The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced that two-time defending IHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion Dale Creasy Jr. is recovering at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, after a leg injury suffered at the Rocky Mountain Nationals. Creasy’s lower left leg was severely injured during his semifinal match-up when his transmission failed.
“The transmission was spinning,” Creasy said. “Something broke and it locked up. There was nothing I could do.” The doctors at Royal Alexandra spent five hours piecing Creasy’s lower left leg back together. The surgery was successful and Creasy will have a lengthy rehabilitation ahead of him. After the surgery he was able to move all his toes, which is a good sign.
Cards and greetings can be sent to Creasy at this address: Dale Creasy Jr., 1550 Mallard’s Cove, Beecher, Illinois 60401.
Superior Industries International Inc. promoted Parveen Kakar to senior vice president of corporate engineering and product development. Kakar joined Superior in 1989 and most recently served as the company’s vice president of program development.
ASC Industries Inc. selected Scott Swaldo for the newly formed position of senior vice president of operations. Swaldo is responsible for oversight of all ASC’s global operations, including North Canton, Mexico, Spain and China. He has been with ASC since 2001 and has been executive vice president and general manager of the North Canton facility since 2005. Previously, Swaldo was the vice president of procurement and human resources for ASC.
Permatex Inc. announced that it’s continuing the corporate sponsorship of the Follow A Dream Race Team as it competes in the NHRA Championship Top Alcohol Funny Car Series. Permatex has partnered with Jay Blake and his team since 2004. The Follow A Dream Racing Team has been winning at the Nationals level, despite the reality that its owner and crew chief, Jay Blake, is totally blind. Blake lost his eyesight in a tire explosion over nine years ago.
Internet Pioneering Inc. (IPI) acquired the assets of The Enthusiast Network LLC and recently formed a new company, TEN Media LLC. The company upgraded the TEN websites to enhance the visitor experience. IPI completed the purchase of The Enthusiast Network in April 2008. TEN’s 25-plus websites include up-to-the-minute industry news, in-depth features, easy navigation to past stories and simple access to the huge number of quality aftermarket products offered at IPI’s 16 consumer websites.
The upcoming Aftermarket eForum, July 14–16, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, was approved for continuing education credits (CEU) by Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket. Aftermarket eForum attendees will earn 1.0 CEUs toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) certifications. The University of the Aftermarket provides business, management and leadership education to professionals in the motor-vehicle aftermarket. It is an operating unit of Northwood University, a private, nonprofit, accredited university specializing in managerial and entrepreneurial education offering four-year degrees in a variety of enterprise fields. For more information on the 2008 Aftermarket eForum, visit www.AftermarketeForum.com or contact Barbara Clark at 301/654-6664.