By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Visit the RPM Act-themed display at the SEMA Action Network (SAN) booth (#60003) featuring Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S. Contact your members of Congress on location outside Central Hall.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) will have displays encouraging support for the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act this year at both the SEMA Show and SEMA Ignited—the official after-party. The bipartisan bill pending in the U.S. Congress—the RPM Act—makes it clear that modifying a street vehicle used solely for competition is legal and beyond the reach of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. 

Michele Abbate’s SCCA Championship-winning Scion FR-S will stand as a visual symbol for Show attendees of the types of vehicles and equipment that would directly benefit from enactment of the RPM Act into law. Stop by booth #60003 (outside Central Hall) to contact your members of Congress and learn more about the SAN’s efforts to fight unfair automotive laws and regulations. Meet automotive media personality and racing fan Courtney Hansen, Thursday, November 3, from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. 

For more about the SEMA Show, please visit www.SEMAshow.com. Contact Colby Martin at san@sema.org for additional information about the RPM Act.

By SEMA Editors

Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP)—a leading manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer and installer of aftermarket parts and accessories for trucks, Jeeps, SUVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles—has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Polaris Industries Inc.—a global off-road leader with vehicles such as RZR, RANGER, SPORTSMAN and Polaris GENERAL.

“Polaris is a terrific fit for TAP,” said Transamerican President and CEO Greg Adler. “Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris, and his team share our enthusiast-based culture of ‘We Own it. We Sell it. We Live it,’ and our collective customers share a passion for the off-road.”

TAP will continue to operate as it does today under the leadership of Adler and the current management team.

“TAP is committed to expanding our footprint of retail, distribution and industry-leading brands,” stated Adler. “Our focus will remain on the growing truck and Jeep categories while adding the adjacent powersports accessory segment and other potential synergies with Polaris. The strength of Polaris will fuel TAP’s growth plans and ensure a long and successful future for all TAP employees, partners and customers.”

By Becca Butler

The 2015 SEMA Award for Hottest Car for the Ford Mustang, Hottest Truck for the Ford F-Series and Hottest Sport Compact for the Ford Focus was presented by SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) to Global Director Ford Performance Dave Pericak (center). The SEMA Award for Hottest 4x4-SUV went to Jeep for the Jeep Wrangler, and was presented to Pietro Gorlier (right), head of MOPAR.

SEMA Show exhibitors have cast their votes and selected the finalists for the SEMA Award, an honor presented to the hottest trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday, November 1, the opening day of the 2016 SEMA Show.

Every SEMA Show exhibitor was able to cast a vote in this year’s SEMA Award process.

“When it comes to knowing what trends are emerging and which cars will ignite our passion, SEMA’s manufacturer members have the pulse of the enthusiast nation,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Who better to ask than the thousands of SEMA manufacturers who bet their businesses on recognizing the hottest new and upcoming vehicles?”

The 2016 Award will be presented in five categories: Hottest Coupe, Hottest Sedan, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4/SUV and Hottest Hatch. The top three finalists in each category are:

The SEMA Award not only creates awareness for aftermarket products, it is an example of SEMA’s commitment to both automakers and aftermarket manufacturers. SEMA continues to collaborate with automakers and aftermarket manufacturers to bring quality products to market. In addition to the annual Award, SEMA runs the SEMA Garage, measuring sessions and technology transfer to help manufacturers with product development throughout the year.

By Becca Butler

The 2015 SEMA Award for Hottest Car for the Ford Mustang, Hottest Truck for the Ford F-Series and Hottest Sport Compact for the Ford Focus was presented by SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) to Global Director Ford Performance Dave Pericak (center). The SEMA Award for Hottest 4x4-SUV went to Jeep for the Jeep Wrangler, and was presented to Pietro Gorlier (right), head of MOPAR.

SEMA Show exhibitors have cast their votes and selected the finalists for the SEMA Award, an honor presented to the hottest trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday, November 1, the opening day of the 2016 SEMA Show.

