By SEMA Editors

Art Chrisman was honored with the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

SEMA Hall of Fame drag racer, hot rodder and land-speed racer Art Chrisman passed away July 12 at the age of 86 after a years-long struggle with cancer.

In late September 1955, the NHRA staged its first-ever National Championship Drag Races in Great Bend, Kansas. The first car to make a pass at this historic event was Chrisman’s Hemi-powered No. 25 dragster.

On just his second run down the concrete quarter-mile, Chrisman hit a top speed of more than 145 mph—a mark that would remain the highest of the meet, for single-engine cars, anyway.

This was by no means the first—or last—time Chrisman would make history in a fast car. He grew up in a fast family, working at the Chrisman and Sons Garage in Compton, California, with his father, Evert, and brother, Lloyd, while his uncle Jack (a history-making racer in his own right) ran a service station nearby. Behind the wheel of Chet Herbert’s Beast streamliner in 1952, Chrisman became the fifth member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club with a 235-mph run. His No. 25 dragster—a converted dry-lakes race car—was the first to eclipse 140 mph in 1953. Before the end of the decade, he would become the first man to exceed 180 mph in his Hustler I dragster, and he also piloted the Hustler to Top Eliminator honors at the very first United States Fuel & Gas Championships in Bakersfield, California, now known as the March Meet.

After a number of very busy years racing on dragstrips and at Bonneville, Chrisman went to work for Ford’s Autolite division, where his years of competition experience helped other racers. He later continued his family legacy of speed by opening Chrisman’s Auto Rod Specialties with his son Mike, where among their earliest projects was the restoration of Chrisman’s historic Hustler I.

Chrisman’s achievements in a race car landed him the 29th spot on the NHRA’s list of Top 50 Drivers of all Time. His accomplishments also earned him membership in the Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into SEMA’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

His legacy lives on, in a way, as part of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum’s Gallery of Speed display in the museum’s lobby. A life-size sculpted likeness of Chrisman stands next to the Beast that he raced at Bonneville, while nearby is the No. 25 dragster, ready to launch as a sculpted starter drops his flag.

Art Chrisman (center) accepts the SEMA Hall of Fame honor from Dave McClelland (right) in 2011.	In late September 1955, the NHRA staged its first-ever National Championship Drag Races in Great Bend, Kansas. The first car to make a pass at this historic event was Art Chrisman’s Hemi-powered No. 25 dragster. (Photo credit: Petersen Archive)

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SEATTLE FINAL ROUNDS RAINED OUT; NITRO FINALS MOVED TO BRAINERD, PRO STOCK TO INDY: The final rounds of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Pacific Raceways have been delayed due to inclement weather. After multiple rain delays, NHRA officials announced the Funny Car final round between Del Worsham and Ron Capps and the Top Fuel final round between Antron Brown and Steve Torrence will be completed during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. The Pro Stock final between Washington native Aaron Strong and Vincent Nobile will be decided at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, August 31–September 5.

MORE COUNTDOWN PLAYOFF POSITIONS CLINCHED IN SEATTLE: After the rain postponement of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil in Seattle, six Top Fuel drivers have clinched their berths in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. In Funny Car, seven drivers have locked up their invitations to the six-race battle for the titles while four racers have locked in their position in Pro Stock and three in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Only the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd and the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy remain for drivers to earn their berths, which are based on finishing the regular season in the top 10 in points.

PAPA JOHN'S DELIVERS SUPPORT TO PRITCHETT: Papa John's International Inc. announced it will sponsor sponsor Leah Pritchett's Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel dragster team at the upcoming NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals as it did during the recent event in Seattle.

“This means so much to me, our team and the sport of NHRA drag racing,” said Pritchett. “We are huge fans of Papa John’s Pizza and are confident it will help fuel us to victory. My dream is one day to walk into a location and order a ‘Leah’s Nitro Pizza’ on the Papa John’s menu. One requirement—it has to be spicy!”

He Said, She Said

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements. I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a head start. I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

—Funny Car racer Courtney Force on her contact with the safety barrier during eliminations in Seattle last Sunday.   

Inside the Numbers

3.832: Number in seconds of the current Funny Car national E.T. record set by Del Worsham during qualifying at the Protect the Harvest NHRA Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Seattle. During the course of the weekend, four of the quickest runs in Funny Car history were posted during qualifying. Worsham secured the No. 1 qualifying position with the run and is in the rain-postponed finals that will take place in Brainerd, Minnesota, during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 18–21.

Did You Know

SMITH TO TUNE LEE/KALITTA MOTORSPORTS FUNNY CAR ENTRY: Championship-winning tuner Todd Smith has been named as the crew chief on the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Paul Lee. Smith will lead the third Funny Car team for Kalitta Motorsports that will begin running at the NHRA Keystone Nationals later this fall.

“I am excited to be back with Team Kalitta and to be able to work with Paul and the McLeod team on putting this new operation together,” said Smith. “Lee is a talented driver, and with the Kalitta equipment, I am confident in our chances to have success.”

Smith has spent five seasons previously with Kalitta Motorsports working with drivers Connie, Doug and Scott Kalitta throughout the late ’90s. After departing, he led Jack Beckman to the 2012 Funny Car Championship. Last season, he worked with Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel team.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SEATTLE FINAL ROUNDS RAINED OUT; NITRO FINALS MOVED TO BRAINERD, PRO STOCK TO INDY: The final rounds of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Pacific Raceways have been delayed due to inclement weather. After multiple rain delays, NHRA officials announced the Funny Car final round between Del Worsham and Ron Capps and the Top Fuel final round between Antron Brown and Steve Torrence will be completed during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. The Pro Stock final between Washington native Aaron Strong and Vincent Nobile will be decided at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, August 31–September 5.

MORE COUNTDOWN PLAYOFF POSITIONS CLINCHED IN SEATTLE: After the rain postponement of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil in Seattle, six Top Fuel drivers have clinched their berths in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. In Funny Car, seven drivers have locked up their invitations to the six-race battle for the titles while four racers have locked in their position in Pro Stock and three in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Only the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd and the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy remain for drivers to earn their berths, which are based on finishing the regular season in the top 10 in points.

PAPA JOHN'S DELIVERS SUPPORT TO PRITCHETT: Papa John's International Inc. announced it will sponsor sponsor Leah Pritchett's Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel dragster team at the upcoming NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals as it did during the recent event in Seattle.

“This means so much to me, our team and the sport of NHRA drag racing,” said Pritchett. “We are huge fans of Papa John’s Pizza and are confident it will help fuel us to victory. My dream is one day to walk into a location and order a ‘Leah’s Nitro Pizza’ on the Papa John’s menu. One requirement—it has to be spicy!”

He Said, She Said

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements. I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a head start. I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

—Funny Car racer Courtney Force on her contact with the safety barrier during eliminations in Seattle last Sunday.   

Inside the Numbers

3.832: Number in seconds of the current Funny Car national E.T. record set by Del Worsham during qualifying at the Protect the Harvest NHRA Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Seattle. During the course of the weekend, four of the quickest runs in Funny Car history were posted during qualifying. Worsham secured the No. 1 qualifying position with the run and is in the rain-postponed finals that will take place in Brainerd, Minnesota, during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 18–21.

Did You Know

SMITH TO TUNE LEE/KALITTA MOTORSPORTS FUNNY CAR ENTRY: Championship-winning tuner Todd Smith has been named as the crew chief on the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Paul Lee. Smith will lead the third Funny Car team for Kalitta Motorsports that will begin running at the NHRA Keystone Nationals later this fall.

“I am excited to be back with Team Kalitta and to be able to work with Paul and the McLeod team on putting this new operation together,” said Smith. “Lee is a talented driver, and with the Kalitta equipment, I am confident in our chances to have success.”

Smith has spent five seasons previously with Kalitta Motorsports working with drivers Connie, Doug and Scott Kalitta throughout the late ’90s. After departing, he led Jack Beckman to the 2012 Funny Car Championship. Last season, he worked with Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel team.

Compiled by SEMA Editors

NHRA News

SEATTLE FINAL ROUNDS RAINED OUT; NITRO FINALS MOVED TO BRAINERD, PRO STOCK TO INDY: The final rounds of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Pacific Raceways have been delayed due to inclement weather. After multiple rain delays, NHRA officials announced the Funny Car final round between Del Worsham and Ron Capps and the Top Fuel final round between Antron Brown and Steve Torrence will be completed during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd. The Pro Stock final between Washington native Aaron Strong and Vincent Nobile will be decided at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, August 31–September 5.

MORE COUNTDOWN PLAYOFF POSITIONS CLINCHED IN SEATTLE: After the rain postponement of the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil in Seattle, six Top Fuel drivers have clinched their berths in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. In Funny Car, seven drivers have locked up their invitations to the six-race battle for the titles while four racers have locked in their position in Pro Stock and three in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Only the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd and the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy remain for drivers to earn their berths, which are based on finishing the regular season in the top 10 in points.

PAPA JOHN'S DELIVERS SUPPORT TO PRITCHETT: Papa John's International Inc. announced it will sponsor sponsor Leah Pritchett's Don Schumacher Racing Top Fuel dragster team at the upcoming NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals as it did during the recent event in Seattle.

“This means so much to me, our team and the sport of NHRA drag racing,” said Pritchett. “We are huge fans of Papa John’s Pizza and are confident it will help fuel us to victory. My dream is one day to walk into a location and order a ‘Leah’s Nitro Pizza’ on the Papa John’s menu. One requirement—it has to be spicy!”

He Said, She Said

“I have to thank everyone at Simpson Racing and their Stilo helmet for protecting me. To hit a concrete guard wall and move it two feet and not break any bones is a testament to their equipment and NHRA safety requirements. I am going to see a physical therapist in Tahoe. Thankfully we have a weekend off. My goal is to get healed up as soon as possible. I want to say sorry to my team to have to witness that. We were planning on making a lot of changes to my car after this race and my dad joked that I gave them a head start. I definitely feel bad we ruined the body and the chassis. Luckily we have some time and can get the car fixed up and my own body fixed up. I am looking forward to getting back as fast as I can. I want to thank all the fans for all their support.”

—Funny Car racer Courtney Force on her contact with the safety barrier during eliminations in Seattle last Sunday.   

Inside the Numbers

3.832: Number in seconds of the current Funny Car national E.T. record set by Del Worsham during qualifying at the Protect the Harvest NHRA Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at Seattle. During the course of the weekend, four of the quickest runs in Funny Car history were posted during qualifying. Worsham secured the No. 1 qualifying position with the run and is in the rain-postponed finals that will take place in Brainerd, Minnesota, during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, August 18–21.

Did You Know

SMITH TO TUNE LEE/KALITTA MOTORSPORTS FUNNY CAR ENTRY: Championship-winning tuner Todd Smith has been named as the crew chief on the McLeod Racing Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Paul Lee. Smith will lead the third Funny Car team for Kalitta Motorsports that will begin running at the NHRA Keystone Nationals later this fall.

“I am excited to be back with Team Kalitta and to be able to work with Paul and the McLeod team on putting this new operation together,” said Smith. “Lee is a talented driver, and with the Kalitta equipment, I am confident in our chances to have success.”

Smith has spent five seasons previously with Kalitta Motorsports working with drivers Connie, Doug and Scott Kalitta throughout the late ’90s. After departing, he led Jack Beckman to the 2012 Funny Car Championship. Last season, he worked with Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel team.

By Jason Catullo

Celebrity appearances will be promoted in the the Official 2016 SEMA Show Directory and the 2016 SEMA Show Daily.

SEMA Show exhibitors planning to have a special appearance in their booth need to submit the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by September 2 in order to be promoted in the SEMA Show’s printed material. Whether it’s a racecar driver, industry icon, TV personality, or famous vehicle, Show management will promote it in SEMA’s publications, including the Official 2016 SEMA Show Directory, and the 2016 SEMA Show Daily. 

A common reason that companies host a celebrity or special icon is to drive booth traffic by providing buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company's target market.

Complete the Celebrity Appearance Notification form to have your special attraction publicized with your company name and Show booth number.

Questions? Contact Gina Ledesma at ginal@sema.org or 909-978-6668.

Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2016 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By Jason Catullo

Celebrity appearances will be promoted in the the Official 2016 SEMA Show Directory and the 2016 SEMA Show Daily.

SEMA Show exhibitors planning to have a special appearance in their booth need to submit the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by September 2 in order to be promoted in the SEMA Show’s printed material. Whether it’s a racecar driver, industry icon, TV personality, or famous vehicle, Show management will promote it in SEMA’s publications, including the Official 2016 SEMA Show Directory, and the 2016 SEMA Show Daily. 

A common reason that companies host a celebrity or special icon is to drive booth traffic by providing buyers with an identifiable, visual connection of the company's target market.

