Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF AIMS FOR HOUSTON DOUBLE: Bob Vandergriff Jr. described his victory a year ago at Royal Purple Raceway as having a touch of Hollywood. It’s not often that sequels are held in higher regard than the original in the movie industry, but the Top Fuel standout hopes the 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 25–27, at Royal Purple Raceway provides the rare exception. With the event being the closest race for Vandergriff’s sponsor, the victory became that much more special. After winning a year ago, Vandergriff jogged back up his lane to greet his teammates, a customary move whenever the driver of the C&J Energy Services dragster wins a race.

“Those are great memories, Hollywood movie-type stuff,” Vandergriff said. “Winning at your sponsor’s home track with their employees and customers rooting you on was incredible. If it had been a movie people would have said, ‘Yeah right, it would never ever happen like that,’ so it was pretty exciting.”

For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

NHRA ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH PILOT FLYING J: NHRA has signed a marketing partnership with Pilot Flying J, an operator of travel plazas and travel centers in North America. As part of the partnership with Pilot Flying J, professional transport drivers for NHRA race teams will compete in the Flying J Truck Driver Challenge at NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing Series events in Houston, Bristol, Tennessee; Chicago; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The most talented transport drivers in the NHRA will compete in chicanes, which mirror the real-life obstacles of the highway and based on safe driving and the drivers’ knowledge of Department of Transportation regulations. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

GIRL POWER ON DISPLAY IN HOUSTON: With many exciting storylines ongoing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, one of the most prominent has been the girl-power theme as the NHRA heads to the Lone Star State. NHRA's female racers also are chasing a milestone 100th win in national event competition. The mark currently stands at 98. Long regarded as being the most diverse series in all of motorsports, the NHRA Mello Yello Series circuit has once again seen a female charge in each of its pro classes in 2014. Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force and Erica Enders-Stevens have all made headlines in the early part of the season, and drivers Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett are very close to making some noise of their own in the nitro ranks. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"I absolutely feel like we have a lot of momentum going, and I've felt it building for a couple of races now. In Charlotte, I felt pretty good going in, and basically the car did everything it was supposed to do until we hopped it up for the final round. We felt we had to roll the dice and run our best number of the weekend. Instead, we were the ones who messed up. Other than that, we have a good car, and the team is clicking."

—Funny Car racer Tim Wilkerson on racing in Houston. Wilkerson has 17 career Funny Car wins in his career but hasn't won since the 2011 event in Seattle.

Inside the Numbers

257: Number of consecutive events that Greg Anderson has qualified for in which he has entered during his Pro Stock career. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock world champion, will return to action for the first time this season after sitting out the first five races as he recovered from open-heart surgery.

"In the beginning, I thought the surgery and recovery would be a simple deal, a piece of cake, that I would bounce right back. Turns out it was a huge deal and a new chapter for me,” Anderson said. “They fixed me up, but there was still a challenge ahead and a lot of pain to go through. You realize you aren't invincible when you go through something like that. You have to learn to be patient, take your time, go slow and follow the doctor's orders, and that's a whole new game for a guy like me. I couldn't be more excited to get back behind the wheel of my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro."

Did You Know

J. FORCE SURPRISES RACERS AT CARIBBEAN DRAGWAY: Even on a family vacation, 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force is on the lookout for a drag strip. While spending time with his family, he met Gary Thomas, president of the St. Croix Motorsport Complex, which includes the Caribbean Dragway where he spent time at the track meeting the racers and watching the Easter weekend event.

"I had the best time at the greatest little race track in the middle of the ocean. I was invited by Gary Thomas to come watch the races at Caribbean Dragway, and Laurie and I had the best time,” said Force. “It took me back 30 years as soon as I saw all the racers there. It was a nice facility and everybody was great. They watch us on ESPN and they love the NHRA. There were so many families out there, it was a great afternoon and I could see the international future of drag racing.”

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF AIMS FOR HOUSTON DOUBLE: Bob Vandergriff Jr. described his victory a year ago at Royal Purple Raceway as having a touch of Hollywood. It’s not often that sequels are held in higher regard than the original in the movie industry, but the Top Fuel standout hopes the 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 25–27, at Royal Purple Raceway provides the rare exception. With the event being the closest race for Vandergriff’s sponsor, the victory became that much more special. After winning a year ago, Vandergriff jogged back up his lane to greet his teammates, a customary move whenever the driver of the C&J Energy Services dragster wins a race.

