By Ashley Reyes

The SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) has named Shawna Bacon, senior executive support at Oracle Lighting, as the network's newest #SheIsSEMA spotlight member. 

Bacon was nominated by Oracle Lighting CEO Tiffanie Hartenstein. Get to know Bacon through Hartenstein's interview with SEMA News below. 

SEMA News: How has Shawna contributed to her company? 

Tiffanie Hartenstein: Shawna has been a cornerstone of operational excellence in our organization. As a senior executive support professional, she works closely with multiple high-level executives, ensuring they operate at peak efficiency. From coordinating complex travel schedules to managing sensitive communications and streamlining executive workflows, Shawna's contributions go far beyond administrative tasks--she is a strategic partner who keeps the leadership team functioning smoothly. Her ability to anticipate needs and solve problems before they arise makes her indispensable to the company's daily success. 

SN: How has Shawna shown leadership in the industry or business? 

TH: Shawna's leadership is defined not by a title, but by her proactive involvement, influence and commitment to the growth of others. In addition to mentoring junior support staff and sharing best practices internally, she actively contributes to the broader automotive aftermarket community through volunteer work on multiple SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) committees. Her participation helps shape initiatives that support and elevate women in the industry. She also attends the Women's Leadership Forum (WLF), where she engages in professional development, brings back valuable insights and shares them with her colleagues to help foster growth across the team. Whether she's improving internal workflows or championing industry-wide collaboration, Shawna leads with purpose and impact. 

SN: Tell us a success story that you can share about Shawna. 

TH: During one of the busiest times of the year, multiple team members unexpectedly left the company, creating significant operational gaps across executive support. Without hesitation, Shawna stepped in to take on additional responsibilities, supporting not only her own executives but also covering for others to ensure continuity and minimize disruption. She quickly familiarized herself with new systems, re-prioritized workloads and maintained clear communication with all stakeholders. Her ability to adapt, stay composed under pressure and keep everything running smoothly was a major reason the team remained effective during a challenging period. Shawna's initiative and resilience turned a potential setback into a testament of her reliability and leadership. 

SN: How many years has Shawna been in the industry? 

TH: More than three years.  

SN: What quality do you admire most about Shawna and why? 

TH: Shawna's most admirable quality is her reliability. In an industry that moves fast and demands precision, she is the person everyone trusts to follow through, no matter the circumstances. Whether she's juggling multiple executive priorities or stepping in to assist during a staffing gap, Shawna shows up fully and consistently. 

SN: Why do you think Shawna is a role model in the industry? 

TH: Shawna is a role model because she exemplifies what it means to lead from any seat. In an industry often focused on technical or executive roles, she demonstrates that operational excellence, empathy and behind-the-scenes leadership are just as critical to success. She elevates those around her, drives standards higher and does so with humility and grace. Her work may not always be in the spotlight, but her impact is undeniable, and it's leaders like Shawna who quietly build the foundation of industry success. 

Fill out a #SheIsSEMA spotlight form to submit a self-nomination or nominate a colleague and highlight how you or she is contributing to the specialty-equipment industry. Selected candidates are automatically eligible to be considered for SBN's #SheIsSEMA Woman of the Year award, featured on SBN's social media, SEMA News and recognized on the sema.org/she-is-sema website. 

By Ashley Reyes

Women working in any corner of the automotive industry have limited time left to secure their spot for the SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN) Virtual General Membership Meeting, taking place Tuesday, January 20, at 12:00 p.m. PDT / 3:00 p.m. EDT.

This free, interactive session is a great chance to connect with fellow women in the industry and gain insight into the programs, tools and community designed for career advancement.

During the meeting, SBN select committee leaders will share updates on:

• Networking opportunities available throughout the year
• Volunteer and leadership pathways within SBN
• Professional development resources, including webinars and recognition programs
• What's ahead for 2026, including details on the Women's Leadership Forum in March

Open to current SBN members and those interested in getting involved, this meeting will highlight how SBN supports professional growth and helps women build meaningful connections across the industry.

SBN membership is free and open to all women employed by a SEMA member company. If this sounds like you, don't miss your chance to attend the meeting to connect with a powerful, supportive community.

Save your spot here or click below.

