HPX 2026 Recap: Record Turnout, New Awards & Expanded Industry Programming

The second edition High Performance Expo (HPX)—the three-day event that took place from June 2-4 at the Charlotte Convention Center—set new record numbers, confirming HPX’s emerging role as the definitive B2B trade show for the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industry, event officials stated in a press release.

“We are thrilled with the massive expansion of the HPX trade show based on one simple promise: HPX is the B2B trade show that the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industry so deserves,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, co-founder of HPX.

The 2026 edition of HPX built on the foundation laid in the inaugural year with an expanded show floor, a deeper roster of high-profile exhibitors, and a programming slate that drew more than 2,000 operators, brand leaders and industry decision-makers from across the country.

Fox Factory Vehicles Powers HPX 2026 as Title Sponsor

Fox Factory Vehicles brought a major off-road and OEM presence to HPX 2026, including multiple vehicle unveilings on the show floor and a featured PowerTalk on the future of performance suspension technology. The Fox Factory presence anchored the show’s positioning at the intersection of aftermarket innovation, OEM-grade engineering, and off-road performance, officials said.

PowerTalks, Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit & the First-Ever Automotive Leadership Conference

The HPX PowerTalk format expanded significantly in 2026, with the show floor’s two dedicated theaters running back-to-back sessions across all three show days. Speakers included Russ O’Blenes, CEO of GM Performance Power Units LLC and the leader of America’s Cadillac Formula 1 power unit program, as well as Ben Schreiner of Amazon Web Services speaking on practical AI for business, alongside a slate of industry voices addressing the future of high-performance engines, regulation and shop operations.

HPX 2026 also debuted the Automotive Leadership Conference, a half-day program designed for owners, executives and decision-makers focused on scaling smarter and building more profitable businesses. The conference closed with a panel, a luncheon and a full room of senior industry leaders.

The Women’s Em[POWER]ment Summit, themed Life by Design: Driving Your Life with Intention, brought together women across the industry for a half-day of programming focused on leadership, career development and overcoming barriers in the sport. The summit closed with a presentation from the Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) Charlotte Chapter, which held its organizational meeting immediately following.

Hendrick Motorsports Recruiting Hub & Engine Builder Challenge

Hendrick Motorsports sponsored the HPX Recruiting Hub, a program that brought together schools, training programs, and major industry employers, addressing one of the most pressing issues facing every business: the industry-wide technician and skilled-worker shortage.

The Hendrick Motorsports Engine Builder Challenges ran live on the show floor across all three show days, demonstrating championship-level engine production and showcasing the depth of Hendrick’s technical operation to potential hires.

HPX Shop Car Challenge Crowns First-Ever Winners

The inaugural HPX Shop Car Challenge brought together top shops and their best recent customer builds. Two awards were presented at the HPX Theater on Wednesday afternoon: the People’s Choice Award and the Builder’s Award.

The People’s Choice Award, voted on by HPX attendees via QR code at each vehicle and through the show’s mobile app, went to Vengeance Racing for their C6 Corvette build.

The Builder’s Award, voted on by the participating builders, went to Alan Johnson of Matick Chevrolet for his TC Kline-built C8 Corvette road racer.

DYME Performance Systems Wins HPX PerformancePLUS Peak Performance Award

The second annual HPX PerformancePLUS Competition, the show’s new-product showcase, was held in the HPX Theater on Wednesday afternoon. Eight brands presented products launched between June 2025 and June 2026 to a live audience and a panel of media judges that included Mike Galimi (network director, Hot Rod), Chase Lautenbach (co-founder, Street Car Takeover) and Robert Kibbe (president, The MuscleCar Place podcast).

The 2026 Peak Performance award went to DYME Performance Systems Inc. for their PRO/SPEC Quick Release Fittings. The patent-pending PRO/SPEC system delivers the speed and convenience of a quick-release connector with the reliability and burst-pressure performance of a traditional AN fitting, rated to 10,000 PSI with PTFE and CPE rubber hoses. The fitting includes a redundant locking feature and a high-visibility band that visually confirms the connection is sealed, addressing one of the most persistent pain points in race plumbing, the company said.

DYME PRO/SPEC also won the PerformancePLUS People’s Choice Award and received $500 in credit toward exhibit space at HPX 2027.

NCMA Tribute in Motorsports Awards Honors Legends

The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA), the HPX host association, held its Tribute in Motorsports Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening. The 2026 ceremony honored Mario Andretti, the Petty Family, Venturini Motorsports, and motorsports broadcaster Dave Moody. The ballroom drew industry leaders, dealers and operators from across the country.

Street Car Takeover Partnership Extends the Week

HPX’s partnership with Street Car Takeover (SCT) extended past the show floor, with the SCT Kick-Off Party Thursday night rolling into a full weekend of racing at zMAX Dragway. The partnership extended the HPX experience, bringing enthusiast audiences directly into the orbit of the trade event, organizers stated.

Voices From the Floor

“The contacts this show offered was on another level,” said Alan Johnson, Corvette Specialist at Matick Chevrolet and recipient of the inaugural HPX Shop Car Challenge Builder’s Award. “People willing to help us out was really great for us too. Can’t say enough good things. The business-forward educational agenda is something that HPX nailed big time.”

“HPX launched as a bold and exciting concept. We listened to the industry, and we delivered what the automotive aftermarket was asking for: a trade show built around the operator’s calendar, deal flow and bottom line,” said Jennifer Hoff, co-founder of HPX and CEO of Taffy Event Strategies. “The people who run this industry have voted with their feet and their booths. We are just getting started.”

Looking Ahead

HPX 2027 returns to the Charlotte Convention Center June 1-3, 2027. Booth sales and sponsorships are open now. Companies who book by July 10 receive significant early-bird savings on space and premium booth selection.