Compiled by SEMA Editors

Joey Logano and the No. 22 Team Penske race team were the winners for the first time in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race season.

Logano Wins Second Straight Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Joey Logano and the No. 22 Team Penske race team gambled on a late race call in Vegas and came out winners for the first time in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race season. This was Logano’s second straight victory in a special race for the 2018 Champion driver and his team. Driving the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang in his sponsor’s entitlement race, the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube, Logano scored his second straight win at the track and the 24th victory of his Cup Series career by holding off a host of challengers with fresher tires after a bold call following a late race caution. The 2020 Pennzoil 400 victory brings Logano and the No. 22 team to 22 total NCS wins since he joined the team in 2013. Logano’s 2020 Pennzoil 400 win brings Team Penske to a total combined 542 wins, 620 pole positions and 37 national championships.

Sparta Evolution and United States Touring Car Championship to Partner for 2020 Season

Sparta Evolution has announced a partnership with the United States Touring Car Championship (USTCC) for the 2020 racing season. The big beneficiary of the program will be the competitors who will receive a discount program, free technical support and exposure through the partnership. The program will also introduce the “Sparta Award” at every race where a driver will win $1,000 of Sparta products.

Tommy Johnson Jr. went 3.883 seconds at 326.40 mph to defeat teammate Jack Beckman during the final round at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in his MD Anderson Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

Johnson, Torrence and Enders Take Home Wins From the Desert at NHRA Arizona Nationals

Funny Car veteran Tommy Johnson Jr. added a trophy to his collection at the 36th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in front of a sold-out crowd last Sunday. Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also took home wins in their respective categories at the second of 24 events on the 2020 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. In an all Don Schumacher Racing final, Johnson went 3.883 seconds at 326.40 mph to defeat teammate Jack Beckman during the final round at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in his MD Anderson Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.

In Top Fuel, defending world champion Torrence faced Doug Kalitta in the final round, picking up his 37th career win and his second in Phoenix after going 3.679 seconds at 321.27 in his CAPCO Contractors dragster. In Pro Stock, Enders grabbed her first win of the season and the 26th of her career with a 6.531-second pass at 210.44 in her Melling/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro. Sunday’s win moves Enders into the top 10 for all-time wins in the Pro Stock class. NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series racing action continues to Gainesville, Florida, March 12–15, at the 51st annual AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

GRDLOC, built by SuperJeep Builder of the Year Nic Ashby, won top honor at the SuperJeep Invitational Championship at King of Hammers in MotorTrend’s American SuperJeep Challenge.

Nic Ashby Wins 2020 American SuperJeep Challenge Builder of the Year

Rockstar Performance Garage owner Nic Ashby has been named 2020 SuperJeep Challenge Builder of the Year. Ashby’s win at MotorTrend’s 2020 American SuperJeep Invitational Championship was supported by Yukon Gear & Axle gears, axles and driveshafts, a Grizzly locker differential and a Yukon Zip Locker Differential. The inaugural event was held last month at the conclusion of King of the Hammers off-road race in Johnson Valley, California. GRDLOC, Ashby’s modified ’83 CJ7 Jeep Wrangler entry, won unanimously by proving its mettle at handling desert and rock climbing as judged by an elite and diversified panel of industry experts—Courtney Hansen, Terry Madden and Greg Henderson.

The project GRDLOC, three years in development, was also supported by many top-notch aftermarket brand sponsors, including a 4.4 supercharged Cadillac Northstar forged V8, Trophy Truck-sized 3.0 King Shock Coilovers, Bullet Liner-coated olive drab paint job, Scosche 12v Power Sport/Lifestyle Mounts, Throttle Down customs Race Frame, PRP Racing Seats, Mickey Thompson 46-in. tires, Genright Offroad Aluminum Armor, Billet KN Filters intake, Forged wheels, eight-piston brakes from R1 Concepts, nine-speaker Kicker audio sound system, Rugged Radios bluetooth internal comms, seven independent coolers from Mishimoto and an 87 Dodge KingPin front axle/2001 11.5-in. AAM rear axle from Yukon Gear and Axle. The judges and Tony May, executive producer of the “American SuperJeep Challenge,” pointed out that Ashby’s GRDLOC stood out from the field for its marriage of form, function and creativity to unequivocally earn the title.

The Mustang RTR has been named the official vehicle of the NMRA Ford Nationals.