Complete the Celebrity Appearance Notification form to have your special attraction publicized with your company name and Show booth number.

Questions? Contact Gina Ledesma at ginal@sema.org or 909-978-6668.

Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2016 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

By Michael Hart

Online aftermarket industry sales are growing rapidly. According to one report, online aftermarket revenue was $6.5 billion last year. That report also notes that retail stores generated $30 billion in sales—proof that brick-and-mortar isn’t going anywhere. What do you need to do to guarantee your store’s sales continue to grow in the face of this digital challenge?

The 2016 SEMA Show will introduce a new retail track designed to provide ammunition to take on online competitors. The best strategy for competing with e-commerce is customized customer service. In “5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Is Beating Online,” attendees will learn tactics to assure customers that the best way to get what they want is to come into their stores and why personalized service trumps internet shopping.

There’s a ton of information available online today about specialty equipment. In fact, maybe there’s too much information for the DIY hobbyist who must be able to visit his or her local installer, builder, tuner or restyler, and talk face-to-face about the project and how to complete it. Attendees can learn how to turn their expertise and knowledge into dollars with the session “Selling Value Is Winning Back Customers at Brick-and-Mortar Shops.”

The specialty-equipment industry isn’t the only business segment experiencing the looming threat of digital competition. Some of the basic principles of how to overcome obstacles and thrive in an e-tail economy are universal. The “Retail Perspectives: Universal Principles of Retail Success” session will show what winners in other industries—photography, music and book sellers—are doing to guarantee success in their retail outlets.

Finally, the “7 Low-Cost Design Ideas for Small Retail Spaces” session will offer good nuts-and-bolts advice on what to do with customers once they enter the store. The consumer is changing and so must a store’s interior layout. Learn some common-sense design strategies that will generate more revenue today.

Competing with an anonymous website can be tricky for brick-and-mortar store managers, so take advantage of the SEMA Show’s retail track to find out how to beat online competitors.

View complete information on all the 2016 SEMA Show education tracks.

Strengthen Your Company Through Community

No matter what niche you're in—rods, restoration, racing, restyling, trucks or wheels and tires—there’s a SEMA council or professional network that's right for your company. SEMA councils and networks offer members a variety of market-specific programs and activities designed to provide educational and networking opportunities while promoting their particular industry segment.

Visit YEN's website

The top 13 young automotive entrepreneurs will participate in the fourth annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition.

SEMA Launch Pad Voting Now Live

From nearly 80 competitors, the top 13 young automotive entrepreneurs have been named in the fourth annual SEMA Launch Pad Presented by YEN competition. Representing new, innovative products and services in the specialty automotive aftermarket, these next-gen automotive leaders are looking for their big break to launch their businesses to the next level. Watch their short business pitches on YEN’s Facebook page, and vote today!

Your vote will decide the 10 competitors who will pitch their business to a celebrity judging panel at the SEMA Show, including automotive industry juggernauts Jim Cozzie, Ron Coleman, Jessi Combs, Brian Rowland and Dave Ziozios.

Voting ends September 1, with the live on-stage competition occurring November 2, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in the Las Vegas Convention Center room N258 (second floor, North Hall).

Top 13 SEMA Launch Pad Competitors – Vote Now!

Aaron Aldrich, owner, Any Level Lift
Product: Any Level Lift

Richard Baverstock, founder/CEO, Mogol Inc.
Product: Glide

Matt Corish, co-founder, V12LS.com
Product: V12 LS Engine

Steed Dolan, owner, Steeds Tech
Product: Banshee Controller

John Paul Gusewelle, COO, Metal Conditioner Squared LLC
Product: MC2/Metal Container Squared

Justin Hartenstein, president/founder, ORACLE Lighting
Product: Jeep Wrangler LED Integrated Side Mirrors

Amanda Holbert, president, Plasma Glide LLC
Product: PlasmaGlide

Bryce Hudson, owner, Grip Clean
Product: All Natural Industrial Hand Soap

Wesley Jurica, co-owner, Gigabit Games LLC
Product: CrawlrCam

Xavier Miller, owner/founder, Spultronix LLC
Product: Motorsports Electronics

Kevin Patrick, president, Exomotive LLC
Product: Exocet

Sarah Powell, COO, Turnberry Innovations
Product: CorBox and GapSaver

Irina Slavina, co-founder/general counsel, Hudway LLC
Product: HUDWAY Glass

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