Don't wait until the last minute—attendees and media can now register for the 2010 SEMA Show and AAPEX.

Funny Car driver and sophomore sensation Matt Hagan powered his DieHard Dodge Charger to his first career win while Top Fuel veteran Larry Dixon became only the eighth driver in NHRA history to earn 50 career wins with his victory over Antron Brown at Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.

News and updates from SEMA's councils and committees.

SEMA Leadership Days kick off on July 23, with events including the SPC Business Technology Symposium, Show 'N Shine, Pinewood Drag Races, and the Installation Banquet and Gala Fundraiser.

NHRA’s Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) says it will not participate in another four-wide competition for points; North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue creates the Governor’s Motorsports Advisory Council designed to protect and expand the motorsports industry in North Carolina;  the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium received a $32,000 grant to conduct a study and plan for preservation of the stadium in Paterson, New Jersey; and more racing news.

SEMA has developed a list of 1,500 buyers and distributors in China from which the best matches will meet with U.S. manufacturers participating in the new SEMA CIAPE China Development Conference, taking place September 23–26.

Companies that purchase health care insurance and have less than 25 employees may be able to claim a tax credit. The credit varies according to size and average wages.

Think you know what it takes to successfully introduce a new product in today’s tough market? Well, according to Tom Marx, president and CEO of The Marx Group, who moderated the 2009 SEMA Show webinar entitled Product Launches: What You Must and Must Not Do, every product launch should start with “The Six Ps”: Plan, Product, Pricing, Placement, Promotion and Participation.

Mopar is joining forces with custom-car builder Rich Evans to bring to life a customized Dodge Challenger for the 2010 SEMA Show.

The issues facing the United States and all of its industries are among the most important that we've ever faced in the nation's history. If ever there was an alarm sounding for small business in America, it is blaring now. SEMA members need to read this column and become active and aggressive about supporting the lawmakers who support our industry and small businesses across America. Otherwise, we'll only get what apathy deserves, and that is not acceptable.

The last election cycle ensconced a congress and White House that continue to overlook a crucial point in the plans for an economic turnaround: it is small business supplying most of the jobs in America. Unless small businesses succeed, the needed re-employment, improved consumer confidence and healthy climb out of the current recession will not materialize. [Read more]