INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – The winter holidays might be upon us, but that doesn’t mean enthusiasts have been unable to attend a high-performance automotive event – which surely is what the annual Performance Racing Industry show – otherwise known as PRI – is all about. Called “the world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals,” the PRI Trade Show brings together 1,000 exhibiting companies with nearly 70,000 attendees from all 50 states and some 70 countries. Every December, the three-day show takes place in the heart of the racing industry in Indianapolis. PRI has become a yearly staple for all things motorsports -- including the latest trends, new merchandising ideas and product releases, innovative business strategies, engineering advancements, and more.

Founded by racing entrepreneur Steve Lewis back in 1986, PRI has grown to become a can’t-miss event at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indy. SEMA purchased PRI and rights to the trade show back in 2012, and while it remains SEMA’s “little brother,” PRI has found a true niche-market highlighting all things racing and the racing aftermarket. Beyond the show, PRI is also a monthly print and digital magazine that calls itself “the voice of the racing marketplace.”

Ford Performance had two of our most-traveled enthusiast event photographers, Bill Cook and Mark Storm, attend PRI 2023 which took place from December 7-9, and Cook sent us this note in an email upon his return:

“I traveled with Mark Storm to Indianapolis to attend the Professional Racing Industry Show (PRI Show) at the Indiana Convention Center. We attended setup Wednesday afternoon and roamed the 3,500 booths and the 1,000 exhibits Thursday and Friday morning. Tens of thousands of steps later, we returned to Michigan by dinnertime. Mark used the event to meet with his list of existing and potential business customers (and took pictures, too). I’m there for the pictures, racing environment, vehicles and to see the evolving technology. We had a great time and look forward to 2024.

“As described by PRI, it is open to PRI Members in the motorsports industry,” Cook noted. “The PRI Show is the most influential business event in racing. It features the newest parts, technology and access to countless manufacturers, service providers and provides unlimited opportunities to network face-to-face with industry leaders. The PRI Show is where the racing industry gathers under one roof for three days in December. If you’re in the business of racing, you have to be at the PRI Show!”

Indeed. So we asked both Cook and Storm if we could share some of their many photos of Fords they found on display at the show. We chose our favorites for the gallery below – enjoy!

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK & MARK STORM