By SEMA Editors

	New to the SEMA Show, the “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall. Photo courtesy of Optima Batteries.

OPTIMA Batteries, in partnership with SEMA, has announced the debut of an all-new vehicle display area at the 2014 SEMA Show. The area will showcase the invited competitors of the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. For the first time in its seven-year history, the invitational will take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nearly 100 vehicles this year—the largest number of vehicles to ever compete for the title of Ultimate Street Car.

The “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel) and the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall. OPTIMA will still maintain the indoor Show display, and some creative promotions incorporating both the indoor and outdoor areas will be announced leading up to the Show. Additionally, the season-ending episode of the popular MAVTV series “OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car” will be filmed throughout SEMA Show week and over the weekend during the Ultimate Street Car Invitational event. A three-day format will kick off at the close of the SEMA Show on Friday, November 7, and conclude Sunday, November 9, when spectators at the track can watch as the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car is crowned.

“We are anticipating a great response to our new OPTIMA Street Car Alley display at this year’s SEMA Show,” said Cam Douglass, director of marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “With so much interest in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event and 'OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car' television series, this creative new display gives Show attendees the chance to preview all of the competing vehicles in one easy-to-find location. We can’t wait to see what kind of crowd the OPTIMA Street Car Alley will draw.”

Spectator tickets to the seventh annual OPTIMA Invitational will be available for purchase online. Anyone wanting to watch the competition in person can purchase their tickets online before the start of the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational.

To see some of the action and excitement now, check out video clips from past events on the OPTIMA Batteries YouTube page, visit the OPTIMA Invitational website to see driver profiles and news or visit the OPTIMA Batteries Facebook page.

By SEMA Editors

	New to the SEMA Show, the “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the LVH) and the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall. Photo courtesy of Optima Batteries.

OPTIMA Batteries, in partnership with SEMA, has announced the debut of an all-new vehicle display area at the 2014 SEMA Show. The area will showcase the invited competitors of the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. For the first time in its seven-year history, the invitational will take place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nearly 100 vehicles this year—the largest number of vehicles to ever compete for the title of Ultimate Street Car.

The “OPTIMA Street Car Alley” will be located between the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hotel) and the Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall. OPTIMA will still maintain the indoor Show display, and some creative promotions incorporating both the indoor and outdoor areas will be announced leading up to the Show. Additionally, the season-ending episode of the popular MAVTV series “OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car” will be filmed throughout SEMA Show week and over the weekend during the Ultimate Street Car Invitational event. A three-day format will kick off at the close of the SEMA Show on Friday, November 7, and conclude Sunday, November 9, when spectators at the track can watch as the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car is crowned.

“We are anticipating a great response to our new OPTIMA Street Car Alley display at this year’s SEMA Show,” said Cam Douglass, director of marketing for OPTIMA Batteries. “With so much interest in the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational event and 'OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car' television series, this creative new display gives Show attendees the chance to preview all of the competing vehicles in one easy-to-find location. We can’t wait to see what kind of crowd the OPTIMA Street Car Alley will draw.”

Spectator tickets to the seventh annual OPTIMA Invitational will be available for purchase online. Anyone wanting to watch the competition in person can purchase their tickets online before the start of the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational.

To see some of the action and excitement now, check out video clips from past events on the OPTIMA Batteries YouTube page, visit the OPTIMA Invitational website to see driver profiles and news or visit the OPTIMA Batteries Facebook page.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

	Steve Baur

ProMedia LLC Hires Steve Baur as New Editor of Fastest Street Car Magazine

ProMedia LLC has announced the addition of Steve Baur as the new editor of Fastest Street Car (FSC) magazine. He is replacing Evan Perkins, who is leaving the FSC editor position to pursue an opportunity as the editor of a new online road-racing magazine.

With more than 13 years of experience as an associate and technical editor at TEN: The Enthusiast Network (formerly known as Source Interlink Media), Baur brings a wealth of experience in producing quality content for automotive enthusiast publications. He's provided articles and photography for titles such as Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords, Mustang Illustrated, High-Performance Pontiac, GM High Tech Performance, and Modified Mustangs & Fords, where he served as editor for four years. Baur's work has also appeared in Truckin', Super Chevy, Car Craft, Modified, Race Pages, FSC, and Summit Racing's blog, "On All Cylinders."

