By SEMA Editors

	Exhibiting companies with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

SEMA Show exhibitors are invited to generate more opportunities and awareness for their company and products by announcing SEMA Show incentives in SEMA eNews.

For exhibitors, it pays to offer Show specials and discounts. In 2012, nearly three-quarters of buyers who made purchases took advantage of SEMA Show specials and discounts—a 6% increase over the previous year. Exhibiting companies that want to increase their selling opportunities with special pricing, promotions, two-for-one offers, Show demonstrations and other incentives or specials are encouraged to let SEMA know.

The following are just a sampling of some of the amazing specials offered by our exhibitors at this year's Show:

• The Attivo Group is offering 20% off business software solutions to SEMA members through the end of December 2013. For more details, visit their website, call 877-428-8486 or visit their Booth #50335.

• CargoGlide is a manufacturer of premium-grade slide-out truckbed slides for pickups, vans, work truck bodies and RVs. Eight models are available in 100% and 70% extensions, with capacities from 500 lbs. to 2,000 lbs. At the end of the SEMA Show, CargoGlide will give away a CG1000-S unit, designed to fit any truck, van or SUV. To enter, stop by Booth #32213 and swipe your card. For product information or to become a dealer, contact David McInturf at davidm@cargoglide.com or 877-525-9535.

• Crap Industries is offering 20% off all products through the end of December 2013. The company manufactures niche market products for more than 37 working automobile and motorcycle titles in its Oak Hills, California, shop. Private-label products include bumpers, lifts, exhausts, skid plates, light bars, tire carriers, bed cages, roof baskets and small & medium trailers for the small-car market. For product information or to become a dealer, stop by Booth #16012 or contact Kristen Cohen at crapind@gmail.com or 760-885-6054.

• Del City will offer a 15% discount and free freight on its Assorted Butt Connector Kits at the 2013 SEMA Show. Select from assortments of shrink/crimp, clear-view shrink/crimp, shrink/crimp/solder and shrink/solder butt connectors. Quickly complete electrical projects with these starter kits, conveniently packaged in a flip-top jar. Visit the Del City, Booth #23775, in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information about Assorted Butt Connector Kits or to learn more about Del City’s full line of terminals and connectors, visit www.delcity.net or call 800-654-4757.

• EnerSys is offering a special discounted rate for ODYSSEY battery orders placed at the 2013 SEMA Show via the ODYSSEY Battery online store kiosk. Visit the ODYSSEY Battery Booth #24863 in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center for more details.

• Hot Shoppe Designs offers a $150 discount off new orders written at the Show. Visit Booth #13161 for more information.

• The Lincoln Electric Co., manufacturer of MIG, TIG and other welding equipment consumables, is offering its Traditional Welding Gear Ready-Pak for a Show special price of $159 to SEMA members—a discount of $115 off the manufacturer's industrial list price. The Ready-Pak includes a welder's duffle bag filled with a welding jacket, auto-darkening helmet, doo rag, MIG/Stick gloves, Steelworker leather shop gloves and a pair of safety glasses. Check out the Ready-Pak, view a variety of welding and plasma cutting demos, get answers to your welding questions and rub shoulders with celebrity Lincoln Electric equipment users at Booth #23527.

• Newark Auto Products—manufacturer of sewn to contour replacement carpets for most classic cars and trucks, and distributor of molded rubber mats for classic pickups—is offering 15% off orders placed by new customers between now and the close of the SEMA Show. Interested distributors should visit www.newark-auto.com, e-mail info@newark-auto.com or call 973-677-9935, Monday–Friday, from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (EDT), or visit Booth #23889.

• NitroFill E-170: $6,495 plus freight. Includes four 26-ft. tire fill hoses with clip-on air chucks. Includes a limited lifetime warranty. NitroFill E-160: $3,995 plus freight. Includes four 26-ft. tire fill hoses with clip-on air chucks. Includes limited lifetime warranty. NitroFill E-135: $1,995 plus freight. Includes one 26-ft. tire fill hose with clip-on air chuck. Includes a limited lifetime warranty. NTM-25 Cap Kits: $17 each. Includes five aluminum "NitroFill" valve caps, windshield cling, keychain ring and tag number. Includes 12 months of unlimited prepaid roadside assistance, $200 tire repair/replacement coverage, 14 professional newsletters, 12 monthly text messages and unlimited access to the NitroFill dealer menu. For more information, visit NitroFill in Booth #41087.

