NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS WITHIN POINT LEADS LOOK TO GRAB TOP SPOTS IN PHOENIX: Funny Car driver Mike Neff is in a position he hasn’t experienced much this year. After leading the points since the Houston event, the fifth race of the season, Neff saw his advantage disappear two weeks ago in Reading, Pennsylvania, when a second-round finish moved Matt Hagan past him and into the top spot. Now, as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its fourth stop in the Countdown to the Championship at the NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend, Neff is looking for some of that mid-season success that kept his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang in the lead for so long.

“The Countdown changes everything,” said Neff. “It would be a whole different ballgame (without the playoff format), and even though I’d still be taking it one run and one race at a time, I would have a big advantage and know that if I could just go a few rounds at the next few races, I would pretty much have it sewn up. But that’s not the case, and now it’s like starting over and fighting to hang on.”

Neff sits two points behind Hagan. Another driver looking to move back to No. 1 is Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown. In the top spot after the first race of the Countdown in Charlotte, Brown lost his lead when teammate Spencer Massey raced to a runner-up finish at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas and a win at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals in Reading. Brown sits second in the standings, 65 points behind Massey heading into the final three races of the season.

“We’re still right there,” said Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster. “We want to go into the final round in Pomona (California) with a chance. We want to be either in the points lead or within 20 points. It’s going to be a tough deal down to the finish. As we’ve seen, you can lose or pick up three rounds, that’s 60 points, in one race, so Spencer’s lead is not insurmountable. This is anybody’s race.”

For the first time in Firebird International Raceway history, the Pro Stock Motorcycle class will be contested at the event. For rookie rider and recent winner Hector Arana Jr., the chance to race on a track that no other riders have competed on is exactly what he wants in his championship hunt.

“We don’t have a tune-up or any data to go look up from previous years, but neither does anyone else,” said Arana, rider of the Lucas Oil Buell. “So when we get there, it’s going to be an even playing field for everybody. Hopefully, we can stay on top of our game and be the first ones to nail that tune-up.”

Tickets are still available for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, October 14–16 at Firebird International Raceway; call 602-268-0200 or log on to firebirdraceway.com.

Hector Arana Jr.	Justin Finley	Steve Kent
Dominick Lagana	Vincent Nobile	Buddy Perkinson
Michael Ray	Jerry Savoie	Brian Thiel

NINE ROOKIES ARE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES FOR 2011 AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD: Nine NHRA rookie drivers, representative of all four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories, are the eligible candidates for the 2011 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, which recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and offers a $20,000 prize and traditional trophy to the winner. The candidates for the award are, in alphabetical order: Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Justin Finley (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Steve Kent (Pro Stock), Dominick Lagana (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock), Buddy Perkinson (Pro Stock), Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Brian Thiel (Funny Car).

The award will be presented during NHRA’s annual championship awards ceremony, Monday, November 14, at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, California. More than 150 of the nation’s leading auto racing journalists will select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events participated, performance on and off the race track, participation in NHRA promotions and relationships with fans, sponsors and media. To see what each driver has done this season and for more information on this award, log on to NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, October 14–16: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its fourth stop in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. Defending event winners are Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). (Pro Stock Motorcycle was not contested in 2010.) For tickets, call 602-268-0200 or log on to firebirdraceway.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, October 27–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its stop at the penultimate race of the season in Las Vegas. Defending event winners are Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, November 10–13: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of 2011 where it all began, in sunny Southern California. It is also the spot where all four world champions will be crowned. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to extremetix.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

ASK ME AT THE END OF THE SEASON: Funny Car point leader Matt Hagan on dealing with the pressure of the Countdown to the Championship: “This year, when they hand the trophies out at the end of the year, I think that’s when we’ll worry about whether we did a good enough job or not.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1964, GARLITS FIRST TO 200 MPH: At Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey, NHRA Legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits officially broke the 200-mph barrier with a run of 201.34. Garlits had previously received 200-mph time slips, but not at an official NHRA event. Garlits’ record is one of seven top 10 moments in NHRA history that fans can still vote on to determine No. 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

11–1: That’s Pro Stock point leader Jason Line’s round win/loss record in the first three races of the Countdown to the Championship. Since the Countdown began, Line has racked up two race wins and a runner-up finish and has collected 379 points.

DID YOU KNOW

Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon and his family are part of the Real Families calendar.