Every SEMA Show exhibitor was able to cast a vote in this year’s SEMA Award process.

“When it comes to knowing what trends are emerging and which cars will ignite our passion, SEMA’s manufacturer members have the pulse of the enthusiast nation,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Who better to ask than the thousands of SEMA manufacturers who bet their businesses on recognizing the hottest new and upcoming vehicles?”

The 2016 Award will be presented in five categories: Hottest Coupe, Hottest Sedan, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4/SUV and Hottest Hatch. The top three finalists in each category are:

The SEMA Award not only creates awareness for aftermarket products, it is an example of SEMA’s commitment to both automakers and aftermarket manufacturers. SEMA continues to collaborate with automakers and aftermarket manufacturers to bring quality products to market. In addition to the annual Award, SEMA runs the SEMA Garage, measuring sessions and technology transfer to help manufacturers with product development throughout the year.

By Becca Butler

The 2015 SEMA Award for Hottest Car for the Ford Mustang, Hottest Truck for the Ford F-Series and Hottest Sport Compact for the Ford Focus was presented by SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) to Global Director Ford Performance Dave Pericak (center). The SEMA Award for Hottest 4x4-SUV went to Jeep for the Jeep Wrangler, and was presented to Pietro Gorlier (right), head of MOPAR.

SEMA Show exhibitors have cast their votes and selected the finalists for the SEMA Award, an honor presented to the hottest trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday, November 1, the opening day of the 2016 SEMA Show.

Every SEMA Show exhibitor was able to cast a vote in this year’s SEMA Award process.

“When it comes to knowing what trends are emerging and which cars will ignite our passion, SEMA’s manufacturer members have the pulse of the enthusiast nation,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Who better to ask than the thousands of SEMA manufacturers who bet their businesses on recognizing the hottest new and upcoming vehicles?”

The 2016 Award will be presented in five categories: Hottest Coupe, Hottest Sedan, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4/SUV and Hottest Hatch. The top three finalists in each category are:

The SEMA Award not only creates awareness for aftermarket products, it is an example of SEMA’s commitment to both automakers and aftermarket manufacturers. SEMA continues to collaborate with automakers and aftermarket manufacturers to bring quality products to market. In addition to the annual Award, SEMA runs the SEMA Garage, measuring sessions and technology transfer to help manufacturers with product development throughout the year.

By Becca Butler

The 2015 SEMA Award for Hottest Car for the Ford Mustang, Hottest Truck for the Ford F-Series and Hottest Sport Compact for the Ford Focus was presented by SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting (left) to Global Director Ford Performance Dave Pericak (center). The SEMA Award for Hottest 4x4-SUV went to Jeep for the Jeep Wrangler, and was presented to Pietro Gorlier (right), head of MOPAR.

SEMA Show exhibitors have cast their votes and selected the finalists for the SEMA Award, an honor presented to the hottest trending and most accessory-friendly vehicles on the market. The winners will be revealed on Tuesday, November 1, the opening day of the 2016 SEMA Show.

Every SEMA Show exhibitor was able to cast a vote in this year’s SEMA Award process.

“When it comes to knowing what trends are emerging and which cars will ignite our passion, SEMA’s manufacturer members have the pulse of the enthusiast nation,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Who better to ask than the thousands of SEMA manufacturers who bet their businesses on recognizing the hottest new and upcoming vehicles?”

The 2016 Award will be presented in five categories: Hottest Coupe, Hottest Sedan, Hottest Truck, Hottest 4x4/SUV and Hottest Hatch. The top three finalists in each category are:

The SEMA Award not only creates awareness for aftermarket products, it is an example of SEMA’s commitment to both automakers and aftermarket manufacturers. SEMA continues to collaborate with automakers and aftermarket manufacturers to bring quality products to market. In addition to the annual Award, SEMA runs the SEMA Garage, measuring sessions and technology transfer to help manufacturers with product development throughout the year.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

PPG will present several automotive stars at the 2016 SEMA Show, including Bobby Alloway and Charley Hutton.

