Gary Wano Jr.	Michael Giarrizzo Jr.
Randy Stabler	Scott Biggs

Innovation and creativity serve as the lifeblood for businesses and industries alike, offering the competitive edge necessary to enhance growth and profit. Businesses that have the foresight to harness those advantages through rethinking products, services, processes and business models are able to materialize the greatest level of differentiation between the remainder of the market in the eyes of your customer. The SEMA Show will enable you to explore and expand how your business serves its customer base, and the Repairer Driven Education (RDE) is designed to teach you how other successful market leaders harness innovation and creativity as an integral part of their business success.

So how does innovation prosper in the collision-repair industry, and how can you foster innovation as a core value that shapes the framework of your business?

On Friday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m., the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will feature its second RDE headline presentation, "Game Changers - Innovation Forum." This discussion will let you into a very personal discussion amongst well-recognized innovators and market leaders who explore the fundamentals of how they approach innovative thought, and how that translates into workable business models and ideas. Join Randy Stabler (Pride Auto Body, Van Nuys, California), Michael Giarrizzo Jr. (DCR Systems, Mentor, Ohio), Scott Biggs (Assured Performance Network, Irvine, California) and Gary Wano, Jr. (GW & Son Auto Body, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) for what will be one of the most candid dissections of the heart of business ideas.

While the SEMA Show remains the biggest showcase of automotive innovation and business opportunity, this RDE session will showcase the inner mind of innovation and the root of four unique success stories.

"I think attendees are going to be in for a mind-stretching discussion on the thought processes and general knowledge that go into changing one's business mindset," Giarrizzo said.

A complete listing of all RDE sessions can be found at www.semashow.com/scrs.

	John Allen

WyoTech Appoints John Allen Vice President of Long Beach Campus
WyoTech has appointed John Allen as vice president of the Long Beach campus, located at 2161 Technology Place in Long Beach, California. In his new position, Allen will provide administrative and leadership support to the students and staff. WyoTech reports that Allen has 19 years of experience in the automotive industry. His automotive career began as general manager at Strauss Auto, a full-service auto parts and tire chain in New Jersey. In 1999, he was hired as a store manager for EZ Lube, where his leadership skills allowed him to advance quickly from managerial positions to vice president of operations and finally vice president of compliance in 2010.

Chris Fairless Joins Hypertech Inc. Sales Team
Hypertech Inc. hired Chris Fairless to its direct sales team as the western regional sales manager. Fairless will provide sales, service and marketing support to Hypertech customers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, along with additional travel/training responsibilities across the United States and Western Canada. He has more than 33 years of industry experience as a manufacturers' representative, in performance retail sales and working with the performance manufacturing segment of the automotive industry. Fairless represented the Hypertech product line on the West Coast for more than 12 years as a territory sales representative.

Parnelli Jones to Participate in Motorsports 2013 Race Car and Trade Show
Legendary race car driver and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1963, Parnelli Jones, will be part of the 28th annual edition of the Motorsports 2013 Race Car and Trade Show, January 18–20, 2013, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pennsylvania. Jones’ memoir, As a Matter of Fact, I AM Parnelli Jones, is being written with well-known writer Bones Bourcier and will be published by Coastal 181 in late fall. Both Jones and Bones will be at the show on Saturday, January 19 to do a question-and-answer session that will allow attendees to learn more about the fantastic career of Parnelli Jones. Bourcier and Jones will also spend time meeting with fans and autographing copies of the new book, which will be available at the Coastal 181 display.

	Former race car driver Tom Gloy won the Goodguys 2012 Tank's Hot Rod of the Year award for his Brizio Street Rods-built '32 Ford roadster.