“Those are great memories, Hollywood movie-type stuff,” Vandergriff said. “Winning at your sponsor’s home track with their employees and customers rooting you on was incredible. If it had been a movie people would have said, ‘Yeah right, it would never ever happen like that,’ so it was pretty exciting.”

For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

NHRA ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH PILOT FLYING J: NHRA has signed a marketing partnership with Pilot Flying J, an operator of travel plazas and travel centers in North America. As part of the partnership with Pilot Flying J, professional transport drivers for NHRA race teams will compete in the Flying J Truck Driver Challenge at NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing Series events in Houston, Bristol, Tennessee; Chicago; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The most talented transport drivers in the NHRA will compete in chicanes, which mirror the real-life obstacles of the highway and based on safe driving and the drivers’ knowledge of Department of Transportation regulations. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

GIRL POWER ON DISPLAY IN HOUSTON: With many exciting storylines ongoing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, one of the most prominent has been the girl-power theme as the NHRA heads to the Lone Star State. NHRA's female racers also are chasing a milestone 100th win in national event competition. The mark currently stands at 98. Long regarded as being the most diverse series in all of motorsports, the NHRA Mello Yello Series circuit has once again seen a female charge in each of its pro classes in 2014. Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force and Erica Enders-Stevens have all made headlines in the early part of the season, and drivers Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett are very close to making some noise of their own in the nitro ranks. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"I absolutely feel like we have a lot of momentum going, and I've felt it building for a couple of races now. In Charlotte, I felt pretty good going in, and basically the car did everything it was supposed to do until we hopped it up for the final round. We felt we had to roll the dice and run our best number of the weekend. Instead, we were the ones who messed up. Other than that, we have a good car, and the team is clicking."

—Funny Car racer Tim Wilkerson on racing in Houston. Wilkerson has 17 career Funny Car wins in his career but hasn't won since the 2011 event in Seattle.

Inside the Numbers

257: Number of consecutive events that Greg Anderson has qualified for in which he has entered during his Pro Stock career. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock world champion, will return to action for the first time this season after sitting out the first five races as he recovered from open-heart surgery.

"In the beginning, I thought the surgery and recovery would be a simple deal, a piece of cake, that I would bounce right back. Turns out it was a huge deal and a new chapter for me,” Anderson said. “They fixed me up, but there was still a challenge ahead and a lot of pain to go through. You realize you aren't invincible when you go through something like that. You have to learn to be patient, take your time, go slow and follow the doctor's orders, and that's a whole new game for a guy like me. I couldn't be more excited to get back behind the wheel of my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro."

Did You Know

J. FORCE SURPRISES RACERS AT CARIBBEAN DRAGWAY: Even on a family vacation, 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force is on the lookout for a drag strip. While spending time with his family, he met Gary Thomas, president of the St. Croix Motorsport Complex, which includes the Caribbean Dragway where he spent time at the track meeting the racers and watching the Easter weekend event.

"I had the best time at the greatest little race track in the middle of the ocean. I was invited by Gary Thomas to come watch the races at Caribbean Dragway, and Laurie and I had the best time,” said Force. “It took me back 30 years as soon as I saw all the racers there. It was a nice facility and everybody was great. They watch us on ESPN and they love the NHRA. There were so many families out there, it was a great afternoon and I could see the international future of drag racing.”

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

VANDERGRIFF AIMS FOR HOUSTON DOUBLE: Bob Vandergriff Jr. described his victory a year ago at Royal Purple Raceway as having a touch of Hollywood. It’s not often that sequels are held in higher regard than the original in the movie industry, but the Top Fuel standout hopes the 27th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals presented by Super Start Batteries, April 25–27, at Royal Purple Raceway provides the rare exception. With the event being the closest race for Vandergriff’s sponsor, the victory became that much more special. After winning a year ago, Vandergriff jogged back up his lane to greet his teammates, a customary move whenever the driver of the C&J Energy Services dragster wins a race.

“Those are great memories, Hollywood movie-type stuff,” Vandergriff said. “Winning at your sponsor’s home track with their employees and customers rooting you on was incredible. If it had been a movie people would have said, ‘Yeah right, it would never ever happen like that,’ so it was pretty exciting.”