…that for the second year in a row, Andrea and Tony Pedregon have created an NHRA-themed calendar for charity, this one called NHRA Full Throttle Real Families. The 2012 calendar will benefit children’s cancer research through the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center. For more information on this calendar, including the drivers and families featured in it, log on to NHRA.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626-914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

 

NEWS NUGGETS

DRIVERS WITHIN POINT LEADS LOOK TO GRAB TOP SPOTS IN PHOENIX: Funny Car driver Mike Neff is in a position he hasn’t experienced much this year. After leading the points since the Houston event, the fifth race of the season, Neff saw his advantage disappear two weeks ago in Reading, Pennsylvania, when a second-round finish moved Matt Hagan past him and into the top spot. Now, as the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its fourth stop in the Countdown to the Championship at the NHRA Arizona Nationals this weekend, Neff is looking for some of that mid-season success that kept his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang in the lead for so long.

“The Countdown changes everything,” said Neff. “It would be a whole different ballgame (without the playoff format), and even though I’d still be taking it one run and one race at a time, I would have a big advantage and know that if I could just go a few rounds at the next few races, I would pretty much have it sewn up. But that’s not the case, and now it’s like starting over and fighting to hang on.”

Neff sits two points behind Hagan. Another driver looking to move back to No. 1 is Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown. In the top spot after the first race of the Countdown in Charlotte, Brown lost his lead when teammate Spencer Massey raced to a runner-up finish at the AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals in Dallas and a win at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals in Reading. Brown sits second in the standings, 65 points behind Massey heading into the final three races of the season.

“We’re still right there,” said Brown, driver of the Matco Tools dragster. “We want to go into the final round in Pomona (California) with a chance. We want to be either in the points lead or within 20 points. It’s going to be a tough deal down to the finish. As we’ve seen, you can lose or pick up three rounds, that’s 60 points, in one race, so Spencer’s lead is not insurmountable. This is anybody’s race.”

For the first time in Firebird International Raceway history, the Pro Stock Motorcycle class will be contested at the event. For rookie rider and recent winner Hector Arana Jr., the chance to race on a track that no other riders have competed on is exactly what he wants in his championship hunt.

“We don’t have a tune-up or any data to go look up from previous years, but neither does anyone else,” said Arana, rider of the Lucas Oil Buell. “So when we get there, it’s going to be an even playing field for everybody. Hopefully, we can stay on top of our game and be the first ones to nail that tune-up.”

Tickets are still available for the NHRA Arizona Nationals, October 14–16 at Firebird International Raceway; call 602-268-0200 or log on to firebirdraceway.com.

Hector Arana Jr.	Justin Finley	Steve Kent
Dominick Lagana	Vincent Nobile	Buddy Perkinson
Michael Ray	Jerry Savoie	Brian Thiel

NINE ROOKIES ARE ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES FOR 2011 AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD: Nine NHRA rookie drivers, representative of all four NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series categories, are the eligible candidates for the 2011 Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award, which recognizes the top rookie competitor in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and offers a $20,000 prize and traditional trophy to the winner. The candidates for the award are, in alphabetical order: Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Justin Finley (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Steve Kent (Pro Stock), Dominick Lagana (Top Fuel), Vincent Nobile (Pro Stock), Buddy Perkinson (Pro Stock), Michael Ray (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Brian Thiel (Funny Car).

The award will be presented during NHRA’s annual championship awards ceremony, Monday, November 14, at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, California. More than 150 of the nation’s leading auto racing journalists will select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events participated, performance on and off the race track, participation in NHRA promotions and relationships with fans, sponsors and media. To see what each driver has done this season and for more information on this award, log on to NHRA.com.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, October 14–16: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its fourth stop in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship in Chandler, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. Defending event winners are Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock). (Pro Stock Motorcycle was not contested in 2010.) For tickets, call 602-268-0200 or log on to firebirdraceway.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, October 27–30: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its stop at the penultimate race of the season in Las Vegas. Defending event winners are Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 702-644-4444 or log on to ticketmaster.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Alex Baca at abaca@nhra.com.

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, November 10–13: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of 2011 where it all began, in sunny Southern California. It is also the spot where all four world champions will be crowned. Defending event winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car), Shane Gray (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to extremetix.com. For media credentials, contact Media Relations Manager Zak Elcock at zelcock@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

ASK ME AT THE END OF THE SEASON: Funny Car point leader Matt Hagan on dealing with the pressure of the Countdown to the Championship: “This year, when they hand the trophies out at the end of the year, I think that’s when we’ll worry about whether we did a good enough job or not.”

60 YEARS IN NHRA HISTORY

1964, GARLITS FIRST TO 200 MPH: At Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey, NHRA Legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits officially broke the 200-mph barrier with a run of 201.34. Garlits had previously received 200-mph time slips, but not at an official NHRA event. Garlits’ record is one of seven top 10 moments in NHRA history that fans can still vote on to determine No. 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

11–1: That’s Pro Stock point leader Jason Line’s round win/loss record in the first three races of the Countdown to the Championship. Since the Countdown began, Line has racked up two race wins and a runner-up finish and has collected 379 points.