Gloy Roadster Wins Goodguys 2012 Tank's Hot Rod of the Year
Former race car driver Tom Gloy won the Goodguys 2012 Tank's Hot Rod of the Year award for his Brizio Street Rods-built '32 Ford roadster during the Goodguys 2nd WIX Filters Speedway Nationals. The roadster was born during a conversation with Roy Brizio and Tom Gloy as the two drove to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The talk resulted in a challenge to build a channeled, traditionally styled roadster that Gloy could drive low and fast. The top 5 finalists for the Goodguys 2012 Tank’s Hot Rod of the Year award included, Keith Hill, Bixby, Oklahoma (’34 Ford); Tom Gloy, Incline Village, Nevada; (’32 Ford), Tim Kirby, Fountain Hills, Arizona (’33 Ford); Henry Richards, Mansfield, Ohio (’32 Ford); and Larry Christensen, Arvada, Colorado (’32 Ford).

Scion Named Sponsor of "The Road to SEMA" Project
Car Guy Nation announced that Scion was named the title sponsor for the company's SEMA Show project. Known as "The Road to SEMA - powered by Car Guy Nation," the project features a ’13 Scion FR-S with a range of performance upgrades and styling enhancements from specialty-equipment companies. The outfitted ’13 Scion FR-S will be driven cross-country by two Car Guy Nation executives, and stops will be made at Scion dealerships where it will be showcased for consumers at dedicated events. Consumers can follow the journey through videos and photos posted online and will be encouraged to participate through contests, daily blog posts and tweets. Participating partners include: Scion, Johnstons Scion, Borla Exhaust, Vredestein, Escort Radar, TSW, Eibach, Airaid, Katzkin, Audiovox Corp./Advent, dba/Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk Brake Pads, Braille Batteries, PIAA, Yakima/Rack&Go, Race Ramps, Luna-C, and Adam's Polishes. 

A&A Midwest Auto Wrecking Launches New Website
A&A Midwest Auto Wrecking launched a new website at www.aamidwestautowrecking.com. The company reports that the website includes new graphics, increased navigation functions, and explains the automotive export salvage business that A&A operates 80,000 sq.-ft. facility in the Chicago suburb of Blue, Illinois.

	SEMA is working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide a more convenient way in which SEMA Showgoers can take advantage of the membership benefits of its Global Entry Trusted Traveler program.

SEMA has announced that it is working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide an added benefit of attending the SEMA Show and a more convenient way in which you can take advantage of the membership benefits of its Global Entry Trusted Traveler program.  

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, Qatari nationals and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program. Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.

How Does the Global Entry Program Work?

At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.


Benefits for Global Entry Members



Your time is valuable. As a pre-screened Global Entry member, you arrive in the United States, check-in at the Global Entry kiosk and you're on your way.

• No processing lines
• No paperwork
• Available at major U.S. airports
• Reduced wait times
• Participation in the TSA Pre-Check program

At this year’s SEMA Show, CBP will host on-site enrollments for the Global Entry program October 30–31, 2012, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. in Las Vegas.  

On-site enrollment will be offered exclusively to SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors who have:

• Applied for Global Entry by October 22, 2012, through the online application and paid the application fee.
• Received a conditional approval prior to the start of the conference. 
• Scheduled an interview at the SEMA Show by using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). The Enrollment Center location will be "FOLA October 2012."
• A valid passport and second form of identification (i.e. driver’s license or ID card) with them to present at the time of the interview. Lawful permanent residents must present their permanent resident card.

This is a great new program offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and SEMA is pleased to be one of the first large trade shows to host this innovative program that will assist many of its members when they conduct international travel. Apply today!

For more information, visit www.globalentry.gov.

	SEMA is working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide a more convenient way in which SEMA Showgoers can take advantage of the membership benefits of its Global Entry Trusted Traveler program.

SEMA has announced that it is working with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide an added benefit of attending the SEMA Show and a more convenient way in which you can take advantage of the membership benefits of its Global Entry Trusted Traveler program.  

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, Qatari nationals and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program. Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.

How Does the Global Entry Program Work?

At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.


Benefits for Global Entry Members



Your time is valuable. As a pre-screened Global Entry member, you arrive in the United States, check-in at the Global Entry kiosk and you're on your way.

