“They said I couldn’t do it,” remarked D. William (Bill) Smith of Speedway Motors. “But I did.” Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, Speedway is the largest supplier of engine parts, chassis, suspension and body panels for all types of race cars. Known to most as Speedy Bill, he started Speedway in 1952, for manufacturing, on-site retail and high-volume mail-order; it has been called America’s oldest speedshop. Bill’s private collection of refurbished antique racing engines and other collectibles remains one of the nation’s most impressive, and he enjoyed many successes as a race car builder and driver. He served on the SEMA Board of Directors from 1977 to 1978. He was the recipient of the PWA Pioneer Award in 1986, while the National Street Rod Association named him Man of the Year in 1991, and the City of Lincoln presented Speedway Motors with its Cornerstone Award in 1993 in recognition of its phenomenal growth and provision of stable jobs in the city. Hot Rod magazine inducted Bill into its Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2000, he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, and served as the Grand Marshall of the Goodguys Street Rod Nationals in 2001.

Before the sudden death of Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson and his wife Trudy in 1988, in a double murder that wasn’t solved until 2007, Mickey was one of auto racing’s most popular stars. He was a car builder, racing driver and event promoter—he covered all facets of his favorite hobby and career, auto racing, with unprecedented success.

Mickey designed the first “slingshot” dragster and was the first to go 150 mph in the quarter-mile at Bonneville. In 1960, Mickey would break Brit John Cobb’s one-way record with a 406-mph run. He was also a legend in the off-road community, as a champion racer. He later formed sanctioning bodies SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG), and in 1963 launched Mickey Thompson Performance Tires. He was also a writer, publishing "Challenger: Mickey Thompson's Own Story of His Life of Speed." He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and is ranked No. 11 on the NHRA list of Top 50 Drivers. Among his innovations are S/S Cheater Slicks and raised white letter tires.

Before Dick went into business, trying to find off-road gear or tires for a four-wheel-drive truck or Jeep was a formidable challenge.  Dick opened a large store, which was later expanded to a small chain of retail outlets. He initially sold tires and wheels, but eventually expanded to all aspects of off-roading: jacks, tents, auxiliary lights and even survival books. The Dick Cepek line of lighting became extremely popular. Within just four years, his products began being sold in foreign countries; South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Italy became home to Cepek products. Dick went to the Baja peninsula in 1966 with friend Ed Pearlman to drive the 1,000-mile trail. This was considered the first "Baja 1000.” Dick and Ed came in second place. Cepek products later became stamped with the phrase "Baja-Proven.”

The term “mag wheels” can be traced to the racing wheels designed and produced by Ted Halibrand’s company. During the war, he worked for Douglas Aircraft as an engineer, where he often used magnesium to replace broken aluminum aircraft parts. He cast his first set of wheels out of magnesium in 1946, and their immediate success led to the formation of the Halibrand Engineering Co. in 1947. Referred to as “mags,” the custom wheels of today are steel or aluminum alloy. But it was Ted who introduced wheels of lightweight magnesium, sold exclusively for on-track racing applications. While Ted didn’t invent the performance wheel, his influence over the category looms large. His first customers were Indy racers. Ted also served as chairman of the United States Auto Club's Safety Committee, and was an inductee in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

Jerry operated one of the most popular (and earliest) speed shops, but he was also a hands-on racer. Jerry knew—and lived—the business of specialty cars and racing every waking hour, and was owner of Vic Hubbard Speed and Marine. His support of motorsports and help with industry causes earned him Hall of Fame recognition.

His name was associated with Cragar Wheels for many years; Tom managed the marketing and racing program for Cragar throughout the peak of his career in the specialty industry. His donation of time as a volunteer, his support to the racing community and his untiring work in the industry as a member of committees earned him many awards and Hall of Fame recognition, including a Sportsmanship Award in 1949.

It was Tom’s father who founded Babcox Publishing (Babcox Media), producer of an exclusive line of magazines for the automotive parts and service trade. Tom maintained the tradition of quality magazines as owner, devoting a lot of time to the causes of the specialty industry, a dedication that earned him SEMA Hall of Fame honors. Babcox Media’s first magazine was India Rubber & Tire magazine, which went into circulation in 1901; it is now called Tire Review. Business-to-business magazines, e-media, market research and other digital publications, as well as list rental services, are among the services Babcox Media provides.

Donna Imrie Foulger began working at SEMA as a young college student. With a very small staff, she and then CEO Eric Grant, spent countless hours creating a solidly recognized organization. He through marketing efforts; she through endeavors as membership liaison. SEMA went through its initial growing pains with a small staff wearing many hats. Soon, however, the association began unprecedented growth in prestige within the industry, as evidenced by growth of the SEMA Show, membership rolls, and legislative successes. Donna soon became Communications Director, writing for countless trade and consumer publications, and writing, editing and publishing SEMA NEWS, today, the bible of the industry. She was promoted to operations director some ten years later, and became heavily involved in show production and financial management, with then CEO Chuck Blum. It was during Donna's tenure that SEMA grew from a fledgling group into an internationally recognized trade association. She wore countless hats during her time and was often referred to as the 'glue' that held it together during its initial growing pains. She was a hardworking and dedicated individual who was recognized for her achievements by Induction into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Leo served many companies in the specialty aftermarket—Hurst, Amco and others—but it was his dedicated service to SEMA and the industry that will be remembered. It was Leo who, as president of SEMA, spearheaded the unprecedented growth of the annual SEMA Show, including pushing to have it moved from Anaheim, California, to Las Vegas. Leo held a seat on the SEMA Board of Directors, and proposed the creation of the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. He was named SEMA Person of the Year in 1994.

Best known as the founder of the So-Cal Speed Shop in Los Angeles—one of the first of its kind—Alex was also instrumental in the beginning of the SEMA Show; as an editor and publisher of Hot Rod Industry News, he helped organize the High Performance & Custom Equipment Trade Show, held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in January 1967. Over time, SEMA became increasingly involved with the management of the show and eventually took it over. Alex was also the editor of Car Craft magazine. Following his years in publishing, he partnered with Mickey Thompson to organize the SCORE off-road equipment trade shows. In 1997, he and Pete Chapouris brought the famed So-Cal Speed Shop name to Chapouris’s Pomona, California, facility. Alex was inducted into the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame and has been honored with lifetime memberships in the SCTA and his old car club, the Sidewinders. He was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People within the high-performance industry, and is a Hot Rod Magazine Hall of Fame inductee. Alex has also served on the Board of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.