THE AUTO BUILDER
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PACKED WITH POTENTIAL
The Power Programmer is designed so that once the parameters are established and loaded, the unit is pulled and the program remains in the onboard computer until you elect to remove it. The HyperPAC is different; this unit stays in place. In addition to the three stages of performance tuning—the HyperPAC has all of the performance programming benefits of the Power Programmer—it also has diagnostics; an engine monitor with a complete gauge display; a dynamometer, which includes such items such as a horsepower graph; and our favorite, a dragstrip program. This program actually monitors real-time engine operating conditions, has a Christmas tree start, displays a timeslip and will provide you with “magazine-type road test” acceleration times in 10-mile increments. It will record and display important engine operating conditions throughout the run and will display drive wheel horsepower versus vehicle speed after each run—in both table and graph formats.
PONY RIDES
Growing up in a “car family” is always interesting, as many of you reading this can attest. Having raised two kids in a household dedicated to vintage automobiles, this author is an authority on the subject.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Gearstar 4L65E Transmissions
When building a high-performance vehicle or performing an LS engine swap, your transmission is just as critical as the engine. The 4L65E transmission from Gearstar offers the perfect balance of strength, reliability, and adaptability—custom-built to handle up to 650 horsepower and tailored to your exact specifications.
Spotlighter
Meet the Legends of Hot Rodding at the Triple Crown of Rodding
Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, Ringbrothers, Kindig-It, and more unite at Nashville Superspeedway for the ultimate Celebrity Meet & Greet.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff
Everyone’s heard of Chip Foose. His TV presence and instantly recognizable design style made him a household name far beyond the car world. But here’s the truth: while Foose might be the gateway, the Triple Crown Celebrity Meet & Greet—now in its third year—is where you’ll find the full pantheon of builders who define hot rodding at the elite level.
A Living Hall of Fame
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.
Two Days, One Legendary Gathering
For two days only, Nashville Superspeedway’s pit garages will bring all of them together. It’s not just a chance to score autographs or selfies—it’s an insider’s guide to the most influential names in the business. If you only know Foose, this event will open your eyes to the builders who’ve quietly (and not so quietly) shaped the sport into what it is today.
Meet the Legends
Here’s your primer on the legends you could meet:
Jim & Will Posey – Big Oak Garage
This father-son duo combines traditional hot rod passion with modern execution. Their shop has produced Ridler Great 8 finalists and award-winning customs, proving that Big Oak Garage belongs in any conversation about top-tier builders. Their builds blend classic proportions with contemporary engineering.
Ken Fenical – Posies Rods & Customs
Known for pushing boundaries with unique designs and innovative suspension setups, Fenical (aka “Posies”) has been a force in the hot rod world for decades. His cars are rolling statements of individuality and forward thinking, blending creativity with masterful fabrication.
Chip Foose – Foose Design
The most recognizable name in custom cars. With AMBR and Ridler wins under his belt and a massive mainstream following thanks to Overhaulin’, Foose is the face of hot rodding for millions. Beyond TV fame, his design language continues to inspire generations of builders, and his shop has produced many iconic vehicles.
Troy Trepanier – Rad Rides by Troy
If Foose is the showman, Troy is the surgeon. His cars—clean, innovative, and brutally engineered—have racked up Ridlers, AMBRs, and countless magazine covers. Rad Rides sets the bar for modern hot rodding craftsmanship, with projects like the Ridler-winning 1936 Ford “First Love” cementing Troy’s status as a master builder.
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Dave Kindig – Kindig-It Design
Star of Bitchin’ Rides, Kindig turned his Salt Lake City shop into a household name. His signature design cues, dramatic paintwork, and flawless fabrication make his cars instantly recognizable, while his TV presence has expanded hot rodding’s reach to an entirely new audience. Kindig-It Design specializes in high-end restoration and custom builds that set industry standards.
Jason & Jerry Slover – Pete & Jakes
Legends in the street rod community, Pete & Jakes is synonymous with traditional hot rod suspension. The Slover family has kept the brand at the forefront for decades, ensuring the DNA of classic hot rodding lives on in today’s builds.
Kyle Tucker – Detroit Speed
The man who made Pro-Touring a household term. Detroit Speed parts are on thousands of muscle cars across the country, and Kyle’s in-house builds have been Ridler finalists and Goodguys winners. His company bridges high-performance engineering with show-quality craftsmanship.
Alan Johnson – Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop
A perfectionist’s perfectionist. Johnson’s builds are a masterclass in subtle refinement—every line, every curve reimagined until it’s perfect. His cars consistently earn elite honors, blending modern technology with true hot rod attitude, cementing his place as one of the most respected names in the field.
Jesse Greening – Greening Auto Company
Builder, designer, fabricator—Greening does it all. Known for Ridler and Goodguys accolades, his work is technical, refined, and forward-thinking. He represents the new guard of elite builders, with a focus on innovation, machining, and custom craftsmanship that pushes the industry forward.
Mike & Jim Ring – Ringbrothers
Kings of carbon fiber, masters of modern muscle. Mike and Jim Ring have built a reputation for taking classic American steel and reimagining it with futuristic detail, exotic materials, and jaw-dropping innovation. Their SEMA cars consistently dominate magazine covers and award lists, setting trends in the custom car world.
Roy Brizio – Brizio Street Rods
A pillar of West Coast hot rodding, Brizio has built cars for everyone from rock stars to corporate legends. His sleek, traditional street rods are instantly recognizable, and his influence continues to ripple through the custom scene, inspiring builders nationwide.
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Phil & Jeremy Gerber – Roadster Shop
From one-off Ridler contenders to production chassis under thousands of pro-touring builds, the Gerber brothers are shaping the industry’s foundation. After taking over the Roadster Shop in 2004, Phil and Jeremy transformed it into a hub where high-end meets high-performance, creating award-winning rods that influence the industry globally.
Jonathan Goolsby – Goolsby Customs
A Goodguys champion and Ridler contender, Goolsby blends Southern style with cutting-edge precision. His builds are approachable yet award-winning, demonstrating technical mastery and creativity. Jonathan’s career spans over twenty years of customizing everything he can get his hands on, from home garage projects to full Ridler-caliber vehicles.
