Category: Features

The latest feature articles about the automotive aftermarket from THE SHOP.

A Hard Look at Drag Racing

Kelly Anderson has fun and entertains fans with her wheel-standing “Stacy 2.0” Camaro at events like the weekly Thursday Night Thunder at Irwindale Drag Strip.

This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. “Is drag racing dying or is it dead?” That’s a real question, believe it or not, I often get asked and it’s darn hard to answer. After attending the opening night of the weekly Thursday Night Thunder at Irwindale Drag Strip in… Continue reading A Hard Look at Drag Racing

Window Film: True or False?

Quality tint products are moving the industry forward. (Photo courtesy Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions)

This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of THE SHOP. It’s not just consumers who have questions when it comes to choosing the right window film for their vehicles. Professionals may not always have all the answers, either. To help, tint manufacturers and suppliers clear up some common misconceptions and separate fact from… Continue reading Window Film: True or False?

Make It Work: Serving Commercial Customers

Recently, there has been more of a focus on safety and limiting vehicle downtime. (Photo courtesy Lippert/LUVERNE)

This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of THE SHOP. While much is made of how the specialty automotive aftermarket brings joy and personalization to consumer vehicle owners, there’s another part of the industry that just wants to work smarter, not harder. Commercial customers appreciate accessories and packages that improve utility, safety and… Continue reading Make It Work: Serving Commercial Customers

KPI — January 2023: State of the Economy

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.1% in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.5% before seasonal adjustment. Important Takeaways, Courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: The… Continue reading KPI — January 2023: State of the Economy

Drag Racing Rides Momentum

The first MAHLE Motorsport-sponsored Nissan to break into the 6s at the Import vs. Domestic World Cup finals (2019) driven by Gidi Chamdi at a record-breaking 6.56 seconds at 225 mph. (Photo courtesy MAHLE Motorsport)

This article originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of THE SHOP magazine. Drag racing, by all accounts, had a great year in 2022. With all that’s going on in the world today, that’s quite remarkable. Car counts were good, attendance was strong and even TV showed viewership increases for many events. Following our recent… Continue reading Drag Racing Rides Momentum