Extreme H, the upcoming hydrogen-powered off-road racing series, has signed a three-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports.
Extreme E, which will transition to hydrogen power and become Extreme H, has partnered with FOX Sports networks FS1 and FS2 as a broadcast partner during the past four seasons. The extension of the deal into the hydrogen-powered era of Extreme H reaffirms the network's commitment to the sport, the series said.
The Extreme H series will retain the same race formats and off-road locations of Extreme E, but with hydrogen-powered vehicles. The clean energy technology used in Extreme H will showcase how hydrogen can be applied to motorsport, setting new standards for innovation and sustainability in the automotive and energy sectors, according to series officials.
Chris Hettinger, a longtime and late model team owner from Dryden, Michigan, has purchased the assets of Bret Holmes Racing. The organization will complete the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule with 2018 Truck Series champion Brett Moffitt under its new name, Hettinger Racing.
Bret Holmes Racing (BHR) has competed in the ARCA Menards Series and the Truck Series. The organization won the 2020 ARCA championship with Holmes serving as both driver and owner. BHR has entered 20 Truck Series races this year but took a hiatus following its ninth-place finish with Holmes on October 4 at Talladega Superspeedway. The downtime allowed Hettinger to complete his purchase of BHR in time for the final two Truck Series races of the season. Moffitt will drive the Victory Custom Trailers Chevrolet Silverado in both events.
"Between the investments I've made over the years in our late model program and the opportunity to purchase Bret Holmes Racing, the time was right to grow Hettinger Racing into a team that can further drivers' development by seamlessly transitioning them from Late Models to ARCA to Trucks," Hettinger said. "We'll continue our late model program by running the zMAX CARS Tour, and we'll run select ARCA and Truck Series races that fit best with our overall schedule."
Friends of Laguna Seca, the newly appointed concessionaire of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, has released new details around its plans for upgrades to the facility.
The group is currently developing a long-term master plan to enhance fan experiences, including planned improvements for 2025. Scheduled updates include a new Turn 3 hospitality structure, restroom and shower upgrades, landscaping improvements and remodeled pit row suites.
Additionally, Friends of Laguna Seca has already approved a complete redesign of the raceway's website and improvements to IT and equipment.
"We're all very excited, and the ideas and plans are in motion. We are taking a strategic approach to the master plan, and we have to go slow and lay a solid foundation in order to go fast in the future and make sure things are done correctly from the beginning," said Lauri Eberhart, CEO of Friends of Laguna Seca. "The team at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has been waiting for the green flag on a few projects for a long time and it's exciting to see some improvements in the early days of Friends' management."
Officials have released the rules, regulations and format for the 2024-25 Drag Illustrated Winter Series, an upcoming series of three events of eighth-mile Pro Modified drag racing with drivers from around the world and a wide array of power-adders represented.
The invitation-only Drag Illustrated Winter Series is a three-race Pro Modified championship series hosted at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida. The inaugural Drag Illustrated Winter Series will include the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals, December 6-8, 2024; the U.S. Street Nationals, January 24-26, 2025; and the World Series of Pro Mod, February 27-March 1, 2025.
In addition to the full ruleset (view here), series officials also revealed the event format.
Competitors will be provided four qualifying sessions over the course of two days (two per day) prior to final eliminations unless otherwise dictated by weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances. Competitors are required to alternate lanes for qualifying passes.
Elimination round pairings are determined by chip draw until the final round matchup is determined. The time and location of chip draw will be determined by Drag Illustrated Winter Series officials but is tentatively scheduled to take place immediately following the conclusion of the fourth round of qualifying. Lane choice in competition is determined by coin flip or by the competitors involved in the respective matchup.
For more information on the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, visit thewinterseries.com.
Bob Riley, the celebrated chassis designer and builder, has passed away. He was 93.
A recipient of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Bob Russo Heritage Award and an IMSA Hall of Fame member, Riley had a storied career as an engineer, car designer and owner of Riley Technologies, which he ran with his son Bill Riley.
