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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: DYNAMAT XTREME RACE BOND

August 18, 2026

Central Pennsylvania has long been a hot bed for traditional hot rods. When the N.S.R.A. moved the Nats East from Timonium, Maryland to the York County Fairgrounds in 1975, the town of York, and the associated York County Fairgrounds became synonymous with the NSRA Nats East. But wait, there was a good show in York before that happened.

CAMARO MAN

If you ask car enthusiasts to identify their favorite ’60s Chevy, most will say a Camaro. If you want a more specific answer, you probably will get mixed responses between the ’67-’68 models and the ’69. Troy Leiphart is one of those enthusiasts who like the early models, because they are smoother looking than the ’69 and look meaner when done right. That love affair with ’68 Camaros started when he was a kid. His older brother Ernie owned a maroon ’68, and Leiphart thought it was the coolest car around. After awhile, money got tight for Ernie, so Leiphart purchased the car from his brother. Leiphart drove the cool Camaro with much pride, fixed it up and spent time at the drag races, where the car did well. Eventually the engine blew and he couldn’t afford to fix it, so he sold the car back to his brother.

kickin’ it

Over the past 20 years custom truck interiors have taken on many forms, and like so much of the world today, prices and costs for these outlandish interiors have reached new heights in every way. Molded, flowing consoles, leather and killer stereos have taken front row in the world of custom interiors, and gone are the old, plain, painted panels. Going to the local upholstery shop can mean some serious change in today’s market, as the price of materials and the cost of labor have risen dramatically. But leave it to truck guys to study the art of interiors to help contain the cost of a new look, making effective use of options throughout the build of a classic or a more modern truck. While checking out some pictures on the Internet, we happened upon this at-home molded kick panel build that cost under $50!

Spotlighter

THE TRIPLE CROWN OF TRUCKS

Familiar Favorites and Unexpected Builds at the 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding

Author

Jamie Dent

Photography by Scott Killeen

Truck popularity has really picked up over the years—and the 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding gave enthusiasts plenty of reasons to see why. Classic pickups have become a favorite canvas for custom builders, and the variety keeps getting better. From familiar favorites to unexpected haulers, the trucks at Nashville Superspeedway offered plenty of inspiration for anyone who’s ever looked at an old workhorse and imagined something more.

That’s what makes walking a show like this so much fun. You might arrive with a particular make, generation, or style in mind, only to find yourself studying something you’d never considered building. A great truck has a way of rearranging your priorities—and possibly your next project list.

Familiar Shapes, Individual Style

Part of the appeal is the connection. Maybe you grew up riding in one, learned to drive in one, or still remember the pickup that sat in your grandfather’s driveway. Those familiar shapes carry memories, but they also leave plenty of room for a fresh approach.

Stance, wheels, paint, and interior choices can take the same basic truck in completely different directions. Some builders preserve the details that made the original design work so well. Others reshape, refine, and reimagine nearly everything. The most convincing combinations carry a clear vision throughout, with each decision contributing to the truck’s overall personality.

That freedom keeps the scene interesting. There’s room for subtle craftsmanship, bold statements, and plenty in between.

Expect the Unexpected

The range of vehicles getting that attention continues to expand, too. Alongside the more familiar pickups in our coverage are a 1956 Ford COE, a 1955 Chevrolet 5700, and a 1998 Chevrolet C3500 dually. Built with work in mind, these larger haulers are getting a new lease on life from owners who see possibilities beyond their original job descriptions.

They add another dimension to the lineup, bringing different proportions and personalities into the mix. It’s a reminder that inspiration doesn’t have to begin with the usual shortbed pickup. Sometimes the most interesting starting point is the truck you wouldn’t expect.

Beyond the Winners’ Circle

The three Truck of the Year recipients earned their time in the spotlight, and readers can explore those builds in our Crown Worthy: The Top 6 Winners of the 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding feature. But there were plenty more trucks worth stopping for, and that’s where this collection comes in.

We’re taking a closer look at more of the trucks that gave the 2026 show its character, along with the owners and builders behind them. Some draw you in with a familiar silhouette and a beautifully judged combination. Others make you stop simply because you don’t see something like them every day.

Explore the lineup, spend some time with the photos, and pick your favorites. With this much variety, there’s a good chance something unexpected will follow you home—at least as an idea.