McLaren Racing has officially launched its endurance team--McLaren United AS—ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Having already announced its LMDh entry in the Hypercar category of FIA WEC for 2027 earlier this year, McLaren Racing revealed new details of its Hypercar designed by McLaren, which will be run in collaboration with United Autosports. The Hypercar which will be produced by Dallara and powered by a V6 twin-turbo engine.

James Barclay will join as team principal in September from his most recent role as managing director of JLR Motorsport and team principal of Jaguar TCS Racing in the FIA Formula E World Championship, once the season wraps at the end of July. Barclay will join the McLaren Racing Executive Leadership Team and report to CEO, Zak Brown.

"McLaren Racing's return to the FIA World Endurance Championship marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us, and James' leadership will be crucial in guiding us through the coming months as we prepare for our 2027 entry," Brown said. "We have a rich history in the sport, and with James at the helm, we are confident that McLaren Endurance Racing will quickly establish itself as a competitive and successful team. I'm looking forward to seeing the team's future take shape under his leadership and can't wait to give fans an exclusive preview of our 2027 race car."

For more information, visit mclaren.com.

JE Pistons is mourning the loss of senior design engineer Matt Periconi following a battle with cancer.

The company issued the following statement announcing his passing:

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and industry legend, Matt Periconi, following a courageous battle with cancer. Matt was more than just a senior design engineer at JE Pistons--he was a mentor, an innovator and a cornerstone of the racing piston community for over two decades.

Matt’s journey in the performance piston industry began at Ross Pistons and Arias Pistons, where he honed his craft under some of the industry’s early pioneers. He brought that foundational knowledge, deep humility and relentless pursuit of perfection to JE Pistons, where he served with distinction for nearly 20 years.

Matt was the silent hero behind many of the technologies that drive today’s aftermarket and racing pistons. His hands helped shape the evolution of modern piston design and his name is etched into the legacy of dozens of championship-winning race teams. His remarkable attention to detail and uncompromising standards made him one of the most respected minds in the business.

But beyond his technical contributions, Matt will be remembered for his selfless spirit and quiet strength. He never sought recognition, yet his impact was felt everywhere--from the drawing board to the finish line. He gave freely of his time and wisdom, often going above and beyond to support his teammates, customers and the racing community at large.

Matt’s legacy lives on in the engines he helped build, the races he helped win and the many people he inspired along the way. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched. He will be missed beyond measure.

Rest in peace, Matt. Thank you for everything.

For more information, visit jepistons.com.

Sumitomo Rubber North America (SRNA), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Rubber Industries and parent company of Falken Tires based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has promoted Cliff Stewart to associate vice president of four-wheel replacement sales and Christopher de Rosales to associate vice president of strategic planning.

SRNA developed the associate vice president (AVP) role to recognize top talent and provide a succession plan for key executive roles within the organization, ensuring consistency and long-term stability, the company said.

Stewart has more than 24 years of experience in the automotive industry, holding positions in business development, marketing, OE sales management, director of commercial truck tires and director of passenger-car and light-truck tires. Stewart has learned the replacement side of the business, building relationships with customers and creating new disciplines within the commercial-truck, passenger and light-truck tires team.

de Rosales is a 13-year veteran at SRNA. His well-known mastery of data, competitors and strategy during his recent tenure as the director of market intelligence significantly contributed to SRNA's success, company representatives said. In his new role, de Rosales will be responsible for creating, planning and executing longer-term goals for SRNA.

For more information, visit falkentire.com.

The NTT INDYCAR Series will shift the introduction of its new chassis and engine from "as early as 2027" to 2028, as first reported by RACER.

The current chassis used in INDYCAR is the Dallara IR-12, and the current engine is a 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 from either Honda or Chevrolet.

For more information, visit indycar.com.

PRI and SEMA are expressing profound thanks to President Trump, who today signed a Congressional Review Act resolution that will protect more than 330,000 American jobs and preserve $100 billion in annual economic impact for the nation's economy by revoking a waiver that would have enabled California to ban internal combustion engine vehicles.

President Trump, who invited PRI and SEMA to join him in the Oval Office for the signing ceremony, now has delivered on a key campaign promise in which he pledged to preserve vehicle choice for millions of Americans to decide which car or truck is right for them. In doing so, President Trump has provided a significant firewall for the nation's automotive aftermarket, a third of whom manufacture and sell products solely for internal combustion engine vehicles.

"President Trump meant what he said when he declared his intent to stop radical policymakers from depriving the American people of vehicle choice. He has proven to be a man of his word and a true champion of American innovation and ingenuity, particularly of that borne out of the automotive aftermarket industry," said SEMA and PRI CEO Mike Spagnola, who was present for the signing ceremony. "This is a clear example of American government at its finest, where a bipartisan set of lawmakers set aside their differences for the sake of the American people--in this case, to strike down a bad, ill-conceived policy from California that would've shattered the nation's economy and destabilized the automotive marketplace."