• No processing lines
• No paperwork
• Available at major U.S. airports
• Reduced wait times
• Participation in the TSA Pre-Check program

At this year’s SEMA Show, CBP will host on-site enrollments for the Global Entry program October 30–31, 2012, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. in Las Vegas.  

On-site enrollment will be offered exclusively to SEMA Show attendees and exhibitors who have:

• Applied for Global Entry by October 22, 2012, through the online application and paid the application fee.
• Received a conditional approval prior to the start of the conference. 
• Scheduled an interview at the SEMA Show by using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). The Enrollment Center location will be "FOLA October 2012."
• A valid passport and second form of identification (i.e. driver’s license or ID card) with them to present at the time of the interview. Lawful permanent residents must present their permanent resident card.

This is a great new program offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and SEMA is pleased to be one of the first large trade shows to host this innovative program that will assist many of its members when they conduct international travel. Apply today!

For more information, visit www.globalentry.gov.

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN, TASCA, JOHNSON, RAY COLLECT DALLAS WINS: Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the all-concrete Texas Motorplex near Dallas. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the second of six playoff events in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. Brown claimed his fifth victory of the season and moved into a tie for the points lead with the driver he beat in the final round—teammate Spencer Massey. Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.898-second run at 311.49 mph to hold off Massey’s FRAM dragster, which finished with a 3.945 at 300.60.

“This is definitely the way to rebound,” said Brown, the playoff top seed who dropped to fourth in the standings after a first-round loss at the playoff opener last weekend in Charlotte. “I have to give credit to my team for sticking together. We were winning in the first round in Charlotte when we broke an input shaft. It’s so easy to get down after something like that. We came here, and the car was throwing us fits by being overaggressive. Brian [Corradi] and Mark [Oswald, co-crew chiefs] kept backing it off until they got a good handle on it in the semi's.”

Brown and Massey lead seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher by 24 points and the suddenly surging Shawn Langdon is 41 back as the playoff race in the 8,000hp category gets intense.

“In that final, we had to give it everything we had against the FRAM car,” said Brown, who beat three Countdown contenders—David Grubnic, Langdon and Morgan Lucas—in the first three rounds. “We edged them, and it felt really good to win and to tie them in the points lead. We have four races left, and it’s going to be a slugfest to the end. Everybody’s throwing haymakers. It’s an all-out battle royal right now.”

For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

NHRA RACING RETURNS TO GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEK; AUTOGRAPH SESSION SET FOR THURSDAY: On Thursday, September 27, the NHRA and Gateway Motorsports Park will host a special NHRA driver autograph session at the Lucas Park Grille in downtown St. Louis starting at 6:00 p.m. The drivers featured at the autograph session include Alexis DeJoria, Allen Johnson, Shawn Langdon, Erica Enders, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr., T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen, Todd Lesenko and Khaldi alBalooshi. Following the autograph session, NHRA racing will return to Gateway Motorsports Park Friday, September 28, for the first time since 2010. This time around, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will be part of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s post-season playoffs. Many of the sport’s biggest stars will be competing in the event, including Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Tony Schumacher, John Force, Courtney Force, Spencer Massey, Cruz Pedregon, Robert Hight, Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein and local favorite Tim Wilkerson.

“The NHRA is one of the biggest motorsports events to come to St. Louis,” said Curtis Francois, Gateway Motorsports Park owner, real estate developer and former race car driver. “We are very excited to have the unbelievable support of both the city of Madison and the city of St. Louis for the rebirth of Gateway Motorsports Park.”

For tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, call 618-215-8888 or log on to www.extremetix.com. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCES EXPECTED AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series teams who are eager to return to scenic Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7, which is also the fourth race in the six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, which is always an event where teams can take advantage of cool temperatures and produce record-setting performances, will also pay special tribute to one of the NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock—Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who passed away earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of the NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy”—one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers.

