NEWS NUGGETS

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP READY TO GO AT THE "BIG GO": With the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series regular season a distant memory, drivers prepare themselves for the biggest race of the season: the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil and the beginning of the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. In one week, drivers and fans will descend on historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis for the 56th running of the event and the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoff round.

First-place Top Fuel pilot and three-time U.S. Nationals winner Larry Dixon is ready. Dixon carries a 30-point lead over the field entering the event and hopes that his nine wins in nine final rounds regular season success continues to give the driver his first U.S. Nationals title since 2005 and fourth overall.

But don’t count out defending U.S. Nationals winner and third-place driver Tony Schumacher. With his win last year, Schumacher tied NHRA legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits for the most U.S. Nationals wins in Top Fuel at eight and hopes to tie Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden for the most wins overall with nine.

Current Funny Car points leader John Force is hoping for some success at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The 14-time world champion has a 30-point lead over teammate Robert Hight entering the event, but in his 32-year career has only had four wins at the prestigious event—his last coming in 2002. Hight has two Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil wins (2008, 2006), but John Force Racing teammate and defending event winner Ashley Force Hood is still on the hunt for her first win of 2010. A second win at the event could push her from eighth up to the top of the points battle with her two teammates.

Pro Stock points leader Mike Edwards saw his points lead of more than 300 dwindle to just 30 points over second place Allen Johnson with the start of the Countdown to the Championship. But it’s third-place driver and three-time U.S. Nationals winner Jeg Coughlin that has the record at Indy that could move him into the points lead leaving the event. Pro Stock Motorcycle defending winner Hector Arana lost his points lead to Andrew Hines at the last event of the regular season but could regain that lead with a second win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Hines has never won the prestigious event.

TIRE KINGDOM EXTENDS TITLE-RIGHTS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA GATORNATIONALS: Tire Kingdom, a leading brand of service centers for Florida-based TBC Retail Group Inc., has signed a multiyear contract extension to continue its title-rights sponsorship of the tradition-rich NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway. In addition to title sponsorship of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, Tire Kingdom will be a national partner of the NHRA Youth & Education Services program presented by the U.S. Army, utilizing its Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire and Battery, Merchant’s Tire and Auto Centers and Big O Tires brands. TBC Retail Group will also have a presence along NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway at a number of events on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule throughout the year.

The Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals has a long and storied history as the East Coast opener for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Next year, the event will celebrate its 42nd anniversary of thrilling fans throughout Florida and as the home to numerous records and memorable moments. In 2011, NHRA will be celebrating its 60th anniversary and announce a number of special events and activities planned throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY SUPER START BATTERIES NHRA FALL NATIONALS, TEXAS MOTORPLEX, September 23–26: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop in the Lone Star State and third stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

NO TIME FOR VACATION: Various drivers in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on what they’re doing the week before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil and the start of the Countdown to the Championship:

ANTRON BROWN: “We’ve been struggling with some clutch disc issues and we hope to work that out in testing before the U.S. Nationals. We’ll head back to our DSR shot in Brownsburg (Indiana) and gear up and test and then come out strong at Indy.”

MATT HAGAN: (after quarterfinal loss in Brainerd) “I know these DieHard guys will go back and fix (my car) and make sure it never, never happens again, and then we’re going to move into Indy for the beginning of the Countdown to 1 playoffs.”

GREG ANDERSON: “We’re going to spend a lot of time on the racetrack and dyno before Indy and are not going to rest until we get this all figured out so we can contend for the championship.”

HECTOR ARANA: “I’m really glad we’ve got a few weeks off because we have some work to do. We’re gonna go home and take this bike down to the bare chassis and check every little thing. Then we’ll redo the motors and make them perfect. Then we’ll go to the Indy test and make sure we’re ready for the Countdown.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8/10: Defending world champion Tony Schumacher has won eight of the past 10 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil Top Fuel titles. Larry Dixon is the only other Top Fuel driver to have won during that span (2005, 2001).

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers Larry Dixon, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, John Force, Ashley Force Hood, Robert Hight, Del Worsham, Bob Tasca and many, many more will be at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis this week testing before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil? For media information or interviews with any of these drivers, contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP READY TO GO AT THE "BIG GO": With the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series regular season a distant memory, drivers prepare themselves for the biggest race of the season: the prestigious Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil and the beginning of the NHRA Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. In one week, drivers and fans will descend on historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis for the 56th running of the event and the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoff round.

First-place Top Fuel pilot and three-time U.S. Nationals winner Larry Dixon is ready. Dixon carries a 30-point lead over the field entering the event and hopes that his nine wins in nine final rounds regular season success continues to give the driver his first U.S. Nationals title since 2005 and fourth overall.

But don’t count out defending U.S. Nationals winner and third-place driver Tony Schumacher. With his win last year, Schumacher tied NHRA legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits for the most U.S. Nationals wins in Top Fuel at eight and hopes to tie Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden for the most wins overall with nine.

Current Funny Car points leader John Force is hoping for some success at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. The 14-time world champion has a 30-point lead over teammate Robert Hight entering the event, but in his 32-year career has only had four wins at the prestigious event—his last coming in 2002. Hight has two Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil wins (2008, 2006), but John Force Racing teammate and defending event winner Ashley Force Hood is still on the hunt for her first win of 2010. A second win at the event could push her from eighth up to the top of the points battle with her two teammates.

Pro Stock points leader Mike Edwards saw his points lead of more than 300 dwindle to just 30 points over second place Allen Johnson with the start of the Countdown to the Championship. But it’s third-place driver and three-time U.S. Nationals winner Jeg Coughlin that has the record at Indy that could move him into the points lead leaving the event. Pro Stock Motorcycle defending winner Hector Arana lost his points lead to Andrew Hines at the last event of the regular season but could regain that lead with a second win at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil. Hines has never won the prestigious event.

TIRE KINGDOM EXTENDS TITLE-RIGHTS SPONSORSHIP OF NHRA GATORNATIONALS: Tire Kingdom, a leading brand of service centers for Florida-based TBC Retail Group Inc., has signed a multiyear contract extension to continue its title-rights sponsorship of the tradition-rich NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway. In addition to title sponsorship of the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, Tire Kingdom will be a national partner of the NHRA Youth & Education Services program presented by the U.S. Army, utilizing its Tire Kingdom, NTB-National Tire and Battery, Merchant’s Tire and Auto Centers and Big O Tires brands. TBC Retail Group will also have a presence along NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway at a number of events on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series schedule throughout the year.

The Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals has a long and storied history as the East Coast opener for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Next year, the event will celebrate its 42nd anniversary of thrilling fans throughout Florida and as the home to numerous records and memorable moments. In 2011, NHRA will be celebrating its 60th anniversary and announce a number of special events and activities planned throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK AT INDIANAPOLIS, September 1–6: The famed Labor Day event at historic O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis is the first of six races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Ashley Force Hood (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS NHRA NATIONALS, zMAX DRAGWAY, September 16–19: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop of the season in North Carolina and second stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Mike Edwards (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

O’REILLY SUPER START BATTERIES NHRA FALL NATIONALS, TEXAS MOTORPLEX, September 23–26: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its second stop in the Lone Star State and third stop of the Countdown to 1 playoffs. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Greg Anderson (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

NO TIME FOR VACATION: Various drivers in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series on what they’re doing the week before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil and the start of the Countdown to the Championship:

ANTRON BROWN: “We’ve been struggling with some clutch disc issues and we hope to work that out in testing before the U.S. Nationals. We’ll head back to our DSR shot in Brownsburg (Indiana) and gear up and test and then come out strong at Indy.”

MATT HAGAN: (after quarterfinal loss in Brainerd) “I know these DieHard guys will go back and fix (my car) and make sure it never, never happens again, and then we’re going to move into Indy for the beginning of the Countdown to 1 playoffs.”

GREG ANDERSON: “We’re going to spend a lot of time on the racetrack and dyno before Indy and are not going to rest until we get this all figured out so we can contend for the championship.”

HECTOR ARANA: “I’m really glad we’ve got a few weeks off because we have some work to do. We’re gonna go home and take this bike down to the bare chassis and check every little thing. Then we’ll redo the motors and make them perfect. Then we’ll go to the Indy test and make sure we’re ready for the Countdown.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

8/10: Defending world champion Tony Schumacher has won eight of the past 10 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil Top Fuel titles. Larry Dixon is the only other Top Fuel driver to have won during that span (2005, 2001).

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series drivers Larry Dixon, Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, John Force, Ashley Force Hood, Robert Hight, Del Worsham, Bob Tasca and many, many more will be at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis this week testing before the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil? For media information or interviews with any of these drivers, contact Senior Communications Manager Scott Smith at ssmith@nhra.com.

If you scan no farther than these next few words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko. Since you're browsing through SEMA News, you must be favored with some interest in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, and Lucsko's book offers a primer about where it began, how it evolved and, if not precisely where it's heading, at least an optimistic appraisal of why it will live on [Read more].

If you scan no farther than these next few words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko. Since you're browsing through SEMA News, you must be favored with some interest in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, and Lucsko's book offers a primer about where it began, how it evolved and, if not precisely where it's heading, at least an optimistic appraisal of why it will live on [Read more].

If you scan no farther than these next few words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko. Since you're browsing through SEMA News, you must be favored with some interest in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, and Lucsko's book offers a primer about where it began, how it evolved and, if not precisely where it's heading, at least an optimistic appraisal of why it will live on [Read more].

If you scan no farther than these next few words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko. Since you're browsing through SEMA News, you must be favored with some interest in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, and Lucsko's book offers a primer about where it began, how it evolved and, if not precisely where it's heading, at least an optimistic appraisal of why it will live on [Read more].

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with well-respected manufacturer and ProPledge participant 3dCarbon. We spoke to the company's vice president of sales and marketing, Ernie Bunnell, to learn a little bit more about its products and about how 3dCarbon is utilizing ProPledge's benefits to differentiate itself from the competition [Read more].

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with well-respected manufacturer and ProPledge participant 3dCarbon. We spoke to the company's vice president of sales and marketing, Ernie Bunnell, to learn a little bit more about its products and about how 3dCarbon is utilizing ProPledge's benefits to differentiate itself from the competition [Read more].

CV Products hired Mike Newcomb as a technical sales representative. Based out of Thomasville, North Carolina, Newcomb will work to expand business to the short track asphalt market through working closely with engine builders and racers in the United States. He spent the past four years with Five Star Racing Bodies.

Hotchkis Performance moved into a larger facility in Santa Fe Springs, California, a move that the company reports increases its production and new-product development opportunities. In addition to a large customer installation center, the move brought together several offices under one roof and provides larger work bays, engineering suites, shipping and receiving areas and warehouse space.

RimTyme announced that five of its employees have passed the SEMA Z5 Custom Wheel & Tire certification exam. The credential acknowledges Elijah Dickerson, Jeremy Hankins, Robert Blake, Sean Barnes and Taylor Jones as certified installation specialists. The certification establishes benchmarks for employee knowledge and competence.

Pirelli appointed Nick Heidfeld its Formula One test driver to test sample versions of its P Zero Formula One tire. The tire, which Heidfeld put to task behind the wheel of a Toyota TF109, will be used by all Formula One teams beginning in 2011 under a three-year agreement with the FIA.

R&R Marketing Consultants Inc. added Rob Kearns to its sales team. He will cover the Southwest and mountain states, including Denver, where he resides. The company also announced that Gunnar Smith is the newest service representative in the Midwest region. Both Kearns and Smith join Josh Forster as new members of the R&R team. Forster is based in Southern California and focuses on retail sales.

For the third consecutive year, Inc. 500 has recognized Classic Instruments as one of America's fastest-growing private companies. Owner John McLeod stated, “Working in an industry you love with the greatest team you could ask for and be able to work in the most beautiful place in the world (Boyne City, Michigan), is a GRAND SLAM. I am very proud to be included in such a hard-working group, and I owe it all to my family, employees and community.”

O'Reilly Automotive Inc. has signed an agreement for a portion of their brake drum and rotor business with Affinia Group. Affinia Group has served as vendor partners with O’Reilly Automotive for more than 26 years, including the Wix brand of filtration products.

Valspar has opened a new office for its consumer division. The new location, which includes the sales and marketing staffs for PlastiKote, is located at 8725 W. Higgins Road in Chicago, minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.

CRP Automotive selected Hirsig-Frazier as its new sales rep agency for the Southwest territory, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Hirsig-Frazier will be responsible for the direct management of current CRP domestic market accounts as well as new account acquisition efforts within the territory.

Chuck Williams (center) in 2006 at PAACE Automekanica in Mexico City with representatives from Reaco. Williams helped forge Putco's presence in the Mexican market, says former colleague Rufus Cipriano.

Chuck Williams, former Putco regional sales manager in Texas, died July 23, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 63 years old. Williams was Putco's national sales manager in the mid-’90s and rejoined the company as regional sales manager from 2005–2006.

Matt Payne, Putco vice president of sales, notes that Williams’ experience watching the company’s—and industry’s—mom-and-pop vendors grow into million-dollar enterprises taught him a lot about the operations of successful companies, experience he brought to bear at Putco.

“Beyond being a skilled sales manager, Chuck was a master at the art of a successful product launch,” Payne says. “Our company learned a lot from him over the years on how to create catalogs and show booths that stand out from the crowd. Chuck will be missed by all of the staff at Putco and by many in the automotive aftermarket.”

Williams shared an additional talent with the world: a role as Santa Claus, performed at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston—appropriate for a man born on Halloween (a tribute page for Williams on a local San Antonio TV station’s website overflows with memories of his Santa Claus role). Williams’ wife has requested that any contributions for Chuck be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children.

"Chuck was a fun-loving guy who worked hard," says Chuck Blum of Chuck Blum Consulting. "He was one of the early pioneers in the truck accessory business when it was just starting to grow, and worked for a number of companies who pioneered that segment."

Rufus Cipriano came to know Williams while working at Holley Performance. "I was totally green in selling truck accessories, and Chuck mentored me and showed me the difference of how to work and sell the best quality products offered in our industry," Cipriano remembers. "He was a pioneer in our industry and should be remembered as such. I will miss him."

“Chuck was quite a guy, well-respected by many,” says Chris Thomson of AIRAID. “He was the first real ‘factory’ guy I met early on in my travel days. He would always make us newbies feel welcome.

"He would take the time to learn something about you, something more than just your name. If he ran across something he knew you had an interest in, he would tell you all about it. In my home office I have a framed picture of the Blue Angels that he sent me based on a conversation we once had about aviation during the old American Road Show in Pittsburgh. There are fewer men like Chuck coming along, and I will certainly miss him and the man that he was.”