ANCO® Celebrates 100th Anniversary with the Return of 'Big Yellow'
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By Counterman
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) is celebrating 40 years of funding scholarships, grants and ongoing educational programs to help develop a strong, knowledgeable industry work force.
To commemorate the special occasion, UAF is conducting a 40th Ruby Anniversary fundraising campaign that will run throughout the year, culminating with a celebration on Oct. 31 in Las Vegas. Roger McCollum, MAAP, UAF chairman and Rick Schwartz, UAF marketing committee chair announced the campaign at last week’s MEMA Vision Conference and encouraged support from industry members.
“Over the past 40 years, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation has made an indelible mark on our industry by annually funding hundreds of scholarships for deserving young people who have gone on to successful careers in the aftermarket,” said Schwartz. “We thank everyone who has championed the UAF mission since 1986 and ask all industry members to support the Ruby Anniversary Campaign so that UAF and its work can continue for the next 40 years and beyond.”
To support the
link hidden, please login to view 40th Ruby Anniversary campaign and attend the special reception held on Oct. 31, 2026 at The Venetian Las Vegas, visit link hidden, please login to view. “Reaching this major milestone would not have been possible without all those who volunteer their time and resources to ensure a bright future for the aftermarket,” said McCollum. “By supporting the Ruby Anniversary Campaign today, you can make a lasting impact by helping young people who aspire to enter our industry or continue their professional development.”
Contributions to the UAF 40th Ruby Anniversary
link hidden, please login to view are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law and count toward UAF lifetime status. UAF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. To learn more, apply for a scholarship or grant, or make a donation, visit link hidden, please login to view. The post
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By Counterman
Some things are just easier than others in this life. When it comes to parts, we all have those lookups that test our patience, leave us shaking our heads, or make us wonder why we even got out of bed this morning.
Beginning with the basic identification of the vehicle, we are often reliant on our customer to know what they are ordering parts for. Model year may differ from the actual manufacture date appearing on the door tag, or the door may not even be original to the vehicle, skewing the results of a VIN-based parts search. Many manufacturers offer “carryover” models concurrent with a newly-released platform, creating confusion between models and leaving us to figure out the easiest or most obvious ways to identify each design. Yes, I’m looking at YOU, Silverado, Ram and Wrangler!
Other times, it’s the similarities in model names that can lead to confusion. Side by side, no one would ever confuse a Corvette with a Chevette, but click the wrong button in a catalog, and you may be halfway through the lookup before you realize something doesn’t look quite right. Those of us who remember the overlapping Ford Bronco and Bronco II models of the 1980s and ‘90s, or even the Explorer, Explorer Sport and Sport-tracs of the early 2000s can relate to the renewed confusion caused by today’s Bronco and Bronco Sport models. If I never hear the phrase “I dunno, I think it just says Bronco,” it will still be too soon!
Once we’ve positively identified the actual vehicle, we must still navigate the minefield of misnamed components and vague descriptions common to a catalog system engineered to accommodate multiple manufacturers who can never seem to agree on naming conventions. Toe links, lateral links, tension struts, and trailing arms might all fall under the broad category of “control arm.” I still have flashbacks about trying to specify Audi/VW multi-link suspension components when they first became popular. What do you mean you want the “left-front-upper-rear” control arm, sir?
Occasionally, a customer-induced curveball can really throw off your rhythm, but don’t underestimate the power of your own foolishness, either. I absolutely KNOW my left from my right (its written on my mittens, after all…) but I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve flubbed this basic request, and I do still get the odd customer who asks “you mean when I’m looking at the car, or sitting in it?” I also learned to specify “left and right” rather than “driver and passenger” after getting burned by a string of right-hand drive Jeeps owned by rural mail carriers.
No matter the vehicle and no matter the request, our greatest asset as parts specialists will always be our attention to detail. It begins with listening to our customer rather than just hearing them, and taking notes while we absorb the information they are presenting to us.
Our second greatest asset is our curiosity. We all like learning, knowing and understanding things, but when a situation does become confusing or unclear, it is always better to ask questions than to assume you’ll figure it out alone. We are here to solve problems; to find answers and we do that best when applying our unique skillset for the benefit of all. Engaging with the customer is a means of including them in the solution, one you are both equally invested in reaching.
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By NAPA
Hailie Deegan posted a hard-earned sixth-place finish Saturday night in the ARCA Menards Series West Oil Workers 150 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Piloting the No. 16
link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing (BMR), Deegan worked through early handling challenges to finish just outside the top five in a demanding short-track event.
Deegan’s night began with a loose race car that made the opening laps difficult and caused her to lose a couple of positions early. Staying patient, she focused on maintaining track position and providing feedback as the race settled into longer green-flag runs.
