NASCAR national series victories—second most of all competing teams. Team Penske driver Joey Logano has won 15 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races since joining Team Penske and Shell-Pennzoil in 2013, and delivered Shell-Pennzoil their second Daytona 500 Championship in 2015. The 26-year-old driver finished second in the series point standings last season and won the season-opening, non-points Clash event last weekend at Daytona.

Team Penske has also announced that it has come to an agreement with Logano to continue driving the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion throughout the length of the Shell-Team Penske extension. For the sixth consecutive season, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will continue to represent the Shell and Pennzoil brands in 2017. Castroneves will drive the No. 3 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ IndyCar at the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28. Shell and Pennzoil will also be associate sponsors on all Team Penske cars competing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Verizon IndyCar Series.

DEI Supports Grassroots Motorsports With Multiple-Year Contingency Connection Commitment

In support of grassroots motorsports, Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has signed a multiple-year agreement to sponsor Contingency Connection’s weekly Racer Rewards Program and the DEI “Coolest Champion” end-of-season championship bonus. DEI is also launching its national grassroots support program with a special pre-season 20% discount for purchases made online. To receive the discount, enter the code “DEICCRACER.” Contingency Connection’s Racer Reward Program allows DEI the most direct way to reach target consumers—the racers, engine builders, machine shops and enthusiasts—at the track or online for the broadest number of venues and series. In 2017 and 2018, Racer Rewards winners at Contingency Connection tracks and series will qualify to receive the “DEI Racer’s Deal” receiving special discount pricing on four groups of DEI heat protective products. To participate, racers display the DEI decal in order to win DEI product discount certificates.

Fidanza Announces Sponsorship for 2017 NMRA Season

In support of the 2017 NMRA Ford Nationals, Ohio-based aluminum flywheel manufacturer Fidanza Performance has inked a sponsorship agreement with the series and posted contingency in a number of classes. The six-race NMRA season kicks off March 3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida and concludes September 29–October 2, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  

Wilwood Disc Brakes Renews Sponsorship for Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding Competition

Wilwood Disc Brakes will return as an official product sponsor of the Street Rodder Triple Crown of Hot Rodding competition. The annual competition, hosted by Street Rodder Magazine, will take place during the Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup, held September 8–9, 2017, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Shades of the Past event entrants and Painless Performance Products/Street Rodder Top 100 winners are eligible, and will be judged to receive one of three titles: Street Rod of the Year, Street Machine of the Year or Street Cruiser of the Year. As part of the sponsorship, Wilwood will provide a $1,000 product certificate to each of the three category winners. For the latest eligible vehicles and selection process, visit www.hotrod.com/street-rodder-magazine.

Wilwood also has renewed its partnership with Speed Ventures as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge for the 2017 season. This is the third consecutive year as title sponsor of the Wilwood Corvette Challenge—a time-trialing series that promotes friendly competition among drivers from all levels of experience and tests their skills against the clock. The series is open to all Corvette models within four classes: stock, modified, super-modified and unlimited.

Wilwood also has announced the renewal of its contingency sponsorship with the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) through the 2017 season. Wilwood will support select IMCA divisions through product and monetary contingency to multiple finishers in national points and at the Super Nationals.

In addition, Wilwood has renewed its partnership with ChumpCar International Inc. as a series sponsor with the ChumpCar World Series in 2017. Wilwood also has been named title sponsor of The Wilwood Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 14–16, 2017. As a series sponsor, Wilwood’s contingency will support the more than 40 ChumpCar events annually across four divisions (East, West, Central and Canada). Eligible drivers have the opportunity to earn $100 product certificates at each ChumpCar event. Each driver will be required to run at least two Wilwood contingency decals on the sides of their competition vehicles to be eligible to receive the contingency.

Finally, Wilwood will return to the Trans Am Series in 2017 as sponsor of the TA2 and TA4 class Rookie of the Year battle. In addition, Wilwood has added contingency support to the new West Coast Championship Rookie of the Year battle. Both the Trans Am TA2 and TA4 classes will race the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. The TA2 Class platform includes high-performance, purpose-built race cars while the TA4 Class is dedicated to year-specific, production-based models. New for 2017 is the West Coast Championship—a four-event series independent of the Trans Am Championship. The series commences March 25–26 at Willow Springs International Raceway in conjunction with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

Tanner Foust is the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas.

Champion Racer Tanner Foust to Guest Drive Mint 400 in Polaris RZR Star Car

Champion driver and television personality Tanner Foust this week becomes the first celebrity guest driver on the Polaris RZR Star Car team when he joins Jim Beaver and Jolene Van Vugt to share driving duties in the brand-new, race-modified ’17 Polaris RZR XP4 Turbo EPS at the Mint 400 in Las Vegas, March 2–5. Foust joins racing radio host Beaver and action-sport star Van Vugt to make a three-driver roster for the Las Vegas race. The blue-and-white vehicle was unveiled for the first time earlier this week. In addition to the Mint 400, the Polaris RZR Star Car will appear with celebrity guest drivers at three additional motorsport weekends this year:

• Polaris RZR UTV World Championship, April 13–15, in Laughlin, Nevada
• General Tire Vegas to Reno, presented by FOX, August 18–19, in Las Vegas
• Pahrump Nugget 250, presented by Supercross.com, November 30–December 3, in Pahrump, Nevada

The team’s participation in the four select Best in the Desert races will be documented in a series of online videos released throughout the season.