"I grew up around drag racing, as my dad campaigned a ’69 Camaro in F/Gas and a ’77 Vega in the Mid-America Pro Gas class around northeastern Ohio," said Baur when asked about his passion for drag racing. "We both made our first passes down Thompson Drag Raceway in Thompson, Ohio, and we've both been drag racing ever since. I've been covering ProMedia races for more than a decade now, and I am looking forward to working with the talented people who put on such exciting events."

The Florida-based writer/photographer will oversee all of the editorial components related to NMCA's official publication, FSC magazine. Baur will also attend NMCA events to coordinate the live reporting for each race.

Pulstar's updated website provides consumers with explanations about the technology employed in its line of sparkplugs.

Pulstar Launches New Website

Enerpulse Technologies, makers of Pulstar with PlasmaCore sparkplugs, has announced the release of a new and improved website at www.Pulstar.com. Pulstar’s updated website provides consumers with explanations about the technology employed in its Pulstar sparkplug. The technology section describes how pulsed power is used to create energy-dense plasma that excites the fuel mixture to improve engine performance.

The updated website also gives access to independent evidence backing the brand's performance enhancing claims. Consumers are introduced to peer-reviewed technical papers from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which discuss the benefits of Pulstar sparkplug technology in automotive engines. A test results page showcases independent third-party testing, examining Pulstar’s ability to ignite fuel mixtures under difficult conditions and demonstrating its faster more complete burn. Also available is a video from AVL testing laboratories that captures the Pulstar plasma-forming pulse and efficient burn.

RealTruck.com Celebrates Official Reopening of Fargo Office

On Friday, August 15, RealTruck.com celebrated the official reopening of its Fargo, North Dakota, office location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (FMWF) Chamber of Commerce. A truck-accessory retailer based out of Jamestown, North Dakota, the e-commerce company has responded to a need for more space to support it's ever-growing employee base.

The company was founded in November 1998 in a basement in Spokane, Washington. Shortly after RealTruck's establishment, CEO Scott Bintz moved the business to his home state of North Dakota, relocating to Jamestown in May 2000. In October 2010, RealTruck opened an office in Fargo as the company was growing rapidly and there was a need to create more specialized positions.

"We wanted to remain competitive when it came to the workforce," said Bintz. "Fargo offers such a wealth of talent and we had to take advantage of that. Between Jamestown and Fargo, we have been able to source a number of talented, hard-working, and innovative individuals."

The first Fargo office was 2,800 sq.-ft. By early 2014, there were 18 employees and a need to create even more positions. The new office boasts 7,700 sq.-ft. of floor space and can accommodate RealTruck's rapid growth.

Torklift International Raises Employee Wages to $15

Full-time employees at Torklift International were provided a pay raise to a minimum of $15 per hour effective the first week of September. “It adds hundreds of thousands of dollars to the bottom line,” said Torklift International General Manager Jay Taylor during a company meeting.

In light of two major issues affecting Washington state, Torklift International made the wage increase decision. Following suit of the $15 minimum wage increase initiative set forth in Seattle for fast-food workers, Torklift decided to review its wage program. Additionally with the legalization of marijuana going into affect in Washington state, far fewer potential job candidates are able to pass a drug test during their interview screening. Torklift International has a drug-free policy and employees are subject to random drug tests. If a job candidate is unable to pass a drug test, they are not eligible for hire. During the past several months as more and more marijuana store fronts are opening, the fail rate of prospective new employees is 70 percent. The new hiring wage increase is critical to be competitive in the job market, according to the company.

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.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The next NACAR race at Irwindale is September 13, featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models (twin races), Pick Your Part Super Late Models, Super Stocks, South West Tour Trucks, INEX Legend Cars and the Seidner's Collision Centers Skid Plate Cars.

