Dayco, the engine products and drive systems supplier, has appointed Andy Poorman as the company's new head of sales for the North America aftermarket.

Poorman will report directly to Audrey Harling, vice president and managing director, North America aftermarket and global strategy. Poorman will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans to achieve sales targets, enhance relationships with channel partners, and identify portfolio growth opportunities in Dayco's key markets across the United States and Canada.

He joins Dayco from Wolo Manufacturing, where he served as vice president of sales.

For more information, vis na.daycoaftermarket.com.

Goodyear, the Akron, Ohio-headquartered tire manufacturer, has named David Anckaert as its chief of product strategy and planning.

Anckaert joined Goodyear in 2000 and has held positions in research and development, sales and marketing. In 2018, he was named vice president, commercial Europe, and after that, served as vice president, consumer replacement Europe. Most recently, Anckaert served as vice president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa consumer business.

In his new role, Anckaert will lead Goodyear's product roadmap and lifecycle planning, leveraging data-driven market insights to identify opportunities, drive innovation and develop a winning global product portfolio, the company said. He will report to CEO and President Mark Stewart.

For more information, visit goodyear.com.

S.B. International, the Nashville-based supplier of cylinder head components, has hired Anthony Cole as its new business development manager.

Cole brings more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, including roles at Year One, Inc., the Eastwood Company, Mustangs Unlimited and Holley Performance Brands, where he served as a business unit leader.

In his new role, Cole will focus on the company's recent acquisition of Precision Engine Parts (PE). His responsibilities will include identifying new business opportunities, strengthening client relationships, conducting market research and developing sales strategies.

For more information, visit sbintl.com.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Chris Powell has announced his retirement after a career spanning more than 26 years.

Powell took the helm of the speedway upon its acquisition by Speedway Motorsports in December 1998. Under his stewardship, the speedway expanded its offerings, including the addition of a second NASCAR Cup Series weekend, the creation of the Neon Garage, the construction of The Strip at LVMS and helped bring the Electric Daisy Carnival to Las Vegas.

Powell's retirement is effective March 31, two weeks after the March 16 Pennzoil 400 NASCAR Cup Series race weekend. In the coming weeks, Speedway Motorsports will announce plans for Powell's successor.

For more information, visit speedwaymotorsports.com.

Image courtesy of Las Vegas Motor Speedway/Speedway Motorsports

With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transmitting to Congress the Clean Air Act waiver granted to California for the state's Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, PRI--on behalf of its members and the nation's community of racing enthusiasts--urges federal lawmakers to swiftly strike down the waiver using their authority under the Congressional Review Act.

PRI and SEMA thank President Donald Trump and the EPA for ensuring this policy is given the scrutiny and consideration it is owed due to its broad applicability to the nation's economy and individual freedoms.

"During the November election, voters resoundingly rejected candidates who support electric-vehicle (EV) mandates, only to see their voice suppressed in the final days of the Biden administration when a waiver was granted to California to prop up its radical, economy-killing Advanced Clean Cars II policy. Today, Congress has the opportunity to make right by the American people," said Mike Spagnola, president and CEO of SEMA. "PRI and SEMA call on lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to use their Congressional Review Act authority to stand up for American ingenuity and innovation, for the power of the free market, and for the individual freedoms of people to choose which vehicle is right for their lifestyle and needs. Congress must reject the Advanced Clean Cars II waiver and stop California's regulatory land grab in its tracks."

PRI and SEMA are not anti-EV; rather, it champions 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.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, PRI and SEMA, through the Driving Force Action Super PAC, educated voters about the damaging impact of EV mandates and the profound importance of empowering the automotive aftermarket to develop innovative solutions to carbon emissions using American ingenuity.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to effectively kill House Bill 346 (HB 346), which would have increased the maximum annual licensing fee that towns can charge local race tracks from $100 to $500.  

PRI opposed HB 346, warning that it would have imposed unnecessary financial burdens on race tracks across the state. By allowing local governments to increase licensing fees fivefold, the legislation threatened to create a patchwork of inconsistent costs, making it harder for tracks--many of which are small, family-run businesses--to stay competitive. 

PRI continues to advocate for policies that support the health of grassroots racing and the motorsports industry. The defeat of HB 346 ensures that New Hampshire's race tracks can continue to operate without additional financial strain, preserving the state's vibrant racing community. 

For more information, contact Christian Robinson, PRI's senior director of state government affairs, at christianr@sema.org.  
 