A contributor to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT Mk IV program, Riley built many other iconic cars, including the Ford Mustang GTP, Coyote Indy car, Intrepid RM-1, Mk XI Daytona Prototype and more.
Flatrock Motorclub, located near Knoxville, Tennessee, has officially opened its 3.5-mile, 23-turn "Club" circuit for members.
Construction on the venue began in October 2022. The Transtec Group, specialists in pavement engineering, oversaw the technical paving and grading process, using locally sourced materials from Tennessee to create a durable, high-performance surface with three layers of asphalt, the facility said.
Flatrock's "Club" circuit features 127 ft. of elevation changes, and simulations of a GT3 car on the 23-turn circuit show an average speed of 101 mph, according to track officials.
Additional developments are scheduled to open in 2025, including a karting track and clubhouse for members. Future phases include a 2.7-mile FIA Grade II "Grand Prix" track, as well as a hotel, restaurant, campground, amphitheater for events and more.
Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), an organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for women across all motorsports disciplines, has announced its lineup of speaker and panelists for the Women With Drive IV summit, scheduled for December 9-11 in Indianapolis.
The event, which precedes the 2024 PRI Show, aims to bring together successful and influential people in motorsports to discuss current issues and needs to advance opportunities for a more diverse and inclusive environment to help grow the motorsports industry. Across three days of programming, participants will visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (currently waitlist only), tour local race shops and have access to a day and a half of panels, keynotes, announcements and more.
Keynotes and panels will begin on Tuesday, December 10, at the Indiana Convention Center with the Welcome and Opening Remarks at 1:00 p.m. EST, and continue through the summit's closing on Wednesday, December 11. More than 50 speakers and panelists are scheduled to appear.
To see the full weekend schedule, the lineup of speakers and panelists or to register for the summit, visit womenwithdrivesummit.com.
This month’s special edition highlights new motorsports-related products and services that will be featured in the PRI Show’s
Featured Products Showcase.
Cube GPS Tracker
Cube Tracker
cubetracker.com
Recover stolen vehicles, trailers, and equipment with worldwide 4G LTE asset tracking. Strong magnetic base and one-year battery life make tracking different assets easy. Set geo fences and be notified if your vehicle or trailer have left the lot and where it is headed in real time. Stop thieves in real time.
Titan 25T
Langmuir Systems
langmuirsystems.com
Introducing the Titan 25T, a powerful 25-ton CNC press brake by Langmuir Systems. Engineered for precision and repeatability, it features dual synchronized hydraulic rams, an integrated CNC controller with touchscreen, and optional two-axis CNC backgauge. Perfect for hobbyists and small businesses seeking industrial-grade bending and value.
Hourly Rain Insurance
vortex weather insurance
vortexinsurance.com
Parametric hourly rain insurance works to minimize revenue loss caused by rain. If the recorded rainfall at your racing location during your coverage window meets or exceeds your pre-selected threshold, you get paid. Claim payments are typically mailed in about two weeks. Policies are completely customizable to fit nearly any budget and event. No adjusters. No proof of loss is required. Event cancelation is not required.
Mityvac MV7454
Mityvac
skf.com/mityvac
The Mityvac MV7454 is a pneumatic gear lube dispenser designed for the efficient transfer of thicker fluids. It features a 10-mm internal tube diameter for consistent flow and a 10-liter reservoir for extended use. Ideal for automotive, agricultural, and industrial applications.
Safety Lockwire
MALIN Company
malinco.com
Malin safety lockwire has been a staple in the aerospace and racing industry for decades. Malin was the first to introduce a plastic reusable canister with a handy belt clip for use in hard-to-reach places. Lockwire is used to prevent fasteners from loosening due to extreme vibration or where temperature is an issue.
Titan Protect X
FERTAN
fertanusa.com
This premium clear coat offers direct-to-metal adhesion, durability, and crystal-clear hardness. UV, chemical, and heat-resistant, it safeguards and enhances surfaces, ensuring lasting beauty and protection in any environment.
