Eddie Pettus’ Chevelle Wins 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Top Honors

Eddie Pettus won the overall title at the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers competition with his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. After winning the Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck category, Pettus advanced to the final round with fellow class champions Buddy Hale (Sport Compact/Import Performance), Mark Giambalvo (Off-Road) and Jesse Rieger (Young Guns).

“This is just awesome and it was such a tough year,” said Pettus. “It means so much to me and my team to do this, and to finally get the overall is an honor. The Chevelle was a five-year build (with) over 15,000 man-hours between the interior and the car being built.”

Meanwhile, Steven Iacona was crowned the first-ever champion of the inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout presented by Mothers for his custom Harley-Davidson Knucklehead.

Creativity & Craftsmanship

For the automotive competition, Pettus’ Chevelle is powered by a 1,300-hp twin-turbo LS3 engine paired with a 4L80 transmission from Bowler Performance. The drivetrain is supported by a Roadster Shop chassis with cantilever independent rear suspension and Brembo brakes, providing the foundation for the car’s performance.

The exterior features a wedge-sectioned body, extended wheelbase and modified roofline, along with custom rocker panels and fender extensions. The build incorporates flush-mounted glass and custom floor pans, wheel wells and firewall. It’s finished with an Avante Garde-designed interior, Dakota Digital gauges and custom wheels, grille, bumpers, lighting and exhaust.

“Eddie’s Chevelle demonstrates the creativity, craftsmanship and technical expertise that define SEMA Battle of the Builders,” said RJ de Vera, SEMA vice president of marketing. “The competition recognizes the talent, innovation and passion that drive the automotive and powersports industries. We’re proud to celebrate the builders who continue to push the boundaries of vehicle design and fabrication.”

The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, held annually at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, features four categories, with each category winner competing for the overall title. Hale won Sport Compact/Import Performance with a 1955 Volkswagen Ghia, while Giambalvo earned the Off-Road title with a 1974 Chevrolet K10. Rieger won the Young Guns category with a 1969 Ford Mustang.

New Motorcycle Category

Meanwhile, Iacona’s inaugural win in the new Motorcycle competition celebrates the craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation that go into custom bike building.

“It’s amazing. I’ve never been to the SEMA Show before, but it’s always been something I’ve wanted to experience,” said Iacona, owner of Iacona Custom Cycles in Brooklyn, New York. “To be next to these great builders on stage, it’s just incredible. It’s a great thing for the motorcycle industry, and it’s great to bring new life into the industry.”

The competition was evaluated by a panel of motorcycle industry experts, including Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, Jeff Holt of V-Twin Visionary and Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs. Judges reviewed entries based on craftsmanship, design innovation and overall execution before selecting finalists and naming Iacona the overall champion.

Bike Builder Shootout Finalists were:

• Winner: Steven Iacona — Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
• Second Place: Robert Zeolla — Indian In-Line 4
• Third Place: James Crosby — Harley-Davidson Pan Head

“The Bike Builder Shootout reflects SEMA’s support for every segment of the customization industry and creating new opportunities for builders to showcase their work,” said de Vera. “The creativity and craftsmanship displayed throughout this competition exceeded our expectations. We’re excited to build on this momentum and further expand the powersports presence at the SEMA Show in the years ahead.”