Triple Crown of Rodding … the Votes Are In
The Triple Crown of Rodding Presented by PPG continues to thrive as one of the country’s premier events for hot rods and trucks. For those who read USA Today, you may already be aware of the annual voting they sponsor that seeks input from car enthusiasts on their favorite events. The results are in. According to USA Today, the Triple Crown of Rodding was voted by its readership as one of the top three car shows in the country.
Open to all cars from 1972 and American-made trucks up to 1998, Nashville Superspeedway will once again be bustling on September 5 and 6, the weekend after Labor Day, with nonstop activities. Over 190 of the industry’s top aftermarket companies will gather in a large manufacturers’ midway. Some say this alone resembles a mini SEMA Show.
There will also be meet-and-greet autograph sessions with 15 stars and celebrities from the automotive industry. To benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, you can place your bid for cool custom-striped and painted memorabilia at the 1 Shot by Krazy Paint auction, with 50 of the best pinstripers donating their talented artwork. Get up close, take in the smell of nitromethane, and feel the rumble as ground-pounding vintage nitro dragsters fire off. How about riding shotgun in a full-blown race truck through a twisting road course for the “ultimate” adrenaline rush … FREE. Be part of the Show & Shine or witness top cars and trucks compete on pit row for the coveted Triple Crown awards, including Street Machine of the Year, Street Rod of the Year, Street Cruiser of the Year, and Truck of the Year for pre-1972, 1973-1987, and 1989-1998. The Triple Crown winners will receive an invitation to Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale to compete for the cup and $20,000, plus 15 additional celebrity pick awards custom built by each celebrity!
This year, they are raising funds for the Gary Sinise Foundation to support our veterans, first responders, and defenders. Gary Sinise, the actor who played Lt. Dan in the film Forrest Gump, along with his Lt. Dan Band, have performed over 580 concerts worldwide for our armed forces. At this year’s Triple Crown of Rodding, you can witness firsthand as Gary and his band deliver a concert for everyone in attendance.
During the Saturday awards ceremonies, every registered participant will have a chance to win, by luck of the draw, a brand-new Chevrolet pickup valued at $70,000, fully modified by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, as well as a chance to win an LS3 BluePrint engine valued at $10,000. Plan your vacation, pack up the kids, and be part of a jam-packed family fun weekend in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit: triplecrownofrodding.com.
2025 SEMA Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has announced the newest members of its prestigious Hall of Fame: Luanne Brown, George Lathouris, John McLeod, and Larry Pacey. Our side of the hot rod industry’s very own John McLeod is one of the well-deserving recipients.
McLeod has been actively involved in the automotive and SEMA communities for over 23 years, beginning with his early days at Classic Instruments working on custom automotive builds in the late 1990s, culminating in his company’s acquisition in 2001. Under his leadership, Classic Instruments transformed from a small gauge company into a respected mainstay within the hot rod industry.
McLeod is known for his high-energy work ethic and awareness of the needs of his customers—we hot rodders! He is also someone who is not shy about devoting countless hours to community service, shaping his influential tenure volunteering within and leading the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA). His Education Days and Builders Panel initiatives foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing, while also providing industry veterans an opportunity to pass on critical insights, enhancing the professionalism and knowledge base of the automotive community.
“When you look at the list of members like Dave McClelland, Smokey Yunik, Brian Applegate, Carroll Shelby, and so many more amazing people who are my heroes—people I have looked up to for so long—I am honored to share this space with them,” McLeod says. “I am hopeful that I can inspire at least one young person to be part of such an amazing industry, just as so many of them did for me.”
McLeod is a true enthusiast, actively participating in drag racing with his own Stock Eliminator 2009 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. He is also working on his 1932 Ford highboy roadster in collaboration with Bobby Alloway of Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop. McLeod truly deserves this award, and our industry is very proud of him and his contributions.
Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed
The Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed welcomes its latest addition—the Unser & Herzog galleries—to its newly expanded museum space. Local dignitaries, including Governor Jim Pillen, Mayor Lierion Gaylor Baird, members of the Unser and Herzog families, and Lisa Haight of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, shared remarks and participated in the ribbon-cutting.
The number one attraction for car lovers in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice awards, the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, is home to over 240,000 square feet of display space over three levels. Founded in 1992 by “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith, the collection results from their personal involvement in racing and hot rodding, along with their lifelong passion for collecting and preserving racing and automotive history over the past 100 years. Al Unser Jr. shared that this is the first time the entire Unser Collection will be under one roof. For the first time ever, the collections from the Unser Museum and the collection from Bobby Unser are united to create the most comprehensive permanent display of vehicles, racing equipment, and a staggering array of awards, art, and video.
Other new displays include Pikes Peak, Sam & Alice Hanks, Parnelli Jones, an interactive display, as well as enhanced designs for motorcycles, Sprint Cars, landspeed, and more. For more information about Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, museum hours, or displays, visit: museumofamericanspeed.org.
