Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Dave Cole, owner and co-founder of the King of the Hammers event, grabbed the victory at the NORRA Mexican 1000 in his #54 ’86 Toyota 4Runner.

Falken's Cole Takes Desert Win in Norra Mexican 1000 Vintage Rally
Falken Tire took its first-ever desert win by finishing first in the Vintage 108-in. Wheelbase 4x4 Class in the NORRA Mexican 1000—the four-day on- and off-road "vintage-flavored" rally through Baja.

The race took place from April 27–May 1, and Dave Cole, owner and co-founder of the King of the Hammers event, grabbed the victory in his #54 ’86 Toyota 4Runner. His time was 15:56:48 as teams ran from Mexicali to Los Cabos, with overnight stops in Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto and La Paz.

Also competing in the race was Matt Parks in the Vintage Open Truck W-real Leaf Springs Class. His truck, ­ originally built by Randy Fortune at Walker Evans Racing and dubbed the "Beer Hauler" due to its Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsorship and corresponding race livery, ­ was competitive until it lost a driveshaft at roughly 100 mph, sidelining the team.

	Brad McClure, in his BTM Motorwerks/GoGoGear.com BMW M3, came out victorious at the opening round of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway.

On Saturday, Bob Bradfield won the pole position by finishing first in the preliminary race in the TNI Racing Mazdaspeed 3. However, the celebration was short lived as Bradfield was stripped of his pole position time after passing under a yellow flag during a Sunday practice session. Bradfield was to start in the back of the field while his teammate Doug Makishima started on pole position. Next to Makishima's BMW M3 was another BMW M3 driven by two time USTCC Champion Brown.

In the GT field, Geoff Sykes, driving the Replay TV/European Motor Works BMW M3, won in a tight battle over Daniel Akhromstev who was driving the Domport Auto Body BMW M3. The two of them were bumper to bumper for much of the race and Sykes just edged out Akhromstev at the end. Rob Rodriguez in the TH Motorsports Noble M400 finished third.

	Robbie Gordon, driving the #7 SPEED Energy/MAPEI/Toyo Tires truck held off points leader Rob MacCachren to capture his first win in Stadium SUPER Trucks history.

Robby Gordon and Larry Swim Win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks invaded the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a full night of off-road racing action. Robby Gordon, Larry Swim and Jerry Whelchel were able to conquer the multiple challenges to record wins in Round No. 3 of SST Competition.

 Gordon, driving the #7 SPEED Energy/MAPEI/Toyo Tires truck held off points leader Rob MacCachren to capture his first win in Stadium SUPER Trucks history.

Whelchel, the only competitor to compete in every single Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group event, made his return to stadium racing a successful one taking the lead on Lap 3 en route to taking the win in the 10-lap SUPER Buggy final.

Adrian Cenni and Apdaly Lopez started the 12-lap SUPER Buggy final and raced around the course until Lopez stalled on the front stretch of Lap 3. Cenni fell back several positions after making contact with another driver. While trying to make up lost position, Cenni chose the crossover jump and landed hard, breaking the right front suspension. Cenni would drop out on Lap 5 after Rino Navero would jump over the concrete retaining wall bringing out the red flag.

Welchel went on to capture the win over Tyler Winburry and third-place finisher Phil Bollman.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Dave Cole, owner and co-founder of the King of the Hammers event, grabbed the victory at the NORRA Mexican 1000 in his #54 ’86 Toyota 4Runner.

Falken's Cole Takes Desert Win in Norra Mexican 1000 Vintage Rally
Falken Tire took its first-ever desert win by finishing first in the Vintage 108-in. Wheelbase 4x4 Class in the NORRA Mexican 1000—the four-day on- and off-road "vintage-flavored" rally through Baja.

The race took place from April 27–May 1, and Dave Cole, owner and co-founder of the King of the Hammers event, grabbed the victory in his #54 ’86 Toyota 4Runner. His time was 15:56:48 as teams ran from Mexicali to Los Cabos, with overnight stops in Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto and La Paz.

Also competing in the race was Matt Parks in the Vintage Open Truck W-real Leaf Springs Class. His truck, ­ originally built by Randy Fortune at Walker Evans Racing and dubbed the "Beer Hauler" due to its Pabst Blue Ribbon sponsorship and corresponding race livery, ­ was competitive until it lost a driveshaft at roughly 100 mph, sidelining the team.

	Brad McClure, in his BTM Motorwerks/GoGoGear.com BMW M3, came out victorious at the opening round of the Nitto Tires United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) at Thunderhill Raceway.

On Saturday, Bob Bradfield won the pole position by finishing first in the preliminary race in the TNI Racing Mazdaspeed 3. However, the celebration was short lived as Bradfield was stripped of his pole position time after passing under a yellow flag during a Sunday practice session. Bradfield was to start in the back of the field while his teammate Doug Makishima started on pole position. Next to Makishima's BMW M3 was another BMW M3 driven by two time USTCC Champion Brown.

In the GT field, Geoff Sykes, driving the Replay TV/European Motor Works BMW M3, won in a tight battle over Daniel Akhromstev who was driving the Domport Auto Body BMW M3. The two of them were bumper to bumper for much of the race and Sykes just edged out Akhromstev at the end. Rob Rodriguez in the TH Motorsports Noble M400 finished third.

	Robbie Gordon, driving the #7 SPEED Energy/MAPEI/Toyo Tires truck held off points leader Rob MacCachren to capture his first win in Stadium SUPER Trucks history.

Robby Gordon and Larry Swim Win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks invaded the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a full night of off-road racing action. Robby Gordon, Larry Swim and Jerry Whelchel were able to conquer the multiple challenges to record wins in Round No. 3 of SST Competition.

 Gordon, driving the #7 SPEED Energy/MAPEI/Toyo Tires truck held off points leader Rob MacCachren to capture his first win in Stadium SUPER Trucks history.

Whelchel, the only competitor to compete in every single Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group event, made his return to stadium racing a successful one taking the lead on Lap 3 en route to taking the win in the 10-lap SUPER Buggy final.

Adrian Cenni and Apdaly Lopez started the 12-lap SUPER Buggy final and raced around the course until Lopez stalled on the front stretch of Lap 3. Cenni fell back several positions after making contact with another driver. While trying to make up lost position, Cenni chose the crossover jump and landed hard, breaking the right front suspension. Cenni would drop out on Lap 5 after Rino Navero would jump over the concrete retaining wall bringing out the red flag.

Welchel went on to capture the win over Tyler Winburry and third-place finisher Phil Bollman.

By Old Cars Weekly Staff

Driving Force won a 2012 Golden Quill Award in the Museums & Associations category.

SEMA's Driving Force newsletter has won a 2012 Golden Quill Award in the Museums & Associations category. The award is issued by the staff of Old Cars Weekly to provide special recognition of literary achievement that boosts the hobby.

“The Golden Quill Award honors outstanding efforts by editors and their clubs in fostering progress in the old-car hobby, and the impact of the award is tremendous,” says Dr. Gerald Perschbacher, chief judge for the award.

In recent years, the quality and competition between publications has taken several steps higher. “As desktop publishing became more sophisticated, so did club magazines and newsletters,” adds Old Cars Weekly Editor Angelo Van Bogart. “Quite a number of national publications have reached such high quality that they could compete on the magazine rack of a bookstore. Those publications would be right at home beside news and features magazines. That’s how far our old-car hobby has come in publishing.”

To level the field, categories are designated based on size, complexity, paper stock and circulation. There is also a category of Honorable Mention.
Perschbacher explains: “National clubs have a larger financial base from which to operate, which means more color and fancy design techniques often abound. Regional clubs have lesser circulation and, in general, significantly lower budgets. Some national clubs pay professional editors, whereas regional clubs often do not have the funds. So the categories are necessary for all clubs to have fair consideration.”

“Our hobby continues to make good progress in publications,” says Van Bogart, “and I anticipate that future competition will reflect an even greater series of advances for 2013.”

By Old Cars Weekly Staff

Driving Force won a 2012 Golden Quill Award in the Museums & Associations category.

SEMA's Driving Force newsletter has won a 2012 Golden Quill Award in the Museums & Associations category. The award is issued by the staff of Old Cars Weekly to provide special recognition of literary achievement that boosts the hobby.

“The Golden Quill Award honors outstanding efforts by editors and their clubs in fostering progress in the old-car hobby, and the impact of the award is tremendous,” says Dr. Gerald Perschbacher, chief judge for the award.

In recent years, the quality and competition between publications has taken several steps higher. “As desktop publishing became more sophisticated, so did club magazines and newsletters,” adds Old Cars Weekly Editor Angelo Van Bogart. “Quite a number of national publications have reached such high quality that they could compete on the magazine rack of a bookstore. Those publications would be right at home beside news and features magazines. That’s how far our old-car hobby has come in publishing.”

