(Back row, left to right) Motorsports icon Travis Pastrana and Isky Racing Cams Chief Operating Officer Nolan Jamora (representing Ed Iskenderian). (Front row, left to right) PRI President Michael Good, PRI Founder Steve Lewis and SPEED SPORT's Ralph Sheheen.

PRI announced Steve Lewis and Ed Iskenderian as the first-ever motorsports industry legends to be inducted into the PRI Hall of Fame. Lewis and Iskenderian were recognized and celebrated today during the Grand Opening Breakfast at the 2024 PRI Show.

Launched in 2024, PRI's Hall of Fame honors the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and entities in the motorsports industry, preserving their legacies and inspiring future generations. The inductees were honored for their career accomplishments, impact on the sport, contributions to innovation, sportsmanship, leadership qualities, and overall influence within the racing community.  

"Steve and Ed left an incredible mark on the racing industry through their courage to take risks and relentless drive to push the industry forward," said PRI President Michael Good. "Their accomplishments, integrity, and passion for helping others have inspired countless people and we are proud to present them with this accolade that celebrates their boldness and innovation."

Steve Lewis  

After attending his first midget race with his parents at a young age, Lewis knew that racing was the industry he wanted to be a part of. His passion for motorsports led him to become one of the United States Auto Club (USAC)'s most successful car owners. Several of the biggest names in racing competed for him during his tenure with USAC, recording a record 133 National victories, more than anyone in history, and 10 USAC National Car Owner titles.

In 1988, Lewis launched the PRI Trade Show to support the racing and performance segments and improve the ways in which the racing industry conducts business. A passionate advocate for racers and businesses, his leadership and vision set new standards of excellence in the industry, and the PRI Show quickly became (and is still) the premier event for the entire motorsports community.  

"It's a humbling privilege to have someone say 'hey, you're the number one', especially of this project because it was our number one project and it was a very important thing for us to do," said Lewis on being the first inductee into the PRI Hall of Fame. "Racing is a real industry, and it now has a trade show that where every year the buyers and suppliers can get together in a professional atmosphere and get the work done, and I think that's important."  

Today, PRI continues to increase engagement and support for the racing industry through new tools and initiatives specifically for the motorsports community. The annual PRI Show attracts attendees from all 50 states and all over the world, including professional race teams, retail shops, warehouse distributors, engine builders, fabricators, dealers, installers, jobbers, and media.  

Ed Iskenderian 

Iskenderian was a young man who raced his own cars just before he enlisted into the Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his return, the hot rodding boom had hit, and Iskenderian—later nicknamed "Camfather"—had trouble buying racing-grind camshafts. Rather than wait five months for a camshaft, he decided, "I can make those," and entered the racing cam business.  

He set up a used grinding machine in the back room of a tool and die company owned by a friend, and that was the start of Iskenderian Racing Cams, popularly known as "Isky Cams," one of the largest specialty cam grinders in America. The company developed the first high-density, chilled-iron lifters for Top Fuel dragsters, and was also responsible for the first anti-cam-walk kit for Chevy V8s and the first offset cam keys and bushings for adjusting cam timing. 

Iskenderian was a part of the small group that created SEMA and was its first president. He was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 1978. Additionally, he is a member of Chevrolet's Legends of Performance.  

"The industry was going on before me, but there was no money in it, or it was so small," said Iskenderian, who was born in 1901 and is now 103 years old. He added, "I was born just at the right time."  

Today, Isky Racing Cams in Gardena, California, where Iskenderian can still be found most days, consists of a four-building complex of over 75,000 sq. ft. on property a full city block long. Known for his precision, creativity, and passion, the contributions of the "Camfather" shaped drag racing and custom car culture, cementing his place as an automotive pioneer and icon. 

To learn more about PRI, visit performanceracing.com.