Irwindale Night of Destruction 2 Race Results
Results from the second of three "2014 Season Nights of Destruction" held at Irwindale Speedway over Labor Day weekend included:

NASCAR Super Stocks – 30 laps
1) 99 Henry Miles, Palmdale
2) 18 Craig Rayburn, Simi
3) 01 Greg Crutcher, Covina

Compact Car Enduro – 15 laps + 15 laps
1) 28 Jim Smith/Gary Smith
2) 7 Robert Rice/Jimmy Altman
3) 81 Val Cummings/Tony Cummings

Open Comp – 30 Laps
1) 40 Jerry Toporek, Venice
2) 27 Jeff Williams, Newbury Park
3) 5 Randy Hannah, Ridgecrest

Seidner's Collision Center Skid Plate Cars – 20 laps
1) 33 Sean Brennan, Yorba Linda
2) 28 Jim Smith, Orange
3) 16 Robbie Salcido

Compact Car Demolition Derby
1) 14 Adam Ditto, Monrovia
2) 3 Kenny Soysvrt, Canoga Park
3) 2x Shayla Zins, Santa Clarita

Trailer Race – 20 laps
1) 00 Jeffrey Best, Valencia
2) 7 Robert Rice, Hawthorne
3) 28 Rick Barkat

Daigo Saito Wins Inaugural Formula Drift Canada Competition
Scion presents Formula DRIFT Canada presented by Falken entered Autodrome St. Eustache last weekend for the first time to a record-breaking drift crowd. Daigo Saito took the inaugural competition victory.

The competition had 21 entries. The Top 16 was composed of eight FD Pros from the United States, Japan, Norway, Hong Kong and Ireland and eight Canadian regulars. The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 6: Throwdown at Texas Motor Speedway, September 12–13. 

	NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class.

NMCA WEST Racer Puts $1k Bounty on the Line
NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. The California racer recently wrote, "With two races left to go, we thought we would have a little fun. Coast Packing Co. and their sponsored race team, R&E Racing, are putting up $1,000 to the first NMCA WEST Street Outlaw car to run sixes."

When asked how and why he came up the idea, Gustafson said he wanted to challenge other racers in the class to step up. "I know there are several racers who are capable of running in the sixes. I thought tossing in $1,000 might draw attention to what many of my fellow racers are capable of. I know I need to be on my game to reach the six-second zone, and while many consider me among the favorites to go in the sixes, I am certainly not alone. It's time for all of us to get off our asses and run the number. Vegas at night might just give us the air to do it in as could Fontana in the fall," he added.

Gustafson says he hopes other racers and manufacturers will match his challenge in hopes of sweetening the pot even more. If he wins, Gustafson said he will donate the initial $1,000 from Coast Packing Co. to a charity.

For more information about the upcoming 3rd Annual NMCA WEST Muscle Car Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, visit www.NMCAdigital.com/Vegas or call 714-444-2426.

	Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online.

2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. The OPTIMA Invitational will bring together a diverse field of 100 competitors—the largest number of competing vehicles in the event’s seven-year history. The 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational field is based on the results of its national series of OPTIMA Invitational Qualifying events and the corresponding MAVTV network series called, "OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car." Each ticket costs $30. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. with competition events beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located 15 minutes north of downtown Las Vegas, is easily accessible for attendees of the SEMA Show.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

The next NACAR race at Irwindale is September 13, featuring the Lucas Oil Late Models (twin races), Pick Your Part Super Late Models, Super Stocks, South West Tour Trucks, INEX Legend Cars and the Seidner's Collision Centers Skid Plate Cars.

Irwindale Night of Destruction 2 Race Results
Results from the second of three "2014 Season Nights of Destruction" held at Irwindale Speedway over Labor Day weekend included:

NASCAR Super Stocks – 30 laps
1) 99 Henry Miles, Palmdale
2) 18 Craig Rayburn, Simi
3) 01 Greg Crutcher, Covina

Compact Car Enduro – 15 laps + 15 laps
1) 28 Jim Smith/Gary Smith
2) 7 Robert Rice/Jimmy Altman
3) 81 Val Cummings/Tony Cummings

Open Comp – 30 Laps
1) 40 Jerry Toporek, Venice
2) 27 Jeff Williams, Newbury Park
3) 5 Randy Hannah, Ridgecrest

Seidner's Collision Center Skid Plate Cars – 20 laps
1) 33 Sean Brennan, Yorba Linda
2) 28 Jim Smith, Orange
3) 16 Robbie Salcido

Compact Car Demolition Derby
1) 14 Adam Ditto, Monrovia
2) 3 Kenny Soysvrt, Canoga Park
3) 2x Shayla Zins, Santa Clarita

Trailer Race – 20 laps
1) 00 Jeffrey Best, Valencia
2) 7 Robert Rice, Hawthorne
3) 28 Rick Barkat

Daigo Saito Wins Inaugural Formula Drift Canada Competition
Scion presents Formula DRIFT Canada presented by Falken entered Autodrome St. Eustache last weekend for the first time to a record-breaking drift crowd. Daigo Saito took the inaugural competition victory.