To level the field, categories are designated based on size, complexity, paper stock and circulation. There is also a category of Honorable Mention.
Perschbacher explains: “National clubs have a larger financial base from which to operate, which means more color and fancy design techniques often abound. Regional clubs have lesser circulation and, in general, significantly lower budgets. Some national clubs pay professional editors, whereas regional clubs often do not have the funds. So the categories are necessary for all clubs to have fair consideration.”

“Our hobby continues to make good progress in publications,” says Van Bogart, “and I anticipate that future competition will reflect an even greater series of advances for 2013.”

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA TEAMS RETURN TO ATLANTA DRAGWAY THIS WEEKEND FOR RAIN-DELAYED SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS: NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams will return to Atlanta Dragway this weekend for the completion of the rain-delayed Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. The seventh round of the 2013 season was put on hold one week ago after heavy rains forced NHRA officials to postpone the race until this weekend, May 10–11. The two-day race weekend will resume with two qualifying sessions, Friday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 11. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. More information can be found on NHRA.com. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-6472 or go to NHRATix.com.

ALLEN JOHNSON RACING RECOGNIZED BY TENNESSEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME AS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Allen Johnson’s Greeneville, Tennessee-based Pro Stock team was presented Team of the Year honors by the Tennessee Hall of Fame for representing their state with excellence and a distinct Tennessee flavor in winning a career-best seven national titles and the NHRA World Championship title. Johnson’s team was recognized as honorees during the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet, May 4, at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville. Included in the evening was basketball coach Rick Byrd, Penny Hardaway and country music’s Vince Gill.

“I’m so honored to accept this award from the Tennessee Hall of Fame on behalf of my team because this is a true team award,” said Johnson. “What can I say about the accomplishments of the Johnson & Johnson racing team in 2012 except that they were certainly perfect or as close to perfect as you could get, especially in the Countdown to the Championship. We worked as a team and built a great game plan during the year to achieve a lofty goal. I am proud to be part of the team as they get this very well deserved recognition from our home state.”

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SIGNS AS A NATIONAL PARTNER OF NHRA Y.E.S. PROGRAM PRESENTED BY THE U.S. ARMY: The NHRA has announced that Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has signed on again as a national partner of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) program presented by U.S. Army. UTI has been involved in this youth education program since 2006. As a national partner of the NHRA YES program, UTI will participate at seven events in 2013 and have the opportunity to invite schools and youth groups to participate. More information can be found on NHRA.com.



COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA KANSAS NATIONALS, Heartland Park Topeka, May 17–19: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to Heartland Park Topeka for the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 17–19. The eighth event of the 24-race season will feature competition in three professional drag-racing categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. All of the biggest stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be revved up to compete at the site of record-breaking performances. The 2012 winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event were David Grubnic (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock). The race action will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets are also available online at NHRATix.com. Also visit www.HPT.com for more information.

TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2. The race, which will be televised on ESPN2HD, is the ninth of 24 events in the 2013 season. The 2012 Toyota NHRA Summernationals winners were Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). To purchase tickets for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at 732-446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

DON SCHUMACHER INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: "This is such a great honor. I was overwhelmed just to be nominated. This is really overwhelming," Don Schumacher said following his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, May 2, at the Talladega Motor Speedway.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: A total of 10 racers—five in Funny Car and five in Top Fuel—have earned automatic berths into the NHRA Traxxas NITRO SHOOUTOUT, which will be held at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway over Labor Day weekend. Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Spencer Massey and Bob Vandergriff have secured positions for the Top Fuel showcase held August 31. Courtney Force, Ron Capps. Johnny Gray, Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan are locked into the Funny Car category.

DID YOU KNOW…

NHRA fans near Maple Grove Raceway will have the opportunity to race Antron Brown and Ron Capps, May 29, during the Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver competition, with proceeds to benefit Olivet Boys & Girls Club. For $75, which includes a Sunday ticket to the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans will have the opportunity to qualify for 60 positions open for the race. They will then compete in one of eight 14-lap heat races to try and post the quickest lap time. Drivers will get the chance to race against Ron Capps, Antron Brown and Reading Eagle Company’s Kiss A Pig Candidate Peter Barbey during the heats. The quickest driver in each heat race advances to the NAPA Auto Parts Kiss A Pig Championship. The 14-lap championship race will include Brown, Capps and Barbey, as well as the 10 finalists. The driver who posts the quickest lap during the final will be the champion and earn the title of Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver and a custom racing helmet, trophy and two suite tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals. For more information go to www.MapleGroveRaceway.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA TEAMS RETURN TO ATLANTA DRAGWAY THIS WEEKEND FOR RAIN-DELAYED SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS: NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams will return to Atlanta Dragway this weekend for the completion of the rain-delayed Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. The seventh round of the 2013 season was put on hold one week ago after heavy rains forced NHRA officials to postpone the race until this weekend, May 10–11. The two-day race weekend will resume with two qualifying sessions, Friday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 11. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. More information can be found on NHRA.com. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-6472 or go to NHRATix.com.

ALLEN JOHNSON RACING RECOGNIZED BY TENNESSEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME AS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Allen Johnson’s Greeneville, Tennessee-based Pro Stock team was presented Team of the Year honors by the Tennessee Hall of Fame for representing their state with excellence and a distinct Tennessee flavor in winning a career-best seven national titles and the NHRA World Championship title. Johnson’s team was recognized as honorees during the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet, May 4, at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville. Included in the evening was basketball coach Rick Byrd, Penny Hardaway and country music’s Vince Gill.

“I’m so honored to accept this award from the Tennessee Hall of Fame on behalf of my team because this is a true team award,” said Johnson. “What can I say about the accomplishments of the Johnson & Johnson racing team in 2012 except that they were certainly perfect or as close to perfect as you could get, especially in the Countdown to the Championship. We worked as a team and built a great game plan during the year to achieve a lofty goal. I am proud to be part of the team as they get this very well deserved recognition from our home state.”

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SIGNS AS A NATIONAL PARTNER OF NHRA Y.E.S. PROGRAM PRESENTED BY THE U.S. ARMY: The NHRA has announced that Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has signed on again as a national partner of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) program presented by U.S. Army. UTI has been involved in this youth education program since 2006. As a national partner of the NHRA YES program, UTI will participate at seven events in 2013 and have the opportunity to invite schools and youth groups to participate. More information can be found on NHRA.com.



COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA KANSAS NATIONALS, Heartland Park Topeka, May 17–19: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to Heartland Park Topeka for the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 17–19. The eighth event of the 24-race season will feature competition in three professional drag-racing categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. All of the biggest stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be revved up to compete at the site of record-breaking performances. The 2012 winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event were David Grubnic (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock). The race action will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets are also available online at NHRATix.com. Also visit www.HPT.com for more information.

TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2. The race, which will be televised on ESPN2HD, is the ninth of 24 events in the 2013 season. The 2012 Toyota NHRA Summernationals winners were Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). To purchase tickets for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at 732-446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

DON SCHUMACHER INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: "This is such a great honor. I was overwhelmed just to be nominated. This is really overwhelming," Don Schumacher said following his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, May 2, at the Talladega Motor Speedway.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: A total of 10 racers—five in Funny Car and five in Top Fuel—have earned automatic berths into the NHRA Traxxas NITRO SHOOUTOUT, which will be held at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway over Labor Day weekend. Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Spencer Massey and Bob Vandergriff have secured positions for the Top Fuel showcase held August 31. Courtney Force, Ron Capps. Johnny Gray, Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan are locked into the Funny Car category.

DID YOU KNOW…

NHRA fans near Maple Grove Raceway will have the opportunity to race Antron Brown and Ron Capps, May 29, during the Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver competition, with proceeds to benefit Olivet Boys & Girls Club. For $75, which includes a Sunday ticket to the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans will have the opportunity to qualify for 60 positions open for the race. They will then compete in one of eight 14-lap heat races to try and post the quickest lap time. Drivers will get the chance to race against Ron Capps, Antron Brown and Reading Eagle Company’s Kiss A Pig Candidate Peter Barbey during the heats. The quickest driver in each heat race advances to the NAPA Auto Parts Kiss A Pig Championship. The 14-lap championship race will include Brown, Capps and Barbey, as well as the 10 finalists. The driver who posts the quickest lap during the final will be the champion and earn the title of Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver and a custom racing helmet, trophy and two suite tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals. For more information go to www.MapleGroveRaceway.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NEWS NUGGETS

NHRA TEAMS RETURN TO ATLANTA DRAGWAY THIS WEEKEND FOR RAIN-DELAYED SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS: NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams will return to Atlanta Dragway this weekend for the completion of the rain-delayed Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. The seventh round of the 2013 season was put on hold one week ago after heavy rains forced NHRA officials to postpone the race until this weekend, May 10–11. The two-day race weekend will resume with two qualifying sessions, Friday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 11. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) are the defending winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event that will be televised on ESPN2HD. More information can be found on NHRA.com. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-6472 or go to NHRATix.com.