PPG SEMA Show Booth to Feature an Array of Stars and Cars

The PPG exhibit (booth #24601) at the 2016 SEMA Show will focus on the combination of advanced refinish products, custom builders and imagination. PPG will present several industry start in its booth, including Charley Hutton, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio; Bobby Alloway, Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop; Tom and Mitch Kelly, Kelly & Son Crazy Painters; Darryl Hollenbeck, Vintage Color Studio; Kenny Youngblood, Youngblood Art/Motorsport Gallery; Mark Worman and Will Scott, Graveyard Carz; and Joey Logano, Team Penske NASCAR Sprint Series driver.

In addition to the stars listed above, PPG will showcase an array of stunning cars, trucks and bikes, including Hutton’s Ridler award winner “Olds Cool;” Hollenbeck’s Ford, named America’s Most Beautiful Roadster; Ryan Korek’s merlot-red international pickup dubbed “Eight Dollar Corn;” Jerry Kjensrud’s Chevy “Halo,” Grand National Roadster Show award winner; Nathan Curry’s debut of his tribute motorcycle; and Joe Ballard’s multiple award-winning tribute custom bike.

Lloyd Mats Chooses Kahn Media as Agency of Record

Kahn Media has announced that it has been selected as the PR and marketing agency of record for Lloyd Mats. Kahn Media will assist Lloyd Mats as it rolls out several new licensed products and raise consumer awareness of the brand. Kahn Media will also oversee public and media relations for Lloyd Mats and manage its product placement and promotion strategies, search engine marketing and remarketing strategies, social media management and video production.

Junior Calvert	Mike Stickney
David Crockett	Jason Morrison
Cameron Quiroz

Westin Adds New Rep Firm Kunzman & Associates and Announces Sales Team Changes

Westin Automotive Products Inc. has announced the addition of Kunzman & Associates as its newest rep agency as of October 1, 2016, covering the Eastern region and parts of the Midwest region of the United States. In addition, the company has added two new regional managers and district sales support to its Westin Automotive Products Inc. sales team. Junior Calvert, who has been with Westin for 28 years, has been promoted from national accounts manager to director of national accounts covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and the OEM and national accounts portion of the business. Mike Stickney has been promoted to national sales manager. He has 27 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. David Crockett will work as the company’s new Eastern regional and Canada sales manager. He also has 27 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, most recently as vice president of sales at his previous company. Jason Morrison will work as the company’s new Western region sales manager. He brings with him 22 years of experience in the aftermarket and OEM business, and was most recently the Western regional and training manager with his previous company. Cameron Quiroz, as Western district sales representative, will assist Morrison in his territory. Cameron has been with Westin for eight years holding positions within customer service and engineering.

New Permatex Website Features Advanced Product Search and Knowledge Base

Permatex has unveiled a new, user-friendly website, which has been specifically designed to help customers learn all they can about the solutions that are available for their threadlocking, gasketing, sealing and general maintenance problems. The Permatex website features a search function called “Find Your Solution,” which helps customers locate the exact product for their application need. The website incorporates advanced product filtering and search options that allow selection by brand, product category and project type. TDS and SDS documentation for all products is searchable by both U.S. and Canadian part numbers. The website’s FAQ section features a “Knowledge Base” information hub on each Permatex product type and shares common questions and issues typically associated with each product. The homepage of also features a “What’s Going On” slider that highlights the latest Permatex product innovations and news, and a social media feed that allows consumers to interact with the Permatex brand across a number of social media platforms.

Ringbrothers have named Prestone their official cooling system partner, and will unveil plans for the partnership, including a new project vehicle build for the brand, at the 2016 SEMA Show.

Ringbrothers Announces Partnership With Prestone Products Corp.

