By SEMA Editors

Irwindale Speedway Announces 2019 Schedule

This year (2019) marks the 20th year anniversary of the popular Irwindale Speedway, L.A. County's only half-mile, paved oval speedway and 1/8-mile drag strip.

NASCAR will return on the second Saturday of each month, from March through October, with the Whelen All American Race Series schedule. Nights of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part will be joined by a K&N Pro Series, West Race one time in March. The Spears SRL and Modified Tour will make two stops at Irwindale in 2019.

• January 26 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part
• March 9 - NASCAR Opening Night LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, LEG
• March 23 - SPEARS Modifieds and SRL Tour
• March 30 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part PLUS NAPA Auto Parts 150 K&N Pro Series, West
• April 13 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG
• May 11 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG
• May 25 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part plus IRT
• June 8 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG
• July 4 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part PLUS Late Model Twins
• July 13 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG
• July 20 - SPEARS Modifieds and SRL Tour
• August 10 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG, JR LM
• August 31 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part plus LM (Twins)
• September 14 - LM (Twins), IRT, SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG, JR LM
• October 12 - IRT (Twins), SS, Spec LM, Jr LM, LEG
• October 26 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part
• November 9 - King of The Wing
• December 1 - Night of Destruction presented by LKQ Pick Your Part

On the dragstrip side, there will be more opportunities to run the 1/8-mile. Thursday Night Thunder will continue each week, except Thanksgiving and July 4. The first Saturday of the month will also be reserved for drag racing. The addition of Saturdays once a month on the drag strip will provide a location for car enthusiasts to meet up and talk shop, race their cars, do burnouts in the Burnout Box or just watch the action.

The NHRA Summit ET series will continue, running March through August, on the first Sunday of each month.

• January 5 - Test N Tune Saturday
• January 19 - Division 7 Jr Dragsters
• January 20 - Division 7 Jr Dragsters
• February 2 - Test N Tune Saturday
• February 23 - Match Race Madness
• March 2 - Test N Tune Saturday
• March 3 - SUMMIT ET Series
• March 10 - Hot VW Show and Drag Races
• April 6 - Test N Tune Saturdays
• April 7 - SUMMIT ET Series May 4 Test and Tune Saturday
• May 5 - SUMMIT ET Series
• May 18 - Nitro Revival
• June 1 - Test and Tune Saturday
• June 2 - SUMMIT ET Series
• June 22 - Match Race Madness
• July 6 - Test and Tune Saturday
• July 7 - SUMMIT ET Series
• August 3 - Test and Tune Saturday
• August 4 - SUMMIT ET Series
• September 7 - Test and Tune Saturday
• October 5 - Test and Tune Saturday
• October 19 - TBD
• October 27 - Hot VW Show And Drag Races
• November 2 - Test and Tune Saturday
• December 7 - Mooneyes XMas Party
• December 14 - Clean Culture Season Closer

Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Honored

Congratulations to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2018: Jim Bramham, Johnny Campbell, Mark McMillin, Robbie Pierce, Ed Robinson and Cameron Steele. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place in Las Vegas this past October.

Jim Bramham "A Walking Encyclopedia" and "Historian Supreme" of institutional OHV knowledge is how one of many letters of recommendation for Jim Bramham refers to this Class of 2018 inductee.	Johnny Campbell A record 11 SCORE Baja 1000 titles and an incredible 17 Baja 1000 wins in a row are just two of a long list of impressive statistics that solidify Johnny Campbell's rightful place in the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.	Mark McMillin Mark joins his late father Corky as the first father and son to be inducted in the Off-Road Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to the family behind the off-road dynasty that is the Big Blue M.
Robbie Pierce They say that nice guys finish last, but nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Robbie Pierce. He has combined his competitive spirit for racing with his experience as a pioneer in vehicle safety to create a win-win for the off-road community.	Ed Robinson In 1975, Ed Robinson was part of a dune buggy club in northern California's Sacramento valley that had no off-road events on their calendar. That same year, he stepped forward to promote off-road races, founding Valley Off-Road Racing Association, better known as VORRA.	Cameron Steele Long before social media, Cameron Steele was doing social media. He is one of off-road's early crossover pioneers, sharing his love for desert racing, adventure travel, and all things Baja with the world outside of the off-road community.  Johnny Campbell calls him "Baja's biggest ambassador."  Dan and Luke McMillin call him "Mr. Baja."  Baja United Group dubbed him the "Baja Game Changer." Whatever nickname you give him, no one represents the sport of off-road racing better than the Desert Assassin himself, Cameron Steele.

By SEMA Washington D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service has set the standard business-mileage deduction at 58 cents per mile for 2019. The rate is up 3.5 cents from 2018. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel, along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc.

Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses.

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington D.C., Staff

The Internal Revenue Service has set the standard business-mileage deduction at 58 cents per mile for 2019. The rate is up 3.5 cents from 2018. The mileage calculation includes the cost of fuel, along with other vehicle fixed and variable operating expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, tires, etc.

Companies and individuals who use their automobiles (including vans, pickups and panel trucks) for business have the option of using the standard rate in lieu of keeping records of their actual expenses.

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested public comments on technologies available to assist in connecting vehicles to other vehicles (V2V), infrastructure (V2I) and pedestrians (V2P). These communications are collectively known as V2X.

In recent years, the DOT has focused on Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology as it establishes standardized performance requirements for V2V messages operating in the 5.9GHz band. In an effort to remain technology neutral, however, the DOT is seeking public comments on Cellular-V2X, 5G New Radio and any other technologies that are being developed for the same purpose.

The DOT has posed a number of questions such as: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each technology? What is the timeframe for deployment of technologies not yet in production? Can all of the technologies operate in the same spectrum without interference? Will it be possible for the technologies to be interoperable (ex: DSRC vehicles speaking with C-V2X vehicles)?  What are the cybersecurity concerns for each technology, especially if they are interoperable? Comments are due January 25, 2019.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has requested public comments on technologies available to assist in connecting vehicles to other vehicles (V2V), infrastructure (V2I) and pedestrians (V2P). These communications are collectively known as V2X.

In recent years, the DOT has focused on Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) technology as it establishes standardized performance requirements for V2V messages operating in the 5.9GHz band. In an effort to remain technology neutral, however, the DOT is seeking public comments on Cellular-V2X, 5G New Radio and any other technologies that are being developed for the same purpose.

The DOT has posed a number of questions such as: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each technology? What is the timeframe for deployment of technologies not yet in production? Can all of the technologies operate in the same spectrum without interference? Will it be possible for the technologies to be interoperable (ex: DSRC vehicles speaking with C-V2X vehicles)?  What are the cybersecurity concerns for each technology, especially if they are interoperable? Comments are due January 25, 2019.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Rachel Tatum

Kyle Tucker was crowned the winner of the fifth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition for his ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Go behind the scenes of SEMA Show 2018, the world’s most prestigious automotive event, in the all new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” television special, premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Motor Trend TV Network. Now in its fifth year, the competition and the program have evolved to be more exciting and impressive than ever before. Here’s what’s new and different about the upcoming program:

Featuring Future Stars

Several young, up-and-coming builders are featured. The "SEMA: Battle of the Builders" television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns

The SEMA: Battle of the Builders television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns program.

program. In addition to young builders (age 27 and younger) with vehicles sponsored by SEMA Show exhibitors, 14 young builders from throughout the country were discovered and given the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. They competed alongside the other contestants in the most recent Battle of the Builders competition. 

Celebrity Social Media Judges

Some of today’s most recognized social influencers participated as judges in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition. Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw) collaborated to select the top Young Guns from the competition. 

Category Winners

This year’s competition names the Top Four winners, with one winner representing each category. So the competition included a winner in the hot rod category, as well as a winner in the truck/off road category, the sport compact category and the Young Guns category. It’s the most diverse vehicle builders’ competition yet.

Mark your calendars and tune in to Motor Trend TV on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of the new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

By Rachel Tatum

Kyle Tucker was crowned the winner of the fifth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition for his ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Go behind the scenes of SEMA Show 2018, the world’s most prestigious automotive event, in the all new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” television special, premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Motor Trend TV Network. Now in its fifth year, the competition and the program have evolved to be more exciting and impressive than ever before. Here’s what’s new and different about the upcoming program:

Featuring Future Stars

Several young, up-and-coming builders are featured. The "SEMA: Battle of the Builders" television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns

The SEMA: Battle of the Builders television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns program.

program. In addition to young builders (age 27 and younger) with vehicles sponsored by SEMA Show exhibitors, 14 young builders from throughout the country were discovered and given the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. They competed alongside the other contestants in the most recent Battle of the Builders competition. 

Celebrity Social Media Judges

Some of today’s most recognized social influencers participated as judges in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition. Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw) collaborated to select the top Young Guns from the competition. 

Category Winners

This year’s competition names the Top Four winners, with one winner representing each category. So the competition included a winner in the hot rod category, as well as a winner in the truck/off road category, the sport compact category and the Young Guns category. It’s the most diverse vehicle builders’ competition yet.

Mark your calendars and tune in to Motor Trend TV on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of the new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

By Rachel Tatum

Kyle Tucker was crowned the winner of the fifth-annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition for his ’69 Chevy Camaro.

Go behind the scenes of SEMA Show 2018, the world’s most prestigious automotive event, in the all new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” television special, premiering Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Motor Trend TV Network. Now in its fifth year, the competition and the program have evolved to be more exciting and impressive than ever before. Here’s what’s new and different about the upcoming program:

Featuring Future Stars

Several young, up-and-coming builders are featured. The "SEMA: Battle of the Builders" television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns

The SEMA: Battle of the Builders television program spotlights the expanded Young Guns program.

program. In addition to young builders (age 27 and younger) with vehicles sponsored by SEMA Show exhibitors, 14 young builders from throughout the country were discovered and given the opportunity to showcase their cars and talents at the 2018 SEMA Show. They competed alongside the other contestants in the most recent Battle of the Builders competition. 

Celebrity Social Media Judges

Some of today’s most recognized social influencers participated as judges in this year’s Battle of the Builders competition. Sarah Raegan Greenwood (Sarah-n-Tuned); Emelia Hartford (@ms.emelia); Jack Milne (DURTYMAX, JACK); Chris Petruccio (Krispy Media); Chris Steinbacher (B is to Build); and Dustin Williams (@dustinw) collaborated to select the top Young Guns from the competition. 

Category Winners

This year’s competition names the Top Four winners, with one winner representing each category. So the competition included a winner in the hot rod category, as well as a winner in the truck/off road category, the sport compact category and the Young Guns category. It’s the most diverse vehicle builders’ competition yet.

Mark your calendars and tune in to Motor Trend TV on Monday, January 7, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of the new “SEMA: Battle of the Builders.”

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities (view all here) in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.