This aerial view shows over 3,000 hot rods and 161 manufacturers at the Nashville Superspeedway for the 2nd Annual TCR event, which doubled in participants this year.

By Brian brennan
Photography by THE AUTHOR & Tommy Lee Byrd
VIDEOgrapher Ryan Foss

hile only in its second year, the Triple Crown of Rodding (TCR) presented by PPG Refinish event has proven it is made of the “right stuff.” The car and truck count (3,224) and spectator gate (over 20,000) doubled from last year, while the automotive exhibitor list jumped to 162 of the industry’s finest, an increase of 30 from last year. The “good vibe” was clearly in the air, and everyone breathed it in. The TCR consisted of various activities, such as judging, vendor/exhibitor booths, a Show and Shine, a Celebrity Meet and Greet, a Nitro Dragsters Exhibition, a Pinstriper Charity Auction, an awards presentation, and a concert.

Oh, did we mention the weather? It was warm on Friday but couldn’t have been any better on Saturday. The Nashville Superspeedway was packed with every imaginable make, model, and build style. The Superspeedway is now the home of the TCR, and is proving to be a worthwhile home—although it is bursting at the seams.

While the TCR is in its second year as an event, the award has been around since 2016 when it was part of Street Rodder and the Shades of the Past event in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Now, here we are, it’s 2024 and the TCR is an event representing six individual awards, three each for cars and trucks. The TCR, in part, is what it is and has become thanks to its three major sponsors: ARP sponsoring the car category, LMC Truck sponsoring the truck categories, and CPP sponsoring the Top 30 and Elite 10. The car categories include Best Street Rod, Best Street Machine, and Best Street Cruiser; the truck categories include 1972 and Earlier, 1973-1987, and 1988-1998 Truck of The Year awards. A customized Gibson guitar accompanies each of the six trophies.

This year, the kick-off party, sponsored by Billet Specialties and Roadster Shop, for the exhibitors and sponsors on Thursday night drew upwards of 650 guests. TCR event organizers Bobby Alloway and Gary Case—well, mostly Case—make sure that everyone has fun by recognizing some of the industry’s personalities, and this year was no different.

Steve and Sheri Tracy’s commitment to craftsmanship shines brightly with their latest unique TCR trophies. The Tracys also enlisted a genuinely collaborative spirit, as they, once again, brought in the artistry of Gibson guitars. Featuring the opulence of 24-karat gold and a durable titanium topcoat, complemented by the mystique of black pearl and the brilliance of triple-show chrome, these finishes are not just remarkable, they’re a testament to the art of automotive beauty.

Among the highlights of the evening are the exquisite, one-of-a-kind Les Paul guitars. Only six limited-edition guitars are produced, each boasting a unique one-off color that makes them stand out in any collection. The TCR engraving and intricately inlaid medallions of LMC and ARP logos in the fret further elevate these guitars into the realm of the extraordinary.

A heartfelt thank you to Gibson for providing the Les Paul guitars and the Tracys/Advanced Plating for their dedication to creating such beautiful pieces.

Next, Case, standing in the Alloway-customized 2023 Giveaway Chevy pickup bed, recognized the milestones of longstanding individuals from our rodding community. Jerry and Jason Slover of Pete & Jakes are celebrating an impressive 50 years while continuing an eye on tradition and maintaining a vision of the future. Next is Ken Fenical of Posies Rods and Customs, celebrating 60 years of innovation; they inspire enthusiasts and builders alike. Reflecting on these incredible milestones, it’s hard not to acknowledge the bittersweet end of an era. After an astonishing 39 years and over a 1/2-million miles traveled, Jerry Dixey and his wife, Mary Ann, concluded their legendary Road Tours. (Readers of Street Rodder will remember the many street rods that Jerry would take on the Road Tour. He would drive upwards of 20,000 miles every summer.) Their final rodeo took place at the TCR, a fitting venue for the finale of such a remarkable journey. With many choices on where to anchor their last tour, we are genuinely honored that Jerry chose the TCR.