Giant W-5 Vibratory Tub
Giant Finishing
giantfinishing.com
This 5-cubic-foot vibratory tub features a 19- x 35-inch process chamber and comes standard at 110V 1PH with variable frequency drive, steel hinged sound enclosure, 10-gallon settling tank with recirculating compound pump, media discharge chute, comes powder coated, and has casters for portability. Many options are available.
PennGrade 1 20W-50 5 Quart
PennGrade 1
penngrade1.com
Introducing the new 5-quart jug of PennGrade 1 High Performance Oil in 20W-50 multi-viscosity. This cost-effective packaging replaces five individual quarts and offers a convenient pouring experience. Plus, it helps reduce environmental waste compared to traditional bottles. Engineered for racing, classic, vintage, hot rod, and muscle car engines, PennGrade 1 Oil delivers exceptional protection and trusted performance that generations of automotive enthusiasts rely on.
Custom Tig Consumable Case
SSP Weld
sspweld.com
SSP Weld turns regular cases into customized, precision-cut storage solutions for welders, maximizing efficiency and organization. All of the company’s supplies come from distinguished vendors who provide a wide range of high-quality products in various sizes and colors.
DOC’S 6.7L Cummins Filter Maintenance Kit
Doc’s Diesel
docsdiesel.com
Doc’s Diesel filters are rigorously tested for efficiency, capacity, and burst strength. They are spec’d and designed to meet or exceed the quality/performance of OEM filters. Kit contains: one engine location fuel filter water separator, one frame-mounted fuel filter, one oil filter, one air filter, and one cabin air filter.
AiC Mini Injector Test Bench
Dynocom Industries
dynocom.net
New for 2024/2025, Dynocom’s Automated Injector Characterization test bench is now available in a four injector machine. Lower cost but full-on features test, clean, flow, and analyze fuel injectors up to 2,500 cc/min. Features include a 3.2-gallon tank, separate peak and hold injector driver module, and a fuel damper FS33. Includes Dynocom’s QAiC Software match, test, and characterized. Made in the USA.
Introducing BAM High-Performance Roller Lifters’ premium tool steel bushing with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, which is designed for maximum durability and performance. This advanced bushing was engineered to offer improved wear resistance, reduced friction, and extended lifespan, making it appropriate for demanding applications. The DLC coating delivers hardness and smoothness, ensuring efficiency in high-load, high-speed environments. Proudly made in the USA.
Tracking legal, legislative, and regulatory developments impacting the racing and performance industry.
PRI’s Washington, D.C.-based legal and advocacy teams work continuously to protect and support motorsports venues, sanctioning bodies, and businesses around the nation. We are tracking several topics this month, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoing a SEMA- and PRI-opposed bill that would have mandated new vehicle safety measures, the U.S. House passing a resolution to overturn EPA EV mandates, and California legislative staff touring SEMA Garage.
SEMA and PRI Applaud California Gov. Newsom’s Veto of SB 961
SEMA and PRI applaud California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his decision to veto Senate Bill 961 (Wiener), a bill that would have fragmented national vehicle safety policies by mandating a state-level standard that could have conflicted with ongoing federal safety efforts and preempted national vehicle safety regulations. Under SB 961, certain new vehicles sold in California would have been required to come equipped with a passive speed notification system.
SEMA and PRI had expressed serious concerns about SB 961, citing its potential to disrupt the well-established federal regulatory framework governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Mike Spagnola, SEMA’s president and CEO, emphasized the importance of a unified, national approach to vehicle safety standards: “Gov. Newsom’s veto of SB 961 demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that California’s vehicle safety policies are aligned with federal law, regulations, and policy. A patchwork of conflicting state regulations would have harmed consumers and the automotive industry, potentially stifling innovation and limiting choice.”
SB 961 would have required vehicles to be equipped with a passive speed notification system that audibly and visually alerts drivers when they exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or greater. However, the bill arbitrarily exempted several vehicle types, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles.