Ford Mustang RTR Named Official Vehicle of Holley NMRA Ford Nationals in 2020

The Mustang RTR has been named the official vehicle of the NMRA Ford Nationals and Vaughn Gittin Jr. will make a special appearance during the Nitto Tire-sponsored Spring Break Shootout, February 27–March 1, at Bradenton Motorsports Park. The Spring Break Shootout will feature a match race between Gittin Jr. and teammate Chelsea DeNofa in their 1,200hp Formula DRIFT vehicles.

Recaro Automotive Seating and Subaru Motorsports USA Achieve Success During 2019 Rallycross and Rally Seasons

Recaro Automotive Seating has announced a number of milestones achieved in collaboration with Subaru Motorsports USA during the 2019 Rallycross and Rally Championship seasons. Recaro provided Subaru Motorsports with Pro Racer SPA and Pro Racer SPA XL seats, which were used in numerous Subaru rally vehicles. This season, the Subaru Motorsports USA rallycross effort saw four wins from six rounds of the 2019 Americas Rallycross Championship (ARX). Drivers Scott Speed, Patrik Sandell and Chris Atkinson each earned at least one win during the ARX season. The team also put at least one car on the podium at all six ARX rounds, with a total of nine ARX podiums and two double podiums. Atkinson finished second in the ARX Driver’s Championship, while Sandell placed third, and Subaru Motorsports USA took home the ARX Team Championship. As part of the partnership, the two brands also attended more than 80 events across the United States, displaying key show cars together.

EXEDY Signs as Official Clutch Sponsorship With DIESEL Motorsports

EXEDY has finalized an endorsed product sponsorship deal with DIESEL Motorsports as the official clutch system for all events for the 2020 DIESEL Motorsports season.

By SEMA Editors

The 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition, for builders ages 27 years or younger will kick off at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition makes its 2020 debut at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Young Guns competition is open to anyone ages 27 or younger (as of November 6, 2020) who builds their vehicle primarily on their own. Interested builders are encouraged to register immediately for the opportunity to compete among their peers at the Spring Break Jam event.

Applications to participate must be submitted online at www.semayoungguns.com. SEMA will then select 10 vehicles from the pool of submissions and reach out directly to the builders prior to the event to notify them of acceptance.

During the two-day event, a panel of professional judges will choose one winner who will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2020 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the SEMA Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. The second- and third-place runner-up vehicles will still have the opportunity to be invited to the SEMA Show at the conclusion of the regional qualifier events in a nationwide fan vote.

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Competition and to submit an application for an opportunity to be chosen to compete at a regional qualifying event, visit www.semayoungguns.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@sema_youngguns) for important updates and announcements.

For more information on the Spring Break Jam, visit www.heatwaveshow.com/tour-shows/sbj and follow Heat Wave on Facebook and Instagram @heatwavetour.

By SEMA Editors

The 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition, for builders ages 27 years or younger will kick off at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition makes its 2020 debut at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Young Guns competition is open to anyone ages 27 or younger (as of November 6, 2020) who builds their vehicle primarily on their own. Interested builders are encouraged to register immediately for the opportunity to compete among their peers at the Spring Break Jam event.

Applications to participate must be submitted online at www.semayoungguns.com. SEMA will then select 10 vehicles from the pool of submissions and reach out directly to the builders prior to the event to notify them of acceptance.

During the two-day event, a panel of professional judges will choose one winner who will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2020 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the SEMA Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. The second- and third-place runner-up vehicles will still have the opportunity to be invited to the SEMA Show at the conclusion of the regional qualifier events in a nationwide fan vote.

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Competition and to submit an application for an opportunity to be chosen to compete at a regional qualifying event, visit www.semayoungguns.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@sema_youngguns) for important updates and announcements.

For more information on the Spring Break Jam, visit www.heatwaveshow.com/tour-shows/sbj and follow Heat Wave on Facebook and Instagram @heatwavetour.

By SEMA Editors

The 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition, for builders ages 27 years or younger will kick off at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition makes its 2020 debut at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Young Guns competition is open to anyone ages 27 or younger (as of November 6, 2020) who builds their vehicle primarily on their own. Interested builders are encouraged to register immediately for the opportunity to compete among their peers at the Spring Break Jam event.

Applications to participate must be submitted online at www.semayoungguns.com. SEMA will then select 10 vehicles from the pool of submissions and reach out directly to the builders prior to the event to notify them of acceptance.

During the two-day event, a panel of professional judges will choose one winner who will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2020 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the SEMA Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. The second- and third-place runner-up vehicles will still have the opportunity to be invited to the SEMA Show at the conclusion of the regional qualifier events in a nationwide fan vote.

