Keystone Automotive Operations was named SEMA Warehouse Distributor (WD) of the Year. The award, presented annually at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of one WD each year.

Opening its doors in 1971, Keystone Automotive Operations was originally established as a small, family-owned parts distributor in northeastern Pennsylvania. Five-time NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel Champion Joe Amato, along with his partners, founded Keystone Automotive Warehouse as a company run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Today, as a result of a successful growth strategy and investments in key areas of the company, Keystone Automotive Operations now serves over 18,000 wholesale customers, with next-day delivery to 41 states and Canada.

The company has been a SEMA member since 1975.

Keystone Automotive Operations distributes more than a quarter of a million accessories and performance parts representing over 700 product lines, from an 800,000 square-foot facility located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Operating from 24 locations across North America, Keystone is known for providing world-class, personalized service to its customer and supplier partners.

To see photos of award winners, new products and feature vehicles from the 2007 SEMA Show, please visit www.semaphotos.com.

For the fifth time in 28 years, SEMA presented Bob Cook Sales with the SEMA Manufacturers' Rep of the Year Award.

Accepting the award in honor of Bob Cook, company founder who was unable to attend due to injury from a fall, were John Clark, Jeff Bates, Les Rudd, Bruce Harwell, Don Saenz, Chuck Schwam, Mike Oldham, Alex Walker, Troy Hudson, Eddie Hamilton and Mike Katz.

The team of Bob Cook Sales

The company was founded by Bob Cook in 1979 to provide superior representation for manufacturers in the automotive aftermarket. Through a quality mix of performance and accessory products, Bob Cook Sales covers the mass retail, farm stores, fleet accounts, imports, restoration, speed & performance, expediters, export, accessory boutiques, race teams, NASCAR teams, traditional warehouse and jobbers, performance distributors and jobbers, and street rod markets.

Cook was on the SEMA Board of Directors from 1987 to 1993, serving three consecutive two-year terms. He has chaired the WD of the Year Committee, Rep Committee, Dues Review Committee and also served on the Long Range Planning Committee, New Products Judging Committee and Person of the Year Committee.

For more on SEMA's manufacturer's rep programs, please visit www.sema.org/mrc.

More than 2,000 journalists from throughout the world converged in Las Vegas last week for the premier automotive accessories trade event, better known as the SEMA Show. While many of the media outlets are putting the final touches on their stories, here’s a small sampling of some of the coverage that has already resulted:

Automotive News: http://autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071105/ANA03/711050329

Autobytel.com: http://community.myride.com/kickapps/service/searchEverything.kickAction?keywords=%22sema+2007%22&includeVideo=on&includePhoto=on&includeBlog=on&as=3898

AutoWeek: http://www.autoweek.com/

NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/automobiles/04SPIN.html http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2007/11/02/automobiles/1104-SEMA_index.html

NY Times: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/pimp-your-ride-drain-your-checkbook/

Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710290334

Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071031/AUTO04/710310351/1364/AUTO01

Discovery News: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/11/01/automobiles-green.html

USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-10-31-toyota-corolla_N.htm?csp=34

Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota1nov01,1,2401844.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Edmunds.com: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/sema/2007/index.html?tid=edmunds.h..topfeatures.sema.0.*

MSN Autos: http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/SEMA2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=5668940

For press releases and media resources, visit www.sema.org/media or www.semashow.com/media.

Filler for eNews

Filler for eNews

Not far from Honda’s U.S. corporate headquarters, Brenda Priddy & Co. spy shooter Chris Doane nabbed these shots of the next-generation Acura TSX. Assuming a more aggressive look somewhere between the new Accord and current TL, the TSX also takes some design cues from the SPORTS 4 concept car shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.

An improved 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor will power the base model with an expected 20-30 horsepower bump. The front-drive entry-level model will sport either a six-speed manual or five-speed auto.

A hotter Type-S model should also appear with around 260hp, coming from an up-tuned version of the 2.3-liter (240 hp) turbocharged motor currently found in the Acura RDX. The sportier model will feature a six-speed auto/manual DSG gearbox, and is expected to feature Honda's Super Handling All Wheel Drive system.

While this vehicle will be sold as the Acura TSX in the United States, this same car, with just a few minor styling adjustments, will also sell in European markets as the new Honda Accord. With the 2008 Honda Accord getting a diesel motor, it’s possible we could see a diesel TSX as well. The TSX should enter production towards the end of 2008.

SEMA offers its condolences to the family and friends of Dale Kille, who suffered a fatal heart attack Wednesday, October 31. Kille, 55, worked for Luverne Truck Equipment Inc. of Brandon, S.D., for more than 30 years, most recently as executive vice president. The industry veteran was well-known and liked by many in the business. For details regarding funeral services or to sign Kille's online guestbook, visit www.georgeboom.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

FORCE WINS AUTO CLUB ROAD TO THE FUTURE AWARD: Ashley Force, 24, applied a measure of positive energy to a difficult season Monday when she accepted the Automobile Club of Southern California’s 2007 Road to the Future Award as the professional Rookie-of-the-Year in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The daughter of icon John Force accepted a check for $20,000 from the Auto Club before crediting her father, her family and her team, especially crew chiefs Dean “Guido” Antonelli and Ron Douglas, for a history-making first season at the wheel of the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang.
    Although she missed two races, one following the death last March of teammate Eric Medlen and the other after her father suffered the most serious crash of his 32-year career, the graduate of Cal State-Fullerton made history last month at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where she became the first woman to race in a Funny Car final in a national series.
    In addition to her performance at LVMS, where she was beaten in the money round by newly-crowned series champion Tony Pedregon, she went to the semifinals on three other occasions, qualified No. 2 three times and finished No. 10 in the driver standings, ensuring her a position, on stage, with her father and brother-in-law (Robert Hight) during Monday’s NHRA award ceremonies at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

POWERADE CHAMPS CROWNED IN LOS ANGELES CEREMONY: Tony Schumacher, who became the first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to win four consecutive POWERade Series world championship crowns by racing to victory at Sunday's season finale in Pomona, California, headlined the four world championship-winning drivers honored Monday evening during the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
    The three other NHRA POWERade Series world champions—Tony Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin, and Matt Smith—also were presented checks and trophies for their achievements during the 2007 POWERade Countdown to the Championship, NHRA's first championship playoffs. Schumacher and Pedregon each received a check from NHRA and POWERade for $500,000; Coughlin received $250,000 and Smith earned $75,000.

CHEVROLET WINS NHRA MANUFACTURERS CUP: Following an incredible season on the NHRA POWERade tour that included Jeg Coughlin’s third NHRA Pro Stock world championship and class wins at numerous Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events across the United States, Chevrolet has won the 2007 NHRA Manufacturers Cup, one of the longest and most enduring standards of racing excellence. This year marked the 16th time that Chevrolet has won this illustrious award (the most by any automobile manufacturer), which is a genuine measurement of Chevy’s ongoing commitment to the sport of drag racing.
    “Everyone at Chevrolet appreciates the sacrifice and hard work of the drivers, owners, and race teams who made possible this 16th NHRA Manufacturers Cup,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “There were many notable accomplishments this year, and with their on-track excellence and performance, each of our NHRA competitors proudly displaying the red Bowtie contributed to Chevrolet’s winning tradition and heritage.”
    The NHRA Manufacturers Cup has been awarded since 1964. It is presented to the automobile manufacturer whose current models in Pro Stock, Super Stock, and Stock earn the most points for qualifying and category victories at NHRA Drag Racing Series national and divisional events.