By SEMA Editors

Submit your 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame forms before the March 10 deadline.

SEMA Hall of Fame nominations are due March 10. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame Award was established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Editors

Submit your 2017 SEMA Hall of Fame forms before the March 10 deadline.

SEMA Hall of Fame nominations are due March 10. 

The SEMA Hall of Fame Award was established to honor outstanding persons in the automotive specialty-equipment industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the stature of, and significantly contributed to, the industry’s growth.

For more information, contact Lindsay Bianco at lindsayb@sema.org or 909-978-6692.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The RPM Act of 2017 reached an important milestone as the House bill surpassed 100 co-sponsors earlier this week, meaning nearly one-fourth of the entire House of Representatives supports the bill. The Senate bill is also showing a strong, bipartisan performance with nearly a quarter of the entire Senate signing on as co-sponsors. Gaining momentum with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including key members on the bills’ committees of jurisdiction, is critical to moving the bill through the legislative process and closer to a final vote.

This important progress is a direct result of our industry and community’s swift action. We have sent more than 45,000 letters to the new Congress since the new letter-writing effort started in January. Thank you to those who have sent a letter! While this is an important milestone, our work is far from over. We need to keep the pressure on Congress to push the RPM Act across the finish line!

That’s why we need you to add your name to the effort to save our racecars. Hearing from you—a constituent and member of the motorsports community—lets lawmakers know that the RPM Act demands their attention and action.

Tell your lawmakers to support this critical bill using the form at www.sema.org/rpm. It’s easy and only takes a minute. Even if you sent a letter in 2016, the new Congress means that new letters are needed. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family to join the effort, too. Every letter counts.  

Together we can save our racecars and protect the future of motorsports! Visit www.sema.org/rpm today!

By SEMA Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest classifieds posted to the website.

Senior Technician: Revology Cars is hiring an experienced senior body assembly technician. Candidates must have experience in one or more of the following areas: panel fitting, including alignment; setting gaps and flushness; exterior trim fitting, including moldings, glass and emblems; interior trim installation and fitment; and/or installation of convertible tops. Techs with collision and/or restoration experience typically do well in this position.

Senior Director of OEM Relations: SEMA is hiring a senior director of OEM relations with detailed knowledge of OEM operations and organizational structures, current and emerging automotive technology, data exchange and transfer of technology information. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and maintenance of both existing and new senior-level relationships with all OEMs. In this role, the candidate will help maintain and expand high-level exchange of technical and strategic vehicle product information, mutual legislative/regulatory concerns and member product quality and sales-related issues. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations or related discipline or an equivalent number years of directly related experience (5–7 years) is required. An engineering background is also a plus.

Automotive Customer Service Rep/Tech: Energy Suspension is hiring an automotive customer service rep/tech to provide customer service, automotive product application information, technical assistance, order processing and respond to emails. Occasional travel to local trade shows and events is required. The successful candidate must have basic automotive knowledge and prior customer service experience. Bilingual language skills (English/Spanish) are a plus. ACES and PIES knowledge is preferred.

Sales/Customer Service Representative: Currie Enterprises is hiring a sales/customer service representative responsible for managing wholesale accounts, servicing an existing customer base, managing inbound and outbound calls and performing data entry. Candidates must have a minimum of three years’ experience in inside sales. Automotive aftermarket experience is a plus but not required.

Director of Sales and Marketing: Oracle Lighting is hiring a director of sales and marketing. This position will be responsible for managing the in-house sales and marketing team and ensuring they meet annual sales targets. Successful candidates should have a track record of reaching annual sales goals and developing marketing plans and strategies to support sales. This position will require a seasoned professional with at least 15 years’ experience in automotive sales and marketing, specifically within the specialty parts and accessories aftermarket segment. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of eight years of experience leading and managing sales/marketing teams are also required.

By SEMA Editors

Team McLeod from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, finished last weekend’s 10th Annual Race & Performance Expo in first place with a time of 19:54.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) Engine Challenge’s first event of the 2017 season was held last weekend at the 10th Annual Race & Performance Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois, where seven of the 30 teams that competed will advance to the Dual National Championship held later this year at the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show. HROT and the Race & Performance Expo have a long history together, as it was home to the first-ever HROT event in 2008.

To qualify for the Dual National Championship, a team must finish disassembling and reassembling a small-block Chevrolet engine in less than 33 minutes, including penalties.

In fourth place came Team Centerforce from South Elgin High School in South Elgin, Illinois, with a time of 23:46.

“Being involved with the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Program helped double the female students enrolled in my overall automotive class,” said Team Centerforce Coach Steve Schertz.

Coming in third place with a time of 20:41 was Team Fragola from Fremd High School, located in Palatine, Illinois. In second place with a time of 20:06 was Team Howards Cams from Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Michigan.

In first place was Team McLeod, also from Fremd High School, finishing with a time of 19:54 and no penalties.

“My senior team has been together since their freshman year in high school; they have been chasing a first-place finish,” said Steve Elza, coach of the two Fremd teams. “This past weekend those students not only clinched first place, but they also had two perfect engines and a first time in competition sub-20-minute performance! Fremd’s second team did very well too with one perfect engine, and they were knocking on the sub-20-minute door as well. We believe if the engine is perfect, regardless of time, nothing else matters! I’m consistently impressed with the students’ hard work, dedication and stellar sportsmanship.”

Visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com to see the complete results from last weekend.