Get insider tips on the specialty-equipment market, car culture and business practices in China through SEMA's familiarization trip to Beijing.

• Participating in meetings and a networking event with potential distributors;
• Attending a briefing with U.S. government officials;
• Touring retail performance and accessory outlets and distributors;
• Visiting the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) set for September 24–26.
• Obtaining valuable information on doing business in China through a series of briefings on protecting your intellectual property rights, insider tips on Chinese culture and business practices and identifying the hot niche markets.

Get insider tips on the specialty-equipment market, car culture and business practices in China through SEMA's familiarization trip to Beijing.

• Participating in meetings and a networking event with potential distributors;
• Attending a briefing with U.S. government officials;
• Touring retail performance and accessory outlets and distributors;
• Visiting the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) set for September 24–26.
• Obtaining valuable information on doing business in China through a series of briefings on protecting your intellectual property rights, insider tips on Chinese culture and business practices and identifying the hot niche markets.

Get insider tips on the specialty-equipment market, car culture and business practices in China through SEMA's familiarization trip to Beijing.

• Participating in meetings and a networking event with potential distributors;
• Attending a briefing with U.S. government officials;
• Touring retail performance and accessory outlets and distributors;
• Visiting the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) set for September 24–26.
• Obtaining valuable information on doing business in China through a series of briefings on protecting your intellectual property rights, insider tips on Chinese culture and business practices and identifying the hot niche markets.

Get insider tips on the specialty-equipment market, car culture and business practices in China through SEMA's familiarization trip to Beijing.

• Participating in meetings and a networking event with potential distributors;
• Attending a briefing with U.S. government officials;
• Touring retail performance and accessory outlets and distributors;
• Visiting the China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) set for September 24–26.
• Obtaining valuable information on doing business in China through a series of briefings on protecting your intellectual property rights, insider tips on Chinese culture and business practices and identifying the hot niche markets.

After weeks of staking out the local Boy Scout Pinewood Drag Race Tracks, SEMA’s persistence finally paid off with never-before-seen spy photos of the Pilot Automotive entries in the 2009 SEMA Pinewood Drag Races. At least that’s what SEMA thinks it has. Rumor has it that the cars have been undergoing clandestine testing in the middle of the night for weeks and have set track records on every track they tested on, but no one has actually seen them.

When questioned about whether these were actual Pinewood Drag Race Cars or some photographic trickery from their art department, Pilot Automotive COO Mitch Williams had no comment.

Visit here to sponsor a car or race your own in the Pinewood Drag Race. 

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN MAKES HISTORY; SWEEPS WESTERN SWING: Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown’s run through the famed Western Swing was one for the history books. On the first stop of the swing, Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colo., Brown not only took the No. 1 qualifying spot and win at the event, but also became the first Top Fuel driver of the season to clinch a spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

He then followed his success in Denver with a win at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, the second leg on the Swing, and wrapped up his Western Swing success with a win at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, the final stop of the three-races-in-three-weeks marathon.

With that win, Brown became only the seventh driver in 20 years to sweep the Western Swing, joining the list of such names as Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, Cory McClenathan, Joe Amato, John Force and Greg Anderson.

“This doesn’t feel real, especially after we had so much turmoil in the off-season,” said Brown after his win in Sonoma. “We weren’t sure where we’d be, and Mike Ashley came in and he’s been a fantastic team owner. Back then, everybody was talking about (Tony) Schumacher and (Larry) Dixon, but not us. We wanted to run for a championship, and Mike knew we had a team that could do it. Now we’re proving it.”

Joining Brown in Winner’s Circle in Sonoma was Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson, who won his second consecutive race of the season after driving past points leader Tony Pedregon in the final round, Pro Stock’s Jason Line and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Andrew Hines. Both Line and Hines defeated fellow teammates Greg Anderson and Eddie Krawiec in the final round to grab their wins. For more results from the 22nd annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, visit www.NHRA.com.

MORE DRIVERS CLINCH COUNTDOWN SPOTS IN SONOMA: The list of drivers who have clinched spots in the Countdown to 1 playoff spots grew after Sunday’s FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma. Joining the list of drivers with a secured spot in the playoffs in Sonoma were Top Fuel pilot Brandon Bernstein, Funny Car drivers Tony Pedregon, Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood, Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson and Allen Johnson and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider and event winner Andrew Hines.

Below you’ll find a full list of drivers who have secured their spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, beginning at the second annual NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. To follow the points battle and see who the next drivers to clinch will be, visit www.NHRA.com.

TOP FUEL

1. Antron Brown
2. Tony Schumacher
3. Larry Dixon
4. Brandon Bernstein

FUNNY CAR

1. Tony Pedregon
2. Ron Capps
3. Ashley Force Hood

PRO STOCK

1. Jeg Coughlin
2. Mike Edwards
3. Jason Line
4. Greg Anderson
5. Allen Johnson

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

1. Eddie Krawiec
2. Andrew Hines

NHRA EXTENDS FAN-RELIEF INITIATIVES FOR INDY: NHRA has extended and added to the race-fan-relief initiatives announced earlier this year for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, September 2–7, at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. NHRA has partnered with Ticketmaster to eliminate service and convenience fees on Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil tickets purchased through Tickemaster.com or Ticketmaster phone lines or at Ticketmaster outlets.

Fans purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster may pick up their tickets at the will-call-window ticket office on race day or may have their tickets delivered for a fee. NHRA also will make available for advance purchase adult general-admission tickets for only $20, a savings of up to $29 per ticket.

A total of 1,500 tickets per professional qualifying and eliminations day are available at the $20 price, representing a total of 6,000 tickets for the event. To help families attend the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, children 12 and younger will be admitted free to general-admission areas of the track when accompanied by a paying adult. Child tickets in reserved-seat sections start as low as $10 depending on the event day, seating location and age.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AUGUST 13–16: Heading back to the Northern part of Minnesota, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series prepares for this historical event. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY, AUGUST 20–23: Making its second to last stop for the regular season, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK, SEPTEMBER 2–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads back to the famed “Big Go”, the world’s most prestigious drag race. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOOKED ON A SIX-SECOND RIDE: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Andrew Hines, on both he and teammate Eddie Krawiec making it to three consecutive final rounds:

“This is the time when we’re starting to shine. We’re earning rounds because they’re giving them to us, and that’s something that didn’t happen before. I love the way the bikes are running. They are fun to ride.

Matt (Hines, crew chief) has them leaving good. I don’t worry about rattling the tire or bogging. I have faith in my bike, and that’s why Eddie has been to seven finals and I finally pulled my head out of somewhere it shouldn’t have been and started making a few finals myself.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

15: That’s the number of points that separates 12th-place Funny Car driver Robert Hight from 10th-place and Countdown cutoff spot driver, Cruz Pedregon. With only three races remaining on the regular season schedule, Pedregon, Hight and 11th-place driver, rookie Matt Hagan are in a tight battle for the final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA legend John Force has 11 wins at Brainerd International Raceway, the most of any driver. That’s nine more than the closest active Funny Car driver, Ron Capps. Force is still looking for his first win of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season.

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN MAKES HISTORY; SWEEPS WESTERN SWING: Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown’s run through the famed Western Swing was one for the history books. On the first stop of the swing, Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colo., Brown not only took the No. 1 qualifying spot and win at the event, but also became the first Top Fuel driver of the season to clinch a spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

He then followed his success in Denver with a win at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, the second leg on the Swing, and wrapped up his Western Swing success with a win at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, the final stop of the three-races-in-three-weeks marathon.

With that win, Brown became only the seventh driver in 20 years to sweep the Western Swing, joining the list of such names as Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, Cory McClenathan, Joe Amato, John Force and Greg Anderson.

“This doesn’t feel real, especially after we had so much turmoil in the off-season,” said Brown after his win in Sonoma. “We weren’t sure where we’d be, and Mike Ashley came in and he’s been a fantastic team owner. Back then, everybody was talking about (Tony) Schumacher and (Larry) Dixon, but not us. We wanted to run for a championship, and Mike knew we had a team that could do it. Now we’re proving it.”

Joining Brown in Winner’s Circle in Sonoma was Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson, who won his second consecutive race of the season after driving past points leader Tony Pedregon in the final round, Pro Stock’s Jason Line and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Andrew Hines. Both Line and Hines defeated fellow teammates Greg Anderson and Eddie Krawiec in the final round to grab their wins. For more results from the 22nd annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, visit www.NHRA.com.

MORE DRIVERS CLINCH COUNTDOWN SPOTS IN SONOMA: The list of drivers who have clinched spots in the Countdown to 1 playoff spots grew after Sunday’s FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma. Joining the list of drivers with a secured spot in the playoffs in Sonoma were Top Fuel pilot Brandon Bernstein, Funny Car drivers Tony Pedregon, Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood, Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson and Allen Johnson and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider and event winner Andrew Hines.