The competition had 21 entries. The Top 16 was composed of eight FD Pros from the United States, Japan, Norway, Hong Kong and Ireland and eight Canadian regulars. The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues to Round 6: Throwdown at Texas Motor Speedway, September 12–13. 

	NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class.

NMCA WEST Racer Puts $1k Bounty on the Line
NMCA WEST ProCharger Street Outlaw racer Eric Gustafson has issued a "First in the Sixes" challenge to all racers in the class. The California racer recently wrote, "With two races left to go, we thought we would have a little fun. Coast Packing Co. and their sponsored race team, R&E Racing, are putting up $1,000 to the first NMCA WEST Street Outlaw car to run sixes."

When asked how and why he came up the idea, Gustafson said he wanted to challenge other racers in the class to step up. "I know there are several racers who are capable of running in the sixes. I thought tossing in $1,000 might draw attention to what many of my fellow racers are capable of. I know I need to be on my game to reach the six-second zone, and while many consider me among the favorites to go in the sixes, I am certainly not alone. It's time for all of us to get off our asses and run the number. Vegas at night might just give us the air to do it in as could Fontana in the fall," he added.

Gustafson says he hopes other racers and manufacturers will match his challenge in hopes of sweetening the pot even more. If he wins, Gustafson said he will donate the initial $1,000 from Coast Packing Co. to a charity.

For more information about the upcoming 3rd Annual NMCA WEST Muscle Car Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, visit www.NMCAdigital.com/Vegas or call 714-444-2426.

	Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online.

2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets for the 2014 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, taking place November 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are now available for purchase online. The OPTIMA Invitational will bring together a diverse field of 100 competitors—the largest number of competing vehicles in the event’s seven-year history. The 2014 Ultimate Street Car Invitational field is based on the results of its national series of OPTIMA Invitational Qualifying events and the corresponding MAVTV network series called, "OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car." Each ticket costs $30. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. with competition events beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located 15 minutes north of downtown Las Vegas, is easily accessible for attendees of the SEMA Show.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CRAMPTON, DEJORIA, GRAY, KRAWIEC WIN 60TH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria raced past 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force Monday to win the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were first-time winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis—the last race of the regular season. DeJoria crossed the finish line in 4.038 seconds at 310.34 mph in the Patron XO Cafe Toyota Camry to defeat the current Funny Car points leader, who won the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout on Sunday.

"It’s huge [to win the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals]," said DeJoria, wife of noted TV personality Jesse James and daughter of famed entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria. "I was just happy to make it to another semifinal; that was four in a row. To make it past the semifinals, that was huge, but to win this race just builds our confidence even more and in me especially."

COUNTDOWN FIELDS SET: The fields in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle have been set for the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the championship that begins at zMAX Dragway, September 12–14. John Force in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock, Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective fields heading into the six-race playoffs to determine the championships.

COUNTDOWN KICKS OFF IN CHARLOTTE: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to zMAX Dragway, September 12–14, for the first race of the 2014 Countdown to the Championship playoffs at the seventh annual Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals. The top 10 in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle points will all compete for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships in their respective categories over the next three months. Spanning six races, the Countdown to the Championship will separate the contenders from the pretenders as four drivers are headed for the ultimate glory while every other contender is sent into the offseason wondering what might have been. Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals—a race that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

He Said, She Said

"I’m a long way from where I grew up to where I’m at now. I remember sitting on the couch trying to read National Dragster to keep up on what’s going on in the NHRA. To get to drive such a great race car for a great family and great sponsors and roll into the water box and see all my heroes standing around, it blows my mind. The GEICO dragster has been running .70s all weekend long. It’s so much fun to drive right now."

