The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to regulate emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from aerosol cans, such as spray paints, primers and clear coatings. The EPA's proposal is similar to standards already established by California and subsequently adopted by Washington and Oregon. The rule would apply to manufacturers and distributors of aerosol products, which are used for both industrial applications and by "do-it-yourselfers."

The rule focuses on encouraging manufacturers to use less reactive VOC ingredients in their product formulas since certain chemicals are less likely to react with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere to produce ground-level ozone. Toluene and xylene would be specific targets of the rule since they are highly reactive.

According to the EPA, nearly 85% of the spray paints used in the United States are produced by three companies, and their aerosol coatings already comply with the California regulations. The EPA rule would take effect in January 2009.

For details, contact Jason Tolleson at jasont@sema.org.

The Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) settled a case with a company that had been accused of selling electronic devices that allowed cars to emit excessive levels of pollution in violation of the Clean Air Act. The products are known as oxygen sensor simulators (O2 Sims) and signal to the engine computer that the automobile is functioning properly even when the catalytic converter is missing or disabled. These types of products are known as "defeat devices" and are potentially illegal under subsection (B) of 42 USC Sec. 7522 (1990 Clean Air Act Amendments), which states:
           
"(B) for any person to manufacture or sell, or offer to sell, or install, any part or component intended for use with, or as part of, any motor vehicle or motor-vehicle engine, where a principle effect of the part or component is to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with regulations under this subchapter, and where the person knows or should know that such part or component is being offered for sale or installed for such use or put to such use;"

The company had sold an estimated 44,000 units since 2001 and will pay more than $74,000 in civil penalties. It is also required to undertake a buy-back program. The EPA estimates that the O2 Sims sold had the potential to allow emissions equivalent to half a million vehicles with fully operational emissions control systems over their lifetimes.

For additional information: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/July/07_enrd_490.html.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (TPMS) resolved certain technical issues on how the malfunction indicator light (MIL) is to flash when there is a problem. Under the original TPMS rule, when the MIL is combined with the low tire-pressure lamp into a single unit, it is to flash for 60–90 seconds followed by continuous illumination when there is a malfunction. The rule prohibits a second flashing in those instances during the same driving cycle where there are multiple, independent malfunctions.

However, this is problematic for vehicle designs that utilize "distributed logic" that allow the TPMS telltale to be independently commanded from different parts of the system. In response to a petition from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the NHTSA is changing the rule to allow, but not require, subsequent flash sequences when the initial malfunction is followed by others in the same ignition cycle.

For details, contact Stuart Gosswein at sgosswein@sema.org.

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The latest news from SEMA councils and committees:

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)

The following are the results of the TORA Select Committee election:

Manufacturers Category

• Re-Elected (1) -  Bryan Baker – A.R.E.
• New Select Committee Members(2):  Jason Bruce, Street Scene Equipment; Eric Kwasnicka, DuPont Performance Coatings

Retailer/Dealer Category

• Re-Elected (1) - Casey Miser – All American Truck & SUV Accessory Centers
• New Select Committee Members (3):  Charlie Card, Vehicle Accessories; Russ Fletcher, Fletcher’s Truck Caps; Ronald Towry, Truck Gear SuperCenter

Manufacturers' Reps/Media/WD Category

• Re-Elected (1) - George Lathouris, Keystone Automotive

TORA Open Long-Range Planning Meeting

• TORA's Open Long-Range Planning Meetings is set for Wednesday, August 22, at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Lakefront Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. For flight and hotel arrangements, contact Manya Petropaki at Travel Store USA, 949/930-9268 or e-mail manya.p@travelstoreUSA.com.
  
  
• Kelly Kneifl, Division Manager of Automotive Accessories at Shur-Co, has been elected by the TORA Select Committee to serve as council chair-elect. Kelly, a member of the select committee, will serve starting July 1 as chair-elect for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Ron DiVincenzo of Cap World. Former Chairman Todd Yeoman will remain on the select committee in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.
  