BUDWEISER RETURNS AS OFFICIAL BEER OF NHRA: Budweiser and NHRA have renewed their decades-long partnership that will keep the brewer of the world’s best-selling beers front and center in one of the fastest-growing forms of motorsports in America. As part of the multiyear agreement, Budweiser will maintain its high visibility at all NHRA POWERade Series venues and markets, including point-of-sale materials and consumer ticket promotions, autograph signings and appearances, trackside promotions, advertising on the at-track JumboTron, and print advertising in a variety of NHRA publications.
    Budweiser also will continue its popular Race The King radio promotion in race markets, which offers adult fans the opportunity to race down the quarter-mile against Brandon Bernstein, pilot of the Bud King Top Fuel dragster. “Drag racing really is one of America’s first ‘extreme’ sports, and Budweiser is proud to have been a part of the sport’s growth over the past 25 years,” said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch Inc.
    “Budweiser and its family of wholesalers are great fans of the sport, and our marketing programs around each race will continue to drive awareness for Budweiser’s sponsorship of the NHRA and for the sport as a whole.” Budweiser’s official beer status with NHRA will now extend to more than three decades, making it one of the longest-running league sponsorships in sports.

BROWN TO DRIVE MATCO TOOLS TOP FUEL DRAGSTER: After 10 seasons as one of the elite Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors on the NHRA circuit, 16-time NHRA winner Antron Brown will move to NHRA’s premier category, Top Fuel, to pilot the David Powers Motorsports Matco Tools Iron Eagle Top Fuel dragster in 2008.
    “I’m very excited to have this opportunity to be part of the David Powers Motorsports team with Lee Beard and Rob Flynn,” Brown said. “Also, to be teammates with “Hot Rod” Fuller is awesome. It makes me speechless, which is a first for me, to have this opportunity to represent Matco Tools, their distributors, and all of DPM. I’ve been associated with Matco for the past few years while at DSR [Don Schumacher Racing] and attending the annual Matco Tools Expo, and I’m looking forward to expanding that relationship.
    "Everyone in their organization has a passion for the business and winning, from President Tom Willis to the 1,500 franchisees selling the Matco product. I couldn’t think of a better organization to make this transition with, and for them to believe in me and give me this shot as a rookie driver is awesome.”
    A two-time NHRA world championship runner-up (2001, 2006), Brown raced to his 16 wins in 146 Pro Stock Motorcycle events. A native of Chesterfield, N.J., Brown earned 11 low-qualifying awards in the two-wheel category and has not missed the cut for an NHRA race since his rookie season in 1998.

NHRA MAKES $2,500 CONTRIBUTION TO PCC IN HONOR OF GLICK: NHRA made a contribution of $2,500 to Pasadena City College officials over the weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in honor of legendary Los Angeles Times sportswriter Shav Glick, who died October 20 at age 87. The presentation took place in the Shav Glick Media Center, named in honor of Glick in the early 1990s.
    Pasadena City College alumni relations official Irene Aguilera accepted the donation on behalf of the college. The college foundation annually presents two $500 scholarships – The Shav Glick Journalism Scholarship – to outstanding journalism students who are active members of the college newspaper.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEBRUARY. 7–10: Kick-off the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship at the historic track where last year’s winners included J.R. Todd, Gary Scelzi and Greg Anderson.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

6: The margin of victory in the Pro Stock Motorcycle point standings for the POWERade Series world championship. When Matt Smith defeated Chip Ellis in the final round of the Auto Club NHRA Finals at Pomona, Smith earned his first series crown in the all-or-nothing final round shootout.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

TODD JOINS LUCAS TEAM FOR 2008: J.R. Todd will join the Lucas Oil Racing Top Fuel team as a teammate with good friend Morgan Lucas in 2008, fielding a car sponsored by longtime Todd backer Evan Knoll through his Torco and Seelye Wright brands. John Stewart will be the crew chief; an assistant will be named later.
    “We’re very proud that J.R. is coming in to join the team,” said Charlotte Lucas. “Morgan and J.R. being buddies, they’ll do well as teammates, but you gotta watch ‘em, too! This year will be a lot of fun for all of us. The boys just get along so well.” “J.R. and I have been great friends,” added Morgan. “I can’t tell you how excited I am. You don’t get a lot of chances to race with a really good friend, and this is one of those chances you gotta enjoy. J.R. has a great brand and carries a lot of fan base. Evan Knoll will be coming over to support him. John Stewart will be keeping everything going. The car has been consistent, and he’s got a handle on it. We’re going to keep going and winning races next year.”
    Said Todd, “I feel really fortunate to be a part of a great team with Lucas Oil and Evan Knoll supporting us. [Knoll] and I talked about it and felt this was the best option we had. We can work well together, and hopefully we’ll both be in the Countdown next year. It’s going to be a great year next year.”