At the halfway break, the BMR crew made minor adjustments to improve balance, and Deegan immediately felt more comfortable in the No. 16. With improved confidence, she raced aggressively in the second half, battling through traffic and holding her ground during multiple restarts to remain in contention near the front.
Deegan ultimately brought the Chevrolet home in sixth, capping a solid points night for the team. The race also marked her first return to a stock car since June of 2024, making Kern a valuable opportunity to get back behind the wheel and regain comfort with the high-horsepower, high-weight machine. Combined with teammate Mason Massey’s victory, the result highlighted the speed across the Bill McAnally Racing stable at Kern Raceway, with both cars showing race-winning pace. The momentum sets the stage for the next stop on the schedule as Deegan and the team turn their attention toward Phoenix.
“I had a lot of fun getting back to racing in my NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet for Bill McAnally Racing,” Deegan said after the race. “We had good speed throughout the weekend and if I just clean up a few things on my side, I think we will be competing for wins really soon.”
Start / Finish: 6 / 6
Points Standing / Total: 6th / 38 pts. (-9)
Next Race: Thursday, March 5, Phoenix Raceway
How to Watch or Listen: 6:00 p.m. ET on
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announces its 80th anniversary, marking what it said has been eight decades of “innovation, quality and trusted performance” in the automotive industry. Founded in 1946 as a company specializing in carburetion components, Walker Products began with a commitment to precision manufacturing and dependable service. As the automotive industry evolved, so did Walker – expanding into ignition, engine management and emission control solutions to meet the growing demands of modern vehicles.
Product Solutions and Markets Served
Today, Walker Products provides Genuine OE and OE-engineered solutions, serving Tier 1 partners, professional technicians, fleets and DIYers worldwide. The company said its dedication to engineering and manufacturing quality has earned it a reputation with professionals and drivers.
“Reaching 80 years is an incredible milestone for our company,” said Grant Kitching, president and CEO. “Our longevity is a true testament to the dedication of our 400 employees, the loyalty of our customers, our partnerships with our vendors and our unwavering commitment to innovation and quality. We are proud of our family-owned heritage and excited for what the future holds.”
Throughout its history, Walker Products has remained focused on advancing automotive technology while maintaining the core values that defined its founding: quality, coverage and support.
As the industry continues to move toward increasingly advanced powertrain, emission and engine management systems, Walker Products said it remains committed to developing solutions that support performance, reliability and environmental responsibility.
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By NAPA
Christian Eckes’ “Revenge Tour” kicked off in exhilarating fashion as he scored a third-place finish in his reunion with MHR. The driver of the No. 91 Columbia Bank Chevrolet Silverado RST was a fixture near the front of the field in Friday night’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway and made a staggering 271 green flag passes throughout the night. Eckes collected 12 stage points, and 46 overall, which has him initially positioned second in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series standings.
Eckes and the Columbia Bank team narrowly missed the second round of qualifying on Friday afternoon and lined up 11th for the green flag. From the outset, Eckes made himself one of the most active drivers in the field, making moves and slicing in traffic to work his way forward. He cracked the top-10 in the opening five laps before making a furious charge to the front on lap 19. A massive swell of momentum on the bottom lane catapulted him from outside the top-15 to run third at the end of Stage 1 on lap 20.
The strategy by crew chief Dave Elenz to keep Eckes’ tank packed full of fuel was on display beginning with the first pit cycle. After taking left side tires and fuel, Elenz brough Eckes back to pit road to top-off with gas before the restart. Despite restarting 31st on lap 28, Eckes gave the fans in attendance full value for their ticket by cutting through the field to run seventh at the end of Stage 2 on lap 40.
Eckes pitted again for fuel, and another top-off prior to the restart under the second stage caution. He efficiently cut from 20th on the lap 46 to challenge for the lead by lap 58 when the yellow flag flew. Just outside the fuel window to make the finish, Eckes pitted for fuel only, and again for four tires under a caution at lap 80. After restarting 15th on lap 85, Eckes created a mammoth surge of momentum to challenge for the lead on lap 93. A late caution set up a green-white-checkered finish as he took the green from fifth position. Eckes’ precision moves helped him challenge for the lead of the final lap but crossed the line third in a four-wide finish at the checkered flag.
“It was fun, for sure,” Eckes remarked after the podium result. “I thought all night our truck was really solid and was able to do a lot of things. Just thanks to Columbia Bank,
link hidden, please login to view, Gates Hydraulics, Chevrolet, everybody involved. We weren’t very good [Friday] but the guys went to work and got it better…I’d have to go back and look at [the finish]. It’s kind of hard with no help out back. The situation that unfolded, we started fifth or sixth, it’s just hard to have a chance at it. Obviously, we want to win, but we’ll keep moving on.” Start / Finish: 11 / 3
Points Standing / Total: 2nd / 46 pts. (-19)
Next Race: Saturday, February 21st, EchoPark Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1 or SiriusXM
NAPA:
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