Tue, 11 Nov 2025, 15:02 PM 2025 SEMA Content Creator, Gen-III Innovator and Person of the Year Announced

Courtesy of Juan Torres

-- The awards recognize the recipient's outstanding contributions to the specialty equipment industry over a year-long period --

LAS VEGAS - The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the winners of its coveted Content Creator of the Year, Gen-III Innovator of the Year, and Person of the Year awards. Presented during the SEMA Industry Honors at the 2025 SEMA Show, these awards recognize industry members for their significant and transformative contributions to the automotive aftermarket during the past year.

Person of the Year: Dean Case (Motivo Engineering)
An unwavering advocate for SEMA and the Emerging Trends & Technology Network (ETTN), Case played an instrumental role in bridging the gap between aftermarket industry and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) community in 2025.

Case was pivotal to the success of the ETTN/SAE student career event at the SEMA Garage, the largest career fair the association has ever hosted. The impact of this event extended far beyond attendance numbers; it also created meaningful connections with students and educators, helping to attract fresh talent into the industry.

Thanks to Case's contributions, the event brought together a diverse range of experts, actively engaged schools, and was carefully documented through professional videography, amplifying SEMA's mission to a wider audience.

Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Andrius Liskus (LABA7, UAB)
Liskus solved a major barrier in advanced suspension testing: accessibility. High-speed, high-precision damper testing typically requires large, stationary machines with high-voltage, high-amperage power inputs, which limits their use to specialized R&D facilities. With the EMA, or Electromagnetic Damper Test System, Liskus and his team developed a solution that delivers lab-grade performance -- up to 7,000 mm/s velocity, 100 G acceleration, and 150 Hz frequency -- while running from a standard 110V socket. The system condenses energy using supercapacitors to drive electromagnetic motors efficiently and with precision.

This means cutting-edge damper testing no longer needs to be tied to infrastructure-heavy environments. Race teams, independent developers, and workshops can now run the same level of dynamic testing that was once only available inside OEM labs. The EMA is even transportable, making it viable for on-site testing and trackside diagnostics.

Content Creator of the Year: Westen Champlin
The SEMA Content Creator of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates a content creator's exceptional dedication to enriching automotive culture. This accolade applauds Champlin's significant impact in shaping a vibrant community and fostering a positive environment among automotive enthusiasts. Garnering over 4 million subscribers on YouTube, 3.8 million followers on TikTok, 2.5 million followers on Instagram, and 3.3 million followers on Facebook, his creative efforts on social media have not only elevated the discourse around automotive passions but have also inspired a deeper appreciation for the art and innovation within the industry.

Drag News: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Feb 13- ProCharger Joins World Series of Pro Mod as Associate Sponsor
Feb 11- March Meet and Famoso Dragstrip Etched in American Hot Rod History
Feb 05- Famed March Meet Set for Historic 68th Installment March 5-8
Feb 05- Red Line Oil Named Presenting Sponsor of World Series of Pro Mod
Feb 05- $25,000 Wild Card Shootout Added to World Series of Pro Mod
Jan 26- Stevie ‘Fast’ Jackson Wheels ‘Shadow 3.0’ to $75,000 U.S. Street Nationals Pro Mod Victory
Jan 25- Side-By-Side 3.50-Second Races Highlight First Round of Pro Mod Eliminations at U.S. Street Nationals
Jan 24- Jimmy Taylor Stays No. 1 as U.S. Street Nationals Records First All-3.50-Second 32-Car Pro Mod Field
Jan 23- Jimmy Taylor Edges Out Jason Harris for Thursday Provisional No. 1 Spot at U.S. Street Nationals
Jan 22- U.S. Street Nationals Set to Ignite Bradenton as Winter Series, Radial Outlaws Seasons Collide