WHO’S HOT!

TONY SCHUMACHER: The driver of the U.S. Army dragster pulled off another miracle come-from-behind championship winning performance Sunday at Pomona, taking the must-win final round victory over Bob Vandergriff to edge “Hot Rod” Fuller for the Top Fuel world championship crown by 19 points. “After the second round, it was like déjà vu,” Schumacher said. “My knees started shaking, and I had that feeling like maybe we could do it again. The guys on this team are unbelievable when the pressure is on. They showed it again today.” 
    Schumacher tied Joe Amato for most Top Fuel world championships with five, and became the NHRA record holder for most consecutive Top Fuel world championship titles, with four. Last season Schumacher completed a 336-point comeback by winning the season-finale at Pomona and setting a national elapsed time record in the final round to take the title away from Doug Kalitta.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

PEDREGON EMOTIONAL AFTER WINNING FUNNY CAR CROWN: Tony Pedregon earned his second POWERade Series Funny Car world championship title, and his first as a team owner. He was emotional after he clinched the title on Sunday afternoon in Pomona.
    “This is racing, and we want to win races, but we have to remember we’re putting on a show, and I think the NHRA did a great job with this Countdown,” he said. “The biggest difference between this year and 2003 when I won a title with John Force Racing was the amount of media coverage. The stress is through the roof, but in the end, I think we have a better product now.
    "I had people doubting my sanity when I left John, but I wanted to race with my brother, and I wanted to see if I could do it on my own. I know how difficult it is to race a team like that. I know what they have over there. And to be able to beat them is special. Winning our first race on my own was huge. To win this championship, I can’t describe it."

For more information, visit www.nhra.com.

PAID: Speedway Motorsports Chairman O Bruton Smith paid $340 million to purchase New Hampshire Int’l Speedway from the Bahre family late last week. The one-mile oval seats 92,000 and is located in Loudon, N.H.

BACK IN BUSINESS: The former North Carolina Speedway, now known as Rockingham Speedway, is back in the racing business. Andy Hillenburg closed on the sale last week and wasted little time scheduling events. The Carolina 500 for the ARCA RE/MAX Series is scheduled May 4, while the Hooters Pro Cup Series will conclude its 2008 season at the 1.017-mile oval Nov. 1.

14 RACES: The Champ Car World Series released a 14-race schedule for the 2008 season, including the series’s first visit to Spain.

TITLE TIME: For the second straight season Tony Schumacher used the final run of the season to steal the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series championship from another driver. It was his fourth-consecutive championship and fifth overall.

RETIRING: Robert Clarke will step down as president of Honda Performance Development Jan. 1. He will serve in an advisory role for newly appointed president Erik Berkman. Clarke, who worked 27 years for Honda, will retire June 30.

SIGNED: Hideki Mutoh will fill the fourth seat for Andretti Green Racing in the Indy Racing League next season.

SEPARATE WAYS: Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has left the McLaren team with which he spent the 2007 season, and is seeking employment elsewhere.

NUMBER ONE: With his ninth victory of the season, Jimmie Johnson solidified his spot at the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate:www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

The following councils and committees presented awards during the 2007 SEMA Show.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

ARMO presented six council awards during the ARMO Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The awards and winners are:

• ARMO Business of the Year - Dynacorn Classic Bodies Inc.
• ARMO Person of the Year Steve Ames - Ames Automotive Enterprises
• ARMO Restoration Event of the Year - Crusin' the Coast
• ARMO Best New Product - Original Restoration, ’69-’71 GTO Judge Emblem - Ames Automotive Enterprises
• ARMO Best New Product - Resto-Mod, Eastwood Mopar Light Argent Textured Coating, The Eastwood Company
• ARMO Chairman's Award  - Jason Tolleson - SEMA Washington, D.C., Office