For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

NHRA ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH PILOT FLYING J: NHRA has signed a marketing partnership with Pilot Flying J, an operator of travel plazas and travel centers in North America. As part of the partnership with Pilot Flying J, professional transport drivers for NHRA race teams will compete in the Flying J Truck Driver Challenge at NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing Series events in Houston, Bristol, Tennessee; Chicago; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The most talented transport drivers in the NHRA will compete in chicanes, which mirror the real-life obstacles of the highway and based on safe driving and the drivers’ knowledge of Department of Transportation regulations. For more on the story visit www.NHRA.com.

GIRL POWER ON DISPLAY IN HOUSTON: With many exciting storylines ongoing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, one of the most prominent has been the girl-power theme as the NHRA heads to the Lone Star State. NHRA's female racers also are chasing a milestone 100th win in national event competition. The mark currently stands at 98. Long regarded as being the most diverse series in all of motorsports, the NHRA Mello Yello Series circuit has once again seen a female charge in each of its pro classes in 2014. Alexis DeJoria, Courtney Force and Erica Enders-Stevens have all made headlines in the early part of the season, and drivers Brittany Force and Leah Pritchett are very close to making some noise of their own in the nitro ranks. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

"I absolutely feel like we have a lot of momentum going, and I've felt it building for a couple of races now. In Charlotte, I felt pretty good going in, and basically the car did everything it was supposed to do until we hopped it up for the final round. We felt we had to roll the dice and run our best number of the weekend. Instead, we were the ones who messed up. Other than that, we have a good car, and the team is clicking."

—Funny Car racer Tim Wilkerson on racing in Houston. Wilkerson has 17 career Funny Car wins in his career but hasn't won since the 2011 event in Seattle.

Inside the Numbers

257: Number of consecutive events that Greg Anderson has qualified for in which he has entered during his Pro Stock career. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock world champion, will return to action for the first time this season after sitting out the first five races as he recovered from open-heart surgery.

"In the beginning, I thought the surgery and recovery would be a simple deal, a piece of cake, that I would bounce right back. Turns out it was a huge deal and a new chapter for me,” Anderson said. “They fixed me up, but there was still a challenge ahead and a lot of pain to go through. You realize you aren't invincible when you go through something like that. You have to learn to be patient, take your time, go slow and follow the doctor's orders, and that's a whole new game for a guy like me. I couldn't be more excited to get back behind the wheel of my Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaro."

Did You Know

J. FORCE SURPRISES RACERS AT CARIBBEAN DRAGWAY: Even on a family vacation, 16-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force is on the lookout for a drag strip. While spending time with his family, he met Gary Thomas, president of the St. Croix Motorsport Complex, which includes the Caribbean Dragway where he spent time at the track meeting the racers and watching the Easter weekend event.

"I had the best time at the greatest little race track in the middle of the ocean. I was invited by Gary Thomas to come watch the races at Caribbean Dragway, and Laurie and I had the best time,” said Force. “It took me back 30 years as soon as I saw all the racers there. It was a nice facility and everybody was great. They watch us on ESPN and they love the NHRA. There were so many families out there, it was a great afternoon and I could see the international future of drag racing.”

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

	Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand is enhancing the Viper Anodized Carbon Special Edition Package by combining it with the new Time Attack Group road-racing spec-package.

Shown for the first time at the New York International Auto Show, the Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand is enhancing the Viper Anodized Carbon Special-Edition Package by combining it with the new Time Attack Group road-racing spec-package.

A total of 50 SRT Viper Anodized Carbon Special-Edition vehicles will be produced, with 10 (Nos. 41–50) carrying the new Time Attack Group package. A numbered dash plaque identifying each of the SRT Viper Anodized Carbon Edition vehicles also is part of the package.

The new Time Attack Group takes all of the functional chassis and aero parts from the Viper TA Special Edition and makes them available on the GTS price class, according to the Chrysler Group. It includes a carbon-fiber rear-deck-lid spoiler and two-piece front corner splitters to combine for a total of 339 lbs. of down force at 150 mph. Also included are two-mode Bilstein dampers specifically tuned for optimal on-track performance and identifiable by their orange springs. Street and Race Mode suspension settings offer firmer damping than the Viper GTS. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, matte black lightweight forged-aluminum Sidewinder wheels and solid sway bars lead to even more capable handling. Track-duty two-piece Brembo brake rotors, adapted from the ’10 Viper ACR-X race car, add to an increased thermal capacity for additional resistance to brake fade.