“While SEMA fully supports initiatives to improve road safety, SB 961 bypassed targeted, data-driven approaches in favor of broad mandates that could have created unnecessary complications,” Spagnola noted. “NHTSA is already actively evaluating speed assistance technology, and it is critical that the federal agency be allowed to continue its work on this issue.”
SEMA and PRI remain committed to working with policymakers to ensure that automotive safety regulations are balanced and fair and foster innovation. We would also like to thank our members who contacted their lawmakers and the Governor to oppose this bill.
U.S. House Passes Resolution to Overturn EPA EV Mandates; Heads to U.S. Senate for Action
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (H.J. Res. 136), invalidating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tailpipe emissions regulation. Under the leadership of the lead sponsor, Rep. John James (R-MI), the resolution passed with bipartisan support (215 – 191), with eight Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in voting for the SEMA- and PRI-supported resolution. The CRA pushes back against the EPA’s strictest motor-vehicle emissions standards ever enacted, which requires up to 83% of new vehicles sold by 2032 to be forms of electric vehicles (EVs) in order for automakers to comply.
The resolution now moves to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) has introduced a companion resolution (S.J. Res. 75), which has garnered bipartisan support from 48 cosponsors. Both H.J. Res. 136 and S.J. Res. 75 now await consideration in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. If enacted into law, the resolution would require the EPA to start over on its tailpipe emissions rulemaking, providing an opportunity for SEMA/PRI and other organizations to advocate for a technology-neutral rulemaking without EV mandates.
SEMA and PRI thank Rep. James for advocating that the EPA embrace technology-neutral policies in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in transportation, ensuring fairness across all vehicle technologies. The specialty-equipment industry has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, including hydrogen, electric, and alternative fuels, and continues to improve the internal-combustion engine (ICE).
For more information, contact SEMA/PRI Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs Eric Snyder at erics@sema.org.
California Legislative Staff Tour SEMA Garage, Learn About SEMA’s Important Role in Emissions Compliance
The staff of State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, who represents California’s 56th Assembly District, which includes SEMA’s headquarters in Diamond Bar, recently visited the SEMA Garage to better understand the garage’s critical role in the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The SEMA Garage’s Emissions Compliance Center, recognized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a Certification-Ready Automotive Emissions Testing Laboratory, provides essential services for manufacturers developing emissions-compliant aftermarket parts.
SEMA’s impact on Assemblymember Calderon’s district is significant. There are 46 SEMA member companies in the 56th Assembly District, contributing $784.48 million in total economic output, supporting 2,730 jobs and generating $240.43 million in wages and benefits. As the representative of this vital economic hub, Calderon’s engagement with SEMA helps ensure that lawmakers understand the importance of a streamlined emissions compliance process to support industry innovation and growth.
“We are grateful to Assemblymember Calderon’s team for taking the time to visit the SEMA Garage and learn more about our work to support the aftermarket industry,” said Christian Robinson, SEMA/PRI’s senior director of state government affairs and grassroots. “Their engagement is key to ensuring that the laws and regulations affecting our industry promote innovation, protect small businesses, and support the local economy.”
SEMA, through its garage, works closely with CARB to issue Executive Orders (EOs), which certify that aftermarket parts meet California’s strict emissions regulations, allowing their legal sale and use across all 50 states. Over the last seven years, SEMA has facilitated 50% of all aftermarket EOs issued by CARB, completing over 700 applications for member companies. The SEMA Garage plays a vital role in this process, offering affordable emissions testing and compliance assistance.
For more information, or to host your own lawmakers on a visit to your facility, contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
Flexibility in the face of change has helped this long-lived Midwestern institution grow from a literal mom-and-pop shop to a regional power with national reach, trading in tires, performance parts, shock absorbers, fabrication, and more.
When Mike Allgaier first approached Hoosier Racing Tire founder Bob Newton about becoming a dealer, Newton answered that he already had three dealers serving the same territory. “What can you do for me?” he asked Allgaier.
“I can outsell those guys,” Allgaier replied.
So Newton gave Allgaier a chance to prove it.
Nearly 50 years later, Allgaier’s Hoosier Tire Midwest claims to be the world’s largest racing tire distributor, with a network of 150 dealers supplied through warehouses in Springfield, Illinois; Brownsburg, Indiana; and Plymouth, Indiana. It serves oval track racers in eight states and racers in other categories in the entire lower 48.
That’s just one of the racing businesses under the Allgaier Performance banner. Springfield is also home to Allgaier Racing Shocks and Allgaier Body & Fabrication, while Allgaier Performance Parts, with stores in Springfield and Brownsburg, boasts an expanding inventory of 10,000-plus items.
“Mike started out as a tool truck guy,” said Wayne Taylor, who is “semi-retired” (said corporate General Manager Terry Young) from managing the parts store in Springfield. “He had a lot of interaction with racers, and he helped a few of them out. Then he tried his hand at driving—sportsman and Late Models—until after a bad crash he decided he didn’t need to drive anymore.”
With wife Dorothy, Allgaier launched the D&M Speed Shop in a Springfield strip mall. Their initial products were wheels and wheel widening, which led to his conversation with Newton about tires.
Allgaier Performance employs more than 40 people, distributed over its three locations, all of whom work diligently to maintain the customer dedication the company has earned over nearly 50 years.
Selling tires for Hoosier would test the Allgaiers’ flexibility. “Hoosier expressed a desire to feature their name better,” said Taylor, “so that’s when D&M became Hoosier Tire Midwest. Then Hoosier indicated that they would really rather their dealers sold just tires, and Mike made the correct decision to drop his parts line.” Because of that decision, the Allgaiers’ business grew with Hoosier, through its involvement in ARCA and, by the late 1980s, NASCAR’s Winston Cup.
A few years later, five-year-old Justin Allgaier drove his first quarter-midget race; by 2002 he was running an ARCA stock car. “That’s where Mike’s relationship with Hoosier and ARCA evolved,” explained Taylor. “We were the Hoosier supplier to ARCA for several years, but that resulted in blowback from some other Hoosier dealers. So as a business decision, Hoosier ended that arrangement.”
Change would come again in 2016, when Hoosier was acquired by Continental AG, the German parent of General Tire. “They gave their blessing for the tire stores to get back into the speed shop business. So we did a real nice remodel of a building that Mike and Dorothy owned in Brownsburg, and now that’s our marquee store,” said Taylor. “And we enlarged and rearranged our showroom in Springfield, so we have a good selection there as well.”
FABRICATING FOR SAFETY
A second building at the Springfield location, built to support Justin’s racing efforts, became Allgaier Body & Fabrication. “Having the race shop, it was natural to move into fabrication,” explained Taylor. Then as Justin moved up to the Xfinity Series in 2008–2009, “we started concentrating on the local racers,” who often need help building a roll cage or repairing damage after a crash.
Allgaier Performance Parts, with stores in Springfield, Illinois, and Brownsburg, Indiana, boasts an expanding inventory of 10,000-plus items.
“It just made sense, first and foremost to keep people safe,” said Taylor. “There’s a race here in Springfield every year at the state fair called the Sportsman Nationals, where local sportsman racers put a front clip on a Late Model chassis, hang a street-car-looking body on it, and they run Macon and Lincoln and Jacksonville, and they get a chance to race on the Springfield Mile. We’ve put what’s almost a Funny Car cage in these cars, because they are going way faster out there, and it’s no place to be with a 25-year-old Late Model chassis.”
The fabrication shop offers TIG and MIG welding, CNC machining, and CNC plasma cutting, among other services. It also assembles rolling chassis for Nick Hoffman’s Elite Chassis in Mooresville, North Carolina. “We purchased two Elite modifieds a couple years ago, one that our General Manager Kelly Kovski runs, and one with the intention of Justin running it. Then at the [DIRTcar] Summer Nationals, Nick needed a ride, and Kelly put him in Justin’s car. He was happy with the quality of our work and our maintenance, so now whenever he sells a car north of the Mason-Dixon line, we pick up a chassis and a component kit from Nick, and we build a roller ready for a motor, transmission, and seat. That’s been very good for our business. Nick runs well in whatever he drives, and most of his customers do, also.”