ALLEN JOHNSON RACING RECOGNIZED BY TENNESSEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME AS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Allen Johnson’s Greeneville, Tennessee-based Pro Stock team was presented Team of the Year honors by the Tennessee Hall of Fame for representing their state with excellence and a distinct Tennessee flavor in winning a career-best seven national titles and the NHRA World Championship title. Johnson’s team was recognized as honorees during the Hall of Fame’s annual banquet, May 4, at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville. Included in the evening was basketball coach Rick Byrd, Penny Hardaway and country music’s Vince Gill.

“I’m so honored to accept this award from the Tennessee Hall of Fame on behalf of my team because this is a true team award,” said Johnson. “What can I say about the accomplishments of the Johnson & Johnson racing team in 2012 except that they were certainly perfect or as close to perfect as you could get, especially in the Countdown to the Championship. We worked as a team and built a great game plan during the year to achieve a lofty goal. I am proud to be part of the team as they get this very well deserved recognition from our home state.”

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SIGNS AS A NATIONAL PARTNER OF NHRA Y.E.S. PROGRAM PRESENTED BY THE U.S. ARMY: The NHRA has announced that Universal Technical Institute (UTI) has signed on again as a national partner of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) program presented by U.S. Army. UTI has been involved in this youth education program since 2006. As a national partner of the NHRA YES program, UTI will participate at seven events in 2013 and have the opportunity to invite schools and youth groups to participate. More information can be found on NHRA.com.



COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA KANSAS NATIONALS, Heartland Park Topeka, May 17–19: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series comes to Heartland Park Topeka for the 25th annual NHRA Kansas Nationals, May 17–19. The eighth event of the 24-race season will feature competition in three professional drag-racing categories—Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock. All of the biggest stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be revved up to compete at the site of record-breaking performances. The 2012 winners of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event were David Grubnic (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock). The race action will be televised on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. To purchase tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets are also available online at NHRATix.com. Also visit www.HPT.com for more information.

TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, May 30–June 2: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park for the 44th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30–June 2. The race, which will be televised on ESPN2HD, is the ninth of 24 events in the 2013 season. The 2012 Toyota NHRA Summernationals winners were Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Johnny Gray (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Englishtown native Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). To purchase tickets for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, call Old Bridge Township Raceway Park at 732-446-7800 or visit www.racewaypark.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

DON SCHUMACHER INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION: "This is such a great honor. I was overwhelmed just to be nominated. This is really overwhelming," Don Schumacher said following his induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, May 2, at the Talladega Motor Speedway.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

5: A total of 10 racers—five in Funny Car and five in Top Fuel—have earned automatic berths into the NHRA Traxxas NITRO SHOOUTOUT, which will be held at the NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway over Labor Day weekend. Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Spencer Massey and Bob Vandergriff have secured positions for the Top Fuel showcase held August 31. Courtney Force, Ron Capps. Johnny Gray, Cruz Pedregon and Matt Hagan are locked into the Funny Car category.

DID YOU KNOW…

NHRA fans near Maple Grove Raceway will have the opportunity to race Antron Brown and Ron Capps, May 29, during the Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver competition, with proceeds to benefit Olivet Boys & Girls Club. For $75, which includes a Sunday ticket to the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans will have the opportunity to qualify for 60 positions open for the race. They will then compete in one of eight 14-lap heat races to try and post the quickest lap time. Drivers will get the chance to race against Ron Capps, Antron Brown and Reading Eagle Company’s Kiss A Pig Candidate Peter Barbey during the heats. The quickest driver in each heat race advances to the NAPA Auto Parts Kiss A Pig Championship. The 14-lap championship race will include Brown, Capps and Barbey, as well as the 10 finalists. The driver who posts the quickest lap during the final will be the champion and earn the title of Slick Willy’s Fastest Driver and a custom racing helmet, trophy and two suite tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals. For more information go to www.MapleGroveRaceway.

