By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Oklahoma’s congressional primary is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, and U.S. Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), an automotive enthusiast and longtime ally of the aftermarket, is leading the field in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Rep. Mullin is anything but a traditional politician, which is one of the many reasons why SEMA has worked so well with him. He first decided to run for office in 2012 as a result of government overreach that threatened his business. During his time in Washington, Rep. Mullin has been a top advocate for passing the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), serving as an original cosponsor of the bill. He was also the lead sponsor of a 2015 law, the “Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act,” which created a simplified regulatory system for small automotive businesses looking to manufacture classically styled replica vehicles.

Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and his ’72 Chevy C-10.

When Rep. Mullin is not meeting with his constituents in eastern Oklahoma or advocating for their interests in our nation’s capital, chances are he is either spending time with his wife and six children, coaching wresting (he’s a member of the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame), working cattle on his ranch or engaged in one of his many hobbies, including snake hunting, working out or hitting the backroads for a drive. His vehicle collection includes a ’67 Shelby Cobra, ’72 Chevy C-10 and ’21 Mustang. Before running for Congress, Rep. Mullin competed professionally in rock crawling and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Growing up the youngest of seven children on his family’s farm in Westville, Oklahoma, Mullin learned the value of hard work from a young age. He attended Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship, although he left school at the age of 20 to run his family’s plumbing business when his father became ill. At the time, Mullin Plumbing was $500,000 in debt and employed six people. Rep. Mullin and his wife Christie worked tirelessly over the next three years to turn around the business before he returned to college and graduated from Oklahoma State University’s Institute of Technology in 2010. Today, Mullin Plumbing is one of the largest service companies in the region, employing more than 150 workers. Rep. Mullin went on to open and operate several other businesses, including Mullin Environmental, Mullin Plumbing West Division, Mullin Services, Mullin Properties and Mullin Plumbing New Construction.

Rep. Mullin, an automotive enthusiast and longtime ally of the aftermarket, is leading the field in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Polls show that Rep. Mullin is the leading candidate in a crowded field of candidates to be the Sooner State’s Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, although Oklahoma requires the winner to garner more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the top two candidates will compete in an August 23 runoff election to determine who will be their party’s nominee for Senate.  

To learn more about the upcoming elections in your state and how to register to vote, visit www.semasan.com/semavotes.

Bob McJannett, founder of Performance Improvements—a performance products warehouse distributor in Canada—passed away June 20.

McJannett was named the SEMA Person of the Year in 1990 and was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2003. He also served as a select committee member for several SEMA councils and networks, including the Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council.

As an automotive enthusiast, business founder, and volunteer, McJannett shared his experience and wisdom with others throughout the industry. He was dedicated to offering guidance for the next generation of enthusiasts and entrepreneurs entering the aftermarket. His valuable insight was featured through articles he penned for SEMA News magazine, including a regular column that covered topics from sales tips for new employees, to ways for employers to enhance staff morale.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to one of McJannett's favorite charities, barthsyndrome.ca.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) named Nia Body Kits as the council’s newest spotlight member. Get to know the story of the company in SEMA’s interview with Nia Body Kits president Kevin Abril below.

SEMA: Tell us the story of your shop.

Kevin Abril: It started out as a hobby making a custom body kit for my personal high school car. I wanted something different and went to a local manufacturer with some sketches and started sculpting it. I got hooked and started designing body kits for friends’ cars and selling them online. Little by little, I began investing in machinery, hiring people and now we are able to scan a vehicle, create a mold on our five-axis machine, produce the kits in our vacuum-forming machine, color match them to a vehicles OEM color and ship them to a customer’s door step anywhere in the world.

SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?

KA: There were so many, but the one that is most memorable is when a local Scion dealership used our body kit in their showroom vehicle when we were barely starting. That gave us the confidence we needed to keep going.

SEMA: Tell us about your business in 2022 and projects that you are working on.

KA: In 2022, we are planning on making our kits in carbon fiber in-house. It will be a long road but we are hoping it will be perfected this year, along with getting into more German vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, etc.

SEMA: Tell us about a package/product that you are proud of.