• ORACLE Lighting is offering pre-paid freight on all stocking orders more than $1,000 from now until November 22 for SEMA members. Interested dealers are encouraged to visit www.oraclelights.com, call 800-407-5776 or visit Booth #11761.

• Red Kap is offering customized apparel solutions to all registered exhibitors. The automotive apparel manufacturer has teamed up with online retailer, Automotive Workwear, to offer a convenient online solution for exhibitor’s in-booth apparel needs. A variety of styles, ranging from Red Kap’s most popular automotive work shirts to executive dress shirts, and polos to jackets, are available. Plus, exhibitors can add embroidered company logos and employee names on their orders—all from Automotive Workwear’s website. As an added value, Automotive Workwear is offering an additional 15% off all orders placed by September 30, 2013. Use promo code “SEMAEX” at checkout to receive the exclusive exhibitor discount. Red Kap apparel will also be available at one of the six Official SEMA Stores located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit www.AutomotiveWorkwear.com/SEMA to browse all available products and place your order today. If you would like help with your order or have additional questions, call 800-589-1084 and talk with a customer service representative at Automotive Workwear. 



• Tuftruck manufactures heavy-duty products, including heavy-duty coils, super-duty shocks, severe-duty brake pads and a portable winch for domestic trucks and vans. The company is offering 10% off all Tuftruck coil kits and 5% off Tuflugger portable Winch units and accessories to new and existing customers, valid on all purchases made at the Show, from November 5–8. Visit Booth #33189 in the South Hall. Interested distributors are encouraged to visit www.tuftruck.com or call 800-667-6167.

To be included, send information to editors@sema.org and include "Show Specials" in the subject line of the e-mail.

For more information on the 2013 SEMA Show, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

KALITTA, LINE SCORE WINS AND TAKE POINTS LEADS; C. PEDREGON AND KRAWIEC CLAIM EVENT VICTORIES AT DALLAS: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) raced to victories at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. With the Pro Stock victory, Line took over the outright points lead, and Kalitta is now tied for the Top Fuel lead with Shawn Langdon. In the Top Fuel finals, it was Kalitta vs. Langdon with the Mac Tools dragster of Kalitta rocketing to his first win of the year.

"This is huge for us," Kalitta said. "It's a good day for us. I'm really proud of Jim [Oberhofer, crew chief], Troy [Fasching, assistant crew chief] and the whole Mac Tools Team. We were qualifying good and going rounds. I was just trying to make sure I didn't screw it up."

Line prevailed over Shane Gray for the win and takes the points lead for the first time since 2011. "It was definitely a strange final, but we won," Line said. "Timing is everything, and this is a big win being it is my 31st."

In Funny Car, Pedregon won his fourth race of the season when he bested longtime rival John Force for his 34th career victory. "A couple of months ago, I thought about how cool it would be to sweep the Texas races," said Pedregon who won the Houston event in April. "Lo and behold, here we are."

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Krawiec rode to his first win of the season and moved to fourth in the points standings. "This weekend, I was riding great, but I wasn't racing great," said Krawiec of his first win at the Texas Motorplex. "If we can continue and improve, I think you're going to see our Harley-Davidsons up front."

For a full story log on to www.NHRA.com.

WILKERSON TO RACE AT HOME TRACK; SCHUMACHER ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST: When the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series return to Gateway Motorsports Park for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, Tim Wilkerson and his team will have the shortest commute as he races at his home track. Wilkerson and Levi Ray & Shoup (LSR)—the team's sponsor—are based in Springfield, Illinois, which is located two hours from the track, and a strong contingent of supporters attend the event.

"We really have a huge group of supporters in St. Louis every year," Wilkerson said. "LSR brings so many people they have to rent a hospitality tent in addition to the space we have in our pit area, so all told, we're talking about thousands of people there to support our team, and that's pretty neat."

In Top Fuel, the pressure is mounting for Tony Schumacher and his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster to move up from fifth in the points and mount a charge for an eighth Top Fuel world championship. "Basically we've got to be flawless and miraculous the rest of the year," said Schumacher. "It's been done so many times and we're so used to that, we've just got to make sure we go into those last four with the right car, and it's not quite there, yet. But we're closer than we were before."