Photo courtesy of Jill Torres and New Hampshire Motor Speedway/Speedway Motorsports

The Aeromotive Group, the Lenexa, Kansas-based provider of aftermarket fuel delivery products and additional performance brands--has acquired VaporWorx, a provider of electronic fuel control systems.

VaporWorx will now offer a comprehensive lineup of advanced aftermarket fuel systems.

"Making this move was not an easy decision. I've always been committed to providing our customers with the best products and the highest level of service. The Aeromotive Group shares this same passion, and together, we'll continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry," said Carl Casanova, the founder of VaporWorx, who will now serve as engineering director for Aeromotive Group. In his new role, Casanova will remain involved with the development and support of VaporWorx's fuel control systems and related products.

"VaporWorx's success is a direct result of the amazing customers we've had the privilege of serving. I'm excited about this next chapter and look forward to continuing our work together," he said.

For more information, visit the VaporWorx announcement here or aeromotiveinc.com.

Chevrolet introduced its Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype ahead of this weekend's running of the DAYTONA 500. The Blazer EV.R is an example of Chevrolet continuing to test, learn, and explore new technologies that could be applied to both race programs and production cars.

"While we will continue to race our proven and winning V8 technology in NASCAR for years to come, we continually look for ways to improve the combination of power, durability, and efficiency to transfer learnings from the racetrack to the showroom, especially as we bolster Chevy's consumer EV lineup," said Eric Warren, executive director, Global Motorsports Competition for General Motors.

The prototype delivers over 1,300 hp from three six-phase electric motors designed to instantly rev up to 15,000 rpm, powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery.

"Motorsports is a test bed for innovation, and a training ground for our engineers—one that allows Chevrolet to try out new technologies in a fast-paced environment against the best competition," Warren added.

Built on NASCAR's Next Gen chassis and suspension componentry, the Blazer EV.R puts its power to the pavement via a programable all-wheel-drive system and Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. Chevrolet worked closely with NASCAR and other manufacturers on the parameters and technical elements of the prototype.

GM engineers were able to take the prototype from concept to reality and turn laps at race pace during testing last month at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina.

"NASCAR and its manufacturer partners are passionate about emerging technologies and working to remain on the forefront of innovation," said Brandon Thomas, NASCAR vice president of vehicle design. "With the Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype, Chevrolet and its engineers meshed new technologies with the NASCAR Next Gen platform—and the result is a powerful, exciting vehicle that we believe fans will love when they see it at Daytona International Speedway."

For more information, visit the Chevrolet press site here.
 

Photo courtesy of Chevrolet

Richard Childress Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series team based in Welcome, North Carolina, has promoted Mike Verlander, previously chief operating officer (COO), to president of the organization.

In his new role, Verlander will oversee all day-to-day operations of RCR Enterprises, including the RCR NASCAR Team, as well as RCR Manufacturing Solutions, RCR Graphics, ECR Engines and Childress Technologies. Verlander will report to Richard Childress, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), and will also join the company's board of directors.

Verlander has previously held executive leadership positions at both Kyle Busch Motorsports as president and Stewart-Haas Racing as executive vice president.

Torrey Galida, who has served as president since 2014, has been named vice chairman. As the first person other than Childress to carry the title of president, Galida has led RCR’s growth for the past 14 years. Galida will remain with the company as an advisor to both Childress and Verlander through the end of 2025. Galida will also retain his seat on the board of directors for RCR.

For more information, visit rcrracing.com.

Join the Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) on Tuesday, February 18, for a webinar to hear attorneys from Barnes & Thornburg discuss the evolving landscape of United States trade policy and recent tariff announcements by President Trump. 

• This webinar is free for PRI and SEMA members. 

The webinar will discuss recent announcements on steel and aluminum, as well as discussion on the president's proposed reciprocal tariffs.  

Register for the webinar here, which takes place February 18 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. EST. 

Go Deeper: The Trump Administration recently announced new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, two important raw materials used in the manufacturing of motor vehicles, parts and accessories. 

• In response to recent developments, SEMA urged members to review the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of codes for your products and imports. Most automotive parts fall under HTS Chapter 87: "Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof." Download the 2025 version of tariff rates for the various automotive subheadings here. 

About the SBLC: The SBLC is an independent, permanent coalition of trade and professional associations that share a common concern for the future of small business.  

• SEMA is a founding member of the SBLC.  

The purpose of the SLBC is twofold: to consolidate the strength and maximize the influence of business on legislative and federal policy issues of importance to the entire small business community; and secondly, to disseminate information on the impact of public policy on small business.  

For more information, contact Eric Snyder, PRI and SEMA's senior director of federal government affairs, at erics@sema.org.