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

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Building off a successful 2025, when race track protections were secured in North Carolina and Iowa, SEMA and PRI have expanded their efforts to protect America's local race tracks from nuisance-based lawsuits driven by surrounding development that arrives after a facility is already established.

Four states are already on board with newly introduced bills: Indiana (HB 1415), Kansas (HB 2416), Ohio (HB 639) and Oklahoma (SB 1195).

Each bill advances a simple, common-sense principle: when a race track was there first and is operating lawfully, new neighbors and developers should not be able to use nuisance litigation to restrict or shut down the track.

Each "Right to Race" bill aims to give long-established race tracks more stability and predictability, enabling them to continue hosting events, supporting local jobs and serving the motorsports community. Together, these proposals reflect a growing, pro-motorsports approach in statehouses to protect the places where grassroots racing happens and where the next generation of racers and builders get their start.

The SEMA and PRI legislative approach has already taken checkered flags in other states. Recently passed laws in North Carolina and Iowa have shown that lawmakers can preserve motorsports heritage and community institutions while maintaining oversight. These four new bills build on that momentum and signal a coordinated, multi-state push to keep grassroots racing alive.

WHY THESE BILLS MATTER

Local race tracks are far more than weekend entertainment, serving as the backbone of the American motorsports industry. Local tracks are small businesses and community institutions that annually contribute $69 billion to the United States economy through local jobs, tourism, charitable activity and the next generation of racers, engineers and automotive innovators. They also serve as safe, regulated outlets for motorsports participation. When established tracks are forced to curtail operations or close due to nuisance litigation pressure, communities lose a vital part of their cultural identity, and the broader racing and aftermarket ecosystem loses a critical pipeline.

TAKE ACTION: HELP PROTECT THE TRACKS IN YOUR STATE

SEMA and PRI encourage race track owners, racers, local businesses and enthusiasts to engage early by educating lawmakers and community leaders about the value of racing facilities. Hosting a facility tour for local officials, sharing local economic impact data and community contributions, and building a broad coalition of supporters can help advance commonsense protections and keep racing alive for future generations.

• Stay informed and take action when it matters most by connecting with SEMA Action at semahq.org.

For more information and to get involved in race track nuisance-protection efforts in your state, contact SEMA Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@sema.org. For state-specific questions, contact one of our senior managers for state government affairs:

• Tierra Hubbard (Indiana and Ohio) at tierrah@sema.org
• Victor Muñoz (Kansas and Oklahoma) at victorm@sema.org

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Bruce Alan Bennett 

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

Building off a successful 2025, when race track protections were secured in North Carolina and Iowa, SEMA and PRI have expanded their efforts to protect America's local race tracks from nuisance-based lawsuits driven by surrounding development that arrives after a facility is already established.

Four states are already on board with newly introduced bills: Indiana (HB 1415), Kansas (HB 2416), Ohio (HB 639) and Oklahoma (SB 1195).

Each bill advances a simple, common-sense principle: when a race track was there first and is operating lawfully, new neighbors and developers should not be able to use nuisance litigation to restrict or shut down the track.

Each "Right to Race" bill aims to give long-established race tracks more stability and predictability, enabling them to continue hosting events, supporting local jobs and serving the motorsports community. Together, these proposals reflect a growing, pro-motorsports approach in statehouses to protect the places where grassroots racing happens and where the next generation of racers and builders get their start.

The SEMA and PRI legislative approach has already taken checkered flags in other states. Recently passed laws in North Carolina and Iowa have shown that lawmakers can preserve motorsports heritage and community institutions while maintaining oversight. These four new bills build on that momentum and signal a coordinated, multi-state push to keep grassroots racing alive.

WHY THESE BILLS MATTER

Local race tracks are far more than weekend entertainment, serving as the backbone of the American motorsports industry. Local tracks are small businesses and community institutions that annually contribute $69 billion to the United States economy through local jobs, tourism, charitable activity and the next generation of racers, engineers and automotive innovators. They also serve as safe, regulated outlets for motorsports participation. When established tracks are forced to curtail operations or close due to nuisance litigation pressure, communities lose a vital part of their cultural identity, and the broader racing and aftermarket ecosystem loses a critical pipeline.

