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Product Spotlight: BTR 5.7L Red Hot 580HP Power Package

The Brian Tooley Racing 5.7L Red Hot 580HP Power Package gives the smaller LS a serious naturally aspirated attitude adjustment, with a combination built to keep pulling upstairs. BTR reports 580.9 horsepower at 7,425 rpm and more than 450 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to make “it’s just a 5.7” sound suspiciously like a setup.

ENGINE BAY PREP AND PAINT

We learned that Underground Motorsports in Little Rock, Arkansas, was going to build one fast daily driver, so we thought we’d take a peek and drop some knowledge for you. We were looking for any tech procedures that may illustrate for readers how a car of this sort is built from scratch.

PHANTOM GSX

Back in the early ’70s, a young car nut by the name of Terry Stinehelfer picked up a ’62 Skylark to terrorize the town in, though truth be known it wasn’t much. The $200 car was all that Terry needed, however; it was powered by a small 215 V-8, and after a few months of work Terry had a cool ride. He drove it around for about a month and had a blast, until one day some poor soul felt he needed the Buick a whole lot more than Terry did, and it was gone. While at the local shopping center in Columbus, the car was stolen and was never recovered. Terry thought it would be nice if someday he could own another.

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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.