KA: We offer a full body kit for the ’21+ Lexus IS350, which includes, front, sides, rears (and coming soon a diffuser) available with all the hardware and color matched to the vehicle.

SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket?

KA: It’s a small niche market, but we use that to your advantage. Learn your craft, perfect it and put yourself out there. Businesses will compete for your talent.

Fill out a PRO member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the automotive restyling industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on PRO’s social media, SEMA News and future PRO-member updates.

By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Truck & Off-Road Alliance (TORA) named David Page as the council’s newest spotlight volunteer. Page is the product manager of Forced Induction at Edelbrock Group.

Get to know Page in his Q&A with SEMA below.

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

David Page: My passion for anything with an engine inspired to me to pursue a career in the industry.

SEMA: Why did you decide to volunteer for TORA?

DP: I get to network and promote healthy growth of our industry.

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

DP: Get your foot in the door, never stop learning, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and never set limits for yourself.

SEMA: What is your dream truck or off-road vehicle?

DP: My dream truck is a classic late ’70s square-body Chevrolet truck.

Fill out a TORA-member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the truck and off-road specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on TORA’s social media, SEMA News and future TORA member updates.

  SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.

Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.

Several Las Vegas hotels are offering free parking to those who book in the SEMA Show block.

All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.

The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There are more than 45 hotels available in the block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

Driving to the Show? See the list below for hotels offering free parking and book through the SEMA Show Block to secure your stay.

• Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – $269 per night
• Downtown Grand Las Vegas – $125.50 per night
• Encore – $265 per night
• Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino – $138  per night
• Hilton Grand Vacations Club Flamingo – $282 per night
• Hilton Grand Vacations Club Paradise – $281 per night
• OYO Hotel and Casino Las Vegas – $130 per night
• Palace Station – $115 per night
• SAHARA – $225 per night
• The Strat – $139 per night
• Tropicana – $105 per night
• Westin – $223 per night
• Wynn – $265 per night

Book your hotel now!

To reserve your booth for the 2022 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

  By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show are invited to expand their reach, product exposure and Show-floor presence by offering products to builders through the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list. The list connects manufacturers with builders looking to create or complete a vehicle project.

The list, which will be updated in SEMA eNews, features product offers and contact information provided by confirmed SEMA Show exhibitors. Builders interested in obtaining a product use the information to contact exhibitors directly. With each project vehicle required to be supported by a current 2022 SEMA Show exhibitor, all product-placement decisions, negotiations and agreements are the responsibility of the exhibiting manufacturer and the builder.

The list is open to exhibitors of the 2022 SEMA Show only. To be included in the list, complete the form.

Exhibitors: Each submission will appear on a first-come, first-served basis. As participation increases, all submissions will also be archived on www.SEMAShow.com.

Note: For verification purposes, the Project-Vehicle Builders form must be used to participate in the program; email submissions will not be included in the list. Participation in the list does not guarantee product or vehicle placement at the 2022 SEMA Show.

View the Products for Project-Vehicle Builders list.

  Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.

Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.

“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones, and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”

Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.

“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.

Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.

“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”

Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.

Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.

For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.

By SEMA Editors

Latest Jobs Added to SEMA Career Center

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.

Sales Representative
Downforce Motorsports is hiring a sales representative to guarantee customer satisfaction, determine each customer’s vehicle needs by asking questions and listening, demonstrate vehicle capabilities (including test drives) and report to management regarding objectives and reviews. Candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience as a salesperson.

Marketing Coordinator
Injen Technology is hiring a marketing coordinator responsible for managing the creation and implementation of product promotions and branding campaigns to engage and influence current and prospective customers and digital photography and editing for website, social and new-product releases. Digital photography and editing experience is required. Candidates must be fully capable of graphic design utilizing the entire Adobe Suite.

Suspension and Steering Mechanic
JBM Offroad is hiring a suspension and steering mechanic to inspect vehicles for worn components; install parts, accessories, tires and wheels; and recommend improvements to streamline shop processes. Candidates must be able to lift 50 lbs. or more, have working knowledge of truck and Jeep suspensions and the ability to identify worn suspension and steering components.