TAKE ACTION: HELP PROTECT THE TRACKS IN YOUR STATE

SEMA and PRI encourage race track owners, racers, local businesses and enthusiasts to engage early by educating lawmakers and community leaders about the value of racing facilities. Hosting a facility tour for local officials, sharing local economic impact data and community contributions, and building a broad coalition of supporters can help advance commonsense protections and keep racing alive for future generations.

• Stay informed and take action when it matters most by connecting with SEMA Action at semahq.org.

For more information and to get involved in race track nuisance-protection efforts in your state, contact SEMA Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@sema.org. For state-specific questions, contact one of our senior managers for state government affairs:

• Tierra Hubbard (Indiana and Ohio) at tierrah@sema.org
• Victor Muñoz (Kansas and Oklahoma) at victorm@sema.org

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Bruce Alan Bennett 

By SEMA News Editors

Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings nationwide. Below are some of the latest postings.

T Sportline

Product Manager in Atlanta, Georgia

The product and project manager will support the full lifecycle of T Sportline's physical products, from concept and design through sourcing, launch and ongoing management.

BluePrint Engines

Customer Service Technician in Kearney, Nebraska

This position communicates proactively with customers, handling inbound and outbound calls and emails, and answering customer questions about quality, product specifications and warranty coverage.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Gorodenkoff

Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia

On the market since summer 2021, Mercedes' all-electric EQS flagship is about to receive a facelift in 2026. SEMA News sources caught a prototype of the revised model undergoing cold-climate tests in northern Sweden. Modified will be the entire front, including the bumper, grille and headlights. Similar to the taillights of the all-electric CLA, the inner graphics of the new EQS will incorporate Mercedes' three-pointed star. The prototype's taillights, however, are unchanged, although the rear might receive a new bumper and the LED strip connecting the rear lamp units could be removed.

The biggest changes, however, will be under the metal. Rumours suggest Mercedes will upgrade its EQE and EQS electric models from a 400-volt electric system to an 800-volt electric system from 2025, enabling higher charging capacities than 200 kW. The switch to an 800-volt system is part of a major upgrade of the EVA2 platform, which will then be known as EVA2M.

Today's electric motors from Valeo will be replaced by the eATS 2.0 drive developed by Mercedes-Benz itself, which operates with an 800-volt onboard electrical system. The EVA2M will also utilise new SiC power electronics and a new type of battery cell. The SiC power electronics alone should increase range by 5% due to lower heat losses.

The change to an 800-volt system means the current upper limit of 200 kW no longer applies. As the CCS charging standard is limited to a current of 500 amps, no more than 200 kW is possible at 400 volts. With batteries beyond 100 kWh in EQS models, this did not allow for particularly short charging times. However, it is still unknown how far charging capacity will increase or how much charging times will decrease.

It is also clear that the switch to 800 volts is not the end. A good charging curve with 400 volts can also enable acceptable charging times in practice, especially with the relatively long ranges of the aerodynamically optimized Mercedes sedans, where a break is usually necessary anyway. However, the fact that e-GMP-based Hyundai or Kia models, which are half as expensive, can arrive at the charging station later and still reach 80% charge earlier than the expensive Mercedes models is not always likely to please the luxury customers of the Stuttgart-based company.

Mercedes has already incorporated a number of improvements into the 400-volt version of the EVA2, including a heat pump, a 22 kW onboard charger and a decoupling unit for the front electric motor in all-wheel-drive variants. These changes should ensure a better customer experience through a longer practical range or shorter AC charging times. With the major upgrade to the EVA2M, a bigger change will be on the cards.

The question is what impact reports and speculation about such extensive changes will have on demand for Mercedes-Benz's top electric models. The EQS sedan has been on sale since August 2021. A facelift after around four years was expected, but not necessarily how extensive it would be.

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

David MacNeil, founder and CEO of longtime SEMA member WeatherTech, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a significant role that will ensure the automotive aftermarket and other domestic manufacturers have a prominent ally in the administration.

"SEMA applauds President Trump's choice of David MacNeil to serve as an FTC commissioner. David is a tireless champion of the automotive aftermarket and domestic manufacturing, and proven time and time again that he understands how to level the playing field to ensure the prosperity of small American businesses," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola.

Illinois-based WeatherTech for decades has been a leader in the manufacturing and sale of aftermarket floor mats, growing to more than 1,300 employees through a combination of entrepreneurial vision, innovation and marketing savvy.

There are five FTC commissioners, each nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with a mission to promote competition and protect consumers from unfair business practices. The commissioners also shape policies that govern U.S. trade.

Previously, President Trump had nominated MacNeil to serve as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for industrial and manufacturing competitiveness. The Senate will now shift to considering MacNeil for this new role.

Image courtesy of WeatherTech

From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office

David MacNeil, founder and CEO of longtime SEMA member WeatherTech, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a significant role that will ensure the automotive aftermarket and other domestic manufacturers have a prominent ally in the administration.

"SEMA applauds President Trump's choice of David MacNeil to serve as an FTC commissioner. David is a tireless champion of the automotive aftermarket and domestic manufacturing, and proven time and time again that he understands how to level the playing field to ensure the prosperity of small American businesses," said SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola.

Illinois-based WeatherTech for decades has been a leader in the manufacturing and sale of aftermarket floor mats, growing to more than 1,300 employees through a combination of entrepreneurial vision, innovation and marketing savvy.

There are five FTC commissioners, each nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with a mission to promote competition and protect consumers from unfair business practices. The commissioners also shape policies that govern U.S. trade.

Previously, President Trump had nominated MacNeil to serve as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for industrial and manufacturing competitiveness. The Senate will now shift to considering MacNeil for this new role.

Image courtesy of WeatherTech

By SEMA News Editors

AMSOIL

Non-Chlorinated Brake and Parts Cleaner

AMSOIL has introduced a new Non-Chlorinated Brake and Parts Cleaner designed for modern brake system maintenance and operation. The cleaner removes oil, grease, brake fluid and other contaminants from brake parts and automotive components and requires no major disassembly and leaves no residue while providing clean, efficient braking systems, according to the manufacturer. Suitable for use on brake parts, brake pads, calipers, drums and more.

amsoil.com

MAHLE Motorsport

Drop-In POWERPAK Piston Kit

MAHLE Motorsport has launched its new Drop-In POWERPAK Piston Kit for the GM 602 Crate engines. Forged from 4032 alloy and designed as a drop-in replacement that does not require rebalancing the rotating assembly, the kit allows for rebuilding and refreshing of GM 602 Crate engines, according to MAHLE. This kit includes HV385 coated steel 1.5mm top ring, 1.5mm second ring and 3.0mm oil ring set, precision CNC-machined pin bores, and press-fit wrist pins. The pistons feature MAHLE GRAFAL skirt coating, along with slipper-style skirts for maximum strength.

mahlemotorsport.com

By SEMA News Editors

NASCAR Announces Return of 'The Chase' Championship Format

NASCAR is bringing back "The Chase" as its national series championship format beginning in 2026, marking a return of NASCAR's original postseason format that was in place from 2004-2013 in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The changes come after an extensive review that included collaboration between owners, drivers, OEMs, tracks, broadcast partners and fans.

"As NASCAR transitions to a revised championship model, the focus is on rewarding driver and team performance each and every race," said NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell. "At the same time, we want to honor NASCAR's storied history and the traditions that have made the sport so special. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this format is designed to honor their passion every single race weekend."

The format follows an exhaustive Playoff Committee and fan-feedback review that put forward three key recommendations:

• A larger sample size for a championship
• Bolster the importance of each race
• Rewarding consistency while maintaining the importance of winning

NASCAR has implemented each of those pieces of feedback by making the following changes for 2026 and beyond: 

• The Chase is back. The driver with the most points after the postseason slate will be crowned the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion. The Chase will consist of the final 10 races for the NASCAR Cup Series; the final nine races for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series; and the final seven races for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
   
• 'Win and you're in' is gone. A race win will no longer guarantee automatic entry into The Chase, increasing the importance of every event on the schedule. Winning is still valuable, but drivers must continue to perform at a high level throughout the regular season.
   