In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long, including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove. The display will be near Nitro Alley on Sunday. By the time the top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle make it to Maple Grove, they will have made their mark on the demanding playoffs that kicked off mid-September at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Charlotte. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. For tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals please call 610-856-7200 or log on to www.maplegroveraceway.com. 


COMING ATTRACTIONS

INAUGURAL AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, Gateway Motorsports Park, September 28–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to St. Louis and this time it is for round number three of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 4–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Reading to make its 21st stop of 23 events in 2012, and the fourth race of the Countdown to the Championship. The 2011 winners included Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–28: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 22nd stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and the fifth of six races in the Countdown playoffs. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points leading to NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

RAY MAKES BIG MOVE IN HOMESTATE OF TEXAS: NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Michael Ray couldn’t have asked for a better start to the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Ray defeated Karen Stoffer in the final round of the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex to earn his first career victory.

“It’s really surreal, and I don’t think it’s really sank in yet that I’m getting to go home with the biggest thing that I’ve worked my whole life for,” Ray said. “When we got here this weekend, we knew we had a great bike that could go out there and be competitive, coming off our performance in Charlotte.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JOHNSON EARNS 10TH NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITION OF SEASON: For the first time in his career, Pro Stock points leader Allen Johnson posted a season-best double digits in No. 1 qualifying positions, as the driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger claimed his 10th top qualifying effort of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. Johnson went on to win the race, his fifth of the season, and now holds a 93-point lead over defending world champ Jason Line with four races remaining in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

JOHN FORCE WINS TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force became the first winner of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Car, held September 22, at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. As the No. 6 seed in the specialty all-star race-within-a-race, Force outran Jack Beckman, Jeff Arend and final-round opponent and event top seed Ron Capps to take the $100,000 victory.

“It’s a great day, and we won," said Force. "The $100,000 goes to my employees. I don’t take any money. It’s not about that for me. It’s about winning for them and the fans and the sponsors. Traxxas putting up that $100,000, it’s good for our sport. It’s good to have money out here that can subsidize teams, that can help teams, and anybody can win it, and I won it."

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN, TASCA, JOHNSON, RAY COLLECT DALLAS WINS: Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the all-concrete Texas Motorplex near Dallas. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the second of six playoff events in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. Brown claimed his fifth victory of the season and moved into a tie for the points lead with the driver he beat in the final round—teammate Spencer Massey. Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.898-second run at 311.49 mph to hold off Massey’s FRAM dragster, which finished with a 3.945 at 300.60.

“This is definitely the way to rebound,” said Brown, the playoff top seed who dropped to fourth in the standings after a first-round loss at the playoff opener last weekend in Charlotte. “I have to give credit to my team for sticking together. We were winning in the first round in Charlotte when we broke an input shaft. It’s so easy to get down after something like that. We came here, and the car was throwing us fits by being overaggressive. Brian [Corradi] and Mark [Oswald, co-crew chiefs] kept backing it off until they got a good handle on it in the semi's.”

Brown and Massey lead seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher by 24 points and the suddenly surging Shawn Langdon is 41 back as the playoff race in the 8,000hp category gets intense.

“In that final, we had to give it everything we had against the FRAM car,” said Brown, who beat three Countdown contenders—David Grubnic, Langdon and Morgan Lucas—in the first three rounds. “We edged them, and it felt really good to win and to tie them in the points lead. We have four races left, and it’s going to be a slugfest to the end. Everybody’s throwing haymakers. It’s an all-out battle royal right now.”

For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

NHRA RACING RETURNS TO GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEK; AUTOGRAPH SESSION SET FOR THURSDAY: On Thursday, September 27, the NHRA and Gateway Motorsports Park will host a special NHRA driver autograph session at the Lucas Park Grille in downtown St. Louis starting at 6:00 p.m. The drivers featured at the autograph session include Alexis DeJoria, Allen Johnson, Shawn Langdon, Erica Enders, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr., T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen, Todd Lesenko and Khaldi alBalooshi. Following the autograph session, NHRA racing will return to Gateway Motorsports Park Friday, September 28, for the first time since 2010. This time around, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will be part of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s post-season playoffs. Many of the sport’s biggest stars will be competing in the event, including Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Tony Schumacher, John Force, Courtney Force, Spencer Massey, Cruz Pedregon, Robert Hight, Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein and local favorite Tim Wilkerson.

“The NHRA is one of the biggest motorsports events to come to St. Louis,” said Curtis Francois, Gateway Motorsports Park owner, real estate developer and former race car driver. “We are very excited to have the unbelievable support of both the city of Madison and the city of St. Louis for the rebirth of Gateway Motorsports Park.”

For tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, call 618-215-8888 or log on to www.extremetix.com. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCES EXPECTED AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series teams who are eager to return to scenic Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7, which is also the fourth race in the six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, which is always an event where teams can take advantage of cool temperatures and produce record-setting performances, will also pay special tribute to one of the NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock—Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who passed away earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of the NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy”—one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers.

In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long, including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove. The display will be near Nitro Alley on Sunday. By the time the top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle make it to Maple Grove, they will have made their mark on the demanding playoffs that kicked off mid-September at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Charlotte. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. For tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals please call 610-856-7200 or log on to www.maplegroveraceway.com. 


COMING ATTRACTIONS

INAUGURAL AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, Gateway Motorsports Park, September 28–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to St. Louis and this time it is for round number three of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 4–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Reading to make its 21st stop of 23 events in 2012, and the fourth race of the Countdown to the Championship. The 2011 winners included Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–28: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 22nd stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and the fifth of six races in the Countdown playoffs. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points leading to NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

RAY MAKES BIG MOVE IN HOMESTATE OF TEXAS: NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Michael Ray couldn’t have asked for a better start to the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Ray defeated Karen Stoffer in the final round of the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex to earn his first career victory.

“It’s really surreal, and I don’t think it’s really sank in yet that I’m getting to go home with the biggest thing that I’ve worked my whole life for,” Ray said. “When we got here this weekend, we knew we had a great bike that could go out there and be competitive, coming off our performance in Charlotte.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JOHNSON EARNS 10TH NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITION OF SEASON: For the first time in his career, Pro Stock points leader Allen Johnson posted a season-best double digits in No. 1 qualifying positions, as the driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger claimed his 10th top qualifying effort of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. Johnson went on to win the race, his fifth of the season, and now holds a 93-point lead over defending world champ Jason Line with four races remaining in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

JOHN FORCE WINS TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force became the first winner of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Car, held September 22, at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. As the No. 6 seed in the specialty all-star race-within-a-race, Force outran Jack Beckman, Jeff Arend and final-round opponent and event top seed Ron Capps to take the $100,000 victory.

“It’s a great day, and we won," said Force. "The $100,000 goes to my employees. I don’t take any money. It’s not about that for me. It’s about winning for them and the fans and the sponsors. Traxxas putting up that $100,000, it’s good for our sport. It’s good to have money out here that can subsidize teams, that can help teams, and anybody can win it, and I won it."

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN, TASCA, JOHNSON, RAY COLLECT DALLAS WINS: Antron Brown raced to the Top Fuel victory last Sunday at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the all-concrete Texas Motorplex near Dallas. Bob Tasca III (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners at the second of six playoff events in the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship. Brown claimed his fifth victory of the season and moved into a tie for the points lead with the driver he beat in the final round—teammate Spencer Massey. Brown powered his Matco Tools dragster to a 3.898-second run at 311.49 mph to hold off Massey’s FRAM dragster, which finished with a 3.945 at 300.60.

“This is definitely the way to rebound,” said Brown, the playoff top seed who dropped to fourth in the standings after a first-round loss at the playoff opener last weekend in Charlotte. “I have to give credit to my team for sticking together. We were winning in the first round in Charlotte when we broke an input shaft. It’s so easy to get down after something like that. We came here, and the car was throwing us fits by being overaggressive. Brian [Corradi] and Mark [Oswald, co-crew chiefs] kept backing it off until they got a good handle on it in the semi's.”

Brown and Massey lead seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher by 24 points and the suddenly surging Shawn Langdon is 41 back as the playoff race in the 8,000hp category gets intense.

“In that final, we had to give it everything we had against the FRAM car,” said Brown, who beat three Countdown contenders—David Grubnic, Langdon and Morgan Lucas—in the first three rounds. “We edged them, and it felt really good to win and to tie them in the points lead. We have four races left, and it’s going to be a slugfest to the end. Everybody’s throwing haymakers. It’s an all-out battle royal right now.”

For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

NHRA RACING RETURNS TO GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK THIS WEEK; AUTOGRAPH SESSION SET FOR THURSDAY: On Thursday, September 27, the NHRA and Gateway Motorsports Park will host a special NHRA driver autograph session at the Lucas Park Grille in downtown St. Louis starting at 6:00 p.m. The drivers featured at the autograph session include Alexis DeJoria, Allen Johnson, Shawn Langdon, Erica Enders, Hector Arana, Hector Arana Jr., T.J. Zizzo, Terry McMillen, Todd Lesenko and Khaldi alBalooshi. Following the autograph session, NHRA racing will return to Gateway Motorsports Park Friday, September 28, for the first time since 2010. This time around, the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals will be part of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s post-season playoffs. Many of the sport’s biggest stars will be competing in the event, including Antron Brown, Ron Capps, Tony Schumacher, John Force, Courtney Force, Spencer Massey, Cruz Pedregon, Robert Hight, Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein and local favorite Tim Wilkerson.

“The NHRA is one of the biggest motorsports events to come to St. Louis,” said Curtis Francois, Gateway Motorsports Park owner, real estate developer and former race car driver. “We are very excited to have the unbelievable support of both the city of Madison and the city of St. Louis for the rebirth of Gateway Motorsports Park.”

For tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, call 618-215-8888 or log on to www.extremetix.com. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCES EXPECTED AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series teams who are eager to return to scenic Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7, which is also the fourth race in the six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, which is always an event where teams can take advantage of cool temperatures and produce record-setting performances, will also pay special tribute to one of the NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock—Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who passed away earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of the NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy”—one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers.

In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long, including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove. The display will be near Nitro Alley on Sunday. By the time the top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle make it to Maple Grove, they will have made their mark on the demanding playoffs that kicked off mid-September at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries in Charlotte. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. For tickets for the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals please call 610-856-7200 or log on to www.maplegroveraceway.com. 


COMING ATTRACTIONS

INAUGURAL AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, Gateway Motorsports Park, September 28–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to St. Louis and this time it is for round number three of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 4–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Reading to make its 21st stop of 23 events in 2012, and the fourth race of the Countdown to the Championship. The 2011 winners included Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–28: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 22nd stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and the fifth of six races in the Countdown playoffs. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points leading to NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

RAY MAKES BIG MOVE IN HOMESTATE OF TEXAS: NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Michael Ray couldn’t have asked for a better start to the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Ray defeated Karen Stoffer in the final round of the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex to earn his first career victory.

“It’s really surreal, and I don’t think it’s really sank in yet that I’m getting to go home with the biggest thing that I’ve worked my whole life for,” Ray said. “When we got here this weekend, we knew we had a great bike that could go out there and be competitive, coming off our performance in Charlotte.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

10: JOHNSON EARNS 10TH NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITION OF SEASON: For the first time in his career, Pro Stock points leader Allen Johnson posted a season-best double digits in No. 1 qualifying positions, as the driver of the Team Mopar Dodge Avenger claimed his 10th top qualifying effort of the season at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. Johnson went on to win the race, his fifth of the season, and now holds a 93-point lead over defending world champ Jason Line with four races remaining in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

JOHN FORCE WINS TRAXXAS NITRO SHOOTOUT: John Force became the first winner of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout for Funny Car, held September 22, at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas. As the No. 6 seed in the specialty all-star race-within-a-race, Force outran Jack Beckman, Jeff Arend and final-round opponent and event top seed Ron Capps to take the $100,000 victory.