Craftsmanship was on display. There were 19 Celebrity Picks from the “Who’s Who” list in the rodding world. These are handmade awards from each notable industry builder, including a celebrity or two. Making the Celebrity Picks even more entertaining was the fact many of these hot rod heroes were present for hours each day to sign autographs and memorabilia and be present for photos and some good ol’ garage talk. This part of the event has become a cornerstone and a portion of the TCR that all the participants and spectators place at the top of their to-do lists. Industry notables such as Mike and Jim Ring, Jesse Greening, Kyle Tucker, Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Chip Foose, Ken “Posies” Fenical, Jerry and Jason Slover, Johnathan Goolsby, Dave Kindig, Phil and Jeremy Gerber, Jim and Will Posey, Luc De Ley of Marcel’s Custom Metal, and Wayne Carini. (I suppose we could even count Bobby Alloway in that grouping!) In addition, in 2025, Corky Coker will present his own Celebrity Pick and be a new Meet and Greet panel member. Coker is always fun to speak to about the car world.

Among the event’s highlights were the much-anticipated grand prizes that excited participants. This year’s grand prize was a brand-new 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 regular cab pickup, said to be one-of-one, that came from the factory in black paint. From here, it was customized by Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop, including the lowered suspension and custom graphics, Billet Specialties 22-inch Bonneville wheels, Diamond Back Redline rubber, and an Alumicraft grille. It is valued at $70,000 and found its rightful owner in Paul Bryant from Sommerville, South Carolina. When Bryant received his ceremonial signage saying he won the giveaway truck, Chip Foose was on hand to pencil an impromptu drawing of Bryant’s pickup onto the check.

Adding to the thrill, BluePrint Engines also participated in the festivities, handing out a grand prize of an LS3 valued at nearly $10,000. The on-stage drawing revealed Roger Akers of Dublin, Virginia, as the lucky recipient, who took home premium engine components that promise to elevate his automotive projects.

A significant event highlight was the 50/50 drawing, won by Lynee Stone of Talking Rock, Georgia. A total of $24,256 was raised, with half, equating to $12,128, awarded to Stone. It should be noted that he donated $1,000 back to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Very cool. Longtime hot rodder George Lange of St. Louis also contributed $12,500 by donating to the Gary Sinise Foundation to bring the crowd to a roaring crescendo. (Editor’s note: George and his wife, Kathy, have always supported countless charities; this magnanimous gesture is appreciated and will be remembered by rodders for a long time. —B.B.)

The 50/50 charity drawing spotlighted a worthy cause, the Gary Sinise Foundation. When we thought the presentation was wrapping up, it was one of the three-stage MCs, Tim Strange of Strange Motion (the others were Kevin Oeste of V8TV’s V8 Speed & Resto, and myself), who called forward the lively crew from Classic Car Studio, decked out in their eye-popping chrome pants, gold shoes, and jackets. The grand reveal? A stunning gold-plated (1.5 ounces of gold, according to Steve Tracy of Advance Plating) Skyway BMX bike was awarded to Ty Zito with his 1993 Chevy pickup.

In a moment of whimsy, Strange cheekily asked if we could auction off their sparkling chrome pants. To everyone’s surprise and delight they agreed! What followed was pure chaos and laughter for the next 45 minutes, transforming the auction into one of the most entertaining segments of the event.

Erik Murphy, the father of McKenzie, who won Best Street Rod, threw down the gauntlet, placing a bid of $3,500. But the stakes only rose from there. Alan Johnson chimed in with an additional $1,000 if Bobby Alloway donned the outrageous outfit. Then, in a fit of competitive spirit, Dave Kindig jumped in, promising another $3,500 if Alan would also step into a second set of those gleaming pants.

Before we knew it, Bobby and Alan were strutting their stuff in chrome pants, gold jackets, and Elvis Presley shades, much to the crowd’s delight. The hilarity continued as Vintage Fabrication and Born Vintage Hot Rods each contributed $500 to the cause. Jeff Kinsey of Hot Rods by JSK added another $1,000, and the excitement reached a fever pitch when Chip Foose and Dave Kindig auctioned off renderings for a whopping $20,000 ($10,000 each)!

This unforgettable late afternoon was filled with laughter, heckling, and the spirit of giving, all sparked by a simple idea to auction off a pair of chrome pants. It is a testament to the camaraderie and generosity at the heart of our rodding community!

The monies raised will support the Gary Sinise Foundation, an organization dedicated to assisting disabled veterans and first responders. Julie Cunningham, the foundation’s philanthropy coordinator, was present to accept the donation graciously.

