Builders
When it comes to prestige in the custom car and truck world, nothing shines brighter than the Triple Crown of Rodding. With over 50 state-of-the-art billet-machined aluminum and show-chrome-plated trophies on the line, the competition is fierce. But at the top of the heap are six elite titles—the ones every builder dreams about, the ones that truly define “best of the best.”
Chris wasn’t just a driver or ARP ambassador—he was a mentor, a connector, and a lifer in motorsports. From racing ATCs and sprint cars to building engines and guiding builders at ARP, he left his mark everywhere he went. His encyclopedic knowledge, hands-on approach, and love for teaching made him a cornerstone of the performance world.
This isn’t just a lineup—it’s a living hall of fame. We’re talking the visionaries whose cars dominate the Ridler, the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR), and the Goodguys Top 12. The innovators who set the trends that every other shop follows. The craftsmen whose names carry weight in any serious shop conversation, even if they aren’t on reality TV every week.
We’ve been road-tripping all year long through the Fab’d Four of Auto Shows, chasing the best builds, the wildest debuts, and the kind of iron that makes you stop mid-sentence just to stare. Three shows in, we’ve already seen cars that melted minds and trucks that had crowds three-deep around them.
The automotive and motorsports world lost one of its most dedicated champions on Sunday, August 3, 2025, when Chris Raschke tragically passed away following a crash at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He was 60 years old.
The off-road world lost one of its true giants on Saturday, August 2, with the passing of Walker Evans at the age of 86. A pioneer, champion, and lifelong ambassador off-road racing, Evans leaves behind a towering legacy carved across the sands of Baja, the dirt of Riverside, and the rugged rocks of the American backcountry.
Columbus brought the heat—literally and figuratively. At this year’s Goodguys Nationals, the metal was shiny, the builds were wild, and the vendor midway was packed with gearheads showing off the next big things. We walked the aisles, kicked tires, talked shop, and came away with a short list of standout products we think deserve your attention. Whether you’re wrenching on a street truck, building a corner-carving pro-tourer, or chasing big boost, here are some of the best parts we spotted.
Let’s be honest—there was a time when trucks were the stuff you parked behind the show field, used to haul parts, or maybe pulled your “real” hot rod to the event. What once might have been considered second-tier to muscle cars and traditional hot rods is now front and center, with classic pickups, slammed cruisers, high-horsepower haulers, and fully reimagined showstoppers filling the Ohio Expo Center grounds.
In 1955, Chevrolet didn’t just redesign a car—they ignited a movement. The Tri-Five Chevys (that’s shorthand for the 1955, 1956, and 1957 models) arrived like a thunderclap and never really left. These machines were leaner, lower, and louder—in both looks and performance—ushering in a new era of V8-powered excitement. The shoebox shape, the tailfins, the grille teeth…every detail had attitude. And the world noticed.
From suspension breakthroughs to slick bolt-ons and next-gen wiring solutions, this curated collection of fresh hardware gave attendees a first look at what’s about to hit the streets—and the shelves. With awards on the line and plenty of eyeballs walking the floor, companies brought their A-game, packing the display cases with smart engineering, clean design, and purpose-built upgrades. Whether you’re a pro builder or garage warrior, this was the place to get hands-on with the future of hot rodding.
