Fans Injured: While Brad Keselowski scored his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in only his fifth start in the series, eight fans were injured when Carl Edwards’ Ford flipped into the catch fence in the tri-oval area at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway Sunday. None of the injuries was life threatening.

Landing Rides: Nelson Philippe has landed a ride in the second HVM Racing entry for the Indianapolis 500, while Buddy Lazier will return to Hemelgarn Racing, the team with which he won the 1996 Indy 500.

Prelude Benefits: The annual Prelude to the Dream dirt-late-model race June 3 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway will benefit four military-themed charities: Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fun, Operation Homefront and Fisher House.

Still the King: Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, claimed the series point lead for the first time since 2005 with his first victory of the season Saturday night at Tri-State Speedway in Indiana.

New Members: Donnie Allison, J.C. Agajanian, Jerry Cook, Bud Boore and Raymond Parks were inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame last week.

Top Dog: Jenson Button won the Grand Prix of Bahrain for his third victory in four Formula One World Driving Championship events this season, solidifying his spot at the top of the weekly National Speed Sport News Power Rankings, which rates drivers from all auto-racing disciplines. The rankings appear weekly in America’s Motorsports Authority.

Subscribe: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. Visit National Speed Sport News to subscribe for a special industry rate.

The SEMA Show/AAPEX has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its 2009 International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of this partnership, U.S. commercial services and trade specialist officers are recruiting qualified international buyers to attend the SEMA Show. In 2008, the U.S. government organized 40 buyer delegations to SEMA/AAIW from key global markets.

SEMA was invited as one of 32 shows worldwide to participate in the program based upon meeting a wide range of selection criteria, including:

• Being recognized as a leading international event
• The industry has high export potential
• The event has been determined as having significant international interest
• The event offers a matching system to bring together international buyers and suppliers
  

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The 2009 SEMA Show is set for November 3–6 in Las Vegas. For complete Show information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The SEMA Show/AAPEX has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its 2009 International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of this partnership, U.S. commercial services and trade specialist officers are recruiting qualified international buyers to attend the SEMA Show. In 2008, the U.S. government organized 40 buyer delegations to SEMA/AAIW from key global markets.

SEMA was invited as one of 32 shows worldwide to participate in the program based upon meeting a wide range of selection criteria, including:

• Being recognized as a leading international event
• The industry has high export potential
• The event has been determined as having significant international interest
• The event offers a matching system to bring together international buyers and suppliers
  

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The 2009 SEMA Show is set for November 3–6 in Las Vegas. For complete Show information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The SEMA Show/AAPEX has been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its 2009 International Buyer Program (IBP). As part of this partnership, U.S. commercial services and trade specialist officers are recruiting qualified international buyers to attend the SEMA Show. In 2008, the U.S. government organized 40 buyer delegations to SEMA/AAIW from key global markets.

SEMA was invited as one of 32 shows worldwide to participate in the program based upon meeting a wide range of selection criteria, including:

• Being recognized as a leading international event
• The industry has high export potential
• The event has been determined as having significant international interest
• The event offers a matching system to bring together international buyers and suppliers
  

For more information, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.

The 2009 SEMA Show is set for November 3–6 in Las Vegas. For complete Show information, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

WILKERSON RETURNS TO GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ON DIFFERENT MISSION: The missions are entirely different, however, and the potential payoff is just as important. One year ago, Wilkerson came to his home track—Gateway International Raceway—looking for a win and hunting the No. 1 points position in the Full Throttle Series Funny Car standings. This year, the Springfield, Illinois, racer is still hunting for a win, however, this time around he's trying to navigate his way into the top 10 in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Last year, he was successful with both goals at GIR. He won the race and moved into the points lead for the first time in his career. He used that race win as momentum to go on a summer winning spree that flipped the category upside down.

He narrowly missed winning his first world championship title in the season-ending playoffs. Riding that wave from his second place points finish from 2008, Wilkerson's once independent race operation took on a makeover during the off-season. He decided to partner with Bob Tasca and switched from Chevy Impalas to Ford Shelby Mustangs.