• Race-winning drivers earn more points. A win will now earn the race-winning driver 55 points. Previously, a win paid 40 points. The goal is to reward drivers who go for wins, not just strong points days, and ensure aggressive racing and strong team performance remain central to each weekend. Points for all other positions, including stage points, remain the same.
   
• The Chase will feature the top drivers in regular-season points. Returning to a points-based qualification system, The Chase in the NASCAR Cup Series will feature 16 drivers; the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series field will be set at 12 drivers, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field at 10.
   
• The points leader after the regular season will receive a meaningful advantage. The top driver at the end of the regular season will earn a 25-point cushion over the second seed.

For more information, visit nascar.com.

Image courtesy of NASCAR

Melling Engine Parts Celebrates 80 Years in 2026

Melling Engine Parts is celebrating 80 years in the automotive industry in 2026, the company announced.

Founded in 1946 by George Melling Sr. and his son Ben Melling, the company began selling precision oil pumps for older vehicles and has since grown into a global brand offering thousands of aftermarket and performance engine parts across 27 product lines.

"We are beyond grateful to welcome in 2026 and the 80th year of Melling Engine Parts," said Mark Melling, president and CEO. "Eighty years of family-owned business is not just a testament to current Melling employees, but [also to] those that have gone before. I am extremely proud of the work our team has done to get us to 80 years of service, and we are looking forward to celebrating many more anniversaries to come. We are a family business, and with the fifth generation joining the business this year, we plan to continue the legacy for decades to come. Thank you to our vendors and customers [who] have made it possible for us to achieve such a meaningful milestone."

For more information, visit melling.com.

CJ Olivares Appointed Group CEO of RACER Media & Marketing

Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. (RACER), the North American media company focused on motorsports and car culture, has announced the appointment of CJ Olivares as Group CEO. Olivares, who currently serves as president of RACER Network LLC (RACER Network), will expand his leadership to include strategic and day-to-day oversight of the operations of RACER. He succeeds RACER founder Paul Pfanner, who departs the CEO role after three decades.

A decorated 35-year media executive, Olivares brings a distinguished record of building and scaling high-growth digital, linear, FAST and streaming businesses. He is widely recognized for founding Fox Sports' FUEL TV, where he successfully transformed niche action sports into a dominant cultural force. In the last year, Olivares has spearheaded the integration and rebranding of the RACER Network (formerly MAVTV), driving significant gains in distribution and 50% year-over-year viewership growth through a commitment to diversified racing and automotive programming, as well as narratively driven storytelling that humanizes the stars of the sport.

"CJ's strategic expertise and operational depth make him the ideal leader to guide our unified and multifaceted RACER-branded platforms into the next era," said Chris Dyson, who serves as the chairman of the board of both RACER and the RACER Network. "His ability to marry the brand's outstanding reporting and unique storytelling with modern broadcast and digital delivery ensures that RACER will continue to lead the motorsports media landscape."

This step represents material progress in a multi-year effort to leverage the RACER companies' historically distinct media assets to create an integrated content and services powerhouse designed for the modern media era, and sets the stage for the more closely aligned RACER-branded properties to build on the 1.5 billion impressions delivered in 2025.

Olivares leads a RACER group platform encompassing a comprehensive suite of media and service offerings: the RACER Network (television and streaming), RACER Digital (web and app), RACER Podcasts, the RACER Creator Network, the authoritative and collectible RACER Magazine and the creative agency RACER Studio. This streamlined offering is designed to provide a seamless experience for fans and a 360-degree solution for commercial partners. 

"The media and marketing landscapes are evolving at a breakneck pace, and the RACER platform is now uniquely positioned to lead that charge in the motorsports and car culture space," said Olivares. "Our focus moving forward is twofold: diversify our content offering to engage the transformative influx of new racing fans and automotive enthusiasts and energize our revenue streams through innovative brand partnerships and aggressive subscription growth. We are building the definitive 'campfire' for motorsports and car culture."

Olivares' strategy emphasizes human-centric storytelling and digital-first accessibility. By leveraging the RACER Creator Network and the high-end production capabilities of RACER Studio, he aims to expand engagement across all platforms, from traditional broadcast to social media, ensuring the brand's continued dominance in both the motorsports and automotive space, according to the company.

For more information, visit racer.com.