Tom Marx

The week after the SEMA Show is a prime opportunity to generate results from your marketing and sales efforts. With a bundle of leads—vendors, customers, prospects, media reps and industry peers—the week following the Show is a crucial time for follow-up.

Join Tom Marx, The Marx Group, and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI), Thursday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a session that will help you learn how to make good on all of your company promises with the delivery of sales material, products, technical advice and so on. To obtain the greatest return on your investment, a post-Show strategy is necessary. From the development of a trade show lead form to a timetable for response, we will present some quick and easy tools that will help you turn leads into sales.

Don't leave your SEMA Show strategy to chance! Join Tom Marx and SEI, Thursday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) and nail down your post-Show strategy.

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Tom Marx

The week after the SEMA Show is a prime opportunity to generate results from your marketing and sales efforts. With a bundle of leads—vendors, customers, prospects, media reps and industry peers—the week following the Show is a crucial time for follow-up.

Join Tom Marx, The Marx Group, and the SEMA Education Institute (SEI), Thursday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) for a session that will help you learn how to make good on all of your company promises with the delivery of sales material, products, technical advice and so on. To obtain the greatest return on your investment, a post-Show strategy is necessary. From the development of a trade show lead form to a timetable for response, we will present some quick and easy tools that will help you turn leads into sales.

Don't leave your SEMA Show strategy to chance! Join Tom Marx and SEI, Thursday, October 11, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT) and nail down your post-Show strategy.

Participate live or download the webinar when it’s convenient. And remember: SEMA webinars are free to SEMA members and only $29 for non-members.

	Goolsby Customs' Pinewood hot-rod entry, before and after.

The 2012 Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Reception will include a live auction to support SEMA Cares and increase awareness for the third-annual HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California. These cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then 12 will be placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8, and three will be auctioned live. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

We caught up with Josh Henning of Goolsby Customs.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

Our inspiration came from the old drag racers, such as Tony Nancy, Tommy Ivo and Don Garlits, and their wild paint jobs and overall look. These guys had style and helped transform fast cars into cool cars!

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

We tried to build this Pinewood much like a kid in the ’60s would have (if they had access to a cool painter). The body was made from the wood out of the kit, then the other parts were just built from whatever else we could find. Sometimes it's good to leave all the modern niceties behind and get back to the ways they used to have to do it.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

The Pinewood challenge is important because of the huge honor of being recognized with all these great builders who are working together for charity. And come on, whose arm do you really have to twist to get someone to play with a toy car?

	Goolsby Customs' Pinewood hot-rod entry, before and after.

The 2012 Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Reception will include a live auction to support SEMA Cares and increase awareness for the third-annual HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California. These cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then 12 will be placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8, and three will be auctioned live. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

We caught up with Josh Henning of Goolsby Customs.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

Our inspiration came from the old drag racers, such as Tony Nancy, Tommy Ivo and Don Garlits, and their wild paint jobs and overall look. These guys had style and helped transform fast cars into cool cars!

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

We tried to build this Pinewood much like a kid in the ’60s would have (if they had access to a cool painter). The body was made from the wood out of the kit, then the other parts were just built from whatever else we could find. Sometimes it's good to leave all the modern niceties behind and get back to the ways they used to have to do it.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

The Pinewood challenge is important because of the huge honor of being recognized with all these great builders who are working together for charity. And come on, whose arm do you really have to twist to get someone to play with a toy car?

	Goolsby Customs' Pinewood hot-rod entry, before and after.

The 2012 Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Reception will include a live auction to support SEMA Cares and increase awareness for the third-annual HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California. These cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then 12 will be placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8, and three will be auctioned live. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

We caught up with Josh Henning of Goolsby Customs.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

Our inspiration came from the old drag racers, such as Tony Nancy, Tommy Ivo and Don Garlits, and their wild paint jobs and overall look. These guys had style and helped transform fast cars into cool cars!