Looking to defend their titles in the nitro classes are Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Jack Beckman in Funny Car. Nitro qualifying begins Friday at 3:30 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

ARANA JR. LOOKS TO HOLD ONTO PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINTS LEAD; LINE SEEKS THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jason Line comes into the event on the strength of his first win of the season and sits at the top of the points standings. Line, a two-time world champion, credits his team for his recent surge in points.

"To go from where we were two months ago to being here is a small miracle and a testament to all of our KB Racing guys and all the Summit Racing folks," Line said. There has been a lot of effort. We have worked harder than we have in a long, long time, that's for sure. It's good to see it starting to pay off."

Hector Arana Jr. has led the Pro Stock Motorcycle points since the season-opening event in Gainesville, but by no means is in a position to win his first championship in the two-wheel category. He has raced to two semi-final apperances since the Countdown to the Championship began and knows the importance of going rounds in the stretch run.

"It's going to be a fight to the finish," Arana said. "I knew it was going to be a long, hard Countdown, and these first two races have done nothing to change my mind. We've all got to dig deep and keep battling."

Pro Stock qualifying for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals begins Friday at 2:45 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

WORLD'S FASTEST TAILGATE PARTY FOR THE AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS SEPTEMBER 26: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Series in St. Louis can meet their heroes during the free Fan Fest sponsored by Mid-America Chevy Dealers in downtwon St. Louis, September 26. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. on Washington Avenue (14th and Tucker) and will feature activities for fans of all ages. A driver autograph session, car show, interactive displays, food, music and more will be part of the event. Log on to www.gatewaymsp.com for more information.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 3–6: Historic Maple Grove Raceway will again host the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals—the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship—October 3–6, for what could be another record-breaking weekend. In 2012, fans witnessed three national elapsed time (E.T.) records set and two speed records. Antron Brown ran the quickest E.T. in Top Fuel history at 3.701 seconds and, in Funny Car, Jack Beckman set a record of 3.986 seconds while Andrew Hines rode his Pro Stock Motorcycle to a record run of 6.728 seconds.

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience, October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“It's pretty incredible how close the points are. There's 35 points seperating the top four in points, so it's really anyone's game at this point. I've been saying all year long how tough the competition is and the points are showing that. Those two points between us and the leaders can be made up in qualifying. Every run really counts in this Countdown right now. We had a really good race there last year. That's what we have to do again this year. Our goal for St. Louis is to go out there and get qualified and try to get some of those bonus qualifying points and then go rounds on Sunday. This is our third race in a row and we can't slow down now."

—Spencer Massey who is currently third in points, just two behind Doug Kalittal and Shawn Langdon who are tied for the top position.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

89: Number of times four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has won a round of Pro Stock racing on a holeshot in his storied career. Coughlin was on the other side of the coin in Dallas, when Shane Gray knocked out Coughlin with a .029 reaction time to that of .066 posted by Coughlin. Gray ran a slower elapsed time but was able to get the win.

"I just didn't give it enough respect, quite honestly, and I guess that's a wake-up call," said Coughlin. "Sometimes you get away with them, and sometimes you don't."

Coughlin is second in points, only eight behind leader Jason Line.

DID YOU KNOW…

MEET THE DRIVERS NIGHT AT CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN READING: Numerous NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers will be on hand to meet NHRA fans during a fundraising event taking place in Reading October 3. The event will take place at the Classic Harley-Davidson in Reading and will benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Tickets for the event are $20 per person with proceeds to benefit the foundation. Drivers scheduled to appear are Blake Alexander, Brandon Bernstein, Johnny Gray, Shane Gray, Matt Hagan, Andrew Hines, Allen Johnson, Eddie Krawiek, Spencer Massey, Tony Schumacher and Greg Stanfield. More information can be found at www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

KALITTA, LINE SCORE WINS AND TAKE POINTS LEADS; C. PEDREGON AND KRAWIEC CLAIM EVENT VICTORIES AT DALLAS: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) raced to victories at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. With the Pro Stock victory, Line took over the outright points lead, and Kalitta is now tied for the Top Fuel lead with Shawn Langdon. In the Top Fuel finals, it was Kalitta vs. Langdon with the Mac Tools dragster of Kalitta rocketing to his first win of the year.