• The DVD “Why Paint Colors Vary?” This valuable resource is now available. TORA members now have a valuable new tool that will help educate consumers about the challenges of the paint-color-matching process. Available for dealers and installers to play in their waiting areas, the video is presented in a professional format and brings a consistent message on why paint colors vary. The TORA “Why Paint Colors Vary?” DVD is available to TORA council members free of charge (or $49.95 for non-TORA members). Other tools available from TORA are the CHMSL and altered-height CDs. For details or to place an order, contact Staci Bostock at 909/396-0289, ext. 104, or e-mail stacib@sema.org.

To learn more about the TORA, visit www.sema.org/TORA or contact Will Woods at willw@sema.org.

Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)

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

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

• HRIA Open General Membership Meeting
  
  Wednesday, August 1, 2007
  3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  Kentucky Exposition Center
  C Wing, Room 104
  Louisville, Kentuck
  
  
• HRIA Mixer/Reception Sponsored by Hot Hues Custom Finishes by DuPont
  
  Wednesday, August 1, 2007
  4:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. 
  Kentucky Exposition Center
  C Wing, Room 104
  
  
• The HRIA welcomes the newest select committee members Eric Saltrick of Steele Rubber Products and Mike Kinney of Las Vegas Rod & Custom.  These gentlemen join the re-elected select committee members: Del Austin – Street Thunder Magazine, Tommy Daniels – Yearwood Speed & Custom, Rick Love – Vintage Air, and Ross Ortman – Dakota Digital Inc. 
  

To learn more about the HRIA, visit www.sema.org/hria or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC)

MPMC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent select committee members:

• Rich Barsamian, Grant Products International Inc. (Incumbent)
• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance  (Incumbent)
• Billy Carroll, Wilson Manifolds
• Kyle Fickler,  Aeromotive Inc.
• Ryan Hunter, SCE Gaskets Inc. (Incumbent)
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. (Incumbent)
• Bob Ritzman, B&M Racing & Performance Products Inc. (Incumbent)
• Todd Ryden, MSD Ignition (Incumbent)
  
  
• The 11th annual MPMC Media Trade Conference is set for Tuesday, January 22–Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the Embassy Suites Hotel LAX South in Los Angeles. For more information on the MPMC Media Trade Conference, contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the MPMC, visit www.sema.org/mpmc.

Manufacturers' Representatives Council (MRC)

• MRC members should mark their calendars for the following upcoming council activity:
  
  
  2007 MRC Rep Conference
  September 26–27, 2007
  Phoenix, Arizona

To learn more about the MRC, visit www.sema.org/mrc or contact Jan Desma at jand@sema.org.

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)

• The votes have been tabulated, and PRO welcomes four incumbents and four newcomers to the council's select committee. Incumbents include Bill North, Webasto Product N.A.; Ray Ott, Auto Trim Design of Cleveland East; Karl Stearns, Auto Trim International; and Bob West, Westin Automotive Products. The newly elected members are Jeff Fink, Advantage Truck Accessories; Doug Jacobs, Restyler's Choice; Joey Johnston, Tops & Trends; and Scott Wolin, AC Wolin Group.
  

• The PRO Select Committee has chosen Karl Stearns, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto Trim International, to serve as council chair-elect. A member of the select committee, Stearns will serve as chair-elect for two years prior to assuming the role of chairman. He will serve alongside incoming Chairman Chuck Blum of Chuck Blum Consulting. Former Chairman BJ Leanse will remain on board in an advisory capacity as chairman emeritus.

To learn more about PRO, visit www.sema.org/pro or contact Ellen McKoy at ellenm@sema.org.

Sport-Compact Council (SCC)

SCC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent select committee members:

• Ed Burgy, CORSA Performance (Incumbent)
• Jim Liaw, Formula Drift
• Kirk Miller, AEM (Incumbent)
• Ahad Mirza, Auto Meter Products
• Oliver Rathlein, Eibach Springs Inc.
• Brian Reese, Competition Cams Inc.
• Malen Reger, Motovicity Distribution (Incumbent)
• Richard Schroeder, Eagle Vista Productions (Incumbent)
• Tyler Tanaka, Turbonetics Inc. (Incumbent)
• James Yim, K&N Engineering Inc.
  
