The Steel Wheel Deal
September 21, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: DieselSite’s 2008-2010 Ford 6.4L Billet Impeller Water Pump
The original equipment (OE) Ford water pump utilized a plastic impeller that was prone to cracking and breaking off the hub, leading to costly repairs. In response to this common problem, DieselSite has developed a lightweight yet sturdy alternative. Crafted from a billet aluminum alloy, the new water pump ensures exceptional durability, providing peace of mind and protection against impeller failure.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Eddie Motorsports’ Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for Slammed Squarebodies
If you’re a Squarebody owner, you know the heartbreak of watching your factory hood hinges kink up your truck’s sheet metal like a bad day in the junkyard. Those OEM stamped-steel hinges might have gotten the job done back in the 1970s, but these days, they’re better at mangling your hood than holding it. Enter Eddie Motorsports’ latest product release: Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for 1973-80 Chevy Truck – Slammed. Specifically designed for slammed trucks, this innovation is the hero your Squarebody has been waiting for.
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.
Spotlighter
Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit Builds Momentum in Its Second Year at HPX 2026
Leadership, connection, and community take center stage during one of HPX 2026's most impactful programs.
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.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
A Morning Focused on Leadership and Growth
What made the summit stand out was the energy in the room. Through panel discussions, interactive conversations, and networking opportunities, attendees connected over shared experiences, challenges, and successes. The atmosphere was supportive, encouraging, and refreshingly honest—something that resonated with women at every stage of their careers.
The event was designed to support women working throughout the automotive aftermarket, motorsports, racing, and performance industries while providing practical tools for professional development and leadership growth.
Real Conversations, Lasting Impact
Moderator Shannon Vogel summed it up perfectly afterward, describing how a room full of strangers quickly became a room filled with connection, laughter, encouragement, and what she called “some serious powerhouse energy.”
The conversations were real, the lessons were meaningful, and the impact was undeniable. Women from every corner of the industry shared experiences, offered support, and discovered they were not alone in navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with building a career in automotive and motorsports.
More Than a Trade Show Program
The summit also highlighted one of HPX’s defining strengths: its commitment to investing in people, not just products. Alongside programs like the Automotive Leadership Conference and PowerTalks, the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit gave attendees an opportunity to learn, grow, and build relationships that extend far beyond the show floor.
The event concluded with a presentation from Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) Charlotte Chapter, reinforcing the sense of community and momentum that carried throughout the day.
Helping Shape the Future of the Industry
As HPX continues to evolve, the Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit is proving to be much more than a conference session. It has become a place where women from every corner of the industry can connect, share their experiences, and help shape the future of automotive and motorsports together.
Judging by the enthusiasm and engagement seen throughout the event, the summit has quickly established itself as one of the most meaningful leadership programs at HPX and a valuable resource for women driving the industry forward.
Who’s Who @ HPX’s 2026 Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit
Shannon Vogel is a social media strategist, entrepreneur, speaker, and coach dedicated to helping individuals and businesses find and amplify their voice. As the owner of Reach Social and Tall Poppy, she has spent nearly two decades building a reputation as a leading marketing expert, helping companies tell their stories through social media marketing, content strategy, and reputation management. Beyond her marketing career, Vogel is a motivational speaker and personal growth advocate who focuses on helping people discover their purpose, overcome limiting beliefs, and create meaningful lives.
Drawing from her own journey of resilience, reinvention, and self-discovery, she inspires audiences to embrace authenticity, unlock their potential, and lead with confidence both personally and professionally. Her expertise in leadership development, personal branding, professional growth, and business communication has made her a sought-after voice for organizations and industry events focused on empowering people to achieve lasting success.
Cindy Sisson is an automotive marketing executive, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in the collector car and motorsports industries. With a career that includes launching the first marketing department at Roush Racing, Sisson has become known for creating opportunities that connect women with automotive experiences, vehicle ownership, and leadership roles.
As founder of GSEvents and host of the Women Shifting Gears podcast, she has organized programs that introduce women to exotic cars, collector vehicles, and automotive lifestyle experiences while promoting greater participation across the automotive community. A passionate champion for diversity and inclusion, Sisson works to increase women’s representation in car collecting, motorsports, automotive auctions, and the automotive aftermarket, earning a reputation as one of the industry’s leading connectors, mentors, and advocates for women in automotive leadership.
Alba Colón is the Director of Technical Partnerships at Hendrick Motorsports, where she oversees technical partnerships, engineering recruitment, team operations, and sustainability initiatives for the championship-winning NASCAR organization. A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Colón previously spent more than 20 years with General Motors, including serving as Chevrolet’s NASCAR Cup Series Program Manager during a period that produced 286 race wins and multiple championships.
Widely respected for her leadership in motorsports engineering and automotive innovation, Colón has received recognition from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, ASME, and SAE International for her contributions to the industry. She remains a passionate advocate for STEM education, engineering careers, workforce development, and diversity in motorsports, inspiring the next generation of engineers and technical leaders through mentorship, outreach, and industry engagement.
Ida Zetterström is a Swedish professional drag racer competing in the NHRA Mission Foods Top Fuel Series, the premier category of drag racing and NHRA Top Fuel competition. After beginning her career in Junior Dragsters at age eight, she rose through the ranks of European motorsports, earning the 2023 FIA European Top Fuel Championship while setting European elapsed time records and speed records.
In 2024, Zetterström moved to the United States to compete in NHRA Top Fuel with JCM Racing, quickly establishing herself as one of the sport’s most promising newcomers in professional motorsports and drag racing competition. Known for her competitive drive, record-setting performances, and strong fan engagement, she continues to build a career at the highest level of NHRA racing, while inspiring a new generation of racers around the world in motorsports, drag racing, and international racing competition.
Maddi Gordon is one of drag racing’s brightest young stars, competing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series as the driver of the Carlyle Tools Top Fuel dragster for Ron Capps Motorsports and NHRA Top Fuel competition. A third-generation racer from Paso Robles, California, Gordon grew up immersed in drag racing culture and quickly advanced through the ranks of Junior Dragsters, Super Comp, Top Dragster, and Top Alcohol Funny Car competition.
In 2026, she made an impressive NHRA Top Fuel debut at the Gatornationals, reaching the semifinals after defeating veteran champions Shawn Langdon and Tony Schumacher in professional drag racing competition. Known for her competitive drive, mechanical understanding, and deep family roots in motorsports, Gordon has already made history as the 100th woman to win an NHRA national event. She is widely regarded as one of the sport’s future championship contenders in Top Fuel racing, drag racing, and NHRA competition.
Sally Mott is an American race car driver and entrepreneur who has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young talents in motorsports and professional racing. After beginning her racing career in karting at age 15, Mott advanced through Spec Miata competition and earned the prestigious Mazda MX-5 Cup Women’s Initiative Scholarship in 2023, securing a factory-supported ride for the 2024 season.
She finished her rookie MX-5 Cup campaign as the highest-finishing female driver in the championship and has since expanded her racing résumé by transitioning into NASCAR Late Model competition and stock car racing development. Featured in Amazon Prime Video’s First to the Finish docuseries, Mott is dedicated not only to advancing her own racing career but also to creating opportunities for future generations of women in motorsports, NASCAR development series, and professional racing pathways, with the long-term goal of becoming the first woman to win a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
ARTICLE SOURCES