Though still in the intial phase, Wilkerson is at the point now in the transition where he's starting to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.

"We're definitely making progress, and Atlanta showed that, I think," Wilkerson said. "We basically made five great laps in a row, and our first-round race on Sunday was our best of the weekend. We also brought out a brand new chassis in Atlanta, as if we haven't been starting from scratch in just about every area all year, anyway.

"I think some people thought I'd lost my mind when we finished second last year, but came out for 2009 with all new stuff. They'd ask me 'Why don't you just keep running what you had?' But if you don't keep moving forward, you're going to get left behind. With the new chassis and the Shelby Mustang, we're definitely moving forward."

You can see Wilkerson and all of your favorite NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing drivers at the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, May 1–3 at Gateway International Raceway.

SCHUMACHER PRESENTED 2008 DRIVER OF THE YEAR TROPHY: U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher received his 2008 Driver of the Year trophy Thursday night in Talladega, Alabama, during the annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Last December, an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists named Schumacher the 2008 Driver of the Year after the Chicago-area resident posted a record fifth-consecutive world championship to go along with 15 victories.

Schumacher became the third NHRA driver to win the prestigious Driver Of The Year award. Funny Car's John Force captured the 1996 honor, and Pro Stock's Greg Anderson won it in 2004. For more information on Schumacher's award, visit www.NHRA.com.

GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY UPGRADES READY FOR O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS: Gateway International Raceway recently put the finishing touches on the most extensive dragstrip renovation in years with improvements to both the top-end emergency shutdown area and the facility's timing system. Improvements include an increase in the gravel trap length and depth, improvements in the guardrails on both sides of the trap, the addition of two 12-foot nylon catch nets and various other improvements made to the top end of the dragstrip.

The timing system was upgraded by Compulink Timing after a lighting strike ruined the system used in previous years. Both the new timing system and top end will be on display this weekend when the NHRA Full Throttle Series heads to Madison, Illinois, for the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, MAY 1–3: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to the Gateway to the West in Madison, Ill. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, MAY 15–17: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing heads back to Thunder Valley and the Mountains of Northern Tennessee for the eighth of 24 events on the 2009 schedule. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Melanie Troxel (Funny Car); and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, MAY 29–31: Heading to the heartland of America, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its ninth stop on the 2009 tour. Defending event winners include Hillary Will (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Ron Krisher (Pro Stock).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

WHAT'S A FIRST SEASON WITHOUT A WIN?: Top Fuel rookie Spencer Massey on his first year driving for Don Prudhomme Racing: "Winning is the goal, and if we're not expecting that, 'Snake' might be kind of mad. We're going to go for it every weekend, no matter what it takes, and start going rounds and get these points because we need to get into the Countdown."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2: That's the number of repeat winners at Gateway International Raceway in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Both Angelle Sampey (2005, 2002, 1999) and Matt Hines (2000, 1998) currently are not racing, meaning that among active drivers, three could add a second GIR win this weekend. Here are those drivers below:

• Andrew Hines
• Steve Johnson
• Matt Smith
  

DID YOU KNOW?

...that among the active drivers in Top Fuel, only three have won at Gateway International Raceway. Doug Kalitta (2004, 2003, 2001), Brandon Bernstein (2005) and Tony Schumacher (2006).

NEWS NUGGETS

WILKERSON RETURNS TO GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ON DIFFERENT MISSION: The missions are entirely different, however, and the potential payoff is just as important. One year ago, Wilkerson came to his home track—Gateway International Raceway—looking for a win and hunting the No. 1 points position in the Full Throttle Series Funny Car standings. This year, the Springfield, Illinois, racer is still hunting for a win, however, this time around he's trying to navigate his way into the top 10 in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Last year, he was successful with both goals at GIR. He won the race and moved into the points lead for the first time in his career. He used that race win as momentum to go on a summer winning spree that flipped the category upside down.

He narrowly missed winning his first world championship title in the season-ending playoffs. Riding that wave from his second place points finish from 2008, Wilkerson's once independent race operation took on a makeover during the off-season. He decided to partner with Bob Tasca and switched from Chevy Impalas to Ford Shelby Mustangs.