"This is huge for us," Kalitta said. "It's a good day for us. I'm really proud of Jim [Oberhofer, crew chief], Troy [Fasching, assistant crew chief] and the whole Mac Tools Team. We were qualifying good and going rounds. I was just trying to make sure I didn't screw it up."

Line prevailed over Shane Gray for the win and takes the points lead for the first time since 2011. "It was definitely a strange final, but we won," Line said. "Timing is everything, and this is a big win being it is my 31st."

In Funny Car, Pedregon won his fourth race of the season when he bested longtime rival John Force for his 34th career victory. "A couple of months ago, I thought about how cool it would be to sweep the Texas races," said Pedregon who won the Houston event in April. "Lo and behold, here we are."

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Krawiec rode to his first win of the season and moved to fourth in the points standings. "This weekend, I was riding great, but I wasn't racing great," said Krawiec of his first win at the Texas Motorplex. "If we can continue and improve, I think you're going to see our Harley-Davidsons up front."

For a full story log on to www.NHRA.com.

WILKERSON TO RACE AT HOME TRACK; SCHUMACHER ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST: When the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series return to Gateway Motorsports Park for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, Tim Wilkerson and his team will have the shortest commute as he races at his home track. Wilkerson and Levi Ray & Shoup (LSR)—the team's sponsor—are based in Springfield, Illinois, which is located two hours from the track, and a strong contingent of supporters attend the event.

"We really have a huge group of supporters in St. Louis every year," Wilkerson said. "LSR brings so many people they have to rent a hospitality tent in addition to the space we have in our pit area, so all told, we're talking about thousands of people there to support our team, and that's pretty neat."

In Top Fuel, the pressure is mounting for Tony Schumacher and his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster to move up from fifth in the points and mount a charge for an eighth Top Fuel world championship. "Basically we've got to be flawless and miraculous the rest of the year," said Schumacher. "It's been done so many times and we're so used to that, we've just got to make sure we go into those last four with the right car, and it's not quite there, yet. But we're closer than we were before."

Looking to defend their titles in the nitro classes are Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Jack Beckman in Funny Car. Nitro qualifying begins Friday at 3:30 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

ARANA JR. LOOKS TO HOLD ONTO PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINTS LEAD; LINE SEEKS THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jason Line comes into the event on the strength of his first win of the season and sits at the top of the points standings. Line, a two-time world champion, credits his team for his recent surge in points.

"To go from where we were two months ago to being here is a small miracle and a testament to all of our KB Racing guys and all the Summit Racing folks," Line said. There has been a lot of effort. We have worked harder than we have in a long, long time, that's for sure. It's good to see it starting to pay off."

Hector Arana Jr. has led the Pro Stock Motorcycle points since the season-opening event in Gainesville, but by no means is in a position to win his first championship in the two-wheel category. He has raced to two semi-final apperances since the Countdown to the Championship began and knows the importance of going rounds in the stretch run.

"It's going to be a fight to the finish," Arana said. "I knew it was going to be a long, hard Countdown, and these first two races have done nothing to change my mind. We've all got to dig deep and keep battling."

Pro Stock qualifying for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals begins Friday at 2:45 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

WORLD'S FASTEST TAILGATE PARTY FOR THE AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS SEPTEMBER 26: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Series in St. Louis can meet their heroes during the free Fan Fest sponsored by Mid-America Chevy Dealers in downtwon St. Louis, September 26. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. on Washington Avenue (14th and Tucker) and will feature activities for fans of all ages. A driver autograph session, car show, interactive displays, food, music and more will be part of the event. Log on to www.gatewaymsp.com for more information.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 3–6: Historic Maple Grove Raceway will again host the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals—the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship—October 3–6, for what could be another record-breaking weekend. In 2012, fans witnessed three national elapsed time (E.T.) records set and two speed records. Antron Brown ran the quickest E.T. in Top Fuel history at 3.701 seconds and, in Funny Car, Jack Beckman set a record of 3.986 seconds while Andrew Hines rode his Pro Stock Motorcycle to a record run of 6.728 seconds.