For more information about ARMO, visit www.sema.org/armo or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

HRIA presented three awards and inducted two members into the HRIA Hall of Fame during the council’s Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The awards, winners and hall of fame inductees are:

• HRIA Industry Recognition of an Individual - Gary Meadors - Good Guys Rod & Custom
• HRIA Business of the Year - Art Morrison Enterprises
• HRIA Hall of Fame Inductees: Gary Heidt, Heidt's Hot Rod Shop; Joe Mayall, NSRA/StreetScene
• HRIA Chairman's Award - Dennis Silva - Hot Hues Custom Finishes by DuPont

For more information about HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)

MRC presented its annual STAR (Sales Team Annual Recognition) Award and inducted one member into the MRC Hall of Fame during the council’s open meeting at the 2007 SEMA Show. The sales team and new MRC hall of fame member are:

• MRC STAR Award - AIRAID Filter Company Team members include: Chris Thomson, John Levitz, Brian Paravicini, Bill Goosic, Ryan Young, Tom Hinchey and Shannon Bates
• MRC Hall of Fame - Jim Wrobleski, Jim Wrobleski & Company
• MRC - Chairman's Award - "Mr. Phone - The Early Years" - Founder:  Herb Goldstein - Directors:   Frank Roberts, Jim Vaughn and John Scafidi - Regionals:  Bob Barker, Bob Popkin, Sid Polan, Steve Ginsberg and Skeeter Jordan

For more information about MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA)

TORA recognized the winners of its annual council awards during the council’s reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The awards were originally presented earlier this year during the 2007 SEMA Spring Expo. The winners recognized were:

• 2007 Best New Product Under $500, F-150 LED Taillights, Hella Lighting
• 2007 Best New Product Over $500, Bed Buddy Tonneau Cover, Undercover
• 2007 Retailer of the Year Award, Truckin Thunder, Tom & Judy Brooks
• 2007 TORA Hall of Fame Award, Annie Meintz, Santa Rosa Campway Inc.; Dillard Fletcher, Cover Master
• 2007 TORA Chairman’s Award, Eric Kwasnicka, DuPont
• 2007 Best POP Display Award, ATC Truck Covers, mini- freestanding ATC Bed System
• 2007 Ford Styling Awards, Best Use of Exterior Accessories on a Ford Truck/SUV (presented by Ford), Kelderman Air Suspension, 2005 Ford F-250
• 2007 Ford Styling Awards, Best use of Interior Accessories on a Ford Truck/SUV (presented by Ford), Leer, 2007 Ford Sport Trac

For more information about TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Jim Skelly at jimsk@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

SCC presented four awards—Business of the Year, Person of the Year, Industry Image Award and Industry Icon Award—during the council’s Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The winners are:

• Business of the Year - ProMotion Distributing
• Person of the Year - Tracie Nunez - Advanced Clutch Technology (ACT)
• Industry Image - NHRA
• Industry Icon - Richard Schroeder - Eagle Vista Productions

For more information about SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

WTC presented its Lifetime Achievement Award and Person of the Year Award during the council’s annual Industry Awards Reception at the 2007 SEMA Show. The winners are:

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Louis Senter - Senter Engineering
• Person of the Year - Joe Findeis - Wheel Consultants

For more information about WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

SBN presented its annual Athena Award and Woman of the Year Award during the committee’s Speed Networking Breakfast held at the 2007 SEMA Show. The winners are:

• Woman of the Year - Amy Faulk, Hypertech Inc.
• Athena Award - Luanne Brown, e-Tool Developers

For more information about SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

YEN presented its Vanguard Award and named the Young Executive of the Year Award during the YEN Mixer held at the 2007 SEMA Show. The winners are:

• Vanguard - Rick Rollins - Superchips Inc.
• Young Executive of the Year - Jason Bruce - Advance Flow Engineering

For more information about YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.