By Ashley Reyes

Lucas Frank

Lucas Frank of Brandmotion has been named as the SEMA Professional Restylers Organization’s (PRO) newest Volunteer Spotlight Member. In Frank’s Q&A with SEMA, he shares what inspired him to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket, his experience on the PRO Select Committee and what keeps him involved in the industry.

Frank’s active industry participation and experience has made him a vital contributor to SEMA, and PRO is proud to recognize him for his contributions.

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in restyling/manufacturing?    

Lucas Frank: I love the automotive industry. Coming out of college, I really wanted to be a part of an industry where I could be surrounded by people passionate about what they do. Entering the automotive OEM world, I was amazed at how excited not only my co-workers were, but even more so the customers, vendors, media and everyone else. I love the legacy of the brands, the unique identity that customers have with their favorite brands, the loyalty and all the stories.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for PRO? How has it or will it impact you?    

LF: I wanted to become involved in a group that was helping to identify and solve everyday problems for individuals in the aftermarket. I have started to understand a much deeper perspective of the aftermarket industry and have met and been influenced by some really great people in PRO already.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?    

LF: Embrace the passion. You don't always have to understand it. Whether it's from the designers, the customers, the dealers or the upfitters, there's always something to learn.

SEMA: What is your dream vehicle? Where would we find you in it on any weekend?    

LF: Willys MB. I'd love to just simply drive around the country on a sunny Saturday afternoon enjoying the fresh air or out in Moab.

SEMA: What is the best advice you have ever received?     

LF: “Measure twice, cut once” and “Control the controllable.”

SEMA: What keeps you in the industry?

LF: There’s always a new problem or challenge to solve. This industry is so complex and changing so fast. There's always something new to learn and some challenge to throw yourself into.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

LF: Outside working on a car with my boys, at one of my kids’ ballgames or cutting down trees in the woods. 

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance’s (TORA) newest Volunteer Spotlight member is Laurel Dasher of PDM Automotive. Dasher is the vice president of sales and marketing at PDM Automotive and a 20-plus-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket. Check out her video to learn more about her experience volunteering for SEMA and what inspires her about the truck and off-road industry. 

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Laurel Dasher: I’ve been in the automotive aftermarket my entire career. I really feel like I have grown up in this industry and can’t see myself working anywhere else. I entered the off-road industry when I bought my TJ brand-new in 1997. She taught me how to trust in the reliability, power and safety of a solid 4x4. I fell in love with the off-road market as soon as I bought her.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

LD: I’ve had some really great mentors in my career, and they really encouraged me to get involved with SEMA and volunteer. What I love about the truck and off-road market is that it is the core, and the market has such a powerful voice in our industry. TORA members are so actively engaged and involved in the growth of the off-road and light-truck accessory market and I just love that. It has had such a powerful effect on me.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

LD: I’m biased because I love the automotive aftermarket, but I truly believe a successful career is when you follow your curiosity and passion. There’s no place like the automotive aftermarket to fuel that curiosity and passion. What better place to have fun, do a little off-roading and test some parts than the off-road market? My advice to anyone who wants to be successful in this industry is to get involved, volunteer and build your relationships because that’s how you can really make things happen.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it?

LD: I’m a Jeep girl. I love Jeeps. I always thought that if Jeep would bring its ’98 Jeepster concept to life then I would have that bad boy. I’m going to have a brand-new Rubicon that will be tricked out and I can take off-roading, hopefully to Moab someday at Easter Jeep Safari. On the weekends, you’ll find me at the beach with my Jeep and our pontoon boat in tow.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance’s (TORA) newest Volunteer Spotlight member is Laurel Dasher of PDM Automotive. Dasher is the vice president of sales and marketing at PDM Automotive and a 20-plus-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket. Check out her video to learn more about her experience volunteering for SEMA and what inspires her about the truck and off-road industry. 

SEMA: What inspired you to pursue a career in the truck and off-road industry?

Laurel Dasher: I’ve been in the automotive aftermarket my entire career. I really feel like I have grown up in this industry and can’t see myself working anywhere else. I entered the off-road industry when I bought my TJ brand-new in 1997. She taught me how to trust in the reliability, power and safety of a solid 4x4. I fell in love with the off-road market as soon as I bought her.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA? How has it or will it impact you?

LD: I’ve had some really great mentors in my career, and they really encouraged me to get involved with SEMA and volunteer. What I love about the truck and off-road market is that it is the core, and the market has such a powerful voice in our industry. TORA members are so actively engaged and involved in the growth of the off-road and light-truck accessory market and I just love that. It has had such a powerful effect on me.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket?

LD: I’m biased because I love the automotive aftermarket, but I truly believe a successful career is when you follow your curiosity and passion. There’s no place like the automotive aftermarket to fuel that curiosity and passion. What better place to have fun, do a little off-roading and test some parts than the off-road market? My advice to anyone who wants to be successful in this industry is to get involved, volunteer and build your relationships because that’s how you can really make things happen.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle? Where would we find you in it?

LD: I’m a Jeep girl. I love Jeeps. I always thought that if Jeep would bring its ’98 Jeepster concept to life then I would have that bad boy. I’m going to have a brand-new Rubicon that will be tricked out and I can take off-roading, hopefully to Moab someday at Easter Jeep Safari. On the weekends, you’ll find me at the beach with my Jeep and our pontoon boat in tow.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Will Philippin

Edelbrock Hires Performance System Pro for Newly Created Position of Crate Engine Product Manager

Edelbrock has appointed William Philippin as its new product manager for crate engines. In his new position, Philippin is responsible for product planning and execution throughout the crate engine lifecycle, including gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the crate engine product vision and working closely with engineering, sales, marketing and support to ensure revenue goals are met and customer satisfaction is achieved. Philippin has extensive powertrain and crate engine experience, including developing program timing, business cases and proposals for new crate engine projects based on trends and competitive benchmarking. He was also involved with designing and releasing vehicle engine accessories from concept to the customers’ hands, directing aftermarket and production suppliers to execute performance parts programs to meet product goals and more. Philippin also supported customer-facing and motorsports events, such as NHRA Nationals, Hot Rod Power Tour, Woodward Dreamcruise, Autorama, the SEMA Show and PRI Trade Show. For the last nine years, Philippin worked at General Motors, where he held several increasingly responsible positions culminating in his last position of performance parts crate engine product manager. 

Mahindra Automotive North America Announces Personnel Change

After helping to establish Mahindra Automotive North America and being instrumental in developing a multinational powersports sales and service dealer network for the launch of the Mahindra ROXOR off-road vehicle, Luc De Gaspe Beaubien has elected to leave his position as vice president of business development to pursue other interests. Beaubien was a part of the senior management team at Mahindra Automotive North America and has held multiple senior positions over the years. 

Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Steadfast in Public Land Conservation

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA and its Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) program continues building meaningful partnerships with leading local and national outdoor recreation and land stewardship organizations across the United States with recent grants from the first half of 2020. Yamaha’s latest OAI grants support a wide range of outdoor recreation projects, from OHV staging area maintenance and infrastructure development, to trail rehabilitation, signage and mapping. National collaborations focus largely on land stewardship programs and outdoor recreation education, promoting the benefits and diversity of outdoor experiences to families and youth across the country. The first and second quarter 2020 Yamaha OAI grants totaling more than $155,000 were awarded to the following organizations:

• The Great Outdoors Fund, Washington, D.C. (Kisatchi National Forest, Louisiana)
• North Country ATV, New Stratford, New Hampshire
• Indian Creek Valley ATV Club, Indian Head, Pennsylvania
• Lake County Department of Forestry, Lake County, Minnesota
• National Hunting and Fishing Day
• Northwest Motorcycle Association, Washington State
• Ravalli County Off Road User Association (RCORUA), Hamilton, Montana
• Ride with Respect, Moab, Utah
• Southern California Mountain Foundation, San Bernardino, California
• TreadLightly!, Inc., Centerville, Utah
• Upper Peninsula Recreational Off-Road ATV Riders, Kingsford, Michigan

For more than 10 years now, Yamaha has been issuing quarterly grants to non-profit organizations supporting the program’s mission. To date, the program has contributed more than $4.25 million in aid to more than 370 projects across the nation. Yamaha’s OAI-supported efforts work to improve access to public land for outdoor activities including riding, hiking, biking, camping, hunting, fishing and motorized recreation. The 2020 Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative application schedule, submission guidelines and application forms are available at www.yamahaoai.com.

Riley Technologies Acquires Kar-Kraft, Set to Build Mk IV Continuation Cars

Riley Technologies—owned by father-and-son design and engineering team Bob Riley and Bill Riley—along with Jim Matthews, have acquired the assets of original Ford GT40 Mk IV constructor Kar-Kraft. Kar-Kraft assets have been delivered to Riley Technologies’ multi-disciplined engineering and manufacturing facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, where the Riley team will engineer and construct the next generation of the American-made sports prototype race cars. According to published reports, initial plans include a production run of up to 10 period-current Mk IV continuation cars, with a projected 2022 release date. Tooling, fixtures, and original design drawings—some with Bob Riley's name—were among the acquired assets.

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) members and those involved in the hot rod segment of the industry are invited to join the council for their upcoming virtual membership meeting on August 21, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) members and those involved in the hot rod segment of the industry are invited to join the council for their upcoming virtual membership meeting on August 21, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

All SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) members and those involved in the truck and off-road segment are invited to join the council for their upcoming virtual meeting and open call on August 14, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

All SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) members and those involved in the truck and off-road segment are invited to join the council for their upcoming virtual meeting and open call on August 14, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT).

