IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti was presented the annual Jerry Titus Award by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association; Third-generation racer Kevin Swindell wins the 24th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals; legendary midget racing mechanic Bob Higman dies at age 84; and more racing news.

Lawmakers introduce a bill to ban the sale of “any aftermarket exhaust system component” that would cause the vehicle to produce “excessive or unusual noise."

Movers & Shakers: Edward Concialdi Scores Two Plane Tickets Through Post-SEMA Show Survey; Chris Ripper Joins Aftermarketer Club

TIA says tiremakers are responding with enthusiasm about ways to increase SEMA Show value for the tire industry.

SEMA members, it's once again time to recognize your mentors, colleagues and competitors and nominate them for the SEMA Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors the industry bestows on individual members.

Don “The Snake” Prudhomme retires from NHRA drag racing, disbands his NHRA Top Fuel team; Randall Walker burns competition at the the Ice Bowl dirt-late-model event at Alabama’s Talladega Short Track; Andrew Gurtis promoted to vice president of operations at Daytona International Speedway; Bob Tasca Sr. dies at the age of 83; and more racing news.

Chinese consumers, for the first time, purchased more cars and light trucks in 2009 than U.S. car buyers. China sold 12.8 million cars and light trucks in 2009 (13.6 million with heavy-duty truck sales factored in) to become the world's largest vehicle market, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Booth space is now available at the upcoming 2010 PAACE Automechanika Show, July 14-16, in Mexico City, an event that draws more than 18,000 attendees in the automotive industry.

It's been said before: For a product to be successful, the outside of the box is just as important as what's inside. A product's packaging or merchandising display may be the first and only opportunity to grab a customer's attention.