Background 

PRI and SEMA are not, and never will be, anti-EV; rather, they champion a technology-neutral approach that fosters innovation and ingenuity. The association will continue efforts to preserve Americans' rights to vehicle choice and the automotive aftermarket industry's ability to design, manufacture and bring to market products that help solve the emissions challenge.

Beginning in 2023, PRI and SEMA led a national effort to educate voters and lawmakers on the damage of EV mandates on families, the working class and American small businesses. In February, when the effort to overturn the California waiver kicked into high gear, PRI and SEMA mobilized an army of advocates to:

• Send more than 56,000 letters to lawmakers in the House and Senate.
   
• Build a coalition of 335 small businesses for an April letter urging House and Senate leadership to hold votes to put an immediate stop to the implementation of the ACC II regulation.
   
• Host aftermarket business leaders and automotive influencers for 56 in-person meetings in Washington, D.C., with lawmakers and their staffs.
   
• Dominate the digital media landscape with countless memes and posts on the harms of EV mandates, reaching more than 2 million voters in key states, and running online ads that put pressure on lawmakers and staff around the Capitol.
   

Along the way, states not named California got wise to the harms of EV mandates. Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Vermont each backed off policies to follow California's emissions policies, while North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, West Virginia and eight other states passed PRI- and SEMA-supported "ban the ban" legislation to ensure such mandates never take effect again.

This follows a significant financial investment by PRI and SEMA to educate voters throughout the 2024 presidential campaign via its Driving Force Action SuperPAC, with ads running the battleground states of Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Readers can watch President Trump participate in the bill signing ceremony on June 12, 2025, on The White House YouTube page here.


Image courtesy of The White House, YouTube

PRI's Washington, D.C., office continues to gain new clarity on President Trump's tariffs policies, including details on "stacking," in which some tariffs are combined with others. Here's the latest.

How We Got Here

President Trump earlier this month signed a proclamation doubling tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%. While the move is aimed at boosting domestic metal production, it will have a significant impact on specialty automotive aftermarket businesses that import products that contain steel and aluminum if the product is not subject to the 232 automotive tariffs.

• Click here to see the products covered by the 25% auto parts tariffs that are exempt from the steel and aluminum tariffs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently updated its guidance on tariff "stacking" steel and aluminum imports and provided information on a three-month extension on exclusions from the China 301 tariffs.

CBP Updated Guidance on Tariff Stacking

CBP recently issued updated guidance on the "stacking" of different tariffs on top of one another. The full memo can be found here. Effective June 4, for imported goods that are subject to more of the tariffs listed below, duties are applied in the following order based on these key rules:

1. Section 232 Auto/Auto Parts:

• If the part or vehicle is covered under the 232 automotive or parts tariff, the item is exempt from the following tariffs: 232 Aluminum, 232 Steel, and IEEPA Canada/Mexico.
• However, auto parts that qualify under USMCA are not subject to 232 Auto/Auto Parts or IEEPA tariffs.
   

2. Section 232 Aluminum and Steel:

• If the automotive/auto parts tariff does not apply, determine if the article is subject to aluminum and/or steel tariffs.
• For derivative products, duties are assessed on the value of each metal that's included in the product.
• If applicable, the item is not subject to IEEPA Canada and Mexico tariffs.
• Russia Note: Imports with aluminum, either smelted or cast in Russia, face a 200% Section 232 duty.
   

3. IEEPA Canada and Mexico

• These tariffs only apply if the auto/auto parts, aluminum, and steel tariffs do not.
• USMCA-qualified articles are exempt from IEEPA tariffs.

CBP Updated Guidance on Steel & Aluminum Imports

• As of June 4, products classified in Ch. 73 (Articles of iron or steel) or 76 (Articles of aluminum) will be assessed the 50% duty only on the steel/aluminum content of that product. Previously, the tariff was assessed on the full value of the imported product. 
• CBP also updated additional guidance and updated Chapter 99 subheadings for Section 232 steel and aluminum imports: Aluminum: View here. Steel: View here.

USTR Extends Certain Exclusions from China Section 301 Tariffs

• The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) extended the expiration date for Section 301 exclusions from May 31, 2025, to August 31, 2025. Click here to learn more.