In addition to these grand prizes, the Ride of Honor took place in a Zach Ingram–built and owned by Rod Parson carbon-fiber 1967 ZR10 Chevy pickup, an impressive truck that secured one of the TCR Best Truck awards in 2023. Kyle Tucker from Detroit Speed was behind the wheel, showcasing the impressive performance and craftsmanship that the truck embodies. Since there were to be 10 rides each day and all proceeds went to the Gary Sinese Foundation, the program brought in $5,500 for the 20 rides. Steve of Advance Plating was the first to donate $1,000, and he received a keepsake lanyard with a Gary Sinese autographed numbered (#1) ride-along pass attached. (Very cool.) It should be noted that Roy Brizio of Brizio Street Rods donated $1,000 to the Gary Sinese Foundation for the Ride of Honor, too.

More on ride-alongs: Brian Finch’s Performance with BFGoodrich’s Share the Ride set an all-time new record for the experience. Over the two-day event, 1,127 rides were given, compared to the previous top mark of 801 rides.

The spirited 50/50 drawing and an unforgettable impromptu auction culminated in a phenomenal fundraising effort, raising $69,578. The money came from a staggering number of well-wishing hot rodders who reached into their pockets and handed over thousands of dollars.

But the generosity didn’t stop there. The One Shot Krazy Paint Pinstriper Charity raised an additional $67,012 for Speedways Children’s Charities, a coalition of 11 speedways nationwide committed to supporting needy children.

ARP’s own Bob Florine was present to hand out the car awards, beginning with MeKenzie Murphy for taking home Best Street Rod with this Alan Johnson/Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop–built 1932 Ford Highboy roadster. Best Street Machine went to Ed Ganzinotti who built his 1968 Dodge Charger at Classic Car Studio. The Best Street Cruiser went to the handmade one-off 1953 Corvette belonging to Dave Maxwell, built by Dave Kindig and his staff at Kindig It Design. (Look for all these great rides in future Modern Rodding issues. This month is the MeKenzie roadster starting on page 14.)

LMC had Daryll Malincof present to hand out the truck awards. The first was the 1972 and Earlier Best Truck that went to William Paul for his outstanding 1934 Ford pickup built at Vintage Fabrication. Bruce Griffen took home the 1973-1987 Best Truck for his 1985 Chevy pickup (OBS, original body style) built by Goolsby Customs. The 1988-1998 Best Truck went to Ty Zito for his 1993 Chevy pickup built by Jason Hill of Hill’s Hot Rods.

While there were all the specialty awards, there were also the Top 30 and Elite 10 sponsored by CPP, with Jim Ries, founder and owner and Sadie Ries, also of CPP, handing out the custom-made trophies in both categories. Remember, Elite 10 does come from the Top 30 winners. Her work was cut out for her as CPP generously prepared all the awards.

Getting ready for 2025, we are told the entrant level will be capped at 3,500 participants, and exhibitors are very nearly at their capacity. It will be once again a full house. Within three weeks of the event, we were informed that the preregistered participant count is already 600-plus, 830-plus rooms are now reserved, and three hotels are sold out. We have also been told that there may be NO onsite registration. The discounted preregistration fee of $55 will be held until December 31, 2024.

The 2024 Triple Crown of Rodding celebrated innovation and excellence in the automotive world and showcased the heartwarming spirit of the car community rallying together for those in need. As the chrome shines a little brighter today, so do the smiles of those who benefit from this incredible outpouring of support.

One portion of the manufacturer’s midway shows a sampling of the frequently 100-foot display areas with lots to see and tell for all the hot rodders present. Even the covered garage area was packed with more manufacturing displays.

Dave Maxwell, of Pittsburgh, was on hand with his Ridler-winning, one-of-a-kind, handmade and highly stylized 1953 Corvette built at Dave Kindig’s shop Kindig It Design. It captured the TCR Best Street Cruiser, presented by ARP, which encompasses the unique trophy and the custom Gibson guitar. Also, it was awarded a CPP-presented Elite 10.

Taking home the TCR Best Street Machine, presented by ARP, went to Ed Ganzinotti of Houston with his 1968 Dodge Charger built at Classic Car Studio. But there was more with a CPP-presented Elite 10.

Ty Zito captured the TCR Best Truck 1988-1998, presented by LMC Truck, for his 1993 Chevy. It was built at Twin States Rod Shop by Justin and Eli Griffin. It also took home a CPP-presented Top 30 and two Celebrity Awards, one from Classic Car Studio and one from Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop.

The TCR Best Truck 1972 and Earlier award presented by LMC Truck went to William Paul of Bucyrus, KS, for his 1934 Ford pickup with the iconic “California Kid” black with flames look. It was built at Vintage Fabrication and awarded a CPP-presented Elite 10.

Here is a pretty good collection of the awards displayed in the garage area throughout the event. You can see the Gibson guitars, the ARP and LMC Truck trophies, the CPP-presented Top 30 and Elite 10 trophies, and a selection of Celebrity Pick awards in the foreground.

Close-up of one of the Advanced Plating customized Gibson guitars: Street Machine of the Year—lots of personalized touches.

Kyle Tucker gave plenty of “Ride for Honor” hot laps in the ZRODZ ZR10 Chevy pickup to celebrate the Gary Sinise Foundation—the two-day total of 10 preregistered rides brought in $5,500 for the 20 rides.

Unfortunately, this list grows yearly, but Bobby Alloway and Gary Case remind us that many hot rodders came before us and made our hobby and industry what it is today, so “thank you.”

More hero types. (Left to right) Jessie Greening, Kyle Tucker, and Johnathan Goolsby are ready to go. These and other industry heroes were on hand for several hours each day to “be one of the guys” and talk about hot rods with anyone who wanted to chat. It has become the “must-do” activity of the show.

Brian Finch’s Performance with BFGoodrich’s “Share the Ride” set an event record with 1,127 rides given, compared to the previous top mark of 801 rides. Everyone was having fun.

One CPP-sponsored Top 30 award was given to Mark DeAtley of Arizona with his Hot Rods by Dean–built 1972 Chevy C10. Look for this beauty on the pages of Classic Truck Performance.

It’s a long story, but the “short” of it is Bobby Alloway (left) and Alan Johnson (right) attired themselves on stage, yep, undressed and dressed in the Elvis garb, all the while the money kept pouring in for the Gary Sinise Foundation. It was impromptu but thoroughly entertaining—a great job by these fun-loving, charity-driven hot rodders.

This year’s grand prize was a brand-new 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 regular cab pickup valued at $70,000. Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop customized it, including the lowered suspension and custom graphics, Billet Specialties 22-inch Bonneville wheels, Diamond Back Redline rubber, and an Alumicraft grille.

Roger Akers (left) received his ceremonial card depicting that he won the BluePrint LS3 giveaway engine by Norris Marshall, owner of BluePrint.

Gerry Kennon of Columbus, GA, was on hand with his 1955 Chevy Nomad that took home a CPP-presented Top 30.

Luc De Ley of Norco, CA, was on hand with a longterm project that has finally been finished. It is a handmade 1959-era Marcel roadster that took home a CPP-presented Top 30 and the Kindig It and Greening Auto Company Celebrity Awards.

Out of Littleton, CO, came Ken Reister with his candy red Ford Brookville Roadster 1932 Ford two-door phaeton finished and painted at Squeeg’s Kustoms. The phaeton brought home a CPP-presented Top 30 and the Chip Foose Celebrity Award. Look for it in an upcoming issue of Modern Rodding.

From Bakersfield, CA, Mike Mashburn was on hand with his 1957 Chevy, complete with a Ron Mangus Interior, and was awarded a CPP-presented Top 30.

The former Modern Rodding cover car is Dave Rush’s 1959 Chevy, which Steve Cook Creations built. It is a Grand National Roadster Show Slonaker winner and was presented with a CPP Elite 10.

This cool-looking 1956 Thunderbird belongs to Beth Myers of Boyertown, PA, and it garnered a CPP-presented Top 30.

Frank Tetro of Rockledge, FL, brought out his 1932 Ford Tudor highboy, powered by GRANCOR (GRANatelli CORporation) aluminum cylinder heads onboard the Flathead. It held up the three Stromberg Deuces and took home a CPP-presented Top 30.

Another CPP-presented Top 30 is the 1965 Buick Riviera belonging to Todd Stamm of Sugar Land, TX. It runs a supercharged LS for power.