By SEMA Editors

	Royal Purple and its Royal Purple Ladies initiative are seeking female-owned vehicles to be featured in a display at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Royal Purple Seeks Female-Owned Vehicles to Feature at 2013 SEMA Show
Royal Purple is seeking applications for female-owned vehicles to be featured at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8. Female enthusiasts and their vehicles have the opportunity to be part of Royal Purple Ladies initiative that launched in 2012 to advance women's interests in the automotive industry. Here's what Royal Purple requires to be submitted by May 31 for consideration: A detailed spec list for the vehicle (include any Royal Purple products used in the car); photos (no more than 10) of the vehicle inside and out; and one written page with four paragraphs. The written page is where contestants tell Royal Purple about themselves (paragraph 1); the history of their vehicle (paragraph 2); why they should be selected to show their car as a Feature Vehicle (paragraph 3); and how they hope to inspire other women by showing their vehicle (paragraph 4).

The winner will have all fees and registration paid for by Royal Purple. If selected, the owner will need to submit proof of ownership, insurance and a valid driver's license. Vehicle transportation to Las Vegas and hotel accommodations for the selected owner will not be included, but Royal Purple can assist with pricing for both as needed. The vehicle owner will be responsible for all travel expenses and transportation to and from Las Vegas, as applicable. To offset some of these costs, owners can get sponsors for the trip. SEMA allows the placement of decals on the vehicle if sponsors are already SEMA Show exhibitors. Owners can also acknowledge sponsors on their brag board. Submit entries electronically to msolomon@royalpurple.com or by mail to: Royal Purple, Attn: Marlena Solomon, 1 Royal Purple Lane, Porter, TX 77365.

TruckChamp.com has promoted Jon Page to vice president of sales at its Elkhart, Indiana, headquarters.

TruckChamp.com Names New Vice President
TruckChamp.com, a division of L.O.F. Inc., has promoted Jon Page to vice president of sales at its Elkhart, Indiana, headquarters. Page brings more than 20 years of automotive aftermarket industry experience to the position. L.O.F. Inc. has been in business for 44 years and works through multiple platforms, including TruckChamp.com.

Meyer Distributing Partners With American Dealer Accessories of California
Meyer Distributing Inc. has announced a partnership with American Dealer Accessories (ADA) of California. Meyer reports that it will use its logistical capabilities to bring enhanced service to the ADA platform and will assume the operations of its Ontario, Visalia, and Stockton, California, warehouses. “ADA is excited to partner with Meyer! Both companies are family owned and pride themselves on superior customer service,” says Marlene Stickelman, co-owner of ADA and now West Coast manager for Meyer. “By joining forces we will be able to offer hundreds of additional product lines to our existing customer base." 

Roush Yates Named Official Installation Facility for Kooks Products
Kooks Headers and Roush Yates Performance Products announced a new partnership, which appoints Roush Yates as an official installation facility for all Kooks products. Roush Yates Performance Products will now provide sales, service and installation for all Kooks products out of its Mooresville, North Carlonia, facility. Both companies report that this new arrangement will help Kooks Headers, based in Statesville, North Carolina, serve the industry more efficiently and provide a faster turnaround for customers.  

	Meguiar’s modified Scion FR-S is now featured in the Forza Motorsport 4 video game for the Microsoft Xbox 360.

Meguiar's Scion FR-S Featured in Forza Motorsport 4
A digital likeness of the Meguiar’s Inc. modified Scion FR-S is now featured in Forza Motorsport 4 for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Created by Turn 10 Studios, the new Meguiar's Scion is available as a free download for any person who owns Forza Horizon, or for Forza Motorsport 4 players who have purchased the August Playseat Car Pack. The yellow Meguiar’s Scion FR-S was designed in partnership with Scion and originally debuted at the 2012 SEMA Show. Meguiar's has also launched the Forza Horizon photo contest where winners have the chance to win prizes from Meguiar’s and Xbox 360 by taking snapshots of the FR-S within the game. Read more about the Forza Horizon Photo Contest.

PRW Industries Opens New Facility
The PRW Industries' warehouse distribution center and corporate offices are now located in Perris, California, the company recently announced. The newly acquired facility maximizes storage space and optimizes the picking and shipping process. The facility includes an abundance of office space that houses the sales, management and support teams, an employee break room, conference rooms, and larger engineering and product development departments. To support this new facility, PRW designed and implemented a new computerized inventory management system designed to take full advantage of the faster server environment.

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