People, Places & Racing News

Beth Chryst Sets Goals, Ready to Move Forward in MX-5 Cup Competition
Beth Chryst is just one of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup drivers chasing a dream that began with a go-kart ride as a 14-year-old.

The Herndon, Virginia, native had grownup visiting the short tracks in her area, but didn’t truly become interested in driving herself until an acquaintance invited her and her father Martin to Summit Point Raceway to participate in the Woodbridge Kart Club’s fun finale. Fifteen minutes on the two-mile road course, and she was hooked.

Mike Darrow Named President and COO of Russ Darrow Group
Mike Darrow, executive vice president of the Russ Darrow Group, was named the president and chief operating officer of the company. Darrow assumes responsibility for the daily management of all aspects of the new car dealerships, encompassing 23 franchises in 13 locations, along with oversight of Russ Darrow Leasing Co. Inc. and JD Byrider/CNAC. Darrow joined the company in May of 1990 as a sales associate. He also trained at the National Automobile Dealer Association’s Dealer Candidate Academy and was named executive vice president in 2000.

NEWS NUGGETS

SPEEDFEST IN TOPEKA TO KICK OFF RACE WEEK: Festivities for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka, May 18–20, kick off May 17 with SPEEDFEST—a fan fest in downtown Topeka, Kansas, that will feature NHRA driver appearances, contests, racing simulators, music, food, prizes and race car displays. The free event is scheduled from 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on 8th Street and Kansas Avenue. Get your tickets for the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals at NHRATix.com.

SEMA's Young Executives Network (YEN) is rapidly approaching the 1,000 membership mark—we need your help to get us there. Increase your networking circle and be entered to win an iPad3 by encouraging your friends and colleagues who are under 40 and work for a SEMA-member company to join YEN.

News and updates and from SEMA's councils and committees. 

Wizards Products Hires Harris Rabren and John Darlington
Wizards Products hired Harris Rabren as national sales manager and John Darlington as business development manager for the company's Automotive Products Group. Wizards reports that Rabren has extensive experience in the paint, body and equipment (PBE) industry, which includes roles with ITW Evercoat, Sherwin-Williams and DeVilbiss. Darlington has 25 years of PBE sales experience and has a proven ability to develop new markets through using his industry knowledge.

NEWS NUGGETS

WE’RE HEADED TO HOT-LANTA: The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Georgia for the seventh race of the season—the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Defending winners are Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle). The NHRA is offering a limited number of NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs for the event, featuring a great day of fun and racing action for a family of four, including two adult and two child seats, preferred parking, four hot dogs, four small Coca-Colas and an event program. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs are available in limited quantities for each day of the event, with Friday priced at $82 and Saturday or Sunday at $114. The NHRA Nitro Generation Fan Packs must be purchased in advance. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass for the event. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

n May 1963, Petersen Publishing Company’s Dick Day shot an entire roll of film as Dean Jeffries crawled around—and over—a horseless carriage, pinstriping brush in hand.

If you have spent any significant time at a SEMA event or media gathering, chances are you have either met Matt D’Andria or seen his work. The 36-year-old Corral Springs, Florida, native moved to Southern California years ago to be closer to the automotive aftermarket and has been involved in dozens of digital media projects, from helping top automakers develop a digital footprint, to co-hosting Adam Carolla’s popular “CarCast” podcast and launching his latest venture as CEO of a unique online automotive community called Motorator.com.

Larry Swim Snags Third CFP Racing Championship in BIGFOOT Bad Boy
The Checkered Flag Productions Winter Nationals indoor racing tour wrapped up this past weekend in Pocatello, Idaho, at the Idaho State University Holt Arena. And, for the third time in four seasons, Team BIGFOOT driver Larry Swim and the BIGFOOT "Bad Boy" walked away as the Winter Nationals Monster Truck Racing champion.