Below you’ll find a full list of drivers who have secured their spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, beginning at the second annual NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. To follow the points battle and see who the next drivers to clinch will be, visit www.NHRA.com.

TOP FUEL

1. Antron Brown
2. Tony Schumacher
3. Larry Dixon
4. Brandon Bernstein

FUNNY CAR

1. Tony Pedregon
2. Ron Capps
3. Ashley Force Hood

PRO STOCK

1. Jeg Coughlin
2. Mike Edwards
3. Jason Line
4. Greg Anderson
5. Allen Johnson

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

1. Eddie Krawiec
2. Andrew Hines

NHRA EXTENDS FAN-RELIEF INITIATIVES FOR INDY: NHRA has extended and added to the race-fan-relief initiatives announced earlier this year for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, September 2–7, at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. NHRA has partnered with Ticketmaster to eliminate service and convenience fees on Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil tickets purchased through Tickemaster.com or Ticketmaster phone lines or at Ticketmaster outlets.

Fans purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster may pick up their tickets at the will-call-window ticket office on race day or may have their tickets delivered for a fee. NHRA also will make available for advance purchase adult general-admission tickets for only $20, a savings of up to $29 per ticket.

A total of 1,500 tickets per professional qualifying and eliminations day are available at the $20 price, representing a total of 6,000 tickets for the event. To help families attend the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, children 12 and younger will be admitted free to general-admission areas of the track when accompanied by a paying adult. Child tickets in reserved-seat sections start as low as $10 depending on the event day, seating location and age.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AUGUST 13–16: Heading back to the Northern part of Minnesota, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series prepares for this historical event. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY, AUGUST 20–23: Making its second to last stop for the regular season, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK, SEPTEMBER 2–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads back to the famed “Big Go”, the world’s most prestigious drag race. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOOKED ON A SIX-SECOND RIDE: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Andrew Hines, on both he and teammate Eddie Krawiec making it to three consecutive final rounds:

“This is the time when we’re starting to shine. We’re earning rounds because they’re giving them to us, and that’s something that didn’t happen before. I love the way the bikes are running. They are fun to ride.

Matt (Hines, crew chief) has them leaving good. I don’t worry about rattling the tire or bogging. I have faith in my bike, and that’s why Eddie has been to seven finals and I finally pulled my head out of somewhere it shouldn’t have been and started making a few finals myself.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

15: That’s the number of points that separates 12th-place Funny Car driver Robert Hight from 10th-place and Countdown cutoff spot driver, Cruz Pedregon. With only three races remaining on the regular season schedule, Pedregon, Hight and 11th-place driver, rookie Matt Hagan are in a tight battle for the final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA legend John Force has 11 wins at Brainerd International Raceway, the most of any driver. That’s nine more than the closest active Funny Car driver, Ron Capps. Force is still looking for his first win of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season.

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN MAKES HISTORY; SWEEPS WESTERN SWING: Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown’s run through the famed Western Swing was one for the history books. On the first stop of the swing, Bandimere Speedway in Denver, Colo., Brown not only took the No. 1 qualifying spot and win at the event, but also became the first Top Fuel driver of the season to clinch a spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

He then followed his success in Denver with a win at Pacific Raceways in Seattle, the second leg on the Swing, and wrapped up his Western Swing success with a win at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, the final stop of the three-races-in-three-weeks marathon.

With that win, Brown became only the seventh driver in 20 years to sweep the Western Swing, joining the list of such names as Tony Schumacher, Larry Dixon, Cory McClenathan, Joe Amato, John Force and Greg Anderson.

“This doesn’t feel real, especially after we had so much turmoil in the off-season,” said Brown after his win in Sonoma. “We weren’t sure where we’d be, and Mike Ashley came in and he’s been a fantastic team owner. Back then, everybody was talking about (Tony) Schumacher and (Larry) Dixon, but not us. We wanted to run for a championship, and Mike knew we had a team that could do it. Now we’re proving it.”

Joining Brown in Winner’s Circle in Sonoma was Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson, who won his second consecutive race of the season after driving past points leader Tony Pedregon in the final round, Pro Stock’s Jason Line and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Andrew Hines. Both Line and Hines defeated fellow teammates Greg Anderson and Eddie Krawiec in the final round to grab their wins. For more results from the 22nd annual FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, visit www.NHRA.com.