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

We tried to build this Pinewood much like a kid in the ’60s would have (if they had access to a cool painter). The body was made from the wood out of the kit, then the other parts were just built from whatever else we could find. Sometimes it's good to leave all the modern niceties behind and get back to the ways they used to have to do it.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

The Pinewood challenge is important because of the huge honor of being recognized with all these great builders who are working together for charity. And come on, whose arm do you really have to twist to get someone to play with a toy car?

	Goolsby Customs' Pinewood hot-rod entry, before and after.

The 2012 Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Reception will include a live auction to support SEMA Cares and increase awareness for the third-annual HRIA Pinewood Builder’s Challenge. Fifteen well-known builders created one-of-a-kind miniature hot rods in the style of Pinewood derby cars. The cars were raced at the annual SEMA Pinewood Drag Races in Pomona, California. These cars will be on display at the annual SEMA Show and then 12 will be placed on eBay for auction from October 30–November 8, and three will be auctioned live. All proceeds from the auction will go to support SEMA Cares and its two children’s charities—Childhelp and Victory Junction.

We caught up with Josh Henning of Goolsby Customs.

Describe the inspirations behind the design of your pinewood car.

Our inspiration came from the old drag racers, such as Tony Nancy, Tommy Ivo and Don Garlits, and their wild paint jobs and overall look. These guys had style and helped transform fast cars into cool cars!

Describe some of the materials and resources you used to build your car.

We tried to build this Pinewood much like a kid in the ’60s would have (if they had access to a cool painter). The body was made from the wood out of the kit, then the other parts were just built from whatever else we could find. Sometimes it's good to leave all the modern niceties behind and get back to the ways they used to have to do it.

Why is it important for you to participate in the Pinewood Challenge?

The Pinewood challenge is important because of the huge honor of being recognized with all these great builders who are working together for charity. And come on, whose arm do you really have to twist to get someone to play with a toy car?

	In addition to new products and the latest innovations from the specialty-equipment industry, the SEMA Show features a world-class education program that offers the latest in business insight and strategies specific to the automotive aftermarket.

SEMA Show exhibitors looking for ways to effectively use social-media tools and outreach at trade shows may want to read the articles linked below. Exhibitors are also encouraged to use @ tag “@The SEMA Show” on Facebook, and to tag items on Instagram and Twitter with the #SEMASHOW hashtag.

• "Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, FourSquare – How to Use Social Media at Trade Shows"

• "Five Components You Should Include in Your Trade Show Social Media Plan"

In addition to the articles, the SEMA Show will include several social-media- and online-marketing-themed sessions as a part of Education Days. Below are examples from the SEMA Show's Online Marketing Conference - Powered by eBay Motors—sessions and presentations that cover pertinent marketing strategies and topics, such as landing-page optimization, Facebook, mobile site development, search-engine optimization (SEO), search-engine marketing (SEM), pay per click (PPC), website analytics, video SEO, video marketing, reputation management and more.

"Mobile Marketing Part 1: Driving Sales, Engagement and Loyalty Through Mobile Devices"

When: October 31 - 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, N254

Powered by SEMA's Street Performance Council (SPC), this session, presented by Jeff Hasen of HipCricket, is part one of a two-part series. Changes in consumer behavior are dramatically changing the way that discovery, investigation and purchases are being made online. Without a shift to the mobile web, many companies will find themselves battling even harder for attention and reach with online browsers. How can businesses successfully plan and implement a mobile strategy? Tips and tricks to going mobile. How local search is affecting mobile consumers. The session features a 30-minute, open-floor Q&A for the conclusion.

"How Mobile Apps Are Changing Your Business Now and Forever"

When: November 1 - 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, N257

This interactive forum will explore how mobile apps and mobile web are changing the landscape of the automotive industry, specifically the aftermarket space. Learn how not to get left behind, as mobile apps and other emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, near-field communications and smart TV, have matured to true business applications to run more efficiently in both the B2B and B2C spaces in the automotive aftermarket. The forum will be hosted by Michael Beller, vice president of Mediaworks/Emerging Media at Source Interlink Media, as well as some special guests. Live demos and lots of Q&A ensure this will be a good session to attend. In addition to the professional insight offered during the session, Source Interlink Media will raffle off an iPad loaded with extras.

More information on the 2012 SEMA Show is available online at www.SEMAShow.com.

	In addition to new products and the latest innovations from the specialty-equipment industry, the SEMA Show features a world-class education program that offers the latest in business insight and strategies specific to the automotive aftermarket.

SEMA Show exhibitors looking for ways to effectively use social-media tools and outreach at trade shows may want to read the articles linked below. Exhibitors are also encouraged to use @ tag “@The SEMA Show” on Facebook, and to tag items on Instagram and Twitter with the #SEMASHOW hashtag.

• "Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, FourSquare – How to Use Social Media at Trade Shows"

• "Five Components You Should Include in Your Trade Show Social Media Plan"

In addition to the articles, the SEMA Show will include several social-media- and online-marketing-themed sessions as a part of Education Days. Below are examples from the SEMA Show's Online Marketing Conference - Powered by eBay Motors—sessions and presentations that cover pertinent marketing strategies and topics, such as landing-page optimization, Facebook, mobile site development, search-engine optimization (SEO), search-engine marketing (SEM), pay per click (PPC), website analytics, video SEO, video marketing, reputation management and more.

"Mobile Marketing Part 1: Driving Sales, Engagement and Loyalty Through Mobile Devices"

When: October 31 - 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, N254

Powered by SEMA's Street Performance Council (SPC), this session, presented by Jeff Hasen of HipCricket, is part one of a two-part series. Changes in consumer behavior are dramatically changing the way that discovery, investigation and purchases are being made online. Without a shift to the mobile web, many companies will find themselves battling even harder for attention and reach with online browsers. How can businesses successfully plan and implement a mobile strategy? Tips and tricks to going mobile. How local search is affecting mobile consumers. The session features a 30-minute, open-floor Q&A for the conclusion.

"How Mobile Apps Are Changing Your Business Now and Forever"

When: November 1 - 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center, N257

This interactive forum will explore how mobile apps and mobile web are changing the landscape of the automotive industry, specifically the aftermarket space. Learn how not to get left behind, as mobile apps and other emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, near-field communications and smart TV, have matured to true business applications to run more efficiently in both the B2B and B2C spaces in the automotive aftermarket. The forum will be hosted by Michael Beller, vice president of Mediaworks/Emerging Media at Source Interlink Media, as well as some special guests. Live demos and lots of Q&A ensure this will be a good session to attend. In addition to the professional insight offered during the session, Source Interlink Media will raffle off an iPad loaded with extras.

More information on the 2012 SEMA Show is available online at www.SEMAShow.com.

NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN, BECKMAN, ENDERS, KRAWIEC SAY ‘SEE YOU’ IN ST. LOUIS: Antron Brown raced to his sixth Top Fuel victory of the season last Sunday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, and in the process, increased his championship points lead. Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the event—the first race for the NHRA in the St. Louis area in more than two years. Brown defeated championship rival Spencer Massey in the final round and moved 21 points ahead of the Texas driver with only three races remaining in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Brown, who battled side by side with Massey all weekend, took the victory with a final-round performance of 3.766 seconds at 325.22 mph in his Matco Tools/Aaron’s dragster, while Massey trailed with a 3.812 at 324.05 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster.

“Our team hit a grand slam here this weekend,” Brown said. “We qualified No. 1 and took it one round at a time. It was a great weekend, but it’s always a struggle. This class is very competitive, and these guys aren’t playing anymore. You have your struggles here and there, and you have to keep on overcoming them. I’m just so happy for our Aaron’s/Matco guys.”

Brown beat Bruce Litton, Steve Torrence and Brandon Bernstein in early rounds before unleashing his quickest run of the day in the final against Massey. “It was a stressful day where we matched up against some great competition,” Brown said. “Matching up against my teammate [Massey] in the final was big—we’ve been back and forth in the points. It’s great to have six wins, but right now, they’re all in the past. We need to go back to the shop and get focused on these last three races. It’s just so competitive out here, and this points race is going to go down to the last race.”

For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

JENKINS TRIBUTE, INTENSE RACING, MUCH MORE AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series drivers who are aching to return to Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7, which is also the fourth race in the six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals will pay a special tribute to one of the NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock—Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who died earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of the NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy”—one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers.

In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long, including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove. The display will be located near Nitro Alley on Sunday. The top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will continue their charges during the playoffs that kicked off mid-September in Charlotte, North Carolina. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. For tickets to the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, call 610-856-7200 or log on to www.maplegroveraceway.com.

BROWN TICKELED PINK TO DRIVE MATCO’S TOOLS FOR THE CAUSE DRAGSTER TO DELIVER MESSAGE, RAISE FUNDS: Breast cancer has touched everyone, and the team at Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) can be counted on that list. Linda Matranga, mother-in-law of DSR’s NHRA Top Fuel points-leading driver Antron Brown of the Matco Tools team, is a breast cancer survivor. So is Ellen Tobler, wife of DSR’s NHRA Funny Car points-leading crew chief Rahn Tobler. Those close connections to the disease will put added luster on DSR’s special-edition pink Matco Tools dragster, which Brown will drive wearing a pink firesuit and helmet at three NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events to help promote Matco’s Tools for the Cause campaign to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

“Wearing my pink suit and driving that pink dragster will be just like flying Matco’s red, white and blue colors. It’s great to be part of Matco and be able to help others,” Brown said. “That’s God’s way and the American way.” From October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013, Matco Tools will donate 15% of the sale of specially marked products to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $100,000. Brown’s unique firesuit, helmet and the race team’s pink crew shirts will be on eBay.com in November, all proceeds of which will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

FULL THROTTLE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP HITS MIDWAY POINT: With half of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoff races complete, only three events remain, and it is becoming critical for title challengers to make a move at one of the three upcoming events—the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, October 25–28 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 8–11 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. At the midway point, in Top Fuel, leader and playoff top seed Antron Brown holds a 21-point edge over teammate Spencer Massey. Seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Al-Anabi Racing’s Shawn Langdon are well within striking distance with, as history has shown, two very capable teams. In Funny Car, top seed Ron Capps holds a 30-point lead over teammate Jack Beckman, while Mike Neff is 99 points back in his Castrol Ford Mustang. The biggest mover in Funny Car has been Tim Wilkerson, who has jumped from 10th to fifth in the first three playoff events. Another top seed, Pro Stock’s Allen Johnson holds a 109-point lead over defending world champ Jason Line. Johnson has advanced to the final in all three Countdown events, winning once. Erica Enders has some momentum from her win last weekend in St. Louis, which moved her to third in the standings. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, defending world champ and top seed Eddie Krawiec earned his seventh victory of the season in St. Louis and increased his series lead to 33 over teammate Andrew Hines.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 4–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Pennsylvania to make its 21st stop of 23 events in 2012, and the fourth race of the Countdown to the Championship. The 2011 winners included Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–28: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 22nd stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and the fifth race of the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points towards the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.


AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, November 8–11: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of the 2012 season. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points towards the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. One driver from each category will walk away a champion at the end of the day. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

ENDERS’ FIRST WIN IN THE COUNTDOWN SHOWS SHE IS A TRUE TITLE CONTENDER: GK Motorsports driver Erica Enders raced to her fourth Pro Stock victory of the season and her first Countdown playoff win Sunday at St. Louis. With the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season coming to a close, Enders sits third in the Countdown to the Championship points standings and one race win closer to a potential world title.

“It is a total team effort every week,” she said. “My team is the reason why I get to do this. They’re great. They helped me get down a tricky track when other guys were getting in pedal-fests. We were a little behind performance-wise in the final, but we made a good run, and I did my job.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3.737: BROWN CLOCKS CAREER-BEST TIME IN ST. LOUIS: Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown earned a bunch of qualifying bonus points during the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park last weekend. Three of those points came during his Friday night blast of 3.737 seconds, which vaulted him to the No. 1 qualifying position for the event. The performance was a track record and a career-best for Brown and ranked as the third-quickest run in NHRA history.
 


NEWS NUGGETS

BROWN, BECKMAN, ENDERS, KRAWIEC SAY ‘SEE YOU’ IN ST. LOUIS: Antron Brown raced to his sixth Top Fuel victory of the season last Sunday at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park, and in the process, increased his championship points lead. Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were winners of the event—the first race for the NHRA in the St. Louis area in more than two years. Brown defeated championship rival Spencer Massey in the final round and moved 21 points ahead of the Texas driver with only three races remaining in the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Brown, who battled side by side with Massey all weekend, took the victory with a final-round performance of 3.766 seconds at 325.22 mph in his Matco Tools/Aaron’s dragster, while Massey trailed with a 3.812 at 324.05 in his FRAM/Prestone dragster.

“Our team hit a grand slam here this weekend,” Brown said. “We qualified No. 1 and took it one round at a time. It was a great weekend, but it’s always a struggle. This class is very competitive, and these guys aren’t playing anymore. You have your struggles here and there, and you have to keep on overcoming them. I’m just so happy for our Aaron’s/Matco guys.”

Brown beat Bruce Litton, Steve Torrence and Brandon Bernstein in early rounds before unleashing his quickest run of the day in the final against Massey. “It was a stressful day where we matched up against some great competition,” Brown said. “Matching up against my teammate [Massey] in the final was big—we’ve been back and forth in the points. It’s great to have six wins, but right now, they’re all in the past. We need to go back to the shop and get focused on these last three races. It’s just so competitive out here, and this points race is going to go down to the last race.”

For more on this story, visit www.nhra.com.

JENKINS TRIBUTE, INTENSE RACING, MUCH MORE AT AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS: The pressure is building for NHRA Full Throttle Series drivers who are aching to return to Maple Grove Raceway for the 28th annual Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7, which is also the fourth race in the six-race Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA playoffs. The Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals will pay a special tribute to one of the NHRA’s most iconic names in Pro Stock—Pennsylvania native Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, who died earlier this year. A Grumpy Car Corral, Grump Parade and a Sunday Track Walk with members of the Jenkins family are planned in commemoration of his life and legacy. All Sunday ticket holders can take advantage of this free tribute Track Walk with the opportunity to walk side-by-side, interact with some of the NHRA’s most popular drivers while they remember “Grumpy”—one of drag racing’s greatest pioneers.

In celebration of Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary, fans will be treated to numerous festivities all weekend long, including the “50 Cars for 50 Years” display featuring some of the coolest cars selected from events held at Maple Grove. The display will be located near Nitro Alley on Sunday. The top 10 drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will continue their charges during the playoffs that kicked off mid-September in Charlotte, North Carolina. Defending event champions Spencer Massey (Top Fuel); Robert Hight (Funny Car); Jason Line (Pro Stock); and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are pushing hard to return to the winner’s circle at the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals en route to the NHRA Full Throttle world championship. As always, every ticket is a pit pass giving fans unlimited access to the sport’s biggest stars for autographs and photo opportunities. For tickets to the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, call 610-856-7200 or log on to www.maplegroveraceway.com.

BROWN TICKELED PINK TO DRIVE MATCO’S TOOLS FOR THE CAUSE DRAGSTER TO DELIVER MESSAGE, RAISE FUNDS: Breast cancer has touched everyone, and the team at Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) can be counted on that list. Linda Matranga, mother-in-law of DSR’s NHRA Top Fuel points-leading driver Antron Brown of the Matco Tools team, is a breast cancer survivor. So is Ellen Tobler, wife of DSR’s NHRA Funny Car points-leading crew chief Rahn Tobler. Those close connections to the disease will put added luster on DSR’s special-edition pink Matco Tools dragster, which Brown will drive wearing a pink firesuit and helmet at three NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events to help promote Matco’s Tools for the Cause campaign to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

“Wearing my pink suit and driving that pink dragster will be just like flying Matco’s red, white and blue colors. It’s great to be part of Matco and be able to help others,” Brown said. “That’s God’s way and the American way.” From October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013, Matco Tools will donate 15% of the sale of specially marked products to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $100,000. Brown’s unique firesuit, helmet and the race team’s pink crew shirts will be on eBay.com in November, all proceeds of which will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Visit www.nhra.com for more on this story.

FULL THROTTLE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP HITS MIDWAY POINT: With half of the Full Throttle Countdown to the Championship playoff races complete, only three events remain, and it is becoming critical for title challengers to make a move at one of the three upcoming events—the Auto-Plus NHRA Nationals, October 4–7 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania, Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, October 25–28 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the Auto Club NHRA Finals, November 8–11 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. At the midway point, in Top Fuel, leader and playoff top seed Antron Brown holds a 21-point edge over teammate Spencer Massey. Seven-time world champ Tony Schumacher and Al-Anabi Racing’s Shawn Langdon are well within striking distance with, as history has shown, two very capable teams. In Funny Car, top seed Ron Capps holds a 30-point lead over teammate Jack Beckman, while Mike Neff is 99 points back in his Castrol Ford Mustang. The biggest mover in Funny Car has been Tim Wilkerson, who has jumped from 10th to fifth in the first three playoff events. Another top seed, Pro Stock’s Allen Johnson holds a 109-point lead over defending world champ Jason Line. Johnson has advanced to the final in all three Countdown events, winning once. Erica Enders has some momentum from her win last weekend in St. Louis, which moved her to third in the standings. In Pro Stock Motorcycle, defending world champ and top seed Eddie Krawiec earned his seventh victory of the season in St. Louis and increased his series lead to 33 over teammate Andrew Hines.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AUTO-PLUS NHRA NATIONALS, Maple Grove Raceway, October 4–7: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series returns to Pennsylvania to make its 21st stop of 23 events in 2012, and the fourth race of the Countdown to the Championship. The 2011 winners included Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

BIG O TIRES NHRA NATIONALS, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 26–28: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its 22nd stop of 23 events in the 2012 season, and the fifth race of the Countdown to the Championship—the NHRA’s playoffs. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points towards the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.


AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NHRA FINALS, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, November 8–11: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series makes its final stop of the 2012 season. Drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will earn points towards the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships. One driver from each category will walk away a champion at the end of the day. The 2011 winners of the event were Del Worsham (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle). For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com. For media credentials, contact Director of Media Relations Anthony Vestal at avestal@nhra.com.

HE SAID, SHE SAID

ENDERS’ FIRST WIN IN THE COUNTDOWN SHOWS SHE IS A TRUE TITLE CONTENDER: GK Motorsports driver Erica Enders raced to her fourth Pro Stock victory of the season and her first Countdown playoff win Sunday at St. Louis. With the 2012 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season coming to a close, Enders sits third in the Countdown to the Championship points standings and one race win closer to a potential world title.

“It is a total team effort every week,” she said. “My team is the reason why I get to do this. They’re great. They helped me get down a tricky track when other guys were getting in pedal-fests. We were a little behind performance-wise in the final, but we made a good run, and I did my job.”

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3.737: BROWN CLOCKS CAREER-BEST TIME IN ST. LOUIS: Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown earned a bunch of qualifying bonus points during the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park last weekend. Three of those points came during his Friday night blast of 3.737 seconds, which vaulted him to the No. 1 qualifying position for the event. The performance was a track record and a career-best for Brown and ranked as the third-quickest run in NHRA history.