—Richie Crampton on winning his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory. Crampton defeated Billy Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Steve Torrence en route to his historic win.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships racer Andrew Hines has in his career. The No. 1 seed in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enters the six-race playoffs on the strength of four wins and one runner-up finish during the 2014 season. Hines missed the Top 10 last year and is using the sting of that season for motivation this year.

"The guys here at Vance & Hines have been working on our Harleys nonstop to get us back to this point after the season we had last year," said Hines. "Last year I missed the cut completely. I didn't even have a chance to run for the Countdown to the championship. We're obviously in a really good position right now. I hope we can keep the momentum we've had going. I don't think I've ever had this many wins heading into the Countdown. It's a nice place to be sitting with my V-Rod up front."

Did You Know

SCHUMACHER WINS $100,000 TRAXXAS TOP FUEL SHOOTOUT; J. FORCE WINS FUNNY CAR SHOOTOUT: Tony Schumacher continued his succes at Lucas Oil Raceway when he raced to the Traxxas Nitro Shootout in Top Fuel for $100,000 over Richie Crampton.

"We knew we would be racing a good car because Richie is tough", said Schumacher. “These are the eight best cars in the world. They are cars that have gone out, won races, and continuously found themselves in final rounds. It’s very satisfying."

In the Funny Car Traxxas Nitro Shootout, John Force was able to defeat teammate and son-in-law Robert Hight for his second victory in the event.

“It was a win-win situation. We couldn’t lose,” said Force. "I got to the final, and I was so drained going up there, then my granddaughter said, ‘Grandpa, I love you, but I hope Daddy wins.’ It’s bad enough racing Robert, but how do you get up for the granddaughter," said Force. "It was just mental, and I went into the zone. She said, ‘What I really want is that trophy,’ and that trophy weighs five times as much as her, but we got the trophy. I got her down there at the other end, and I gave the trophy to Autumn. Daddy didn’t win, but Grandpa did, so you got your trophy, and it’s a big one. I’ve got the one from two years ago."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CRAMPTON, DEJORIA, GRAY, KRAWIEC WIN 60TH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria raced past 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force Monday to win the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were first-time winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis—the last race of the regular season. DeJoria crossed the finish line in 4.038 seconds at 310.34 mph in the Patron XO Cafe Toyota Camry to defeat the current Funny Car points leader, who won the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout on Sunday.

"It’s huge [to win the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals]," said DeJoria, wife of noted TV personality Jesse James and daughter of famed entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria. "I was just happy to make it to another semifinal; that was four in a row. To make it past the semifinals, that was huge, but to win this race just builds our confidence even more and in me especially."

COUNTDOWN FIELDS SET: The fields in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle have been set for the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the championship that begins at zMAX Dragway, September 12–14. John Force in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock, Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective fields heading into the six-race playoffs to determine the championships.

COUNTDOWN KICKS OFF IN CHARLOTTE: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to zMAX Dragway, September 12–14, for the first race of the 2014 Countdown to the Championship playoffs at the seventh annual Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals. The top 10 in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle points will all compete for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships in their respective categories over the next three months. Spanning six races, the Countdown to the Championship will separate the contenders from the pretenders as four drivers are headed for the ultimate glory while every other contender is sent into the offseason wondering what might have been. Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals—a race that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

He Said, She Said

"I’m a long way from where I grew up to where I’m at now. I remember sitting on the couch trying to read National Dragster to keep up on what’s going on in the NHRA. To get to drive such a great race car for a great family and great sponsors and roll into the water box and see all my heroes standing around, it blows my mind. The GEICO dragster has been running .70s all weekend long. It’s so much fun to drive right now."

—Richie Crampton on winning his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory. Crampton defeated Billy Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Steve Torrence en route to his historic win.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships racer Andrew Hines has in his career. The No. 1 seed in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enters the six-race playoffs on the strength of four wins and one runner-up finish during the 2014 season. Hines missed the Top 10 last year and is using the sting of that season for motivation this year.