MORE DRIVERS CLINCH COUNTDOWN SPOTS IN SONOMA: The list of drivers who have clinched spots in the Countdown to 1 playoff spots grew after Sunday’s FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals in Sonoma. Joining the list of drivers with a secured spot in the playoffs in Sonoma were Top Fuel pilot Brandon Bernstein, Funny Car drivers Tony Pedregon, Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood, Pro Stock’s Greg Anderson and Allen Johnson and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider and event winner Andrew Hines.

Below you’ll find a full list of drivers who have secured their spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, beginning at the second annual NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. To follow the points battle and see who the next drivers to clinch will be, visit www.NHRA.com.

TOP FUEL

1. Antron Brown
2. Tony Schumacher
3. Larry Dixon
4. Brandon Bernstein

FUNNY CAR

1. Tony Pedregon
2. Ron Capps
3. Ashley Force Hood

PRO STOCK

1. Jeg Coughlin
2. Mike Edwards
3. Jason Line
4. Greg Anderson
5. Allen Johnson

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

1. Eddie Krawiec
2. Andrew Hines

NHRA EXTENDS FAN-RELIEF INITIATIVES FOR INDY: NHRA has extended and added to the race-fan-relief initiatives announced earlier this year for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, September 2–7, at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis. NHRA has partnered with Ticketmaster to eliminate service and convenience fees on Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil tickets purchased through Tickemaster.com or Ticketmaster phone lines or at Ticketmaster outlets.

Fans purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster may pick up their tickets at the will-call-window ticket office on race day or may have their tickets delivered for a fee. NHRA also will make available for advance purchase adult general-admission tickets for only $20, a savings of up to $29 per ticket.

A total of 1,500 tickets per professional qualifying and eliminations day are available at the $20 price, representing a total of 6,000 tickets for the event. To help families attend the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, children 12 and younger will be admitted free to general-admission areas of the track when accompanied by a paying adult. Child tickets in reserved-seat sections start as low as $10 depending on the event day, seating location and age.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

LUCAS OIL NHRA NATIONALS, BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, AUGUST 13–16: Heading back to the Northern part of Minnesota, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series prepares for this historical event. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Tony Pedregon (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

TOYO TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY, AUGUST 20–23: Making its second to last stop for the regular season, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Jack Beckman (Funny Car); Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock); and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS PRESENTED BY LUCAS OIL, O’REILLY RACEWAY PARK, SEPTEMBER 2–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads back to the famed “Big Go”, the world’s most prestigious drag race. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Dave Connolly (Pro Stock); and Steve Johnson (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

HOOKED ON A SIX-SECOND RIDE: Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Andrew Hines, on both he and teammate Eddie Krawiec making it to three consecutive final rounds:

“This is the time when we’re starting to shine. We’re earning rounds because they’re giving them to us, and that’s something that didn’t happen before. I love the way the bikes are running. They are fun to ride.

Matt (Hines, crew chief) has them leaving good. I don’t worry about rattling the tire or bogging. I have faith in my bike, and that’s why Eddie has been to seven finals and I finally pulled my head out of somewhere it shouldn’t have been and started making a few finals myself.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

15: That’s the number of points that separates 12th-place Funny Car driver Robert Hight from 10th-place and Countdown cutoff spot driver, Cruz Pedregon. With only three races remaining on the regular season schedule, Pedregon, Hight and 11th-place driver, rookie Matt Hagan are in a tight battle for the final spot in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

DID YOU KNOW…

…that NHRA legend John Force has 11 wins at Brainerd International Raceway, the most of any driver. That’s nine more than the closest active Funny Car driver, Ron Capps. Force is still looking for his first win of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing season.

Don’t wait to enter your new products in the New Product Showcase at the 2009 SEMA Show. More than a dozen of your competitors are a step ahead of you and have already secured their spots in the Showcase. And this year’s Showcase promises to be the best yet, having moved to a larger location with more traffic in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Want to submit an entry to the New Products Showcase?

Your first product is free if registered by October 9 using your exhibitor password. All additional entries are $75 per product if received by October 9. After October 9, you must submit your product entry at the Show with a $250 fee per product.

Exhibitors submitting entries for the Showcase must check in at the New Products Showcase in front of the Upper South Hall on either Saturday, October 31 (12:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.) or Sunday, November 1, (9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.) to complete check-in and placement requirements. Earliest possible check-in results in shorter lines and faster processing.

The 2008 SEMA Show featured 1,700 new products. Using a new electronic scanning tool, interested buyers, media and attendees could quickly request product information that they could have sent to their e-mail account or printed out on site. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your product seen by key purchasers and tastemakers in the industry.