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience, October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“It's pretty incredible how close the points are. There's 35 points seperating the top four in points, so it's really anyone's game at this point. I've been saying all year long how tough the competition is and the points are showing that. Those two points between us and the leaders can be made up in qualifying. Every run really counts in this Countdown right now. We had a really good race there last year. That's what we have to do again this year. Our goal for St. Louis is to go out there and get qualified and try to get some of those bonus qualifying points and then go rounds on Sunday. This is our third race in a row and we can't slow down now."

—Spencer Massey who is currently third in points, just two behind Doug Kalittal and Shawn Langdon who are tied for the top position.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

89: Number of times four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has won a round of Pro Stock racing on a holeshot in his storied career. Coughlin was on the other side of the coin in Dallas, when Shane Gray knocked out Coughlin with a .029 reaction time to that of .066 posted by Coughlin. Gray ran a slower elapsed time but was able to get the win.

"I just didn't give it enough respect, quite honestly, and I guess that's a wake-up call," said Coughlin. "Sometimes you get away with them, and sometimes you don't."

Coughlin is second in points, only eight behind leader Jason Line.

DID YOU KNOW…

MEET THE DRIVERS NIGHT AT CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN READING: Numerous NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers will be on hand to meet NHRA fans during a fundraising event taking place in Reading October 3. The event will take place at the Classic Harley-Davidson in Reading and will benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Tickets for the event are $20 per person with proceeds to benefit the foundation. Drivers scheduled to appear are Blake Alexander, Brandon Bernstein, Johnny Gray, Shane Gray, Matt Hagan, Andrew Hines, Allen Johnson, Eddie Krawiek, Spencer Massey, Tony Schumacher and Greg Stanfield. More information can be found at www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

KALITTA, LINE SCORE WINS AND TAKE POINTS LEADS; C. PEDREGON AND KRAWIEC CLAIM EVENT VICTORIES AT DALLAS: Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) raced to victories at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals. With the Pro Stock victory, Line took over the outright points lead, and Kalitta is now tied for the Top Fuel lead with Shawn Langdon. In the Top Fuel finals, it was Kalitta vs. Langdon with the Mac Tools dragster of Kalitta rocketing to his first win of the year.

"This is huge for us," Kalitta said. "It's a good day for us. I'm really proud of Jim [Oberhofer, crew chief], Troy [Fasching, assistant crew chief] and the whole Mac Tools Team. We were qualifying good and going rounds. I was just trying to make sure I didn't screw it up."

Line prevailed over Shane Gray for the win and takes the points lead for the first time since 2011. "It was definitely a strange final, but we won," Line said. "Timing is everything, and this is a big win being it is my 31st."

In Funny Car, Pedregon won his fourth race of the season when he bested longtime rival John Force for his 34th career victory. "A couple of months ago, I thought about how cool it would be to sweep the Texas races," said Pedregon who won the Houston event in April. "Lo and behold, here we are."

Defending Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Krawiec rode to his first win of the season and moved to fourth in the points standings. "This weekend, I was riding great, but I wasn't racing great," said Krawiec of his first win at the Texas Motorplex. "If we can continue and improve, I think you're going to see our Harley-Davidsons up front."

For a full story log on to www.NHRA.com.

WILKERSON TO RACE AT HOME TRACK; SCHUMACHER ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST: When the teams of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series return to Gateway Motorsports Park for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals, Tim Wilkerson and his team will have the shortest commute as he races at his home track. Wilkerson and Levi Ray & Shoup (LSR)—the team's sponsor—are based in Springfield, Illinois, which is located two hours from the track, and a strong contingent of supporters attend the event.

"We really have a huge group of supporters in St. Louis every year," Wilkerson said. "LSR brings so many people they have to rent a hospitality tent in addition to the space we have in our pit area, so all told, we're talking about thousands of people there to support our team, and that's pretty neat."

In Top Fuel, the pressure is mounting for Tony Schumacher and his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster to move up from fifth in the points and mount a charge for an eighth Top Fuel world championship. "Basically we've got to be flawless and miraculous the rest of the year," said Schumacher. "It's been done so many times and we're so used to that, we've just got to make sure we go into those last four with the right car, and it's not quite there, yet. But we're closer than we were before."