  
• Tracie Nuñez, Advanced Clutch Technology, was elected chairman-elect of the SCC. Nuñez began her role on July 1, when current chairman-elect, Eric Breslow, Power Slot/Power Performance Group, took over as SCC chairman.

To learn more about the SCC, visit www.sema.org/scc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

Wheel & Tire Council (WTC)

WTC would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent select committee members:

• Keith Alinder, Wheel Pros Inc.
• Ron Escue, Enkei International (Incumbent)
• Doug Frymer, Law Office of Douglas A. Frymer
• Fenton Liffick, Prestige Auto Tech
• Dean Pellegrino, Tru Align LLC
• Paul Spartos, WheelTech International Corp. (Incumbent)
• Michael Webster, Discount Tire Direct (Incumbent)
• Brock Weld, BMF Wheels (Incumbent)
  
  
• George Gillespie, Safety Compliance Engineer responsible for OVSCs tire-related standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), delivered a presentation at the 2006 SEMA Show regarding NHTSA's enforcement activity relative to tires for passenger vehicles and trucks. Gillespie provided overview and status of the agency's recent initiatives to increase tire safety, including compliance and enforcement actions for Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (FMVSS No. 138) and passenger and light-truck tires (FMVSS No. 139). He also discussed the current increased enforcement to address concerns related to imported tires. SEMA members can now get a copy of Gillespie's PowerPoint presentation by contacting Paul Moritz at 909/396-0289, ext. 112 or paulm@sema.org.

To learn more about the WTC, visit www.sema.org/wtc or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

 SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)

• Get expert advice on a business-related problem. The SEMA Mentoring program, powered by the SBN, is available to all employees of SEMA-member companies. Ask a one-time question or be matched with an established leader. Visit www.sema.org/mentoring for details.
  
• SBN has sponsorship opportunities available for its annual breakfast held in conjunction with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For information, visit www.sema.org/images/pdf/2007SBNBreakfastSponsorshipAgreement.pdf.
  
• The SBN would like to congratulate the following newly elected SBN Select Committee members:  

Newly Elected SBN Select Committee Members

• Emily Bailey, Racemark International
• Melissa Lawrence, Power TV Media
• Nancy Loetfering, TD3 Products
• Marla Moore, Hypertech Inc. (Incumbent)
• Kristy Neukam, Meyer Distributing
• Linn Remling-Mills, Street Thunder magazine
• Kathryn Wakeford, TEN magazine
• Trina Wilson, Direct Communications

To learn more about the SBN, visit www.sema.org/sbn.

Young Executives Network (YEN)

YEN would like to welcome and congratulate the following new and incumbent select committee members:

• Mike Bolio, Scafidi-Bolio & Associates
• Ashley Chalk, Daytona International Speedway (Incumbent)
• Casey Coker, Coker Tire Company
• S. Kellie Colf, Eaton Detroit Spring (Incumbent)
• Bob Engel, Auto Meter Products Inc.
• Nick Gramelspacher, Meyer Distributing (Incumbent)
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas (Incumbent)
• Brett Kinsfather, K&N Engineering Inc. (Incumbent)
• Greg Parker, P&E Distributors Inc. (Incumbent)
• Robert Wityczak, Grant Products International Inc.
• Mandi Woodell, Weather Auto Supply (Incumbent)
  
  
• The annual SEMA Show Silent Auction, hosted by the YEN, raised more than $70,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in 2006. If you are interested in donating an item or becoming involved in the 2007 Silent Auction, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• YEN has more than 500 members networking in the industry and is the largest SEMA committee. If you are employed by a SEMA-member company and are under the age of 39, then you can join the YEN for free. If you are interested in becoming part of the team, visit the YEN website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Bianca Hennings, Window Canvas, was selected for the YEN Silent Auction Task Force Chairman. Hennings will assume the position when the current chairman, Dave Williams, Rampage Products, finishes his term with the YEN Select Committee in July. The SEMA Silent Auction, that is managed by the YEN, has raised more than $100,000 for the SEMA Scholarship Fund in the past three years. If you are interested in participating in the SEMA Silent Auction on any level, visit www.sema.org/yen for additional information.
  