DID YOU KNOW

Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon and his family are part of the Real Families calendar.

…that for the second year in a row, Andrea and Tony Pedregon have created an NHRA-themed calendar for charity, this one called NHRA Full Throttle Real Families. The 2012 calendar will benefit children’s cancer research through the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center. For more information on this calendar, including the drivers and families featured in it, log on to NHRA.com.

For more information, contact NHRA Media Relations at 626-914-4761 or log on to the NHRA Media Center.

SEMA-supported legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to reduce the cost of burdensome regulations on business owners and job creators. The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would require federal agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis when issuing new rules. Although a few laws already permit such analysis, the legislation would overturn the prohibition contained in other laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Endangered Species Act. 

The data and evidence gathered in the analysis would be subject to judicial review. The data would also be based on the best available science as defined by the Information Quality Act. Before issuing a major regulation, federal agencies would be required to issue advance public notice explaining the issue and soliciting public comment on a potential new rule and alternative options. Agencies would generally be required to adopt the “least costly” approach to achieve policy goals established by Congress. The legislation would challenge the use of guidance documents issued by agencies as a way to avoid writing rules subject to public comment. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

SEMA-supported legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to reduce the cost of burdensome regulations on business owners and job creators. The “Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011” would require federal agencies to conduct a cost-benefit analysis when issuing new rules. Although a few laws already permit such analysis, the legislation would overturn the prohibition contained in other laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Endangered Species Act. 

The data and evidence gathered in the analysis would be subject to judicial review. The data would also be based on the best available science as defined by the Information Quality Act. Before issuing a major regulation, federal agencies would be required to issue advance public notice explaining the issue and soliciting public comment on a potential new rule and alternative options. Agencies would generally be required to adopt the “least costly” approach to achieve policy goals established by Congress. The legislation would challenge the use of guidance documents issued by agencies as a way to avoid writing rules subject to public comment. 

For more information, please contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

SEMA Show attendees who register for the 2011 SEMA Show by Monday, October 17, will receive the discounted rate of $25 and receive their badges in the mail.

SEMA Show Buyers: Want to get into the 2011 SEMA Show for $25 and have your badges mailed to you prior to the event? Then you need to register for the SEMA Show by Monday, October 17, to qualify to have your credentials mailed at the low advanced rate of $25. This will save you both money and time, allowing you to arrive at the Show with badges in hand. After that, the rates go up, and all badges are available only at the Show. Take advantage of the convenience and the discount by registering today!

Register online for the 2011 SEMA Show.

The option to have badges mailed when registered by October 17 is available for domestic buyers only. After October 17, approved registrations will be confirmed by e-mail, but badges will not be mailed. To obtain their badges, buyers must bring their confirmation to Express Registration on-site.

The 2011 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit www.SEMAShow.com for registration and for the latest Show information, including celebrity appearances, educational seminars, exhibitor lists and floorplans and more.

SEMA Show attendees who register for the 2011 SEMA Show by Monday, October 17, will receive the discounted rate of $25 and receive their badges in the mail.

SEMA Show Buyers: Want to get into the 2011 SEMA Show for $25 and have your badges mailed to you prior to the event? Then you need to register for the SEMA Show by Monday, October 17, to qualify to have your credentials mailed at the low advanced rate of $25. This will save you both money and time, allowing you to arrive at the Show with badges in hand. After that, the rates go up, and all badges are available only at the Show. Take advantage of the convenience and the discount by registering today!

Register online for the 2011 SEMA Show.

The option to have badges mailed when registered by October 17 is available for domestic buyers only. After October 17, approved registrations will be confirmed by e-mail, but badges will not be mailed. To obtain their badges, buyers must bring their confirmation to Express Registration on-site.

The 2011 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday–Friday, November 1–4, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit www.SEMAShow.com for registration and for the latest Show information, including celebrity appearances, educational seminars, exhibitor lists and floorplans and more.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) postponed the start date for a rule requiring employers to display a poster informing workers of their right to unionize and bargain collectively. The rule is now scheduled to take effect January 31, 2012. The rule is widely opposed by business groups, including SEMA, over concerns that it unfairly promotes unionization. According to the NLRB, the agency postponed the start date by two months in order to provide more time to make private-sector employers aware of their obligation to post the notice. The 11x17-in. notice poster can be downloaded for free from the NLRB website. 

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

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) postponed the start date for a rule requiring employers to display a poster informing workers of their right to unionize and bargain collectively. The rule is now scheduled to take effect January 31, 2012. The rule is widely opposed by business groups, including SEMA, over concerns that it unfairly promotes unionization. According to the NLRB, the agency postponed the start date by two months in order to provide more time to make private-sector employers aware of their obligation to post the notice. The 11x17-in. notice poster can be downloaded for free from the NLRB website. 

