While AutoBuilder will supply you with all the latest and greatest happenings in the hot rod world, we felt looking back at how we got here would be fun and equally as important. The changes over the past sixty-plus years have been impressive.
Late Model, Future Tech, & Other News
The agency has officially recognized SEMA Certified-Emissions as a legitimate way for manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with federal emissions standards. Translation? Companies now have another legal path to sell emissions-compliant performance parts in 49 states.
For more than 35 years, Dynamat has been the #1 name in automotive sound deadening, helping enthusiasts build quieter, cooler, and better-sounding vehicles. Whether you’re restoring a classic, building a Pro Touring machine, finishing a street truck, or simply improving your daily driver, Dynamat Xtreme delivers a noticeable difference the moment you close the door.
Think you have to attend a giant national event to see world-class builds? Think again. The Erwin Marine Sales Car Show was proof that some of the baddest rides around show up at the smallest gatherings. Tucked along Chattanooga’s scenic waterfront, this laid-back event delivered far more than anyone would expect from a Saturday morning cruise-in.
The sound of impact tools echoed across the show floor as crowds gathered around one of the most exciting attractions at HPX 2026—the Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown. Equal parts competition, education, and live theater, the event gave attendees a rare opportunity to watch championship-caliber engine builders assemble complete Chevrolet V8 engines under intense time pressure.
Returning for its second year, the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit brought together women from across the automotive aftermarket, racing, performance, and motorsports industries for a morning focused on leadership, career growth, and personal development. Built around the theme Life by Design: Driving Your Life with Intention, the program encouraged attendees to take a closer look at where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there.
HPX 2026 in Charlotte established its identity on the show floor rather than through announcements or spectacle. At the center of that approach was the inaugural HPX Shop Car Challenge, presented by Killer Performance, which brought together five curated shop builds representing some of the most current and capable work in the performance aftermarket. Positioned as a focused, invite-only feature within the High Performance Expo, the display highlighted craftsmanship, execution, and shop identity through the cars themselves rather than presentation alone.
If HPX 2026 proved anything, it’s that the performance aftermarket isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. Held in Charlotte, North Carolina, the High Performance Expo has quickly established itself as one of the industry’s premier gathering places for manufacturers, builders, racers, retailers, and enthusiasts looking to see what’s next in automotive performance. More than just a trade show, HPX serves as a launchpad for new technology, product debuts, and the ideas shaping the future of the aftermarket.
The NOPI Regionals NDRA and NOPI Drift event at South Georgia Motorsports Park didn’t just meet expectations — it reinforced exactly why the name still carries weight in the automotive world. What started as a revival effort in 2025 came back stronger this year, with bigger crowds, deeper competition fields, and a noticeably elevated energy across every corner of the venue.
When it comes to building a traditional hot rod that actually drives as good as it looks, the front suspension can make or break the entire project. That’s exactly why Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts has remained one of the most respected names in the industry for decades. Their Complete Front End Packages for Model A through 1934 Ford applications aren’t just suspension kits—they’re fully engineered systems built around quality, craftsmanship, and real-world drivability.