BEYOND FRICTION AND DAMPENING
“Looking to become a more full-service business,” said Taylor, the Allgaiers built another shop in Springfield and opened Allgaier Racing Shocks in 2015. “Shocks have become a big component of what we do. Especially in Late Models and dirt modifieds, it’s all about controlling chassis movement, and shocks win races or not. We have a pull-down rig so we can look for the things that make a race car not fast. It’s been an awesome tool. Kelly did a bit of crew chiefing in ARCA, where every truck at a race has a spring smasher and a shock dyno. In IndyCar it’s the shock builder who makes it all happen. So we help the local racers with an opportunity to have a ‘shock guy’ without having to drive to Indianapolis or Chicago.”
For Late Model racer Brian Shirley of Chatham, Illinois, the trip was to North Carolina to test on Penske’s pull-down rig. “Now I don’t have to drive 12 hours to use that type of instrument,” he said. “It’s a huge asset for smaller teams in the area” to be able to “diagnose what’s going on with the race car, to see what you couldn’t see otherwise.” Thanks to all the services offered by Allgaier, “smaller racers can help themselves get better performance.”
Founders Mike and Dorothy Allgaier turned their D&M Speed Shop in Springfield, Illinois, into Hoosier Tire Midwest at the beginning of their relationship with the tire manufacturer. When Hoosier was acquired by Continental AG in 2016, the corporation “gave their blessing to get back into the speed shop business,” said Wayne Taylor.
In addition to those services, Allgaier offers “production items that have really taken off and done well for us,” said Taylor. “We have our own bump stop, which is way different from anything else on the market and has become a staple for a lot of Late Model and modified racers across the country. We believe it is the first and only bump stop with an adjustable rate. It comes with carbon fiber packers that snap into the bellows. Packers have been used for quite a while to change ride height,” but with the Allgaier unit, “each one you insert adds 50–60 pounds to the rate. In this age of high-tech shocks, to change a bump stop package can get pretty involved, because the rod end that has the adjuster in it has to come apart. With ours, if you get to the track and realize that you missed the bump setup, you can just remove or insert a packer.” The material used is proprietary and engineered for longevity. “Some racers have 100-plus nights and multiple seasons on them.”
SOFTWARE, PARTS & PEOPLE
Keeping Allgaier’s vast inventory organized has been “one of our worst nightmares,” said Taylor, “but we feel we do pretty well. We spot-check inventory and inventory product lines throughout the week. It’s important to be able to look at a computer screen and have faith that what we see is correct, so we can tell somebody that we have something without stopping and looking for it.”
Having the right software certainly helps, with inventory and other issues. “We’re able to enter a customer’s name and see the correct pricing for the product lines that customer buys,” he continued. “We have customers who are race track dealers, and customers who are tire dealers only, and of course some who are just retail. A particular customer may get a track dealer price on tires, but not on parts.”
Another application tracks customer credit, displaying a warning at check-out if the would-be buyer’s payments are more than 21 days behind. “Friday afternoon we get a preview of the coming week. We really don’t want one of our best parts customers not to be able to buy parts because they are 22 days past due. So if we know on Friday that one day in the next seven a customer is going to be past due, we can be proactive and communicate with them, to try to get them paid up and ahead of the game.”
Recruiting new workers has been another challenge, as it has been for other racing businesses, but Allgaier’s longtime employees are experienced and committed. “We have a dedicated team that works for us,” said Taylor, “just like we have a dedicated customer base. We have several guys in the parts department and in tire sales who have been with our business 25–35 years.” Taylor himself grew up in his father’s speed shop and managed a store in Springfield for one of the Mullins brothers, of Mullins Race Engines, for 15 years before joining Allgaier in 2017, not long after General Tire green-flagged a return to parts sales. “It’s been a good fit for me,” he said, “to come on board and help Mike develop the stores.”