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

	UPS will present an educational session at this year's SEMA Show featuring top industry leaders who will offer insights on the logistics behind expanding business to emerging markets.

Emerging global economies have created new middle classes of consumers eager to purchase and modify cars, trucks and SUVs. Specialty-equipment manufacturers can benefit from this opportunity by expanding their businesses globally in order to meet these growing demands. SEMA and UPS are teaming up at this year’s Show to present an educational session featuring top industry leaders who will offer insights on the logistics behind expanding business to these emerging markets.

The UPS-sponsored session entitled, “Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth,” will be held at the 2011 SEMA Show, Monday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N253. The panel, composed of industry experts who have been at the forefront of global growth, will discuss regions that are seeing growth, best practices for international selling and tools to help streamline overseas shipping.

Panelists for the session include:

• Tracey Lewis, west region international sales director, UPS
• Linda Spencer, international affairs director, SEMA
• Kevin Floody, international business manager, K&N Engineering

“Hosting an educational session with top industry experts allows UPS to support automotive specialty-equipment companies seeking to expand their businesses overseas,” said Kristin DeBates, corporate marketing manager for the UPS Automotive Segment. “With 819 sites in more than 120 countries, UPS understands the logistics behind entering emerging markets and is eager to share this knowledge with SEMA members.”

Attendees interested in learning more about the logistics behind global growth can attend this session or stop by the UPS booth #11827 for more information.

Other Sessions of Interest:

All sessions will be held Monday, October 31, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Room #N253) 
Risky Business: Solutions to Mitigate Supply Chain Risk 
Presenter: JoDawn Whitlock, Director of Sales, UPS Capital  

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Room #N253) 
Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth 
Panelists: Joey Rosenberg, UPS; Tracey Lewis, UPS; Kevin Floody, K&N Engineering; Linda Spencer, SEMA

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. (Room #N255)
Selling into the Brazilian Market: Insider Tips 
Panelists: Linda Spencer, SEMA; Eduardo Bernasconi, Fullpower Magazine; Cassiano Colla, Motorcrazy Company;  Flavio Ancona, Ancona High Performance

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (Room #N255)
Opportunities for Manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates
Presenter: Linda Spencer, SEMA

	UPS will present an educational session at this year's SEMA Show featuring top industry leaders who will offer insights on the logistics behind expanding business to emerging markets.

Emerging global economies have created new middle classes of consumers eager to purchase and modify cars, trucks and SUVs. Specialty-equipment manufacturers can benefit from this opportunity by expanding their businesses globally in order to meet these growing demands. SEMA and UPS are teaming up at this year’s Show to present an educational session featuring top industry leaders who will offer insights on the logistics behind expanding business to these emerging markets.

The UPS-sponsored session entitled, “Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth,” will be held at the 2011 SEMA Show, Monday, October 31, at 11:00 a.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N253. The panel, composed of industry experts who have been at the forefront of global growth, will discuss regions that are seeing growth, best practices for international selling and tools to help streamline overseas shipping.

Panelists for the session include:

• Tracey Lewis, west region international sales director, UPS
• Linda Spencer, international affairs director, SEMA
• Kevin Floody, international business manager, K&N Engineering

“Hosting an educational session with top industry experts allows UPS to support automotive specialty-equipment companies seeking to expand their businesses overseas,” said Kristin DeBates, corporate marketing manager for the UPS Automotive Segment. “With 819 sites in more than 120 countries, UPS understands the logistics behind entering emerging markets and is eager to share this knowledge with SEMA members.”

Attendees interested in learning more about the logistics behind global growth can attend this session or stop by the UPS booth #11827 for more information.

Other Sessions of Interest:

All sessions will be held Monday, October 31, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Room #N253) 
Risky Business: Solutions to Mitigate Supply Chain Risk 
Presenter: JoDawn Whitlock, Director of Sales, UPS Capital  

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Room #N253) 
Beyond Borders: The Logistics Behind Global Growth 
Panelists: Joey Rosenberg, UPS; Tracey Lewis, UPS; Kevin Floody, K&N Engineering; Linda Spencer, SEMA

1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. (Room #N255)
Selling into the Brazilian Market: Insider Tips 
Panelists: Linda Spencer, SEMA; Eduardo Bernasconi, Fullpower Magazine; Cassiano Colla, Motorcrazy Company;  Flavio Ancona, Ancona High Performance

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (Room #N255)
Opportunities for Manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates
Presenter: Linda Spencer, SEMA