Though still in the intial phase, Wilkerson is at the point now in the transition where he's starting to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.

"We're definitely making progress, and Atlanta showed that, I think," Wilkerson said. "We basically made five great laps in a row, and our first-round race on Sunday was our best of the weekend. We also brought out a brand new chassis in Atlanta, as if we haven't been starting from scratch in just about every area all year, anyway.

"I think some people thought I'd lost my mind when we finished second last year, but came out for 2009 with all new stuff. They'd ask me 'Why don't you just keep running what you had?' But if you don't keep moving forward, you're going to get left behind. With the new chassis and the Shelby Mustang, we're definitely moving forward."

You can see Wilkerson and all of your favorite NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing drivers at the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, May 1–3 at Gateway International Raceway.

SCHUMACHER PRESENTED 2008 DRIVER OF THE YEAR TROPHY: U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher received his 2008 Driver of the Year trophy Thursday night in Talladega, Alabama, during the annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Last December, an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists named Schumacher the 2008 Driver of the Year after the Chicago-area resident posted a record fifth-consecutive world championship to go along with 15 victories.

Schumacher became the third NHRA driver to win the prestigious Driver Of The Year award. Funny Car's John Force captured the 1996 honor, and Pro Stock's Greg Anderson won it in 2004. For more information on Schumacher's award, visit www.NHRA.com.

GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY UPGRADES READY FOR O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS: Gateway International Raceway recently put the finishing touches on the most extensive dragstrip renovation in years with improvements to both the top-end emergency shutdown area and the facility's timing system. Improvements include an increase in the gravel trap length and depth, improvements in the guardrails on both sides of the trap, the addition of two 12-foot nylon catch nets and various other improvements made to the top end of the dragstrip.

The timing system was upgraded by Compulink Timing after a lighting strike ruined the system used in previous years. Both the new timing system and top end will be on display this weekend when the NHRA Full Throttle Series heads to Madison, Illinois, for the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, MAY 1–3: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to the Gateway to the West in Madison, Ill. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, MAY 15–17: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing heads back to Thunder Valley and the Mountains of Northern Tennessee for the eighth of 24 events on the 2009 schedule. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Melanie Troxel (Funny Car); and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, MAY 29–31: Heading to the heartland of America, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its ninth stop on the 2009 tour. Defending event winners include Hillary Will (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Ron Krisher (Pro Stock).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

WHAT'S A FIRST SEASON WITHOUT A WIN?: Top Fuel rookie Spencer Massey on his first year driving for Don Prudhomme Racing: "Winning is the goal, and if we're not expecting that, 'Snake' might be kind of mad. We're going to go for it every weekend, no matter what it takes, and start going rounds and get these points because we need to get into the Countdown."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2: That's the number of repeat winners at Gateway International Raceway in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Both Angelle Sampey (2005, 2002, 1999) and Matt Hines (2000, 1998) currently are not racing, meaning that among active drivers, three could add a second GIR win this weekend. Here are those drivers below:

• Andrew Hines
• Steve Johnson
• Matt Smith
  

DID YOU KNOW?

...that among the active drivers in Top Fuel, only three have won at Gateway International Raceway. Doug Kalitta (2004, 2003, 2001), Brandon Bernstein (2005) and Tony Schumacher (2006).

NEWS NUGGETS

WILKERSON RETURNS TO GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY ON DIFFERENT MISSION: The missions are entirely different, however, and the potential payoff is just as important. One year ago, Wilkerson came to his home track—Gateway International Raceway—looking for a win and hunting the No. 1 points position in the Full Throttle Series Funny Car standings. This year, the Springfield, Illinois, racer is still hunting for a win, however, this time around he's trying to navigate his way into the top 10 in the ultra-competitive Funny Car class in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

Last year, he was successful with both goals at GIR. He won the race and moved into the points lead for the first time in his career. He used that race win as momentum to go on a summer winning spree that flipped the category upside down.

He narrowly missed winning his first world championship title in the season-ending playoffs. Riding that wave from his second place points finish from 2008, Wilkerson's once independent race operation took on a makeover during the off-season. He decided to partner with Bob Tasca and switched from Chevy Impalas to Ford Shelby Mustangs.

Though still in the intial phase, Wilkerson is at the point now in the transition where he's starting to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.

"We're definitely making progress, and Atlanta showed that, I think," Wilkerson said. "We basically made five great laps in a row, and our first-round race on Sunday was our best of the weekend. We also brought out a brand new chassis in Atlanta, as if we haven't been starting from scratch in just about every area all year, anyway.

"I think some people thought I'd lost my mind when we finished second last year, but came out for 2009 with all new stuff. They'd ask me 'Why don't you just keep running what you had?' But if you don't keep moving forward, you're going to get left behind. With the new chassis and the Shelby Mustang, we're definitely moving forward."

You can see Wilkerson and all of your favorite NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing drivers at the 13th annual O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals, May 1–3 at Gateway International Raceway.

SCHUMACHER PRESENTED 2008 DRIVER OF THE YEAR TROPHY: U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher received his 2008 Driver of the Year trophy Thursday night in Talladega, Alabama, during the annual International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Last December, an elite panel of broadcasters and journalists named Schumacher the 2008 Driver of the Year after the Chicago-area resident posted a record fifth-consecutive world championship to go along with 15 victories.

Schumacher became the third NHRA driver to win the prestigious Driver Of The Year award. Funny Car's John Force captured the 1996 honor, and Pro Stock's Greg Anderson won it in 2004. For more information on Schumacher's award, visit www.NHRA.com.

GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY UPGRADES READY FOR O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS: Gateway International Raceway recently put the finishing touches on the most extensive dragstrip renovation in years with improvements to both the top-end emergency shutdown area and the facility's timing system. Improvements include an increase in the gravel trap length and depth, improvements in the guardrails on both sides of the trap, the addition of two 12-foot nylon catch nets and various other improvements made to the top end of the dragstrip.

The timing system was upgraded by Compulink Timing after a lighting strike ruined the system used in previous years. Both the new timing system and top end will be on display this weekend when the NHRA Full Throttle Series heads to Madison, Illinois, for the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

O'REILLY NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS, GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, MAY 1–3: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing returns to the Gateway to the West in Madison, Ill. Defending event winners include Rod Fuller (Top Fuel); Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car); Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock); and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

NHRA THUNDER VALLEY NATIONALS, BRISTOL DRAGWAY, MAY 15–17: NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing heads back to Thunder Valley and the Mountains of Northern Tennessee for the eighth of 24 events on the 2009 schedule. Defending event winners include Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Melanie Troxel (Funny Car); and Dave Connolly (Pro Stock).

O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS, HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, MAY 29–31: Heading to the heartland of America, the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its ninth stop on the 2009 tour. Defending event winners include Hillary Will (Top Fuel); John Force (Funny Car); and Ron Krisher (Pro Stock).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

WHAT'S A FIRST SEASON WITHOUT A WIN?: Top Fuel rookie Spencer Massey on his first year driving for Don Prudhomme Racing: "Winning is the goal, and if we're not expecting that, 'Snake' might be kind of mad. We're going to go for it every weekend, no matter what it takes, and start going rounds and get these points because we need to get into the Countdown."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2: That's the number of repeat winners at Gateway International Raceway in the Pro Stock Motorcycle category. Both Angelle Sampey (2005, 2002, 1999) and Matt Hines (2000, 1998) currently are not racing, meaning that among active drivers, three could add a second GIR win this weekend. Here are those drivers below:

• Andrew Hines
• Steve Johnson
• Matt Smith
  

DID YOU KNOW?

...that among the active drivers in Top Fuel, only three have won at Gateway International Raceway. Doug Kalitta (2004, 2003, 2001), Brandon Bernstein (2005) and Tony Schumacher (2006).

	Ford is the most common nameplate represented at the SEMA Show, followed closely by Chevrolet-branded vehicles.

About 1,630 customized, personalized or otherwise modified vehicles made their way into display areas during the 2008 SEMA Show. With just six months remaining until the 2009 Show and project-vehicle deadlines looming, exhibitors are making decisions about the platforms they plan to use to highlight their new products and services. Understanding where the market settled last Show could help gauge the direction of the next event.

The majority of SEMA Show vehicle space is divided into two general categories: booth vehicles and feature vehicles. The former are the easiest to understand and are located within the confines of exhibitor booth space. Most of these vehicles are contained in the convention center halls, but a few are found in the larger spaces of the outdoor parking lots.

On the other hand, feature vehicles are co-sponsored by exhibitors and are located outside of their primary booth space. These vehicles are peppered throughout the remaining expanses of the convention center grounds—between halls, in lobbies and throughout outside lots.

Some of these are periodically moved for presentations, press conferences or logistical circumstances. The entire process is organic, and the final layout may present a different scene than the one on opening day.

In 2008, domestic brands had the largest share of vehicles at the SEMA Show, with Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge being the most represented. Japanese brands are the next in line, followed by European nameplates.

While much of this is to be expected however, what the chart does not show is the significant presence of unique or exotic vehicles. Many are one-offs, complete customs, high-end supercars or derivatives based on production vehicles. Some customs do not neatly fall under a normalized category, and the percentage of unique builds highlights the nature of industry.

Similarly, the city car Fortwo model became a highly-publicized accent during the Show for being a groundbreaking new addition to the world of customization and a departure from traditional muscle.

		Model ranges and specific trim vehicles are compared here. The Ford F-Series was the most common platform at the 2008 SEMA Show.
		Ford Mustangs are extremely popular. Both standard trim and upgraded GT models were found throughout the 2009 Show halls.
		The Toyota Tundra had a larger presence at the 2008 event than at the 2007 Show as exhibitors embraced the redesign from the previous year.

This side-by-side list displays the top 20 most numerous models at the Show based on their generic classification and their trim-specific classification. For example, the overall leading model is the Ford F-Series which includes the F-150, F-250, F-350 and all other sub-models in the range. Since the F-Series has a lengthy history and a broad scope of models, it has an advantage over competing vehicles that use a narrow naming convention. The more specific trim levels are listed as well.

Another example, the Ford Mustang and Mustang GT, are similar vehicles but are separated into distinct models.

Vehicle sales and OEM concerns for cash may have put a damper on new vehicle launches, but some new models and updates will make their way to the Show floor. Some vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GT-R, were new for the 2008 Show, but have now been on the market long enough for sufficient product development.

Which vehicles will be the hottest tickets for 2009? We will all know in November. — SEMA Research & Information Center

	Ford is the most common nameplate represented at the SEMA Show, followed closely by Chevrolet-branded vehicles.

About 1,630 customized, personalized or otherwise modified vehicles made their way into display areas during the 2008 SEMA Show. With just six months remaining until the 2009 Show and project-vehicle deadlines looming, exhibitors are making decisions about the platforms they plan to use to highlight their new products and services. Understanding where the market settled last Show could help gauge the direction of the next event.

The majority of SEMA Show vehicle space is divided into two general categories: booth vehicles and feature vehicles. The former are the easiest to understand and are located within the confines of exhibitor booth space. Most of these vehicles are contained in the convention center halls, but a few are found in the larger spaces of the outdoor parking lots.

On the other hand, feature vehicles are co-sponsored by exhibitors and are located outside of their primary booth space. These vehicles are peppered throughout the remaining expanses of the convention center grounds—between halls, in lobbies and throughout outside lots.

Some of these are periodically moved for presentations, press conferences or logistical circumstances. The entire process is organic, and the final layout may present a different scene than the one on opening day.

In 2008, domestic brands had the largest share of vehicles at the SEMA Show, with Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge being the most represented. Japanese brands are the next in line, followed by European nameplates.

While much of this is to be expected however, what the chart does not show is the significant presence of unique or exotic vehicles. Many are one-offs, complete customs, high-end supercars or derivatives based on production vehicles. Some customs do not neatly fall under a normalized category, and the percentage of unique builds highlights the nature of industry.

