Compiled by SEMA Editors

Tony Schumacher powered to the Winner’s Circle with a run of 3.946 seconds at 313.58 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to take down Mike Salinas in the final round.

Schumacher, Capps and Coughlin Jr. Emerge Victorious at Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals

Tony Schumacher locked down his first Top Fuel victory of the season last Sunday as he emerged victorious at the 18th annual Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) were also victorious in their respective categories at the 11th of 24 events on the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule. Schumacher powered to the Winner’s Circle with a run of 3.946 seconds at 313.58 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to take down Mike Salinas in the final round. This was Schumacher’s third final round of the season and the 150th of his career, as he now has six career victories in Bristol in eight career final rounds at the facility. Capps secured his first victory of the season and 59th of his career as his 4.234 at 296.37 in his NAPA Auto Parts Dodge Charger R/T was enough to take down Bob Tasca III in the finals. Coughlin Jr. brought home the Pro Stock victory after driving to a 6.709 at 205.10 in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro to take down points leader Greg Anderson in the final round. The 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season continues at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, June 21–24.

Brian Brown

Brian Brown With Champion Racing Oil Wins Sixth Victory of the Year at Knoxville  

Brian Brown is off to the hottest start of his career at Knoxville Raceway, where he captured his sixth feature victory in seven A Main starts last Saturday. He opened the event by qualifying fourth quickest. He then advanced from fifth to third place in a heat race, which lined him up on the inside of the second row for the 20-lap A Main. Brown will continue to ride his momentum into his debut at Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa, on Friday with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series before he returns to Knoxville Raceway on Saturday.

Audrey Worm

Audrey Worm Joins Team Edelbrock Racing

Edelbrock has announced Audrey Worm as the latest addition to Team Edelbrock Racing. She started her racing career in her dad’s Slingshot Dragsters shop’s nostalgia front-engine dragster at the age of 16, and competed in nostalgia drag races nationwide for more than eight years. She earned her Top Fuel license on Labor Day weekend in 2017, and made her NHRA debut at Maple Grove Raceway in September 2017 during the Dodge NHRA Nationals. Audrey is one of the only modern-day NHRA drivers to move from Nostalgia dragster directly into Top Fuel racing. She is currently driving the Leverich family dragster that is wrapped in Team Fox and OutrunPD. She will compete in at least eight NHRA Mello Yello Top Fuel races this year. Worm was named by Drag Illustrated in 2015 as one of their “30 Under 30” most influential people in drag racing. She is a rookie driver in the running for the NHRA Auto Club Road to the Future Award.

For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.

Angela Schoof explains her involvement with SEMA and the different functions of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

Angela Schoof explains her involvement with SEMA and the different functions of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

Angela Schoof explains her involvement with SEMA and the different functions of the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors are encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media.

SEMA News is currently compiling exhibitor press releases for use in the October pre-Show issue. Exhibitors may benefit from this added exposure opportunity by posting new-product releases or other announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center. Those releases that are posted prior to the August 1 deadline will be considered for publication on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media. The first product entered is free; all additional entries are $75 per product category before October 5 and $150 per entry thereafter.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors are encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media.

SEMA News is currently compiling exhibitor press releases for use in the October pre-Show issue. Exhibitors may benefit from this added exposure opportunity by posting new-product releases or other announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center. Those releases that are posted prior to the August 1 deadline will be considered for publication on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media. The first product entered is free; all additional entries are $75 per product category before October 5 and $150 per entry thereafter.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors are encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media.

SEMA News is currently compiling exhibitor press releases for use in the October pre-Show issue. Exhibitors may benefit from this added exposure opportunity by posting new-product releases or other announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center. Those releases that are posted prior to the August 1 deadline will be considered for publication on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media. The first product entered is free; all additional entries are $75 per product category before October 5 and $150 per entry thereafter.

By SEMA Editors

Exhibitors are encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media.

SEMA News is currently compiling exhibitor press releases for use in the October pre-Show issue. Exhibitors may benefit from this added exposure opportunity by posting new-product releases or other announcements to the SEMA Show Online Media Center. Those releases that are posted prior to the August 1 deadline will be considered for publication on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to enter their new products into the SEMA Show’s New Products Showcase—the number-one destination for attending buyers and media. The first product entered is free; all additional entries are $75 per product category before October 5 and $150 per entry thereafter.

Here’s a first look at the ’20 RAM HD Regular Cab with an 8-ft. box.

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010 and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille—which will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Other exterior styling should run a parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion. Inside, expect the HD to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech should come from the Uconnect 4, with or without navigation, with an 8.4-in. screen and the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display.

Current power is delivered from three engines. A 383hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385 hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three versions of 6.7L can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7 to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Here’s a first look at the ’20 RAM HD Regular Cab with an 8-ft. box.

The current RAM HDs are getting long in the tooth, having been on sale since 2010 and only receiving a minor facelift in 2014 (lights, grille, updated interior). The new HD trucks are expected to fall in line with the recently debuted 1500, and in the process, ditch the crosshair grille—which will only live on via the Charger, Durango, Journey and Grand Caravan—a hallmark of the truck since the mid-’80s.

Other exterior styling should run a parallel to the 1500, but in a more muscular fashion. Inside, expect the HD to mimic the 1500 with thoughtful design and premium materials. Tech should come from the Uconnect 4, with or without navigation, with an 8.4-in. screen and the optional Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with the massive portrait-oriented 12-in. touchscreen center console display.

Current power is delivered from three engines. A 383hp 5.7L V8 with a compressed natural gas option, a 410hp 6.4L V8, and a 6.7L turbodiesel inline-six available in three tunes: 350hp with 660 lb.-ft., 370hp with 800 lb.-ft., and 385 hp with 930 lb.-ft. torque rating. The 5.7L and 6.4L are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the three versions of 6.7L can be paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Expect the 6.7 to get an additional power bump in hopes of one-upping the F-350 and Silverado 3500, which currently feature more horsepower and similar torque.

The next RAM HD is slated to move its production location from Saltillo, Mexico, to Warren, Michigan, in 2020—in time for the next-generation heavy duty’s start of production. Expect an official debut sometime in 2019.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde