Hagan, Salinas and Enders Earn Wins at NHRA New England Nationals
Matt Hagan delivered a run of 3.922 seconds at 327.98 mph in his 11,000-hp Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat for Tony Stewart Racing in the championship round against Robert Hight.
For the first time this year, Funny Car points leader Matt Hagan knocked off Robert Hight in the final round, powering to a third win of the season last Sunday at the NHRA New England Nationals at a sold-out New England Dragway. Mike Salinas (Top Fuel) and Erica Enders (Pro Stock) also picked up wins at the eighth of 22 races during the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. For the second straight day, NHRA and New England Dragway officials announced a sellout crowd at the facility.
Hagan delivered a run of 3.922 seconds at 327.98 mph in his 11,000-hp Dodge Power Brokers Charger SRT Hellcat for Tony Stewart Racing in the championship round against Hight, as the two standouts met in the final for the third time in 2022. Hight won the first two, including at the most recent race, but Hagan earned his 42nd career win on Sunday.
In Top Fuel, Salinas drove to his third win in what has been a stellar 2022 campaign, powering past Justin Ashley in the final round with a 3.729 at 330.80 in his 11,000-hp Valley Services/Scrappers Racing dragster. A year after falling in the final round at New England Dragway, Salinas made amends on Sunday, climbing to second in points with his sixth career victory. Brittany Force, who set the track speed record on Sunday with a run of 334.90, maintained the points lead, now 50 points over Salinas.
Enders capped off her weekend with a winning run of 6.547 at 211.00 in the finals in her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Enders knocked off defending event winner Aaron Stanfield in the final round, claiming her third straight victory and fourth in what’s been a dominant 2022 season. Stanfield stayed second in points, though Enders’ lead grew to 92 points with the victory.
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series returns to action June 17–19 with the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Tickets to the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, a prestigious celebration where industry leaders and SEMA Hall of Fame members are recognized, are now available at www.sema.org/gala.
The prestigious SEMA Awards Gala will return to Anaheim, California, on July 29, to honor industry leaders and SEMA Hall of Fame inductees.
Formerly known as the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala, the annual SEMA Awards Gala is open to the industry and will take place July 29, at the brand-new Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California, in what will be a sort of homecoming for the industry. Following the inaugural SEMA Show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1967, the trade show was held at the Anaheim Convention Center from 1968 to 1976 before moving to Las Vegas the next year.
“The SEMA Awards Gala is a great opportunity for the industry to come together at mid-year to connect in person and have meaningful conversations in an intimate setting,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Our roots extend to the city of Anaheim, so it will be exciting to return with friends and colleagues to honor industry leaders."
Among those honored at this year’s Gala are incoming and outgoing board members and 2022 SEMA Hall of Fame inductees Walker Evans, Jack Roush and “Gene” Winfield.
The SEMA Cares Pinewood Drags, a cherished Gala tradition, will also return to offer industry participants the chance to sponsor a child-built pinewood racecar or challenge industry colleagues in head-to-head competition. The races, which are run throughout the Friday reception and into the evening, support SEMA Cares, a group that unites the automotive aftermarket’s fundraising efforts to raise money for various charities.
To secure one of the limited number of available seats and tables available for the 2022 SEMA Awards Gala, visit www.sema.org/gala. For more information about the SEMA Pinewood Drag Races or to sponsor a car, visit www.sema.org/pinewood.
California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana and South Dakota will hold their 2022 primary elections on Tuesday, June 7, and it’s important to know which candidates support racing when going to the polls or voting early. For information on voting in the primary (including absentee and early voting), registering to vote and identifying your lawmakers and the candidates running in 2022, visit SEMA’s vote racing page.
The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), H.R. 3281 and S. 2736, enjoys strong support from California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana and South Dakota members of Congress. The bipartisan RPM Act guarantees the right to modify street cars, trucks and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and safeguards the industry’s right to offer parts that enable racers to compete. For more information on the RPM Act, click here.
Below is a list of federal lawmakers who have co-sponsored the RPM Act in the 2021–2022 session of Congress and are running for re-election in 2022.
This is the upcoming ’23 Ram HD refresh in 3500 dually form.
Taking a look at the truck, it appears that the biggest change will be to the hood, which will get a RAM air intake similar to what’s found on the Silverado and Sierra HD. From there, we see a new set of advanced camera mirrors, specifically Magna’s CLEARVIEW camera monitoring system. The technology is reportedly going to be ready for production applications starting in ’22–’23, and some variants of the RAM lineup will be the first to use the system.
The ’23 Ram HD is set to debut shortly before launching later this year.
SEMA Show exhibitors and attendees preparing for the 2022 SEMA Show can lock in the guaranteed lowest hotel rate now by booking in the SEMA Show Block.
Making hotel reservations in the Block provides you with the most affordable and convenient options for a wide range of hotels located on and off the Strip.
Several Las Vegas hotels are offering free parking to those who book in the SEMA Show block.
All of the hotels available through the SEMA Show Block come with a low-price guarantee. To help ensure that your price remains the lowest, SEMA will price-match lower advertised rates, even after your reservations are set. Whether you're looking for your favorite place to stay, or for a hotel within close proximity to the Show, you can book with confidence knowing you will get the rooms you need at the the most affordable price available.
The SEMA Show also provides shuttle service to and from the Show for the hotels listed that are not within walking distance to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
There are more than 45 hotels available in the block. For more information on the hotels listed below, including rating, price per night and distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center, visit www.SEMAShow.com.
Driving to the Show? See the list below for hotels offering free parking and book through the SEMA Show Block to secure your stay.
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - $269 per night
Downtown Grand Las Vegas - $125.50 per night
Encore - $265 per night
Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - $138 per night
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Flamingo - $282 per night
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Paradise - $281 per night
Each year, the SEMA Show displays hundreds of vehicles throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of the Show’s Feature Vehicle Program.
All vehicles on display are sponsored by an exhibiting company allowing manufacturers to expand their footprint at the SEMA Show beyond their booth.
All vehicles on display are sponsored by an exhibiting company allowing manufacturers to expand their footprint at the SEMA Show beyond their booth.
Each vehicle accepted will also be featured in the SEMA Show app displaying; vehicle image, make, model, year, color, products used as part of the build, builder’s name and the name and booth number of the sponsoring exhibiting company.
When completing the Feature Vehicle application, you may also select the option of having your vehicle enrolled for consideration in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. “SEMA Battle of the Builders” is judged by industry experts and presented to individuals who have demonstrated extreme talent, creativity and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks and SUVs.
The 2022 SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit will be held Tuesday–Thursday, July 26–28, in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).
SEMA Vice President, Events Tom Gattuso will provide Exhibitor Summit attendees helpful tips on how to be successful at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
At the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit, exhibitors will receive helpful tips from Show management and have the opportunity to meet with their SEMA Show sales director. During educational sessions, exhibitors will learn how to:
Use proven strategies to attract buyers to their booths.
Save big bucks on Show costs, such as material handling, electrical and related Show expenses.
Work one-on-one with Show experts to maximize ROI.
Properly plan and budget to add value to their Show experience.
Take advantage of SEMA value-added programs.
Explore promotional opportunities through sponsorships.
Participate in the New Products Showcase.
Utilize the Exhibitor Services Manual.
There is no cost to attend. Exhibitors pay for their flight and SEMA takes care of the rest, which includes hotel, shuttle service from hotel to LVCC, breakfast and lunch, a cocktail Hour on July 26 and an excursion on July 27 (TBD).
For more information, contact the Show department at semashow@sema.org or 909-396-0289.
Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show, the premier gathering for the automotive specialty-equipment industry, is now open at www.semashow.com/register.
Taking place November 1–4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the 2022 SEMA Show will build upon the positive momentum following last year’s event, which successfully connected the $47.8 billion industry in person in what was the largest automotive trade show in North America since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.
“The SEMA Show is where industry professionals go to grow existing relationships, create new ones, and push their businesses forward,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “Exhibitors are eager to showcase their products and services to the tens of thousands of qualified professionals in attendance.”
Anticipation for this year's SEMA Show ramped up in recent weeks as exhibitors selected their booth locations during Priority Space Selection, a weeks-long process that took place May 2–18.
“Enthusiasm for the 2022 Show continues to exceed last year’s, with more than 1 million sq. ft. of exhibitor space already committed for the 2022 SEMA Show and confirmed spaces running 25% above last year,” said Warren Kosikov, SEMA vice president of sales.
Attendees at the 2022 SEMA Show will learn about the latest products, trends and technology in the industry from manufacturers exhibiting throughout the entire Las Vegas Convention Center, including the surrounding parking lots. Educational seminars led by industry experts and networking events that bring market niches together will also be available during the four-day trade event.
“Our industry continues to thrive despite current challenges in the marketplace, and last year’s event proved that the value of conducting business and networking face-to-face can never be replaced,” said Gattuso. “Our mission is to help continue that momentum by providing an unparalleled experience that builds meaningful business relationships.”
Registration for the 2022 SEMA Show is offered in three categories—attendee, exhibitor and media—and everyone must qualify to attend. Attendees are encouraged to register early at www.semashow.com/register so they can secure their credentials and receive updates on breaking news from the 2022 SEMA Show.
Attendees are encouraged to check the floorplan to see where the companies they need to interact with will be located at the 2022 SEMA Show.
For more information about qualifying documents and the 2022 SEMA Show, log on to www.semashow.com.
Are you hunting for a new job? The SEMA Career Center has a comprehensive listing of automotive-related job openings around the country. Here are some of the latest jobs posted to the website.
Accounting Coordinator Power Automedia is hiring an accounting coordinator responsible for executing the day-to-day accounting operations for a fun and faced-paced workplace. This will mean wearing multiple hats at times in order to get the job done. The best candidate will possess an upbeat, team- and company-oriented attitude and the ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven, “mature startup” environment. A minimum of 3–5 years of previous experience in accounting services and knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping practices are required.
Operations and Logistics Manager Piston Driven LLC is hiring an operations and logistics managerresponsible for short- and long-term operations and logistics, including maintaining and preparing a combination of 10 trucks and trailers for 18–20 shows per year. Candidates must be mechanically inclined, detail oriented, a self starter and have the ability to keep equipment, warehouse and assets exceptionally prepped. This position is also responsible for controlling the receiving and organization of merchandise pre- and post-show.
Shop Technician Northridge 4x4 is hiring a shop technicianresponsible for installing parts and accessories for Jeep customers. This position uses quality-control methods to ensure that all builds are complete before the Jeep leaves the shop and maintains the cleanliness and safety of the shop while working under general direction. Candidates must have a high-school diploma or equivalent and two years’ minimum work-related experience or a combination of education and experience.