Similarly, the city car Fortwo model became a highly-publicized accent during the Show for being a groundbreaking new addition to the world of customization and a departure from traditional muscle.

		Model ranges and specific trim vehicles are compared here. The Ford F-Series was the most common platform at the 2008 SEMA Show.
		Ford Mustangs are extremely popular. Both standard trim and upgraded GT models were found throughout the 2009 Show halls.
		The Toyota Tundra had a larger presence at the 2008 event than at the 2007 Show as exhibitors embraced the redesign from the previous year.

This side-by-side list displays the top 20 most numerous models at the Show based on their generic classification and their trim-specific classification. For example, the overall leading model is the Ford F-Series which includes the F-150, F-250, F-350 and all other sub-models in the range. Since the F-Series has a lengthy history and a broad scope of models, it has an advantage over competing vehicles that use a narrow naming convention. The more specific trim levels are listed as well.

Another example, the Ford Mustang and Mustang GT, are similar vehicles but are separated into distinct models.

Vehicle sales and OEM concerns for cash may have put a damper on new vehicle launches, but some new models and updates will make their way to the Show floor. Some vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GT-R, were new for the 2008 Show, but have now been on the market long enough for sufficient product development.

Which vehicles will be the hottest tickets for 2009? We will all know in November. — SEMA Research & Information Center

	Ford is the most common nameplate represented at the SEMA Show, followed closely by Chevrolet-branded vehicles.

About 1,630 customized, personalized or otherwise modified vehicles made their way into display areas during the 2008 SEMA Show. With just six months remaining until the 2009 Show and project-vehicle deadlines looming, exhibitors are making decisions about the platforms they plan to use to highlight their new products and services. Understanding where the market settled last Show could help gauge the direction of the next event.

The majority of SEMA Show vehicle space is divided into two general categories: booth vehicles and feature vehicles. The former are the easiest to understand and are located within the confines of exhibitor booth space. Most of these vehicles are contained in the convention center halls, but a few are found in the larger spaces of the outdoor parking lots.

On the other hand, feature vehicles are co-sponsored by exhibitors and are located outside of their primary booth space. These vehicles are peppered throughout the remaining expanses of the convention center grounds—between halls, in lobbies and throughout outside lots.

Some of these are periodically moved for presentations, press conferences or logistical circumstances. The entire process is organic, and the final layout may present a different scene than the one on opening day.

In 2008, domestic brands had the largest share of vehicles at the SEMA Show, with Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge being the most represented. Japanese brands are the next in line, followed by European nameplates.

While much of this is to be expected however, what the chart does not show is the significant presence of unique or exotic vehicles. Many are one-offs, complete customs, high-end supercars or derivatives based on production vehicles. Some customs do not neatly fall under a normalized category, and the percentage of unique builds highlights the nature of industry.

Similarly, the city car Fortwo model became a highly-publicized accent during the Show for being a groundbreaking new addition to the world of customization and a departure from traditional muscle.

		Model ranges and specific trim vehicles are compared here. The Ford F-Series was the most common platform at the 2008 SEMA Show.
		Ford Mustangs are extremely popular. Both standard trim and upgraded GT models were found throughout the 2009 Show halls.
		The Toyota Tundra had a larger presence at the 2008 event than at the 2007 Show as exhibitors embraced the redesign from the previous year.

This side-by-side list displays the top 20 most numerous models at the Show based on their generic classification and their trim-specific classification. For example, the overall leading model is the Ford F-Series which includes the F-150, F-250, F-350 and all other sub-models in the range. Since the F-Series has a lengthy history and a broad scope of models, it has an advantage over competing vehicles that use a narrow naming convention. The more specific trim levels are listed as well.

Another example, the Ford Mustang and Mustang GT, are similar vehicles but are separated into distinct models.

Vehicle sales and OEM concerns for cash may have put a damper on new vehicle launches, but some new models and updates will make their way to the Show floor. Some vehicles, such as the Dodge Challenger and Nissan GT-R, were new for the 2008 Show, but have now been on the market long enough for sufficient product development.

Which vehicles will be the hottest tickets for 2009? We will all know in November. — SEMA Research & Information Center