By SEMA Editors

Dates and locations have been scheduled for several upcoming SEMA-sponsored shows, measuring sessions and activities.

West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2022

The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2022, which includes industry pioneers representing the west’s short tracks, Indianapolis 500, NASCAR’s national competitions and international tracks of Europe.

Elected for induction in the Class of 2022 are Greg Biffle, NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series champion; Garrett Evans, inaugural and four-time NASCAR Northwest Series champion; Brendan Gaughan, two-time ARCA Menards Series champion; David Gilliland, two-time ARCA Menards Series West championship crew chief; John Moore, 2021 NASCAR State of California champion and Spears Racing League championship owner; and Jimmy Sills, three-time United States Auto Club Silver Crown champion.

2022 Heritage inductees are Art and Michael Atkinson, father and son officials and track operators; Phil Casey, nine-time United States Auto Club national championship chief mechanic winner; Ron Esau, 1996 NASCAR Southwest Series champion; Phil Hill, first American-born Formula 1 champion; Ken Sapper, three-time Saugus (CA) Speedway modified stock car champion; and Jim Walker, Riverside (CA) Raceway Permatex 300 winner and multiple Redwood Acres (CA) Raceway champion.

The second annual Knockin Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year award, presented by 51FIFTY, was announced for Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Speedway Motorsports LLC. For more information, visit westcoaststockcarhalloffame.com. 

BMW Unveils LMDh Prototype Race Car

Highlights of the design for the BMW M Hybrid V8 include the “wide kidney,” the 50th-anniversary logo on the hood, twin NMW icon lights, dynamic body sides, Hofmeister kink window graphic, plus “hook” mirrors and taillights.

Ahead of the testing phase for the LMDh prototype for the 2023 season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, BMW M Motorsport has announced the name, the design, and livery its new prototype car.

The BMW M Hybrid V8 will sport a look designed by BMW Group Designworks and celebrates the history of BMW M Motorsport in North America while “defining a dynamic hybrid electric future.” Highlights of the design for the BMW M Hybrid V8 include the “wide kidney,” the 50th-anniversary logo on the hood, twin NMW icon lights, dynamic body sides, Hofmeister kink window graphic, plus “hook” mirrors and taillights.

In addition, the livery includes many elements from BMW’s five decades of motor racing history, including images of iconic race cars, including the ’76 BMW 3.0 CSL, the ’81 BMW M1/C, the ’78 BMW 320i Turbo, the ’86 BMW GTP, the BMW M3 E36 GTS-2, the BMW Z4 GTLM and the BMW M8 GTE. For more information, visit bmwgroup.com.

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Raises $1.8 Million for Victory Junction

The Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has announced it raised more than $1.8 million after completing its 26th Anniversary Ride. The amount marks the most funds raised during a single ride since 2006. The funds will directly benefit Victory Junction, a camp in Randleman, North Carolina, servicing children with chronic and serious medical illnesses. Donations will support summer camperships, building projects and maintenance programs, including upkeep with the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Water Park.

The 26th installment of the event followed two postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 30, Petty and the riders left Phoenix, Arizona, riding more than 1,500 miles through Arizona and Utah over seven days before returning to Phoenix on May 6. For more information about the 26th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to donate, please visit kylepettycharityride.com.

Lori Collier Waran Named Richmond Raceway Track President

Richmond Raceway—the 0.75 miles, D-shaped asphalt race track in Richmond, Virginia—has announced Lori Collier Waran as track president. She will assume her new role on July 11. Waran is a longtime Virginia media executive and serves as the fourth track president and the first female president in the 76-year history of “America’s Premier Short Track.”

Prior, Waran served as the chief revenue officer and associate publisher at Virginia Business Magazine + Media. Before this, Waran spent more than a decade as the general manager and publisher for Tribune Publishing and Landmark Media Enterprises’ Richmond-based Style Weekly.

NASCAR returns to Richmond Raceway for its first-ever summer race weekend on August 13–14, featuring the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs on Saturday, August 13, and the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, August 14.

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