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Ron Capps picked up his first career win at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, racing to the Funny Car victory last Sunday at the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil.

Capps Gets First Indy Win, Joins S. Torrence, J. Coughlin Jr. and Sampey in Winner’s Circle at Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals Presented by Pennzoil

Ron Capps picked up his first career win at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, racing to the Funny Car victory last Sunday at the Dodge NHRA Indy Nationals presented by Pennzoil and also giving the longtime standout a win at every track on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also won in their respective categories at the fifth race of the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season and third straight at Indy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Capps won for the first time in 2020 and 65th time in his career with a final-round run of 4.110 seconds at 294.63 mph in his 11,000-hp NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to beat J.R. Todd in a battle of former world champs.

Defending and back-to-back Top Fuel world champ Torrence picked up his second win of the year and 38th overall in unconventional fashion last Sunday, outlasting Terry McMillen in the finals with a run of 4.273 at 224.17 in his 11,000-hp Capco Contractors dragster.

In Pro Stock, it was an all-Coughlin final round, as five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. drove past nephew and first-time Pro Stock finalist Troy Coughlin Jr. in the championship round with a 6.680 at 206.92 in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro.

Sampey picked up her first win since 2016 and 43rd overall, going 6.880 at 196.07 in the final round on her Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson EBR to beat Chris Bostick.

The Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington Raceway will host limited fans, Sunday, September 6.

Darlington To Host Limited Fans for Southern 500

The Southern 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington Raceway will host limited fans, Sunday, September 6. The “Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR” also includes the Southern 500, Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Saturday, September 5, and the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, Sunday, September 6. A limited, reduced number of fans will be in attendance for the Southern 500 in accordance with public health officials and local, state and federal authorities, as well as related safety protocols and procedures. All guests will be screened before entering the facility, required to wear face coverings and maintain six feet of social distancing throughout the venue. For more information, visit www.darlingtonraceway.com.

USRA Announces Deal to Host Nationals Event at Lucas Oil Speedway

United States Racing Association (USRA) officials have announced a new agreement with the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri, to host the Summit USRA Nationals powered by MyRacePass for at least three years beginning in 2021. The agreement means the Summit USRA Nationals will have a new home for the eighth running of the event next year. The dates are October 7–9, 2021; October 6–8, 2022, and October 5–7, 2023. The seventh annual Summit USRA Nationals powered by MyRacePass is still slated for October 1–3, 2020, at Hamilton County Speedway in Webster, City, Iowa. Officials from Lucas Oil Speedway also announced that American Racer USRA Stock Cars will be a regular weekly fixture. Beginning in 2021 and for at least three years, the class will take part in the track’s Saturday night Big Adventure RV Weekly Racing Series programs, along with the Modifieds and B-Mods that are already under USRA sanctioning.

NHRA Southern Nationals Canceled Due to COVID-19 Concerns

The NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, scheduled for August 28-30, has been canceled due the current COVID-19 pandemic. NHRA made this decision after exhaustive deliberation with track representatives, health officials and government authorities. NHRA and Atlanta Dragway came to this conclusion after carefully weighing the significance of the 40th anniversary of the NHRA Southern Nationals. The anniversary of the historic race will be celebrated in 2021. Event ticket holders will receive more information from NHRA via email soon and are encouraged to visit www.nhra.com to learn about their options.

Spire Motorsports Purchases LFR, Expands to Two Cars

Spire Motorsports has completed an agreement to purchase the assets of Leavine Family Racing (LFR). As part of the purchase, Spire Motorsports will acquire LFR’s NASCAR charter, the team’s race shop and all owned inventory. As a technical partner of Joe Gibbs Racing, LFR’s current fleet of vehicles and chassis will be returned to Joe Gibbs Racing upon completion of the 2020 season. Spire Motorsports will expand to a two-car operation in 2021 and relocate to LFR’s existing race shop in Concord, North Carolina.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a commission that would recommend ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which was commissioned in 1926 as the first all-paved U.S. highway. The “Route 66 Centennial Commission Act,” S. 1014, creates a 15-person commission with representatives appointed by the president of the United States based on recommendations from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. House and Senate Republican and Democrat leaders and the Governors of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The bill provides the commission with two years from the time that each member is appointed to make recommendations to Congress for celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The commission may recommend the production of various written materials, films and documentaries, education programs, artistic works, commemorative memorabilia and celebrations to commemorate Route 66’s storied history.

A similar version of this bipartisan bill, H.R. 66, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by a margin of 393 to 22. Because there are minor differences between the two bills, the next step will be for the House to take up S. 1014.

For more information, contact Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.