  
• Did you know that YEN sponsors networking events and mixers at most of the major trade shows and conferences? If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEMA Young Executive’s Network, please visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.
  
  
• Lance Packard, Painless Performance, was elected YEN chairman-elect. Packard will assume the position when current chair-elect, Laurel Dasher, Uni-Marketing LLC, takes over as YEN chairman on July 1.
  
  
• Did you know that the YEN has a Member of the Month Spotlight on the SEMA website and that anyone can be nominated? To view previous selections or to make a nomination, visit our website at www.sema.org/yen.

To learn more about the YEN, visit www.sema.org/yen or contact Paul Moritz at paulm@sema.org.

There’s still time to support your favorite council or even enter a team in the SEMA Council Cup – Cash for Kids charity golf tournament. Most of SEMA’s councils have organized foursomes and raised significant contributions for the event, which benefits Victory Junction Gang Camp and Childhelp children’s charities.

And if you don’t play golf, it's easy to support your favorite council by making a charitable pledge online. Click here to pledge anywhere from $10-$100 or the amount of your choice.

The Council Cup - Cash for Kids is just one event representing SEMA's charitable efforts to benefit two worthwhile organizations that have become favorites of SEMA-member companies. This year, the association includes charitable fundraising activities in conjunction with its traditional SEMA Installation Banquet to form the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser.

For information on the event and activities, visit www.sema.org/gala.

Teams thus far entered into the Council Cup – Cash for Kids are:

Council teams include:
Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)
Ernie Silvers - Egge Machine Co. Inc.
Jim Barber - Classic Automotive Restoration
Dave Mihalko Jr. - Restoration Specialties
Alex Tainsh - SoffSeal Inc.

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)
Chico Kodama - Mooneyes USA
Fred Tegarden - Gotta Show Products
Steve Duck - RCD Suspension
Jeff Farina - Original Parts Group

Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA)
Anne Johnson - California Truck Works
Gary Long - California Truck Works
Dave Madison - TAG Leer
Tim Watts - Superlift Suspension

Manufacturers' Rep Council (MRC)
Joel Rosenthal – Gannt-Thomas
Bill Perry - Bill Perry & Associates
Andrew Schroeder - Ben Murphey & Associates
Danny Moniz - Volant Performance

Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)
Larry Riggle - Webasto Product North America
Kerry Howton - Arizona Sun Tops
Bob West - Westin Automotive Products
John LaBare - Westin Automotive Products

SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)
Luanne Brown - eTool Developers LLC
S. Kellie Colf - Eaton Detroit Springs
Tammy Holland - Comp Performance Group
Don Colf - Eaton Detroit Springs

Young Executives Network (YEN)
Jason Bruce - Street Scene Equipment
Laurel Dasher - Uni-Marketing LLC
Lance Packard - Painless Performance
Dave Williams - Rampage Products

The TORA "SAC" Team
Ron DiVincenzo - Cap World
Kelly Kneifl - Truxedo by Shur-Co Automotive
Charlie Holden - Cap World
Todd Yeoman - American Technology Components

Lauren Manufacturing hired Mindy Marty as marketing fulfillment coordinator. Marty’s responsibilities are to fulfill marketing leads and sample requests and assist in developing collateral materials for marketing, internal communications and various public relations tasks.

LMI Custom Mixing LLC appointed Natalie Renee Brown to quality engineer for the company. Her responsibilities include overall improvement in product quality and process capability. Brown previously worked with the Ford Motor Co. as a gear manufacturing engineer for the past four years.

The co-founder of Detroit Speed & Engineering, Stacy Tucker, was named the Goodguys 2007 Woman of the Year during the Goodguys 10th PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Stacy, along with her husband, Kyle, opened Detroit Speed & Engineering in 2001. For more information about Stacy Tucker, visit http://www.good-guys.com/news/newsStory.aspx?newsid=780.

 
Stacy Tucker

The Marx Group announced that it will sponsor the Car Care Council Women’s Board for 2007. Supported by a number of industry organizations, the goal of the Women's Board is to encourage women to become active vehicle maintainers and to promote career opportunities for women in the automotive parts and service industry.

Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corp. extended its contract with Team Toyo off-road driver Robby Gordon through 2010. Gordon will continue to compete in SCORE-International off-road racing events—such as the Baja 1000 and Baja 500—as well as the international Dakar rally.
 
National Speed Sport News (NSSN) announced that it has chosen to support Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary (CARA) Charities for its 2007 charity initiative program. NSSN teamed up with GoMotorBids.com to maintain an exclusive online charity auction running July 12–December 16. The auction's central item will be a racing helmet autographed by multiple motorsports personalities, such as Chris Economaki, Richard Petty, Kasey Kahne, David Gilliland, Jeff Green and many more. NSSN will also furnish several items throughout the designated for the auction.

WyoTech, a division of Corinthian Colleges Inc., announced the availability of Armed Forces scholarships for all veterans and active duty military personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Members of the National Guard and Reserves also qualify. The scholarships, which will be available July 1, 2007, range from $2,000–$5,000, depending on the school program selected, and are offered at the following WyoTech campuses: Boston; Daytona Beach; Fremont, California; Laramie, Wyoming; Oakland; and Sacramento. WyoTech offers degree and diploma programs in automotive, diesel, motorcycle, collision, aeronautical and watercraft technology, as well as construction trades.

NEWS NUGGETS

FULLER AND BECKMAN AMONG DENVER WINNERS: Rod Fuller raced to his second victory of the season at scenic Bandimere Speedway near Denver and in the process extended his lead in the POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship point standings. Fuller outran teammate Whit Bazemore in the Top Fuel final, while other Denver winners included Jack Beckman in Funny Car, Allen Johnson in Pro Stock and Matt Smith in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

FORCE CONTINUES COUNTDOWN CLIMB: John Force continued his rise in the Funny Car point standings with a semifinal effort in Denver. Force defeated Gary Scelzi and Tony Pedregon in the first two rounds before losing to Jack Beckman in the semis with a red-light start. Over the past few weeks, Force has moved from 18th to ninth in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship standings. He is currently 16 points out of the eighth position. There are three races remaining in the Countdown to the Championship’s regular season. Following the race at Reading, Pennsylvania, on August 19, the championship fields in each pro category will be reduced to eight and the point standings will be reset. The Countdown to Four begins at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and continues for three more races through the event in Richmond, Virginia. Following that race, the fields will be reduced to four drivers in each pro category and points will be reset again for a two-race shootout at Las Vegas and Pomona, California, for the POWERade Countdown to the Championship Countdown to One.

NEW NHRA PLAYSTATION GAME COMING SOON: Official ship dates and a list of licensed racers and tracks for ValuSoft's new NHRA Countdown to the Championship PlayStation 2 and PlayStationPortable games have been released to NHRA.com, setting to itch thumbs and fingers for thousands of video-game-playing NHRA race fans. The game, the second produced by ValuSoft, comes on the heels of last year's well-received Quarter-Mile Showdown for the PS 2, will ship for the PS 2 console next week, July 17, and will be followed August 10 by the PSP version. Numerous other racers have been added in the other three Pro classes, including 2006's top rookie, J.R. Todd, and current Top Fuel points leader Rod Fuller, Tim Wilkerson, Jeff Arend, Warren and Kurt Johnson, Mike Edwards, and Erica Enders. Don Prudhomme and Jim Dunn reprise their roles as legends in the game. The Pro Stock Motorcycle category also has been added to the game. The number of licensed racers in the game now stands at 66, a whopping 30 more than in the last version.