"The guys here at Vance & Hines have been working on our Harleys nonstop to get us back to this point after the season we had last year," said Hines. "Last year I missed the cut completely. I didn't even have a chance to run for the Countdown to the championship. We're obviously in a really good position right now. I hope we can keep the momentum we've had going. I don't think I've ever had this many wins heading into the Countdown. It's a nice place to be sitting with my V-Rod up front."

Did You Know

SCHUMACHER WINS $100,000 TRAXXAS TOP FUEL SHOOTOUT; J. FORCE WINS FUNNY CAR SHOOTOUT: Tony Schumacher continued his succes at Lucas Oil Raceway when he raced to the Traxxas Nitro Shootout in Top Fuel for $100,000 over Richie Crampton.

"We knew we would be racing a good car because Richie is tough", said Schumacher. “These are the eight best cars in the world. They are cars that have gone out, won races, and continuously found themselves in final rounds. It’s very satisfying."

In the Funny Car Traxxas Nitro Shootout, John Force was able to defeat teammate and son-in-law Robert Hight for his second victory in the event.

“It was a win-win situation. We couldn’t lose,” said Force. "I got to the final, and I was so drained going up there, then my granddaughter said, ‘Grandpa, I love you, but I hope Daddy wins.’ It’s bad enough racing Robert, but how do you get up for the granddaughter," said Force. "It was just mental, and I went into the zone. She said, ‘What I really want is that trophy,’ and that trophy weighs five times as much as her, but we got the trophy. I got her down there at the other end, and I gave the trophy to Autumn. Daddy didn’t win, but Grandpa did, so you got your trophy, and it’s a big one. I’ve got the one from two years ago."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

CRAMPTON, DEJORIA, GRAY, KRAWIEC WIN 60TH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS: Alexis DeJoria raced past 16-time Funny Car world champ John Force Monday to win the 60th annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were first-time winners at the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis—the last race of the regular season. DeJoria crossed the finish line in 4.038 seconds at 310.34 mph in the Patron XO Cafe Toyota Camry to defeat the current Funny Car points leader, who won the NHRA Traxxas Nitro Shootout on Sunday.

"It’s huge [to win the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals]," said DeJoria, wife of noted TV personality Jesse James and daughter of famed entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria. "I was just happy to make it to another semifinal; that was four in a row. To make it past the semifinals, that was huge, but to win this race just builds our confidence even more and in me especially."

COUNTDOWN FIELDS SET: The fields in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle have been set for the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the championship that begins at zMAX Dragway, September 12–14. John Force in Funny Car, Jason Line in Pro Stock, Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective fields heading into the six-race playoffs to determine the championships.

COUNTDOWN KICKS OFF IN CHARLOTTE: The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series returns to zMAX Dragway, September 12–14, for the first race of the 2014 Countdown to the Championship playoffs at the seventh annual Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals. The top 10 in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle points will all compete for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships in their respective categories over the next three months. Spanning six races, the Countdown to the Championship will separate the contenders from the pretenders as four drivers are headed for the ultimate glory while every other contender is sent into the offseason wondering what might have been. Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the Pep Boys NHRA Carolina Nationals—a race that will once again be televised nationally on ESPN2.

He Said, She Said

"I’m a long way from where I grew up to where I’m at now. I remember sitting on the couch trying to read National Dragster to keep up on what’s going on in the NHRA. To get to drive such a great race car for a great family and great sponsors and roll into the water box and see all my heroes standing around, it blows my mind. The GEICO dragster has been running .70s all weekend long. It’s so much fun to drive right now."

—Richie Crampton on winning his first Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals victory. Crampton defeated Billy Torrence, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher and Steve Torrence en route to his historic win.

Inside the Numbers

3: Number of Pro Stock Motorcycle world championships racer Andrew Hines has in his career. The No. 1 seed in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series enters the six-race playoffs on the strength of four wins and one runner-up finish during the 2014 season. Hines missed the Top 10 last year and is using the sting of that season for motivation this year.

"The guys here at Vance & Hines have been working on our Harleys nonstop to get us back to this point after the season we had last year," said Hines. "Last year I missed the cut completely. I didn't even have a chance to run for the Countdown to the championship. We're obviously in a really good position right now. I hope we can keep the momentum we've had going. I don't think I've ever had this many wins heading into the Countdown. It's a nice place to be sitting with my V-Rod up front."