As the first and only production application on a Chrysler Group vehicle, the Anodized Carbon Special-Edition Package features Metallic Matte Black and satin surface finishes. Satin Black Vapor marks the exhaust bezels, fuel-filler door, and carbon brake ducts and a rear applique (below the liftgate) provide contrast to the metallic matte black body.

An Alcantara-swathed interior with orange stitching adorns the SRT Viper Anodized Carbon Special Edition. An Alcantara headliner, Alcantara-wrapped knee blockers and door bolsters provide interior surface texture contrast, while gunmetal bezels, orange vent accents and carbon-fiber trim further accent the interior. The Nappa leather and Alcantara-wrapped sport seats feature orange stitching.

For more information, visit www.drivesrt.com.

By Chad Simon

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories.

SEMA's OEM Relations department will deliver three Measuring Sessions over the course of nine days at the end of May, one of which will take place at the SEMA Garage –Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California.

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. An OEM Measuring Session also provides an opportunity to speak directly with the automaker’s engineers and technical staff.

Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks. Qualified SEMA members may be eligible to access the Technology Transfer program to obtain CAD information on certain products, thereby facilitating the product development program. 

The following vehicles will be available to SEMA-member manufacturers. Click on the vehicles for more information and to register.

’15 Nissan Rogue

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

’15 Hyundai Sonata, Genesis, Veloster R-Spec and Elantra GT

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Hyundai Motor America, Fountain Valley, California

’15 Ford F-150 and Mustang

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Ford Conference and Event Center, Dearborn, Michigan 

About the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center

The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to high-tech tools and equipment they need to get their products into circulation, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race-car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

The SEMA Garage also features a fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab with a temperature-controlled test cell that can simulate different climates. A brand-new media center is now complete with a photo cove, photography center and media coordination services.

For more information regarding SEMA Measuring Sessions, contact Bill Wolf, 909-978-6739 or Gary Pis, 909-978-6732, or e-mail measuringsession@sema.org. For details about the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center, contact Mike Spagnola, mikes@sema.org, or call 909-978-6707. 

By Chad Simon

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories.

SEMA's OEM Relations department will deliver three Measuring Sessions over the course of nine days at the end of May, one of which will take place at the SEMA Garage –Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California.

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. An OEM Measuring Session also provides an opportunity to speak directly with the automaker’s engineers and technical staff.

Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks. Qualified SEMA members may be eligible to access the Technology Transfer program to obtain CAD information on certain products, thereby facilitating the product development program. 

The following vehicles will be available to SEMA-member manufacturers. Click on the vehicles for more information and to register.

’15 Nissan Rogue

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

’15 Hyundai Sonata, Genesis, Veloster R-Spec and Elantra GT

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Hyundai Motor America, Fountain Valley, California

’15 Ford F-150 and Mustang

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Ford Conference and Event Center, Dearborn, Michigan 

About the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center

The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to high-tech tools and equipment they need to get their products into circulation, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race-car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

The SEMA Garage also features a fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab with a temperature-controlled test cell that can simulate different climates. A brand-new media center is now complete with a photo cove, photography center and media coordination services.

For more information regarding SEMA Measuring Sessions, contact Bill Wolf, 909-978-6739 or Gary Pis, 909-978-6732, or e-mail measuringsession@sema.org. For details about the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center, contact Mike Spagnola, mikes@sema.org, or call 909-978-6707. 

By Chad Simon

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories.

SEMA's OEM Relations department will deliver three Measuring Sessions over the course of nine days at the end of May, one of which will take place at the SEMA Garage –Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California.

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. An OEM Measuring Session also provides an opportunity to speak directly with the automaker’s engineers and technical staff.

Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks. Qualified SEMA members may be eligible to access the Technology Transfer program to obtain CAD information on certain products, thereby facilitating the product development program. 

The following vehicles will be available to SEMA-member manufacturers. Click on the vehicles for more information and to register.

’15 Nissan Rogue

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

’15 Hyundai Sonata, Genesis, Veloster R-Spec and Elantra GT

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Hyundai Motor America, Fountain Valley, California

’15 Ford F-150 and Mustang

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Ford Conference and Event Center, Dearborn, Michigan 

About the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center

The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to high-tech tools and equipment they need to get their products into circulation, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race-car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

The SEMA Garage also features a fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab with a temperature-controlled test cell that can simulate different climates. A brand-new media center is now complete with a photo cove, photography center and media coordination services.

For more information regarding SEMA Measuring Sessions, contact Bill Wolf, 909-978-6739 or Gary Pis, 909-978-6732, or e-mail measuringsession@sema.org. For details about the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center, contact Mike Spagnola, mikes@sema.org, or call 909-978-6707. 

By Chad Simon

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories.

SEMA's OEM Relations department will deliver three Measuring Sessions over the course of nine days at the end of May, one of which will take place at the SEMA Garage –Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California.

Measuring Sessions provide SEMA-member manufacturers hands-on access to new vehicles in order to gather surface data in preparation for designing, developing and manufacturing aftermarket parts and accessories. An OEM Measuring Session also provides an opportunity to speak directly with the automaker’s engineers and technical staff.

Participating SEMA members are able to obtain detailed information on current and, in some cases, yet-to-be introduced cars and trucks. Qualified SEMA members may be eligible to access the Technology Transfer program to obtain CAD information on certain products, thereby facilitating the product development program. 

The following vehicles will be available to SEMA-member manufacturers. Click on the vehicles for more information and to register.

’15 Nissan Rogue

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: SEMA Garage, Diamond Bar, California

’15 Hyundai Sonata, Genesis, Veloster R-Spec and Elantra GT

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Hyundai Motor America, Fountain Valley, California

’15 Ford F-150 and Mustang

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Ford Conference and Event Center, Dearborn, Michigan 

About the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center

The 15,000-sq.-ft. SEMA Garage gives SEMA-member businesses access to high-tech tools and equipment they need to get their products into circulation, including two vehicle lifts, a portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) for 3D scanning, a 3D printer for fast prototyping, digital race-car scales for the most precise vehicle weight measurements and a dynamometer for power output measurements.

The SEMA Garage also features a fully certified Executive Order (EO) aftermarket-part certification lab with a temperature-controlled test cell that can simulate different climates. A brand-new media center is now complete with a photo cove, photography center and media coordination services.

For more information regarding SEMA Measuring Sessions, contact Bill Wolf, 909-978-6739 or Gary Pis, 909-978-6732, or e-mail measuringsession@sema.org. For details about the SEMA Garage – Industry Innovations Center, contact Mike Spagnola, mikes@sema.org, or call 909-978-6707. 

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a new Ford F-350 prototype running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan, with a pair of smokestack exhaust pipes jutting vertically from its truck bed. At first glance, this looked like someone's subtly tweaked personal truck, but it was wearing a Ford manufacturer's plate, and had a yellow number strip on its headliner—all earmarks of a truck being tested within a Ford development program. The shooters followed the white prototype right to the same building that is being used to develop the next-generation Super Duty pickups, so it seems to be hitting all places you'd expect to find a proper Ford test truck. The prototype was wearing 6.7L PowerStroke badging.

This isn't the first time the shooters have seen a Ford-tested truck outfitted with smokestack exhaust. Another mule had been making the rounds last year in the form of an F-350 dually. But this latest truck looks to be far more polished, with a production-ready look that wasn't quite there on prior prototypes. Whether a 'Stacked F-350 is really being readied for a production, showroom-ready application is still uncertain, but Ford is clearly toying with a nicely finished example within its Super Duty development fleet. 

Photo credit: KGP Photography

The shooters at KGP Photography caught a new Ford F-350 prototype running the streets of Dearborn, Michigan, with a pair of smokestack exhaust pipes jutting vertically from its truck bed. At first glance, this looked like someone's subtly tweaked personal truck, but it was wearing a Ford manufacturer's plate, and had a yellow number strip on its headliner—all earmarks of a truck being tested within a Ford development program. The shooters followed the white prototype right to the same building that is being used to develop the next-generation Super Duty pickups, so it seems to be hitting all places you'd expect to find a proper Ford test truck. The prototype was wearing 6.7L PowerStroke badging.

This isn't the first time the shooters have seen a Ford-tested truck outfitted with smokestack exhaust. Another mule had been making the rounds last year in the form of an F-350 dually. But this latest truck looks to be far more polished, with a production-ready look that wasn't quite there on prior prototypes. Whether a 'Stacked F-350 is really being readied for a production, showroom-ready application is still uncertain, but Ford is clearly toying with a nicely finished example within its Super Duty development fleet. 

Photo credit: KGP Photography