LAS VEGAS XPLOD SPORT COMPACT SERIES RESULTS: Stephanie Eggum won her third straight NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series Hot Rod title at the fifth annual Las Vegas NHRA Sport Compact Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, defeating Kenny Tran, as she had in her prior wins. Eggum was joined in the winner’s circle by Gary White (Pro RWD), Jason Hunt (Pro FWD), Brent Rau (Modified) and Scott Kelley (Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor). Hunt’s win, sealed with a final-round victory over Gary Gardella, was his second in a row and third overall this season in Pro FWD while Rau scored for the second time this season after again defeating Paul Efantis. White’s Pro RWD was the second of his career while Kelley collected his sixth career win, but first this season, by defeating Leslie Armendariz.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

SCHUCK’S AUTO SUPPLY NHRA NATIONALS, PACIFIC RACEWAYS, JULY 20–22: This fifth race in the string of six-in-six-weeks was traditionally the second stop of the legendary Western Swing. It’s sure to be an emotional one for Brandon Bernstein, who shared the winner’s circle with his friend, the late Eric Medlen, here in 2005.

FRAM-AUTOLITE NHRA NATIONALS, INFINEON RACEWAY, JULY 27–29: A favorite with the POWERade Series for its scenic local and Northern California weather, this event will be the last in the six-in-six-weeks stretch, the anchor of the longest stretch of back-to-back races in NHRA history.

.INSIDE THE NUMBERS

2: Only two races remain in the grueling six-races in six weeks stretch that the NHRA POWERade Series has been embarked on starting with the race in Englishtown, New Jersey, in late June. The outcomes at the final two stops of the traditional Western Swing—Seattle and Sonoma, California—may go a long way in determining the eight qualifiers in each pro category for the POWERade Countdown to the Championship’s Countdown to Eight, which concludes with the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals, August 16–19 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pennsylvania.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

BECKMAN MAKES BIG COUNTDOWN MOVE: With his victory Sunday at Bandimere Speedway, Jack Beckman moved into the top eight in Funny Car points, holding down seventh position with four races remaining in the 17-race POWERade Countdown to the Championship regular season. "We were lingering down there around 10th or 11th (in points) and with this [Countdown] format, I think it's three separate seasons: until Indy, four races after Indy and the last two. So, you do look at it slightly different, but the purpose is still the same. We want to win every race we come to.”

For more information, www.nhra.com.

NO GP: The United States Grand Prix, which has been held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for eight years, will not be held in 2008, as Formula One and speedway officials could not come to an agreement. However, the speedway has announced the MotoGP motorcycle tour will visit the track Sept. 14, 2008.

RIDE HUNTING: Veteran NASCAR drivers Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemecheck are ride hunting after being released from their jobs with Ginn Racing. Marlin will be replaced by rookie Regan Smith, while Nemechek’s No. 13 has been parked for financial reasons. The team also announced Aric Almirola has joined its operation and will share the U.S. Army Chevrolet with Mark Martin, replacing Smith in that capacity.

SIZZLING START: Jon Stanbrough got off to a stellar start in the annual Indiana Sprint Week event for non-winged sprint cars. Stanbrough won three of the first five races. The final three events will be held this week.

NO MICHIGAN: As reported in the July 11 issue of National Speed Sport News, Michigan International Speedway will not be on the Indy Racing League schedule in 2008.

NEW SITE: National Speed Sport News will debut its redesigned web site July 25. While the site will still offer the same password-protected information for subscribers that is offered in the hard copy of the nation’s oldest auto-racing publication, it will also offer daily news stories and features, along with reader interaction.

ROYAL FLUSH: Defending World of Outlaws champion and current point-leader Donny Schatz jumped to the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings after a victory in the $50,000-to-win Kings Royal at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway. Previous number-one Dario Franchitti fell to second.

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: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

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