Did You Know

SCHUMACHER WINS $100,000 TRAXXAS TOP FUEL SHOOTOUT; J. FORCE WINS FUNNY CAR SHOOTOUT: Tony Schumacher continued his succes at Lucas Oil Raceway when he raced to the Traxxas Nitro Shootout in Top Fuel for $100,000 over Richie Crampton.

"We knew we would be racing a good car because Richie is tough", said Schumacher. “These are the eight best cars in the world. They are cars that have gone out, won races, and continuously found themselves in final rounds. It’s very satisfying."

In the Funny Car Traxxas Nitro Shootout, John Force was able to defeat teammate and son-in-law Robert Hight for his second victory in the event.

“It was a win-win situation. We couldn’t lose,” said Force. "I got to the final, and I was so drained going up there, then my granddaughter said, ‘Grandpa, I love you, but I hope Daddy wins.’ It’s bad enough racing Robert, but how do you get up for the granddaughter," said Force. "It was just mental, and I went into the zone. She said, ‘What I really want is that trophy,’ and that trophy weighs five times as much as her, but we got the trophy. I got her down there at the other end, and I gave the trophy to Autumn. Daddy didn’t win, but Grandpa did, so you got your trophy, and it’s a big one. I’ve got the one from two years ago."

View the complete 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

	The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will take place Wednesday, November 5, at the 2014 SEMA Show.

In early August, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced the launch of the first, issue-specific, collision repair industry forum being held at the SEMA Show. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will be held Wednesday, November 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will explore how automotive design and technology intersect with repairability, and how developments in this area impact the collision repair process. Register at www.semashow.com/scrs.

In addition to panel discussions with technology experts representing the automakers, certified repair facilities, equipment suppliers and certifiers/auditors, the program will feature special presentations from subject-matter experts on automotive materials.

SCRS has announced that Doug Richman, technical committee chairman of the Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG), will offer insight into the role aluminum will play in collision repair businesses now and in the future.

"The ATG is eager to share with SCRS session attendees key insights on aluminum's long history in the automotive industry," Richman said. "Aluminum-intensive vehicles have been in the marketplace for many decades and are regularly repaired as needed. Within the next 10 years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a recently released survey of automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide. As aluminum use in auto bodies grows exponentially in the next decade, we applaud the SCRS' efforts to educate and train repair professionals to be better prepared for the change in status-quo materials that come through their shop doors."

Richman will deliver visibility into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to the automotive market, and an overview of how their market is developing as a result of increased integration into our modern fleet. He will share reasons behind the automakers interest in and use of aluminum, and what their industry is doing to aid in the development of that relationship.

For more information about SCRS' Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, and to register for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and other RDE sessions, visit www.semashow.com/scrs.

	The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will take place Wednesday, November 5, at the 2014 SEMA Show.

In early August, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced the launch of the first, issue-specific, collision repair industry forum being held at the SEMA Show. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will be held Wednesday, November 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will explore how automotive design and technology intersect with repairability, and how developments in this area impact the collision repair process. Register at www.semashow.com/scrs.

In addition to panel discussions with technology experts representing the automakers, certified repair facilities, equipment suppliers and certifiers/auditors, the program will feature special presentations from subject-matter experts on automotive materials.

SCRS has announced that Doug Richman, technical committee chairman of the Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG), will offer insight into the role aluminum will play in collision repair businesses now and in the future.

"The ATG is eager to share with SCRS session attendees key insights on aluminum's long history in the automotive industry," Richman said. "Aluminum-intensive vehicles have been in the marketplace for many decades and are regularly repaired as needed. Within the next 10 years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a recently released survey of automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide. As aluminum use in auto bodies grows exponentially in the next decade, we applaud the SCRS' efforts to educate and train repair professionals to be better prepared for the change in status-quo materials that come through their shop doors."

Richman will deliver visibility into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to the automotive market, and an overview of how their market is developing as a result of increased integration into our modern fleet. He will share reasons behind the automakers interest in and use of aluminum, and what their industry is doing to aid in the development of that relationship.

For more information about SCRS' Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, and to register for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and other RDE sessions, visit www.semashow.com/scrs.