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Competition and to submit an application for an opportunity to be chosen to compete at a regional qualifying event, visit www.semayoungguns.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@sema_youngguns) for important updates and announcements.

For more information on the Spring Break Jam, visit www.heatwaveshow.com/tour-shows/sbj and follow Heat Wave on Facebook and Instagram @heatwavetour.

By SEMA Editors

The 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition, for builders ages 27 years or younger will kick off at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

The SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Regional Competition makes its 2020 debut at the Heat Wave Spring Break Jam, March 7–8, in South Padre Island, Texas.

Now in its fourth year, the SEMA Young Guns competition is open to anyone ages 27 or younger (as of November 6, 2020) who builds their vehicle primarily on their own. Interested builders are encouraged to register immediately for the opportunity to compete among their peers at the Spring Break Jam event.

Applications to participate must be submitted online at www.semayoungguns.com. SEMA will then select 10 vehicles from the pool of submissions and reach out directly to the builders prior to the event to notify them of acceptance.

During the two-day event, a panel of professional judges will choose one winner who will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2020 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6, transportation of the winner’s vehicle, a designated feature spot at the SEMA Show and entry into the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. The second- and third-place runner-up vehicles will still have the opportunity to be invited to the SEMA Show at the conclusion of the regional qualifier events in a nationwide fan vote.

For more information on the SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns Competition and to submit an application for an opportunity to be chosen to compete at a regional qualifying event, visit www.semayoungguns.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@sema_youngguns) for important updates and announcements.

For more information on the Spring Break Jam, visit www.heatwaveshow.com/tour-shows/sbj and follow Heat Wave on Facebook and Instagram @heatwavetour.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Jeff Dahlin	Brendan Gillespie	Reham Gharib

SEMA Welcomes Jeff Dahlin as Sales Director, Promotes Brendan Gillespie and Reham Gharib

SEMA has hired Jeff Dahlin as an industry sales director to help oversee a portfolio of client accounts and create partnerships for the SEMA Show, Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show and their accompanying monthly publications and media channels. Staff member Brendan Gillespie was promoted to industry sales manager and Reham Gharib to the newly created position of sales operations project manager. Dahlin brings with him 20 years of automotive sales, marketing and executive-level publishing experience, including 16 years at Source Interlink and the MotorTrend Group, where he rose through the ranks at several publications as a director, group publisher and eventually general manager of the Hot Rod Network. Dahlin was named one of SEMA’s Top 35 Under 35 in 2007.

In addition to the hiring of Dahlin, Industry Sales Manager Brendan Gillespie, who previously served in a sales/operations hybrid role, will now focus strictly on sales opportunities—specifically exhibit space and sponsorship sales for both the SEMA and PRI Shows, as well as advertising sales for both SEMA News and PRI Magazine. Gillespie, a six-year veteran of the company, will concentrate on the racing and performance market. Also, Reham Gharib will take on the new position of sales operations project manager. In this role, she will manage the records of all SEMA and PRI sponsorship contracts, help ensure deliverables are accounted for and communicate with all appropriate stakeholders. She also will be the key stakeholder and project manager for the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase and PRI Show’s Featured Product Showcase. Gharib has been with the company since 2014.

Race Winning Brands Acquires Manley Performance

Race Winning Brands (RWB) Inc. has announced the acquisition of Manley Performance Products—the manufacturer of high-performance pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts and valvetrain components. Manley Performance, originally founded by Hank Manley in 1966 as Manley Speed Equipment, has had relationships with industry drag-racing legends, such as Don Garlits, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins and “Jungle Jim” Liberman, according to a press release. In addition, the company earned accolades and involvement with OEM manufacturers, such as Ford, where Manley exclusively supplied connecting rods for the ’03/’04 Ford Special Vehicles Team (SVT) Mustang Cobra.

Automotive Racing Products Inc. (ARP) has taken over sponsorship of the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award.

ARP Now Sponsoring Major Grand National Roadster Show Awards

Automotive Racing Products Inc. (ARP) has taken over sponsorship of the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award, beginning with the 2020 edition of the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). Additionally, ARP has gotten behind the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Named after the founder of the Oakland Roadster Show, from which the GNRS evolved, it honors the best non-roadster in the show. Winners of both the AMBR (Monte Belsham’s ’32 Ford) and Slonaker (Ron Ernsberger’s ’36 Willys) awards received smaller-scale “keeper” trophies to take home, as well as a check in the amount of $12,500.