“It’s a great day, and we won," said Force. "The $100,000 goes to my employees. I don’t take any money. It’s not about that for me. It’s about winning for them and the fans and the sponsors. Traxxas putting up that $100,000, it’s good for our sport. It’s good to have money out here that can subsidize teams, that can help teams, and anybody can win it, and I won it."

	Jon Wyly leads the SEMA Data Co-op, a technology and service initiative that encourages and enables the development, safe storage and universal export of industry product data.

Are you invisible to your customers?  Reserve your meeting spot today with the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in SEMA Show booth #20579 and learn how managing your product data will drive more sales! An industry-owned-and-operated solution, the SDC is here to help by providing expert data-management solutions at the lowest possible cost.

During one-on-one consultations, suppliers will get an overview of the benefits of managing their data process, how to get started with the co-op and view a demonstration of the full featured production system coming in January 2013. Receivers will learn about our industry-standards-based approach, how to work with our team to configure custom-designed data exports and tips on how to encourage their suppliers to become part of the Co-op.

Join the growing list of suppliers and receivers who have found the SEMA Data Co-op to be the most affordable, state-of-the-art solution in data management! Schedule your meeting time, or drop by booth #20579 and visit with our data experts.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and operated data-management solution with a goal of creating the most comprehensive and affordable industry data repository possible, supported by an expert help desk and web-enabled tools. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698.

	Jon Wyly leads the SEMA Data Co-op, a technology and service initiative that encourages and enables the development, safe storage and universal export of industry product data.

Are you invisible to your customers?  Reserve your meeting spot today with the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in SEMA Show booth #20579 and learn how managing your product data will drive more sales! An industry-owned-and-operated solution, the SDC is here to help by providing expert data-management solutions at the lowest possible cost.

During one-on-one consultations, suppliers will get an overview of the benefits of managing their data process, how to get started with the co-op and view a demonstration of the full featured production system coming in January 2013. Receivers will learn about our industry-standards-based approach, how to work with our team to configure custom-designed data exports and tips on how to encourage their suppliers to become part of the Co-op.

Join the growing list of suppliers and receivers who have found the SEMA Data Co-op to be the most affordable, state-of-the-art solution in data management! Schedule your meeting time, or drop by booth #20579 and visit with our data experts.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and operated data-management solution with a goal of creating the most comprehensive and affordable industry data repository possible, supported by an expert help desk and web-enabled tools. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698.

	Jon Wyly leads the SEMA Data Co-op, a technology and service initiative that encourages and enables the development, safe storage and universal export of industry product data.

Are you invisible to your customers?  Reserve your meeting spot today with the SEMA Data Co-op (SDC) in SEMA Show booth #20579 and learn how managing your product data will drive more sales! An industry-owned-and-operated solution, the SDC is here to help by providing expert data-management solutions at the lowest possible cost.

During one-on-one consultations, suppliers will get an overview of the benefits of managing their data process, how to get started with the co-op and view a demonstration of the full featured production system coming in January 2013. Receivers will learn about our industry-standards-based approach, how to work with our team to configure custom-designed data exports and tips on how to encourage their suppliers to become part of the Co-op.

Join the growing list of suppliers and receivers who have found the SEMA Data Co-op to be the most affordable, state-of-the-art solution in data management! Schedule your meeting time, or drop by booth #20579 and visit with our data experts.

The SEMA Data Co-op is an industry-owned and operated data-management solution with a goal of creating the most comprehensive and affordable industry data repository possible, supported by an expert help desk and web-enabled tools. To learn more about the program, visit www.SemaDataCoop.org or contact Jon Wyly at jonw@SemaDataCoop.org or call 888-958-6698.