By Kristopher Porter

Nominations are now being accepted for SEMA’s prestigious annual awards—take some time to learn about the award categories and submit your nomination.

The awards to be presented at the 2019 SEMA Show are: GEN-III Innovator, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, Rep Agency of the Year and WD of the Year.

Submit your nominations.

The awards honor individuals and companies who have made a significant impact on the specialty-equipment market industry within the past year. The award winners will be celebrated for their accomplishments at the 2019 SEMA Industry Awards Banquet, Thursday, November 7, during the 2019 SEMA Show.

Be sure to check out the SEMA Industry awards site where you can gain knowledge of the rich history of award winners, read about the award criteria, view photos from previous banquets and nominate industry leaders to win awards in multiple categories.

By Rachel Tatum

Press conferences are a good way for exhibitors to announce breaking news to the media.

The deadline to hold an official press conference at the 2019 SEMA Show is Friday, July 26. Exhibitors can submit their application online.

Available exclusively for SEMA Show exhibiting companies, press conferences are a great way to reach a large number of media with ground-breaking news announcements.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement, and press conferences will be scheduled at the discretion of SEMA Show management. Upon submitting an application, an automatic message will be emailed to confirm the application was received. Exhibitors will be notified mid-August with the status of their application, and official dates/times will be assigned by September 6.

Exhibitors can contact Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669, to learn more about SEMA Show press conferences and other media resources.

By Rachel Tatum

Press conferences are a good way for exhibitors to announce breaking news to the media.

The deadline to hold an official press conference at the 2019 SEMA Show is Friday, July 26. Exhibitors can submit their application online.

Available exclusively for SEMA Show exhibiting companies, press conferences are a great way to reach a large number of media with ground-breaking news announcements.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement, and press conferences will be scheduled at the discretion of SEMA Show management. Upon submitting an application, an automatic message will be emailed to confirm the application was received. Exhibitors will be notified mid-August with the status of their application, and official dates/times will be assigned by September 6.

Exhibitors can contact Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669, to learn more about SEMA Show press conferences and other media resources.

By Rachel Tatum

Press conferences are a good way for exhibitors to announce breaking news to the media.

The deadline to hold an official press conference at the 2019 SEMA Show is Friday, July 26. Exhibitors can submit their application online.

Available exclusively for SEMA Show exhibiting companies, press conferences are a great way to reach a large number of media with ground-breaking news announcements.

Submitting an application does not guarantee placement, and press conferences will be scheduled at the discretion of SEMA Show management. Upon submitting an application, an automatic message will be emailed to confirm the application was received. Exhibitors will be notified mid-August with the status of their application, and official dates/times will be assigned by September 6.

Exhibitors can contact Rachel Tatum at rachelt@sema.org or 909-978-6669, to learn more about SEMA Show press conferences and other media resources.

Meet Alex Carmona—the artist behind the 2018 SEMA Show artwork. Learn more about his unique creation process and what influences his designs.

Meet Alex Carmona—the artist behind the 2018 SEMA Show artwork. Learn more about his unique creation process and what influences his designs.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

Team Falken’s Piotr Wiecek took home first at Monroe’s Evergreen Speedway last weekend, wrapping up Round 5 of the 2019 Black Magic Formula DRIFT Championship.

Team Falken Takes Formula DRIFT Trifecta at Evergreen Speedway’s Round 5 Throwdown

Team Falken’s Piotr Wiecek took home first at Monroe’s Evergreen Speedway last weekend, wrapping up Round 5 of the 2019 Black Magic Formula DRIFT Championship. Defending Formula D champion James Deane built up points with a second-place finish and Daijiro “Dai” Yoshihara enjoyed his first podium of the season in third. All Team Falken members performed well throughout the night, with Wiecek qualifying first and earning a bye in the first round, as did Deane, who qualified second. Yoshihara was fourth in qualifying, followed by Falken teammates Justin Pawlak in seventh, Matt Field in 10th, and Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in 13th. All advanced to the Top 16, with the three finishers and Pawlak moving to the Top 8. Ultimately, it came down to Wiecek vs. Deane, and Wiecek’s car was the stronger of the two Saturday night. With Falken’s triple podium result, it moved into a strong lead in the Tire Manufacturers Cup. Standings after round five continue to place Bakchis in second, just two points behind the leader; while Wiecek moves to third; Deane, fourth; Yoshihara jumps to eighth; Pawlak, ninth; and Field 13th. The 2019 Black Magic Formula DRIFT Pro Championship Series goes to the Midwest for the Crossroads at St. Louis, August 8–10.

Thermo-Tec will sponsor the Elite Motorsports 2019 Pro Stock Ford Mustang for three races as Steve Matusek competes on the NHRA’s Western Swing.

Thermo-Tec Backs Matusek’s Pro Stock Effort

Drag racer and aftermarket business owner Steve Matusek made his NHRA Pro Stock debut, and Thermo-Tec will sponsor the Elite Motorsports 2019 Pro Stock Ford Mustang for three races as Matusek competes on the NHRA’s Western Swing, which began last weekend at the Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado.

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

The annual Pinewood Drag Races has quickly become a signature event by combining just the right elements of charitable giving, community participation, automotive passion and youthful spirit.

The annual Pinewood Drag Races has quickly become a signature event by combining just the right elements of charitable giving, community participation, automotive passion and youthful spirit.

The annual Pinewood Drag Races has quickly become a signature event by combining just the right elements of charitable giving, community participation, automotive passion and youthful spirit.