Nathan Malinick

Hennessey Performance Engineering Appoints Nathan Malinick as Director of Design

Hennessey has announced the hiring of Nathan Malinick to the position of director of design with immediate effect. He reports to Founder and President John Hennessey and will serve as director of design overseeing design direction for both Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) and Hennessey Special Vehicles (HSV). Malinick will be responsible for developing the company’s design strategy, philosophy and principles in conjunction with the engineering and manufacturing functions, as well as the marketing and customer insights team. He started his career at Embraer Executive Jets in 2018, where he was responsible for the exterior design of the futuristic ‘Pulse Concept,’ which blurred the lines between automotive and aerospace. He also was responsible for the “Praterra Concept” and the “Bali ” interiors, both of which explored the usage of innovative and unique materials and design solutions to redefine the business jet experience.

MOTOR Partners With Matco Tools to Exclusively Sell MOTOR Manuals Through Matco Network of Distributors

For the first time in nearly 100 years, MOTOR Information Systems will deliver its line of manuals and guides through a new distribution network. MOTOR has announced a partnership with Matco Tools. Through this partnership, customers can now purchase MOTOR’s collection of manuals exclusively from Matco’s nearly 2,000 distributors.
Matco’s distribution network is intended to make it easier for customers to purchase all their repair manuals, labor time guides and automotive tools from a single point of contact. In addition, customer benefits include: more access to both the tools and information needed to perform maintenance and repairs on light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, routine visits from your Matco distributor and numerous payment models and bundling options.

Mike Dever

Mike Dever Joins AACF Board of Trustees

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) announced the election of Mike Dever to its board of trustees. Dever is with the Genuine Parts Co. and general manager for NAPA major accounts. Prior to joining NAPA, Dever spent many years in the industry with Exide Batteries, NASCAR Inc. and Bulldawg Marketing.

"I couldn't be more proud and excited to be part of the AACF. I've always admired the fine work they do for folks in our industry that have come across unexpected tragedies in their lives," Dever said. "I look forward to doing my part to raise the visibility of the platform and getting more companies engaged."

The Permatex and PowerNation promotion gives fans a chance to win a custom-built ’19 Dodge Challenger 5.7L Hemi V8.

Permatex PowerNationTV Dodge Challenger Sweepstakes Down to Final Laps

Permatex and PowerNation are gearing up for the final sprint in their Dodge Challenger Sweepstakes. The promotion, which started in August 2019, gives fans a chance to win a custom-built ’19 Dodge Challenger 5.7L Hemi V8. To date, more than one million entries have been received. The ’19 Dodge Challenger will be awarded to one winner in May 2020. Permatex partnered with PowerNationTV to build the custom Challenger on PowerNation’s “Engine Power” show starring Mike Galley and Pat Topolinski. The vehicle was built utilizing Permatex products. At the conclusion of the sweepstakes, the winner will be awarded the vehicle at PowerNationTV’s studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Fans can learn more about the sweepstakes and how to enter by visiting permatex.powernationtv.com.

Driven Brands Names New Chief Financial Officer

Driven Brands announced that Tiffany Mason has joined the company as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective March 2. In her role, Mason will oversee all finance, accounting and IT functions for Driven Brands while working across the business to drive continued strong performance, further strengthen the Driven shared service platform, and drive its organic and acquisition growth agenda. Before Driven Brands, Mason served as interim CFO at Lowe's, where she also led the treasury, investor relations, tax, M&A and corporate planning departments. Before joining Lowes, Mason was vice president, SEC reporting at Bank of America.

VP Racing Fuels Teams With Meyer Distributing to Support Branded Fuel Stations

VP Racing Fuels has announced a strategic business relationship with Meyer Distributing to provide distribution of VP’s packaged consumer products to its full network of branded gas stations, fast lubes, car washes and marinas. For VP’s retail owner/operators, this translates to increased service levels for ordering and stocking VP race fuel, automotive additives, two- and four-cycle fuels, Sportsman’s Container and apparel.  

Have some company news you would like to share? Let us know and the news may appear in an upcoming issue of SEMA eNews. Send your items for consideration to editors@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles.

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles. Currently, such vehicles are not able to be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

The bills currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles.

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles. Currently, such vehicles are not able to be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

The bills currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles.

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles. Currently, such vehicles are not able to be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

The bills currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles.

The Michigan Senate passed a group of SEMA-supported bills (S.B. 344-346) allowing for the titling and registration of military surplus and historic military surplus vehicles. Currently, such vehicles are not able to be titled or registered for use on highways in the state.

The bills currently await consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.