Prestone Products Corp. has been named an official partner of Ringbrothers, formalizing a relationship between the custom car builder and the purveyor of cooling system products. Beyond Prestone’s support of Ringbrothers, the two companies will also formally reveal plans for a new car build that will revitalize a long-lost American performance icon at the 2016 SEMA Show. Ringbrothers and Prestone will launch the new partnership at the 2016 SEMA Show in a variety of ways, including a press conference hosted by Prestone, Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., in its booth #30327 in the Upper South Hall. Prestone President Steven Clancy along with Jim and Mike Ring will reveal plans for the new Prestone project car by Ringbrothers that will be unveiled at the 2017 SEMA Show, giving the brothers only 12 months to complete the build. Prestone will also have the Ringbrothers’ “World’s Fastest Winnie” 900hp ’72 Winnebago Brave on display in its booth.

Creative Werks Named Exclusive North American Distributor of GC Cooling Fans and Blowers

Creative Werks has entered an exclusive agreement to act as the North American sales, distribution and engineering center for Italian-made GC Cooling OEM and aftermarket high-performance cooling fans and blowers. Through the arrangement, Creative Werks will launch the product line made by General Cab of Asti, Italy, to both OEM and automotive aftermarket customers throughout the United States and Canada. Under the guidance of Creative Werks President Bob Folkestad, the company will debut the wide range of high-performance cooling solutions that GC Cooling provides for the automotive, specialty-vehicle, truck, bus, motorcycle and off-highway market segments.

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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SCHUMACHER READY TO DIAL UP CLUTCH PERFORMANCE: Through a standout career that includes eight Top Fuel world championships, Tony Schumacher has displayed an incredible ability to produce remarkable late-season runs to grab a world title. Trailing teammate and reigning world champion Antron Brown by 141 points, Schumacher will again need to dial up something special in his 10,000hp U.S. Army dragster over the final three events, including this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“With the way the U.S. Army team has been performing down the stretch of the regular season and the first half of the Countdown, anything is possible,” Schumacher said. “You never know what’s going to go down on any given weekend, so the way we approach it is to take care of what we can control, and that is to go out and try to be fastest in every qualifying session, then run the table on Sunday.”

TEXAS NATIVE TORRENCE HOPES FOR HOME WIN: It is easy for Steve Torrence to reminisce when he is in the staging lanes at the Texas Motorplex—the site of the 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 13–16. The Top Fuel standout and Kilgore, Texas, native grew up racing at the track just two hours from his house, and every time he returns, it is an opportunity to look back on his rise through the drag-racing ranks at the famed facility. After advancing to the final round at the race last year, Torrence’s next step is his first Top Fuel win at the track, something that would add another memorable accomplishment to his impressive 2016 season.

“It was just a few years ago you’re pulling into the water box in your Super Comp car, just aspiring to be in this position,” said Torrence, who is currently sixth in Top Fuel points and has two wins in 2016. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling to accomplish those goals and be at the pinnacle of the sport you love,” said Torrence. “It holds all the more meaning to say I grew up here and every aspect of my racing career took place here. It’s always been a special place to me and where I grew up racing.”

MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY IS CAPPS' GOAL FOR REST OF COUNTDOWN: As he chases his first career NHRA Mello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world championship, Ron Capps has been a model of consistency throughout the 2016 regular season. That consistency has stretched into the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, where Capps has continued to be in top form. Capps, who leads teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. by 24 points, has advanced to the semifinals or better in the first three playoff races in his 10,000-hp NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T—a stretch that now goes back to 12 of his past 13 races. It’s been a winning formula that Capps will try to continue to pick up his first 2016 Countdown to the Championship win at this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“Of course it’s better to be chased than be the chaser at this point,” said Capps, who has five wins and nine finals appearances in 2016. “But we’ve still got a long way to go. It’s nice we’ve kept up the consistency, and I said to win a championship you’ve got to average a semifinal finish or better. We’ve had such a great season and we want to keep it going. We’re clicking really well as a team and it’s time to take advantage of it.”

