By Ashley Reyes

Comprised of next-gen leaders looking to launch their businesses to the next level, the top 10 Launch Pad candidates with the most votes will advance to the next stage.

SEMA Launch Pad, the premier automotive young entrepreneur competition, has opened the voting period for the 15 semi-finalists representing new, innovative products and services in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Comprised of next-gen leaders looking to launch their businesses to the next level, the top 10 candidates with the most votes will advance to the next stage.

Since 2013 the SEMA Launch Pad program has given young entrepreneurs, students and business owners age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the $44.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry. Selected participants learn new business strategies on how to develop, market and boost their automotive products or services used by industry experts.

Get to know the semi-finalists, learn about their products and vote today.

By Ashley Reyes

Comprised of next-gen leaders looking to launch their businesses to the next level, the top 10 Launch Pad candidates with the most votes will advance to the next stage.

SEMA Launch Pad, the premier automotive young entrepreneur competition, has opened the voting period for the 15 semi-finalists representing new, innovative products and services in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Comprised of next-gen leaders looking to launch their businesses to the next level, the top 10 candidates with the most votes will advance to the next stage.

Since 2013 the SEMA Launch Pad program has given young entrepreneurs, students and business owners age 18–39 an opportunity to launch their products into the $44.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry. Selected participants learn new business strategies on how to develop, market and boost their automotive products or services used by industry experts.

Get to know the semi-finalists, learn about their products and vote today.

By Richard Hail

John Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.”

John Wargo opened The Custom Shop in 1988 with his wife, Kim. Nearly three decades later, the Flanagan, Illinois, business continues to turn out SEMA-grade cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.” The Nova’s lightweight, easy-to-work-with body is the perfect recipient for the LS2, which is fitted with a P-1X ProCharger and should put out about 650 hp. Wargo also flipped the hood forward to better show off the small block, which he equipped with a COMP Cams camshaft and Holley EFI engine-management system.

The second-generation Nova features custom laser-cut grilles, tucked and pinched bumpers and carbon-fiber ground effects and trim all around. He moved the cockpit and dash back 9 in., changing the coupe from a four-seater to a two-seater. A custom Dakota Digital gauge cluster is embedded into a modified Impala dashboard. A bright orange-pearl finish from Prospray will start at the top of the car, slowly transitioning down to a darker orange with charcoal/black abstract graphics.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By Richard Hail

John Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.”

John Wargo opened The Custom Shop in 1988 with his wife, Kim. Nearly three decades later, the Flanagan, Illinois, business continues to turn out SEMA-grade cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Wargo is putting his twist on a ’66 Chevrolet Nova, appropriately coined “CaSSaNova.” The Nova’s lightweight, easy-to-work-with body is the perfect recipient for the LS2, which is fitted with a P-1X ProCharger and should put out about 650 hp. Wargo also flipped the hood forward to better show off the small block, which he equipped with a COMP Cams camshaft and Holley EFI engine-management system.

The second-generation Nova features custom laser-cut grilles, tucked and pinched bumpers and carbon-fiber ground effects and trim all around. He moved the cockpit and dash back 9 in., changing the coupe from a four-seater to a two-seater. A custom Dakota Digital gauge cluster is embedded into a modified Impala dashboard. A bright orange-pearl finish from Prospray will start at the top of the car, slowly transitioning down to a darker orange with charcoal/black abstract graphics.

Visit the SEMA Show YouTube Channel for more videos and builder interviews, and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss future episodes. For more details about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, visit www.semabotb.com.

By Ashley Reyes

Chris Forsberg

Join the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) for its Facebook Live Chat featuring Formula DRIFT Champion Chris Forsberg, August 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT). 

Forsberg is a three-time Formula DRIFT racing champion, Triple Crown champion and the owner of Chris Forsberg Racing. His accomplishments include being the all-time podium finisher in Formula DRIFT, securing the most wins in tandem battles and securing the most consecutive podiums (six). During the live chat, Forsberg will discuss and answer questions about his record-breaking career and experience managing a motorsports team during a pandemic.


As one of the few "ironmen" of Formula DRIFT, Forsberg has attended every round since 2004, and is known as being one of the winningest drivers in Formula DRIFT history.

Get your questions ready and tune in to the YEN Facebook page, August 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

By Ashley Reyes

Chris Forsberg

Join the SEMA Young Executives Network (YEN) for its Facebook Live Chat featuring Formula DRIFT Champion Chris Forsberg, August 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT). 

Forsberg is a three-time Formula DRIFT racing champion, Triple Crown champion and the owner of Chris Forsberg Racing. His accomplishments include being the all-time podium finisher in Formula DRIFT, securing the most wins in tandem battles and securing the most consecutive podiums (six). During the live chat, Forsberg will discuss and answer questions about his record-breaking career and experience managing a motorsports team during a pandemic.


As one of the few "ironmen" of Formula DRIFT, Forsberg has attended every round since 2004, and is known as being one of the winningest drivers in Formula DRIFT history.

Get your questions ready and tune in to the YEN Facebook page, August 12, at 12:00 p.m. (PDT).

This is a prototype of an unknown Ford SUV. Though the camouflage is doing a great job covering the majority of what is seen here, it would appear that the vehicle is equipped with a third row. What this prototype could be is very much unclear at this point, but it's definitely a Ford vehicle seen leaving the Ford development center. 

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a prototype of an unknown Ford SUV. Though the camouflage is doing a great job covering the majority of what is seen here, it would appear that the vehicle is equipped with a third row. What this prototype could be is very much unclear at this point, but it's definitely a Ford vehicle seen leaving the Ford development center. 

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a prototype of an unknown Ford SUV. Though the camouflage is doing a great job covering the majority of what is seen here, it would appear that the vehicle is equipped with a third row. What this prototype could be is very much unclear at this point, but it's definitely a Ford vehicle seen leaving the Ford development center. 

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

This is a prototype of an unknown Ford SUV. Though the camouflage is doing a great job covering the majority of what is seen here, it would appear that the vehicle is equipped with a third row. What this prototype could be is very much unclear at this point, but it's definitely a Ford vehicle seen leaving the Ford development center. 

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde