By SEMA Editors

	The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, and sponsored by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and the Emerging Trends and Technology network (ETTN), will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

"The race to define future vehicles is on," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology. "Competition for the future of the auto industry is rapidly evolving between Silicon Valley and Detroit. The recession accelerated the auto industry’s transformational changes required for growth as well as reinvention and product development of vehicles—from mechanical to electrical systems, from standalone to connected, and from mass markets to personalization and customization. The changes we are going through today will impact the performance aftermarket industry for decades to come. SEMA's Product Development Expo is your chance to learn how to compete and win as new technologies, tools and applications are deployed."

Register now.

SEMA members: $47
Non-members: $97

Registration includes lunch and a networking reception.

The agenda for the expo is as follows:

Thursday, April 10, 2014

By SEMA Editors

	The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, and sponsored by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and the Emerging Trends and Technology network (ETTN), will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

"The race to define future vehicles is on," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology. "Competition for the future of the auto industry is rapidly evolving between Silicon Valley and Detroit. The recession accelerated the auto industry’s transformational changes required for growth as well as reinvention and product development of vehicles—from mechanical to electrical systems, from standalone to connected, and from mass markets to personalization and customization. The changes we are going through today will impact the performance aftermarket industry for decades to come. SEMA's Product Development Expo is your chance to learn how to compete and win as new technologies, tools and applications are deployed."

Register now.

SEMA members: $47
Non-members: $97

Registration includes lunch and a networking reception.

The agenda for the expo is as follows:

Thursday, April 10, 2014

By SEMA Editors

	The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, and sponsored by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and the Emerging Trends and Technology network (ETTN), will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

"The race to define future vehicles is on," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology. "Competition for the future of the auto industry is rapidly evolving between Silicon Valley and Detroit. The recession accelerated the auto industry’s transformational changes required for growth as well as reinvention and product development of vehicles—from mechanical to electrical systems, from standalone to connected, and from mass markets to personalization and customization. The changes we are going through today will impact the performance aftermarket industry for decades to come. SEMA's Product Development Expo is your chance to learn how to compete and win as new technologies, tools and applications are deployed."

Register now.

SEMA members: $47
Non-members: $97

Registration includes lunch and a networking reception.

The agenda for the expo is as follows:

Thursday, April 10, 2014

By SEMA Editors

	The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

The Product Development Expo, fueled by the SEMA Garage, and sponsored by the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) and the Emerging Trends and Technology network (ETTN), will be held Thursday, April 10, 2014, at SEMA headquarters in Diamond Bar, California.

"The race to define future vehicles is on," said John Waraniak, SEMA vice president of vehicle technology. "Competition for the future of the auto industry is rapidly evolving between Silicon Valley and Detroit. The recession accelerated the auto industry’s transformational changes required for growth as well as reinvention and product development of vehicles—from mechanical to electrical systems, from standalone to connected, and from mass markets to personalization and customization. The changes we are going through today will impact the performance aftermarket industry for decades to come. SEMA's Product Development Expo is your chance to learn how to compete and win as new technologies, tools and applications are deployed."

Register now.

SEMA members: $47
Non-members: $97

Registration includes lunch and a networking reception.

The agenda for the expo is as follows:

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN POMONA: Khalid alBalooshi, (top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) started the 2014 season with victories at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals—the opening race of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. All three racers overcame tough fields in their respective categories to start the year on a high note. A full recap of the race can be found on www.NHRA.com.

ALBALOOSHI AND FORCE FIRST RACERS TO ENTER INTO NHRA TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force (Funny Car) and Khalid alBalooshi became the first two racers to enter in the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts held during the Chevrolet Perfromance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. These specialty race within a race will take place with Top Fuel showcased Saturday, August 30, and Funny Car featured Sunday, August 31. Teams qualify for the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts by winning an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season event, holding the No. 1 spot in the standings after the event in Brainerd, Minnesota, or via a fan vote and lottery-style drawing. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

NEW NHRA MOBILE APP OFFERS FANS BETTER MOBILE EXPERIENCE: NHRA fans will have easier access than ever before to obtain live race updates, results, driver bios, schedules and more with the new release of the NHRA mobile app, which launched February 6. The new app will be offered in both a 100% free version and a premium version. All of the features and capabilities are the same on both versions of the app, but upgrading from NHRA Mobile (free) to NHRA Premium will offer an ad-free mobile experience for the one-time fee of $2.99. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

“The explosion Friday night is something you can't control. It's going to happen once in a great while. But to be able to bounce back with consistency shows our NAPA Dodge team can run with anyone on the grounds. It's encouraging going to Phoenix in two weeks. That's the silver lining right now. We're all pretty good about putting explosions and fires aside when you make the next run.”

—Ron Capps after a weekend that saw the Funny Car racer walk away from an explosion Friday during qualifying. Capps has been featured on numerous news programs across the country and a clip of the explosion can be found on the NHRA YouTube channel.

Inside the Numbers

3.997: Time in seconds that Alexis DeJoria covered the track during her third qualifying session during the Circle K NHRA Winternationals. With the run, she became the first woman in NHRA history to make a three-second pass and only the ninth overall driver to run quicker than four seconds.

“It feels absolutely amazing to come out to the first race of the season in Pomona, California, and make a three-second run, and be a part of that exclusive three-second club," DeJoria said. "I always knew we had it in us; it was just a matter of time. We’ve got an awesome car, and everything has really come together."

Did You Know

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING RETURNS TO ESPN2 IN 2014: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will again be featured in 16 one-hour shows on ESPN2HD in 2014, with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events. The NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, focusing on NHRA’s Member Track network and sportsman racing programs, will be showcased as part of the race-coverage telecasts. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN POMONA: Khalid alBalooshi, (top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) started the 2014 season with victories at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals—the opening race of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. All three racers overcame tough fields in their respective categories to start the year on a high note. A full recap of the race can be found on www.NHRA.com.

ALBALOOSHI AND FORCE FIRST RACERS TO ENTER INTO NHRA TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force (Funny Car) and Khalid alBalooshi became the first two racers to enter in the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts held during the Chevrolet Perfromance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. These specialty race within a race will take place with Top Fuel showcased Saturday, August 30, and Funny Car featured Sunday, August 31. Teams qualify for the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts by winning an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season event, holding the No. 1 spot in the standings after the event in Brainerd, Minnesota, or via a fan vote and lottery-style drawing. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

NEW NHRA MOBILE APP OFFERS FANS BETTER MOBILE EXPERIENCE: NHRA fans will have easier access than ever before to obtain live race updates, results, driver bios, schedules and more with the new release of the NHRA mobile app, which launched February 6. The new app will be offered in both a 100% free version and a premium version. All of the features and capabilities are the same on both versions of the app, but upgrading from NHRA Mobile (free) to NHRA Premium will offer an ad-free mobile experience for the one-time fee of $2.99. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

“The explosion Friday night is something you can't control. It's going to happen once in a great while. But to be able to bounce back with consistency shows our NAPA Dodge team can run with anyone on the grounds. It's encouraging going to Phoenix in two weeks. That's the silver lining right now. We're all pretty good about putting explosions and fires aside when you make the next run.”

—Ron Capps after a weekend that saw the Funny Car racer walk away from an explosion Friday during qualifying. Capps has been featured on numerous news programs across the country and a clip of the explosion can be found on the NHRA YouTube channel.

Inside the Numbers

3.997: Time in seconds that Alexis DeJoria covered the track during her third qualifying session during the Circle K NHRA Winternationals. With the run, she became the first woman in NHRA history to make a three-second pass and only the ninth overall driver to run quicker than four seconds.

“It feels absolutely amazing to come out to the first race of the season in Pomona, California, and make a three-second run, and be a part of that exclusive three-second club," DeJoria said. "I always knew we had it in us; it was just a matter of time. We’ve got an awesome car, and everything has really come together."

Did You Know

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING RETURNS TO ESPN2 IN 2014: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will again be featured in 16 one-hour shows on ESPN2HD in 2014, with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events. The NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, focusing on NHRA’s Member Track network and sportsman racing programs, will be showcased as part of the race-coverage telecasts. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CIRCLE K NHRA WINTERNATIONALS CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN POMONA: Khalid alBalooshi, (top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) started the 2014 season with victories at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals—the opening race of the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. All three racers overcame tough fields in their respective categories to start the year on a high note. A full recap of the race can be found on www.NHRA.com.

ALBALOOSHI AND FORCE FIRST RACERS TO ENTER INTO NHRA TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force (Funny Car) and Khalid alBalooshi became the first two racers to enter in the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts held during the Chevrolet Perfromance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. These specialty race within a race will take place with Top Fuel showcased Saturday, August 30, and Funny Car featured Sunday, August 31. Teams qualify for the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootouts by winning an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series regular season event, holding the No. 1 spot in the standings after the event in Brainerd, Minnesota, or via a fan vote and lottery-style drawing. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

NEW NHRA MOBILE APP OFFERS FANS BETTER MOBILE EXPERIENCE: NHRA fans will have easier access than ever before to obtain live race updates, results, driver bios, schedules and more with the new release of the NHRA mobile app, which launched February 6. The new app will be offered in both a 100% free version and a premium version. All of the features and capabilities are the same on both versions of the app, but upgrading from NHRA Mobile (free) to NHRA Premium will offer an ad-free mobile experience for the one-time fee of $2.99. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

He Said, She Said

“The explosion Friday night is something you can't control. It's going to happen once in a great while. But to be able to bounce back with consistency shows our NAPA Dodge team can run with anyone on the grounds. It's encouraging going to Phoenix in two weeks. That's the silver lining right now. We're all pretty good about putting explosions and fires aside when you make the next run.”

—Ron Capps after a weekend that saw the Funny Car racer walk away from an explosion Friday during qualifying. Capps has been featured on numerous news programs across the country and a clip of the explosion can be found on the NHRA YouTube channel.

Inside the Numbers

3.997: Time in seconds that Alexis DeJoria covered the track during her third qualifying session during the Circle K NHRA Winternationals. With the run, she became the first woman in NHRA history to make a three-second pass and only the ninth overall driver to run quicker than four seconds.

“It feels absolutely amazing to come out to the first race of the season in Pomona, California, and make a three-second run, and be a part of that exclusive three-second club," DeJoria said. "I always knew we had it in us; it was just a matter of time. We’ve got an awesome car, and everything has really come together."

Did You Know

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING RETURNS TO ESPN2 IN 2014: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will again be featured in 16 one-hour shows on ESPN2HD in 2014, with coverage from select NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national events. The NHRA Sportsman Spotlights, focusing on NHRA’s Member Track network and sportsman racing programs, will be showcased as part of the race-coverage telecasts. More on this story can be found on www.NHRA.com.

View the 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

The shooters at KGP Photography just caught what appears to be the first evidence of a diesel-powered ’14 Jeep Cherokee running on public roads outside of Chrysler's Tech Center. The test vehicle is wearing a prominent Diesel badge on its tailgate, just beneath the Cherokee's 4x4 badging. There is some wiring coming out of the Cherokee's engine bay, suggesting that engineers are monitoring the performance of what appears to be a new engine for the Cherokee range. Currently, the Cherokee is only available with gasoline engines—a 2.4L Tigershark four-cylinder and a 3.2L 24-valve V6—so the appearance of a clearly badged oil-burning Cherokee is a welcome sight.

The Cherokee's diesel badge differs slightly from the badge found on the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel V6. Whether this signals a new, smaller diesel offering destined for the smaller Cherokee is unclear. Fiat has a range of JTD-series (uniJet Turbo Diesel) engines that could presumably work on an application such as the Cherokee.

Photo credit: KGP Photography