Versatility is expected—“The same guy who sold tires at the track on Saturday, and worked the parts counter Monday and Tuesday might unload a tire truck on Wednesday”—but the dedication runs both ways. “Working for Mike and Dorothy is like being in a family. If an employee has a medical issue, Mike and Dorothy go well past the norm to take care of them. Our benefits package is second-to-none.”
Granted the opportunity to sell parts again in 2016, the Allgaiers remodeled a building they owned in Brownsburg, “and now that’s our marquee store,” said Taylor. They also “enlarged and rearranged our showroom in Springfield, so we have a good selection there as well.”
The Allgaiers’ caring has extended to dealers as well. “My grandpa and my dad and Mike all started about the same time, and became friends,” recalled Craig Allen, whose Allen Automotive sells tires and performance parts in Peoria, Illinois. “I remember going to Mike’s place when I was little. He had a garage in his backyard, and it was jam-packed with tires.
“When I lost my father, I was being prepped to take over the business, but I didn’t know a lot.” Not yet 24, Allen told the Allgaiers that he “wanted a shot,” knowing that “if they wanted to drop me, dealerships can be non-transferable. But they said, ‘No problem, we’ll stick with you. We can get you going in the right direction and see how it goes from there.’”
Today Allen supplies mostly Late Models, modifieds, and street stocks at the Peoria and Fairbury speedways. “There are so many things” he appreciates about the Allgaier staff, but he specifically cited how generously they share their expertise in so many racing classes. “For someone like me, who sells to different classes, I can take care of it all in one place.”
“Most Mondays or Tuesdays I text Wayne what I need for the week,” added Shirley, “and by the time I arrive everything is ready to go.” Allgaier has even sent technicians to Shirley’s shop to assist, for example, with changing valve springs.
THE IN-STORE EXPERIENCE
Altogether Allgaier employs more than 40 people, distributed over its three locations, all of whom work hard to maintain the customer dedication Taylor mentioned. “When it’s so easy to order things and do business from a computer,” Taylor said, “it’s good to offer a service where people can come and talk to someone with knowledge and get the right stuff the first time. We work really hard to know people and remember their needs, and we try to help when we can. Even if we don’t sell or service what they need, sometimes you can win a customer by helping them spend money elsewhere—like ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’ We do that, and it’s those things that set us apart.”
That commitment to customer service extends to the track. Allgaier maintains a half-dozen semi-trailer rigs, each equipped for a particular racing market. “We have one designated for World of Outlaws sprint cars; and another that covers Lucas Oil, MARS, and World of Outlaws Late Models. We have a drag race truck that goes to the national NHRA events in our territory, and to a lot of PDRA and larger local shows. Another truck covers road racing out of our Plymouth store, and we always participate in the SCCA Runoffs when they are in our territory.”
If Allgaier isn’t at a race, they likely have a dealer who is. “We get calls on a regular basis: ‘Hey, I’m racing at Lincoln tonight, you got anybody going that way who can bring me a starter?’
Taylor responded, “‘We certainly do. When you get there, go see Damery Brothers, and they will have it for you in their truck.’ That also keeps our dealers coming back.”
As much as Taylor values the in-person retail experience, however, he also understands the need for an online presence in the digital age. “We’ve become really aggressive with Facebook and Instagram promotions. We highlight the racers who run our stuff when they win. Some things we’ve just started are a sale item every Monday, and Tech Tip Tuesdays with short videos. On Fridays, we post a list of who within our Hoosier territory is racing, where they are racing, and who to see for parts or Hoosier tires at that location. Our thinking is to create a habit among customers and race fans: ‘Who’s racing this weekend? Let’s go to Allgaier’s page.’” Coming soon is a weekly spotlight on individual tire dealers.
“It’s been a long, strange trip,” Taylor added, channeling Jerry Garcia while summing up Allgaier’s first half-century, “and it’s been really crazy how we’ve grown. When some of the icons of the industry call out of the blue and say, ‘I hear you have this,’ or ‘I hear you make that,’ it makes us feel really good about our reputation. We hope we’ve made a footprint in the marketplace.”
We think it’s safe to say they have.
MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
