Force-Fed Prelude
July 16, 2023
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
30 Years And Counting
Television has created an unusual interest in all things high-performance, both cars and trucks. On any night you can watch some creation of modified vehicles, and even though there’s not much reality to the builds, you can get a good idea of what’s going on. But don’t get your hopes up: Unlike the team of experts that supposedly does this in a week, your build will probably take six months or more, and longer at some shops. While you can witness a number of world-class cars rolling across the auction block, commanding huge prices from over-?enthusiastic bidders, you will find that this, too, is not the reality that most of us live in each day, as many auction samples are some of the more rare in existence. The one thing each of these shows has in common is that typically the owner rarely gets his hands dirty and if there is any owner involvement, it is often limited to writing a check.
This no doubt is a great way for some to enjoy the hobby, but it’s not the approach that most enthusiasts take, and that includes Rick Finzer. As a way of introduction, Finzer is the event coordinator for a much respected Florida car show and swap meet known as the Turkey Run. The legendary Turkey Run is celebrating its 33rd anniversary and is well known by most enthusiasts, and Finzer has been involved since its inception.
Mach 91
MPS Auto Salvage (800/236-1156) is a name you probably already know if you’ve ever been in the market for quality used parts for Fox-body and newer Mustangs. This Winder, Georgia, salvage yard specializes in Ford’s pony car, and the company has both a huge inventory of parts and totaled cars and all the knowledge you’d need for parts-interchange questions. And since the guys at MPS are all enthusiasts, we wonder if the foxes are guarding the henhouse. Judging from the look of this MPS-built ’91 Mustang coupe, the answer is most definitely yes—but that’s just fine with us.
LOWERING A 4WD FORD F-150
The suspension of stock four-wheel-drive vehicles is deliberately set very high to provide improved ground clearance. For years the trend in serious off-roading has been to “lift” the vehicle even higher. The OEs suspend their four-bys high enough to clear rocks, traverse gulleys and fallen trees and most anything else that one might encounter in more serious off-roading. Nevertheless, there are four-by owners who would like to lower their vehicles, as they spend more time on-road than off. Recently we met just such an owner, and we couldn’t resist questioning him about his desire to drop this ’04 Ford F-150 four-by-four.
Spotlighter
HPX 2026 Puts Education in the Driver’s Seat of the Automotive Industry
A stacked education lineup built to deliver real-world insight for shops, leaders, & performance professionals.
The High Performance Expo isn’t just coming back in 2026—it’s doubling down on what made the inaugural event hit so hard in the performance aftermarket world. HPX 2026 has officially unveiled a stacked education lineup for this year’s show in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together shop owners, racers, manufacturers, builders, executives, and industry disruptors under one roof for three days of high-octane networking and next-level learning.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of HPX
HPX 2026 Expands Beyond the Trade Show Floor with a Deeper Education Focus
Set for June 2–4, 2026, HPX 2026 continues to solidify its role as a future-forward hub of the automotive aftermarket, pushing well beyond the traditional trade show format. This expanded education program reinforces exactly what sets HPX apart—this isn’t just a showcase of booths and product debuts, it’s a full-scale learning environment built to deliver real-world knowledge, practical strategies, and actionable insight that drives measurable growth.
A Deep Dive Into HPX 2026 Learning Experiences
The 2026 lineup features the return of the fast-paced HPX PowerTalks, the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit, and the debut of the new Automotive Leadership Conference, aimed at business owners, executives, and decision-makers focused on scaling smarter and operating more efficiently.
The PowerTalks deliver rapid-fire, real-world insight straight from the people actively shaping the automotive aftermarket. Topics range from identifying profit leaks in shops and preparing for industry shifts to high-level performance strategies, engine technology, and business development. Every session is built for immediate application—not theory.
A Growing Leadership and Education Ecosystem at HPX 2026
HPX continues to invest heavily in leadership development and workforce growth across the automotive industry. The Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit returns as a dedicated space for connection, collaboration, and career development, bringing together voices from across racing, manufacturing, and the aftermarket to strengthen leadership pathways.
Alongside it, the Automotive Leadership Conference expands the conversation to business owners and executives, focusing on scaling operations, improving leadership structure, and navigating an increasingly competitive industry landscape.
What makes HPX different is how these programs connect. Leadership sessions run in parallel with PowerTalks, creating a layered learning experience that moves from strategic thinking to immediate, real-world application. The addition of the Recruiting Hub powered by Hendrick Motorsports further extends that impact, turning HPX into a pipeline for both knowledge and workforce development.
That connection carries into Cars & Capital, where business networking and performance culture intersect, giving builders, shop owners, and industry leaders a space to exchange ideas and uncover opportunity.
Together, these elements form a unified ecosystem where education, leadership, and business strategy all operate in real time.
The Thinking Behind HPX PowerTalks:
Education That Drives Results
“HPX education is built around one core goal: giving professionals information they can immediately put to work,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, co-founder of HPX. “Our 2026 lineup reflects the real challenges and opportunities facing this industry, from leadership and profitability to technology, workforce development and the future of performance.
HPX PowerTalks deliver short, high-impact sessions packed with fast-paced insight from industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket. Taking place directly on the show floor, each session is built around practical strategies, real-world experience, and measurable results you can put to work immediately.
A sampling of HPX PowerTalk sessions includes:
- Driven to Win: Lessons from Elite Drivers
- Where Profits Leak in Auto Shops – and How Process Fixes Them
- Built for the Future: Preparing Your Automotive Business for What’s Next
- Marketing that Moves the Needle: Turning Attention Into Real Growth
- Rules of the Road Ahead: Kory Willis’ Story and What Regulations Mean for Your Business
- Fast-Track Your Career: How to Get Hired in Automotive
- The Road Ahead: Where the Industry is Really Headed
- Godzilla Unleashed: Ford’s Engine Build Secrets
- AI in Action: What It Can Actually Do for Your Business (and How to Do It!)
- Designing the Dream: From Concept to Finished Vehicle
Charlotte Becomes the Learning Hub for the Automotive Industry
With Charlotte, North Carolina at the center of American motorsports, HPX 2026 isn’t just another trade show—it’s where performance, racing, and aftermarket education converge into one connected experience.
Don’t Miss HPX 2026 — Plan to Be in Charlotte
HPX 2026 isn’t the kind of event you “maybe” show up to—it’s the one you plan around. If you’re serious about the automotive industry, this is where conversations happen, strategies sharpen, and real decisions take shape.
This is your chance to learn, connect, and walk away with insights you can put to work immediately when you’re back in the shop or office. HPX 2026 isn’t for spectators—it’s for people ready to be part of where the industry is headed next.
CLICK HERE to secure your spot at HPX 2026 —this is where the future of the automotive industry is being built.
Join us June 2–4 in Charlotte, NC for the High Performance Expo (HPX) 2026 — the new hub for racing, aftermarket innovation, and performance culture.
Save with Promo Code: AUTO26
• 50% off All-Access Pit Passes
• 20% off VIP Registration
From builders and racers to shop owners and enthusiasts, HPX brings the industry together with top brands, live builds, new products, and unmatched networking.
Register now and save with Discount Code: AUTO26
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