Looking to defend their titles in the nitro classes are Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Jack Beckman in Funny Car. Nitro qualifying begins Friday at 3:30 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

ARANA JR. LOOKS TO HOLD ONTO PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE POINTS LEAD; LINE SEEKS THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jason Line comes into the event on the strength of his first win of the season and sits at the top of the points standings. Line, a two-time world champion, credits his team for his recent surge in points.

"To go from where we were two months ago to being here is a small miracle and a testament to all of our KB Racing guys and all the Summit Racing folks," Line said. There has been a lot of effort. We have worked harder than we have in a long, long time, that's for sure. It's good to see it starting to pay off."

Hector Arana Jr. has led the Pro Stock Motorcycle points since the season-opening event in Gainesville, but by no means is in a position to win his first championship in the two-wheel category. He has raced to two semi-final apperances since the Countdown to the Championship began and knows the importance of going rounds in the stretch run.

"It's going to be a fight to the finish," Arana said. "I knew it was going to be a long, hard Countdown, and these first two races have done nothing to change my mind. We've all got to dig deep and keep battling."

Pro Stock qualifying for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals begins Friday at 2:45 p.m. and tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals can be purchased by calling 866-Race-TIK.

WORLD'S FASTEST TAILGATE PARTY FOR THE AAA INSURANCE NHRA MIDWEST NATIONALS SEPTEMBER 26: Fans of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Series in St. Louis can meet their heroes during the free Fan Fest sponsored by Mid-America Chevy Dealers in downtwon St. Louis, September 26. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. on Washington Avenue (14th and Tucker) and will feature activities for fans of all ages. A driver autograph session, car show, interactive displays, food, music and more will be part of the event. Log on to www.gatewaymsp.com for more information.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 3–6: Historic Maple Grove Raceway will again host the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals—the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship—October 3–6, for what could be another record-breaking weekend. In 2012, fans witnessed three national elapsed time (E.T.) records set and two speed records. Antron Brown ran the quickest E.T. in Top Fuel history at 3.701 seconds and, in Funny Car, Jack Beckman set a record of 3.986 seconds while Andrew Hines rode his Pro Stock Motorcycle to a record run of 6.728 seconds.

NHRA TOYOTA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 24–27: The NHRA Toyota Nationals is the penultimate race of the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the championship battles will be tight as the season comes to a close. Bob Vandergriff (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Eddie Kraweic (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending event champions and will again be top contenders during the weekend. One of the largest autograph sessions of the year will take place at the Freemont Street Experience, October 24, with many of the top stars in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

“It's pretty incredible how close the points are. There's 35 points seperating the top four in points, so it's really anyone's game at this point. I've been saying all year long how tough the competition is and the points are showing that. Those two points between us and the leaders can be made up in qualifying. Every run really counts in this Countdown right now. We had a really good race there last year. That's what we have to do again this year. Our goal for St. Louis is to go out there and get qualified and try to get some of those bonus qualifying points and then go rounds on Sunday. This is our third race in a row and we can't slow down now."

—Spencer Massey who is currently third in points, just two behind Doug Kalittal and Shawn Langdon who are tied for the top position.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

89: Number of times four-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has won a round of Pro Stock racing on a holeshot in his storied career. Coughlin was on the other side of the coin in Dallas, when Shane Gray knocked out Coughlin with a .029 reaction time to that of .066 posted by Coughlin. Gray ran a slower elapsed time but was able to get the win.

"I just didn't give it enough respect, quite honestly, and I guess that's a wake-up call," said Coughlin. "Sometimes you get away with them, and sometimes you don't."

Coughlin is second in points, only eight behind leader Jason Line.

DID YOU KNOW…

MEET THE DRIVERS NIGHT AT CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON IN READING: Numerous NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series drivers will be on hand to meet NHRA fans during a fundraising event taking place in Reading October 3. The event will take place at the Classic Harley-Davidson in Reading and will benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Tickets for the event are $20 per person with proceeds to benefit the foundation. Drivers scheduled to appear are Blake Alexander, Brandon Bernstein, Johnny Gray, Shane Gray, Matt Hagan, Andrew Hines, Allen Johnson, Eddie Krawiek, Spencer Massey, Tony Schumacher and Greg Stanfield. More information can be found at www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.