He Said, She Said

“This is a big weekend at the Texas Motorplex for my AAA Texas Chevy Camaro team. I still 100% believe I have a shot at the championship. We need to win races for sure, and I have won the AAA Texas Fallnationals before. I am ready to get to the track because we will have a lot of things going on with AAA Texas, so we’ll be busy, which I think helps keep you focused.”

—Robert Hight, driver of the AAA Chevy Camaro for John Force Racing. In addition to racing on the dragstrip, Hight will also ask fans at the AAA Texas Fallnationals to choose Drags over Checkered Flags. As the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series winds down, Hight is in a tight race with NASCAR’s Joey Logano. Both drivers are sponsored by Auto Club, and all season fans across the country have been voting at select events choosing between Drags/Robert Hight and Checkered Flags/Joey Logano. Fans can vote all weekend at the AAA Texas display at the Texas Motorplex.

Inside the Numbers

September 21–24 and September 29–October 1: The new dates respectively for the 2017 Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park. The two events are switching their event dates for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. The AAA Insurance NHRA Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, will move back one week to September 29–October 1, and The Dodge NHRA Nationals will take place September 21–24. The change will improve the overall schedule for both venues.

“I think we will see some benefits from this by moving off the weekend of the NASCAR races at Dover [Delaware],” said Lex Dudas, vice president and general manager at Maple Grove Raceway. “We know fans over the years wanted to do both, but they had to pick and choose.”

Did You Know

HOW NHRA CHAMPIONS WERE CROWNED BEFORE THE COUNTDOWN: The Countdown to the Championship six-race playoff system was established in 2007 to determine the season championships in the professional categories, but that hasn’t always been the case. The very first Top Fuel champion was Jack Williams in 1964. He earned his championship title based on the jackpot system that consisted of a 50-race schedule where drivers earned points at nine events of their choosing. Then in 1965, Maynard Rupp was crowned champion through the introduction of the world finals raced in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Racers had to participate in six events during the season to be eligible to compete for the championship. In 1974, Gary Beck, Shirl Greer and Bob Glidden became the first champions to earn their respective titles based on their season-long performance. This system stayed in place until the Countdown Championship crowned its first champions, Tony Schumacher, Tony Pedregon and Jeg Couglin and Matt Smith nine years ago.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SCHUMACHER READY TO DIAL UP CLUTCH PERFORMANCE: Through a standout career that includes eight Top Fuel world championships, Tony Schumacher has displayed an incredible ability to produce remarkable late-season runs to grab a world title. Trailing teammate and reigning world champion Antron Brown by 141 points, Schumacher will again need to dial up something special in his 10,000hp U.S. Army dragster over the final three events, including this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“With the way the U.S. Army team has been performing down the stretch of the regular season and the first half of the Countdown, anything is possible,” Schumacher said. “You never know what’s going to go down on any given weekend, so the way we approach it is to take care of what we can control, and that is to go out and try to be fastest in every qualifying session, then run the table on Sunday.”

TEXAS NATIVE TORRENCE HOPES FOR HOME WIN: It is easy for Steve Torrence to reminisce when he is in the staging lanes at the Texas Motorplex—the site of the 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 13–16. The Top Fuel standout and Kilgore, Texas, native grew up racing at the track just two hours from his house, and every time he returns, it is an opportunity to look back on his rise through the drag-racing ranks at the famed facility. After advancing to the final round at the race last year, Torrence’s next step is his first Top Fuel win at the track, something that would add another memorable accomplishment to his impressive 2016 season.

“It was just a few years ago you’re pulling into the water box in your Super Comp car, just aspiring to be in this position,” said Torrence, who is currently sixth in Top Fuel points and has two wins in 2016. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling to accomplish those goals and be at the pinnacle of the sport you love,” said Torrence. “It holds all the more meaning to say I grew up here and every aspect of my racing career took place here. It’s always been a special place to me and where I grew up racing.”

MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY IS CAPPS' GOAL FOR REST OF COUNTDOWN: As he chases his first career NHRA Mello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world championship, Ron Capps has been a model of consistency throughout the 2016 regular season. That consistency has stretched into the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, where Capps has continued to be in top form. Capps, who leads teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. by 24 points, has advanced to the semifinals or better in the first three playoff races in his 10,000-hp NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T—a stretch that now goes back to 12 of his past 13 races. It’s been a winning formula that Capps will try to continue to pick up his first 2016 Countdown to the Championship win at this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“Of course it’s better to be chased than be the chaser at this point,” said Capps, who has five wins and nine finals appearances in 2016. “But we’ve still got a long way to go. It’s nice we’ve kept up the consistency, and I said to win a championship you’ve got to average a semifinal finish or better. We’ve had such a great season and we want to keep it going. We’re clicking really well as a team and it’s time to take advantage of it.”

He Said, She Said

“This is a big weekend at the Texas Motorplex for my AAA Texas Chevy Camaro team. I still 100% believe I have a shot at the championship. We need to win races for sure, and I have won the AAA Texas Fallnationals before. I am ready to get to the track because we will have a lot of things going on with AAA Texas, so we’ll be busy, which I think helps keep you focused.”

—Robert Hight, driver of the AAA Chevy Camaro for John Force Racing. In addition to racing on the dragstrip, Hight will also ask fans at the AAA Texas Fallnationals to choose Drags over Checkered Flags. As the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series winds down, Hight is in a tight race with NASCAR’s Joey Logano. Both drivers are sponsored by Auto Club, and all season fans across the country have been voting at select events choosing between Drags/Robert Hight and Checkered Flags/Joey Logano. Fans can vote all weekend at the AAA Texas display at the Texas Motorplex.

Inside the Numbers

September 21–24 and September 29–October 1: The new dates respectively for the 2017 Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park. The two events are switching their event dates for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. The AAA Insurance NHRA Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, will move back one week to September 29–October 1, and The Dodge NHRA Nationals will take place September 21–24. The change will improve the overall schedule for both venues.

“I think we will see some benefits from this by moving off the weekend of the NASCAR races at Dover [Delaware],” said Lex Dudas, vice president and general manager at Maple Grove Raceway. “We know fans over the years wanted to do both, but they had to pick and choose.”

Did You Know

HOW NHRA CHAMPIONS WERE CROWNED BEFORE THE COUNTDOWN: The Countdown to the Championship six-race playoff system was established in 2007 to determine the season championships in the professional categories, but that hasn’t always been the case. The very first Top Fuel champion was Jack Williams in 1964. He earned his championship title based on the jackpot system that consisted of a 50-race schedule where drivers earned points at nine events of their choosing. Then in 1965, Maynard Rupp was crowned champion through the introduction of the world finals raced in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Racers had to participate in six events during the season to be eligible to compete for the championship. In 1974, Gary Beck, Shirl Greer and Bob Glidden became the first champions to earn their respective titles based on their season-long performance. This system stayed in place until the Countdown Championship crowned its first champions, Tony Schumacher, Tony Pedregon and Jeg Couglin and Matt Smith nine years ago.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SCHUMACHER READY TO DIAL UP CLUTCH PERFORMANCE: Through a standout career that includes eight Top Fuel world championships, Tony Schumacher has displayed an incredible ability to produce remarkable late-season runs to grab a world title. Trailing teammate and reigning world champion Antron Brown by 141 points, Schumacher will again need to dial up something special in his 10,000hp U.S. Army dragster over the final three events, including this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“With the way the U.S. Army team has been performing down the stretch of the regular season and the first half of the Countdown, anything is possible,” Schumacher said. “You never know what’s going to go down on any given weekend, so the way we approach it is to take care of what we can control, and that is to go out and try to be fastest in every qualifying session, then run the table on Sunday.”

TEXAS NATIVE TORRENCE HOPES FOR HOME WIN: It is easy for Steve Torrence to reminisce when he is in the staging lanes at the Texas Motorplex—the site of the 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, October 13–16. The Top Fuel standout and Kilgore, Texas, native grew up racing at the track just two hours from his house, and every time he returns, it is an opportunity to look back on his rise through the drag-racing ranks at the famed facility. After advancing to the final round at the race last year, Torrence’s next step is his first Top Fuel win at the track, something that would add another memorable accomplishment to his impressive 2016 season.

“It was just a few years ago you’re pulling into the water box in your Super Comp car, just aspiring to be in this position,” said Torrence, who is currently sixth in Top Fuel points and has two wins in 2016. “It’s just an unbelievable feeling to accomplish those goals and be at the pinnacle of the sport you love,” said Torrence. “It holds all the more meaning to say I grew up here and every aspect of my racing career took place here. It’s always been a special place to me and where I grew up racing.”

MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY IS CAPPS' GOAL FOR REST OF COUNTDOWN: As he chases his first career NHRA Mello Drag Racing Series Funny Car world championship, Ron Capps has been a model of consistency throughout the 2016 regular season. That consistency has stretched into the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, where Capps has continued to be in top form. Capps, who leads teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. by 24 points, has advanced to the semifinals or better in the first three playoff races in his 10,000-hp NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T—a stretch that now goes back to 12 of his past 13 races. It’s been a winning formula that Capps will try to continue to pick up his first 2016 Countdown to the Championship win at this weekend’s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals at the Texas Motorplex.

“Of course it’s better to be chased than be the chaser at this point,” said Capps, who has five wins and nine finals appearances in 2016. “But we’ve still got a long way to go. It’s nice we’ve kept up the consistency, and I said to win a championship you’ve got to average a semifinal finish or better. We’ve had such a great season and we want to keep it going. We’re clicking really well as a team and it’s time to take advantage of it.”

He Said, She Said

“This is a big weekend at the Texas Motorplex for my AAA Texas Chevy Camaro team. I still 100% believe I have a shot at the championship. We need to win races for sure, and I have won the AAA Texas Fallnationals before. I am ready to get to the track because we will have a lot of things going on with AAA Texas, so we’ll be busy, which I think helps keep you focused.”

—Robert Hight, driver of the AAA Chevy Camaro for John Force Racing. In addition to racing on the dragstrip, Hight will also ask fans at the AAA Texas Fallnationals to choose Drags over Checkered Flags. As the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series winds down, Hight is in a tight race with NASCAR’s Joey Logano. Both drivers are sponsored by Auto Club, and all season fans across the country have been voting at select events choosing between Drags/Robert Hight and Checkered Flags/Joey Logano. Fans can vote all weekend at the AAA Texas display at the Texas Motorplex.

Inside the Numbers

September 21–24 and September 29–October 1: The new dates respectively for the 2017 Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park. The two events are switching their event dates for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship. The AAA Insurance NHRA Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, will move back one week to September 29–October 1, and The Dodge NHRA Nationals will take place September 21–24. The change will improve the overall schedule for both venues.

“I think we will see some benefits from this by moving off the weekend of the NASCAR races at Dover [Delaware],” said Lex Dudas, vice president and general manager at Maple Grove Raceway. “We know fans over the years wanted to do both, but they had to pick and choose.”

Did You Know

HOW NHRA CHAMPIONS WERE CROWNED BEFORE THE COUNTDOWN: The Countdown to the Championship six-race playoff system was established in 2007 to determine the season championships in the professional categories, but that hasn’t always been the case. The very first Top Fuel champion was Jack Williams in 1964. He earned his championship title based on the jackpot system that consisted of a 50-race schedule where drivers earned points at nine events of their choosing. Then in 1965, Maynard Rupp was crowned champion through the introduction of the world finals raced in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Racers had to participate in six events during the season to be eligible to compete for the championship. In 1974, Gary Beck, Shirl Greer and Bob Glidden became the first champions to earn their respective titles based on their season-long performance. This system stayed in place until the Countdown Championship crowned its first champions, Tony Schumacher, Tony Pedregon and Jeg Couglin and Matt Smith nine years ago.