Have a policy question or want to share how tariffs are affecting your business? Contact Juan Mejia, SEMA's senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Motorsports competition is alive and well across the nation. Here's a roundup of racing events taking place this weekend:
 

SVRA

Event: Indy Speed Tour | Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Speedway, Indiana
Date: Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15
 

ARCA Menards Series

Event: Berlin ARCA 200
Location: Berlin Raceway – Marne, Michigan
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FS1
 

NASCAR Cup Series

Event: Viva Mexico 250
Location: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – Mexico City, Mexico
Date: Sunday, June 15
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Prime Video
 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Event: The Chilango 150
Location: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – Mexico City, Mexico
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: CW
 

ASA Stars National Tour

Event: El Bandido Yankee Tequila Capital 250
Location: Madison International Speedway – Oregon, Wisconsin
Date: June 13, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: Track TV

Event: El Bandido Yankee Tequila 300
Location: Slinger Super Speedway – Slinger, Wisconsin
Date: Sunday, June 15
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: Track TV
 

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Event: Bommarito Automotive Group 500
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway – Madison, Illinois
Date: Sunday, June 15
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FOX
 

USAC Silver Crown

Event: Route 66 Centennial Classic
Location: World Wide Technology Raceway – Madison, Illinois
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: FloRacing
 

USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship

Event: Salute to Levi Jones
Location: Red Hill Raceway – Sumner, Illinois
Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Broadcast: FloRacing
 

American Sprint Car Series

Event: Don Swope Classic
Location: Creek County Speedway – Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT

Event: ASCS at Tri-State Speedway
Location: Tri-State Speedway – Pocola, Oklahoma
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
 

zMAX CARS Tour

Event: Mini's Mission 125
Location: Dominion Raceway – Woodford, Virginia
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Broadcast: FloRacing

Image courtesy of Penske Entertainment: Karl Zemlin

The PRI Show, December 11-13, downtown Indianapolis, is where the global motorsports marketplace gathers, offering top industry brands a platform to showcase the latest racing products and innovations to tens of thousands of qualified buyers. Ensure your brand has a presence at this one-of-a-kind industry event by securing a booth now.

Securing your booth space is the first step toward success at the PRI Show, which presents an unrivaled opportunity for racing industry professionals to drive sales, meet new clients and increase brand awareness, December 11-13, in downtown Indianapolis.

Exhibiting at the PRI Show offers a myriad of benefits to your brand:

• Increase Your Brand Awareness: Whether you are an established brand or looking to break into the motorsports market, exhibiting at PRI is the best investment to advance your brand goals.
• Connect With Your Customers: See existing customers and connect with them on the Show floor. Determine their business needs and use this opportunity to strengthen relationships.
• Expand Your Sales Channels: Take your products to new markets, whether through retailers, distributors or other sales channels, expanding your brand's reach domestically and internationally.
• Introduce New Products: Ensure your latest and greatest products are seen by a large audience of potential customers at the PRI Show.

To reserve a booth at the 2025 PRI Show, visit here. For more information on why to exhibit, visit performanceracing.com/trade-show/exhibit.

The SEMA and PRI PAC is pulling into Norwalk, Ohio, June 27-29 for an exclusive weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals--and you're invited to join us for a VIP experience.

SEMA and PRI PAC is offering premium race seating, a catered hospitality tent with open bar and behind-the-scenes access, all in support of the PAC that defends motorsports, your right to modify and the future of our industry.

This year alone, SEMA and PRI PAC supporters have helped secure major legislative victories in Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa and New Hampshire, stopping bills that would have threatened racetracks and undercut our racing community. This event is a chance to celebrate those wins, maintain our momentum and fortify for the next fight.

Make your SEMA and PRI PAC contribution to be eligible for this unparalleled opportunity.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Christian Robinson, SEMA and PRI senior director for state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

 
PRI Magazine is now available to everyone at no cost in a digital format. While previously only available in print to select industry recipients, the publication is now available digitally across the globe. Whether you're an industry member staying on top of trends or a racing enthusiast interested in learning more about the industry, the digital magazine is available in current and past issues.

Below is a step-by-step guide to claiming your free digital subscription to PRI Magazine on your phone.

Claim your free PRI Magazine digital subscription here or by scanning below.

Fill in the mandatory fields and questions regarding your motorsports background and interests.

Hit subscribe to claim your free subscription. Now, you're able to activate your account by downloading the PRI Magazine app. Tap the iOS link for Apple devices and Google Play for others.

How to Log In and Read PRI Magazine

Ensure you have the "PRI Magazine" app downloaded on your phone and sign in using the credentials you created during registration. Want to access via desktop? Visit https://pri.zinioapps.com/ to sign in and start reading! 

You'll have immediate access to more than a year's worth of valuable industry knowledge and insights. Get to reading! 

For any questions or assistance, please reach out to PRI's Customer Service Team at membership@performanceracing.com or call 949-499-5413.